Since I was a kid, we’ve seen plenty of iterations of classic card and tabletop games on digital platforms. Digital Chess is playable on every platform (PC, consoles, mobile) in many forms. Monopoly and other classic board games continue to pop-up on digital storefronts. We are even seeing a surge in the obscure tabletop games on digital platforms, making them more accessible for remote game nights.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are video games (both new and old) being reimagined into tabletop games — but I’ll save those for a later post.

Today, I’m here to talk about Snap Finger Click and Ubisoft’s version of the 1971 classic card game, UNO. A game that many of us know and love. UNO (the video game) features multiple ways to play UNO, and some brand new ones that take advantage of playing on the big screen.

Physical UNO

Let us begin with the classic physical card game, UNO.

UNO is the perfect party game for a group of two to ten players — maybe more if you’re willing to combine decks. Everyone knows how to play UNO, and if they don’t the game is quite simple to follow. Of course we all have our own “house rules,” like stacking, no bluffing, draw-to-match, and many others (which you are able to activate in the digital version).

Today, there are endless variants of physical UNO. There are themed versions for fans of everything (Disney, Zelda, Star Wars) that mostly follow the main UNO rules. There are also plenty of wild versions that set up special gameplay rules (UNO Flip, UNO 99, UNO No Mercy). I bet most households in America own at least one UNO set.

The game has been around for over 50 years!

Digital UNO

When it comes to the digital version of UNO, Snap Finger Click continues to update the game with new and exciting ways to play. There are different themed versions, just like in real life UNO, only these use popular Ubisoft franchises and characters (like the Rabbids, Assassin’s Creed, and Just Dance). Each version features their own unique gameplay gimmick, making each one stand out.

Digital UNO features the expected local or online play. Two different Nintendo Switches can even link up to play on separate screens.

The game also features a clever way to play UNO with two players on the same screen (or online). You can play “Team UNO.” What a brilliant way to overcome the problem of being able to see the other player’s cards on the screen — you are now a team.

Seeing each other’s hands makes it easier to set up your teammate. It’s almost like playing Dominoes with a partner, only instead of hinting at what’s in your hand by playing specific cards, you can actually see your partner’s hand and play to their strengths.

This past weekend on our flights to and from New York, my girlfriend and I played UNO for almost three hours straight both ways, as a team. In the past couple of weeks, since I’ve had this game on my Nintendo Switch, we’ve spent some nights after dinner playing Team UNO for hours.

It’s a fun and quick game with many ways to play.

UNO Takeaways

More digital versions of tabletop games should look to this version of UNO for inspiration. It’s not only how to translate the real life version to digital media, but also what to add. How to make this special and different than just playing the tabletop version. I’ve seen some games add interactive backgrounds, cutscenes, and small animations to make the game feel more alive. That’s also a nice touch.

The main point of bringing these games to digital storefronts is to introduce more players to the game. Hopefully the digital version will inspire them to purchase a physical copy of the game. There should also be some incentive into owning both versions. Make it feel worth it for someone who may already own the physical game.

Playing UNO physically (our Disney 100 version) vs digitally (on the Nintendo Switch) with my girlfriend are two totally different experiences. With the Disney 100 physical version we are playing against each other. It’s more of a hostile environment.

The Nintendo Switch version is more inviting, since we are teammates, taking on some AI dweebs. Still, the physical version is always great for a bigger group — or more than two people.

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*Thanks to Ubisoft and Snap Finger Click for providing a review code for UNO on the Nintendo Switch.