Best Switch Co-Op Games of Q4 2017

ROCKET LEAGUE

The indie sports hit has made a big splash since coming across to the Switch, and that comes as no surprise. An already established fan base, esports league and previous high quality launches on Xbox One and PS4 behind it, it was inevitable that Rocket League on Nintendo’s hybrid console would have just as much success. There’s just so much to do here, whether it’s the traditional leagues with their football/RC car action or the more recent additions like Ice Hockey rinks, Basketball courts or power-ups that completely change the way the game plays, there’s enough variety to keep anyone entertained for quite some time. All the more reason to share the experience and work as a team either on the couch or over the internet, devising a strategy or … you know … playing for fun.

WORMS: W.M.D

The Worms franchise has always been known for their multiplayer antics, and WMD is the latest in the series to carry on that tradition. There’s versus options too, but players can work together to beat the AI in the campaign mode amongst and solve some of the trickier bonus challenges in the process. All that together with the humour and weird armoury and vehicles at your disposal you would expect from a Worms expedition, and you’ve got your night set.

SNIPPERCLIPS PLUS: CUT IT OUT TOGETHER

Snipperclips was a launch title for the Switch back in March, but this recent plus sized physical edition that hits stores (as well as the eShop) upped the ante by providing plenty of new levels to get the brain cells pumping. It’s also still regarded as one of the best co-op experiences on the console to date, combining puzzle solving with unique platforming mechanics that has you cutting out shapes on each other’s character to reach other platforms or pull levers. Snipperclips deserves a look if you haven’t given it a try already already.

CRAWL

Crawl sneaks into the last month of the year with a unique 4v1 dungeon adventure that has three players working together to try and outwit and take down the fourth ‘hero’ before they reach the goal. Filled with magical items, weapons and the usual dungeon fare, the three co-op players can continually evolve the monsters that can possess to increase their chances of winning whilst making it harder for the hero to be victorious. Just beware, whoever gets the kill becomes the hero, so only work cooperatively to a point if you want to ultimately win.

NINE PARCHMENTS

Developers Frozenbyte are no strangers to entertaining co-op experiences with their Trine series, and Nine Parchments continues that tradition of engaging story, colorful worlds and plenty of action. Up to four players can come together as a group of runaway wizard apprentices in search of the rather powerful nine parchments, in this top down Diablo-like adventure that replaces hack and slash with spells and cunning.

HUMAN: FALL FLAT

Nothing is more interesting or amusing than trying to solve a puzzle that you’ve literally been dropped into without any kind of explanation. Such is the story behind Human: Fall Flat, that has you and a friend exploring a simple but intriguing world filled with intricate puzzles and can be solved the way you expect them to, or just throwing your clay like character around without the worry of ‘dying’. It’s sort of like beat ’em up Gang Beasts but with more orchestral score and curious contraptions than just endless punching.

SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY

Believe it or not, Nintendo’s biggest release of Q4 2017 does in fact have a co-op mode. One player takes on the usual role of Mario while the second player controls Cappy, the powerful ally who has taken the form of Mario’s trusted hat. Usually as a single player experience, you’d throw Cappy around at will and have him collect coins and capture enemies, but as a second player you can fly around a little more freely and be used as an extra platform for Mario to jump off. Sure, you can do that on your lonesome too, but having that extra pair of eyes can also come in handy to find the many, many secrets laying around each world. Plus, it’s just plain fun.