The Nintendo Switch has taken couch co-op gaming to another level by removing the need for a couch or even a home. It’s simple to use and extremely accessible. This makes it perfect for playing with anyone, anywhere. Here are the best couch co-op games on Nintendo Switch to play with friends.
1. GoldenEye 007
Look, I can hear your judging looks (yes, I said hear… looks), even before I’ve updated this article with this entry. GoldenEye 007 may not have the flashy visuals of some of the other games on this list, but it’s an undisputed king of couch co-op and local multiplayer chaos, and it’s finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch for all to enjoy.
Whether you play the classic Golden Gun mode, or just enjoy some of the more standard arena shooter action, there’s plenty to love here. Besides, we’ll never get tired of cackling maniacally as we hunt down our friends with the Golden Gun.
2. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
If you and your pal are looking for something a little more strategic when it comes to your Nintendo Switch couch co-op games, then Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp may be worth checking out. The game sees you strategizing against the AI, moving your military units around a grid-based map to wipe out their forces or complete the objective.
Don’t let its cartoonish looks deceive you, either. There are some serious difficulty spikes in here that’ll catch even the most seasoned strategists off-guard.
3. Disney Speedstorm
While Mario may be the king of kart racers on the Nintendo Switch, that doesn’t mean there’s no room for other contestants to burn some rubber on Nintendo’s hybrid console. That’s exactly what Disney Speedstorm’s here to do, too.
Disney Speedstorm has an extensive amount of characters and locales from the company’s iconic franchises, mashes them all into a kart racer, and lets you battle it out against one another. With the game having now left early access, there’s a split-screen multiplayer mode in here for good measure. That means you and a friend can race it out against one another, though on the Nintendo Switch, you are limited to just two players in local multiplayer.
Still, if you’re looking for some high-octane action and fancy an alternative to Mario Kart, this is a solid choice.
4. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Mainline Mario games returned in 2023 with the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. A more traditional side-scrolling experience, you can tackle a range of levels with up to three other friends.
Considering the bounty of abilities on offer, from becoming a bomb to an elephant, you and your co-op partners can cover all bases and waltz through these colorful levels together.
5. Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!
At first glance, Snipperclips may look like little more than a child’s game. The colorful, paper cutouts don’t scream challenge or multiplayer fun. However, you definitely shouldn’t judge this particular book by its cover.
Snipperclips happens to be one of the very best games on the Nintendo Switch and it will test your wits and creativity as you snip, slice, and cut your way to puzzle solutions presented in the paper and hand-drawn aesthetic that’s impossible to not fall in love with.
Of course, what makes creative puzzles better than bringing along a friend for the ride? You can team up with someone for couch co-op action as you bounce ideas off of one another and snip each other into the perfect shape.
If you can only buy one local multiplayer game, this is definitely one to consider.
6. Super Mario Party
If Super Mario Party wasn’t a couch co-op game then something would have gone seriously wrong with the franchise. Fortunately, there’s a wealth of couch co-op options in the latest game in the series for people looking to get competitive or play cooperatively as well.
Obviously, you can play an old-school four-player Mario Party game – that’s a given. You can also split the four players up into teams, and go head to head that way either against two other friends. Or, you can work together against the computer on team game-specific boards.
Finally, there’s also a new fully cooperative mode called River Survival Mode where you and up to three friends can work together to white water raft through obstacles, playing games along the way to score the fastest time.
7. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Right alongside Mario Party as one of the best couch co-op experiences in gaming is the Super Smash Bros. series. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate continues that tradition giving players who pick it up a wealth of both cooperative and competitive options that you can play on a couch with friends.
Of course, there’s always the traditional Smash mode, where you can as many as eight friends can either split off into teams or all fight each other in a massive brawl.
However, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has cooperative co-op modes too. You and a local friend can play online together versus other players in a team match as well.
8. Super Mario Odyssey
It’s pretty easy to overlook the couch co-op fun that is to be had in Super Mario Odyssey. The game is so satisfying as a single-player adventure that you may not even find the will to try out the two-player option.
Once you do, however, you’ll see that this is a great way to explore the various kingdoms with a friend. One of you will be in charge of controlling Mario, while the other is in charge of his new talking hat companion by the name of Cappy.
If you’ve already played the co-op mode in Super Mario Galaxy, then you’re already familiar with the idea here. The difference is that both players get to be a bit more involved this time around and a new gameplay element is added solely for co-op mode.
Even after Mario has taken over an enemy, the player controlling Cappy still gets to move around freely on their own. It’s a great couch co-op experience that allows both players to get involved in the adventure without negatively impacting the experience when it’s time to return to single-player mode.
9. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is not for the squeamish. If you’ve never played any of the games, you play as a young, terrified child who is hiding from an abusive, overly-zealous mother. During the hiding, you’ll find yourself facing off against various monstrosities that only a child could imagine.
Piles of excrement, explosive flies, monstrous spiders, and other weird piles of flesh and death torment poor Isaac in his nightmares.
One thing that helps with the horror is to bring along a friend to face the terrors that await you. The second player won’t be able to control a full character, but they will be able to be a buddy that floats around player one, helping to keep any creatures from trying to snuff you out at bay. It’s a fun dynamic that will keep you and a buddy yelling in fright together as you navigate the rogue-like dungeons.
10. Sega Genesis Classics
While not one game technically, it’s a collection of games, but the Sega Genesis Classics collection on Switch has arguably some of the best couch co-op games of all time in one affordable package. Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Altered Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s all here.
11. Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight became an instant hit when it released back in 2014 across a slew of platforms. The ode to retro gaming was a blast that challenged players’ platforming skills and reflexes with creative boss encounters and tricky levels. There is a way to make things a bit easier on yourself, and make all the gold collecting a breeze as well: just play in couch co-op.
On the Nintendo Switch you only need one pair of Joy-cons, and you no longer will need the Shovel Knight amiibo (so no extra spending required). We must note, however, that the cooperative multiplayer is currently only available for Shovel Knight’s campaign, Shovel of Hope.
There are currently no plans to implement it for the other campaigns as the developers are working on the next addition to the title, but who knows? Maybe something will pop up down the line. For now, though, you can have a blast in the original campaign with a friend on the Nintendo Switch.
12. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
You can’t go through the entire game in co-op mode, but Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle does give you the opportunity to team up with a buddy for a few campaigns.
There are five couch co-op campaigns you can play with friends, but you will have to unlock each one as you advance through the single player campaign.
The first co-op campaign will become unlocked after you clear Ancient Greens, which is the first world in the game. In this mode you and a friend will control two separate teams of two characters in an attempt to complete various challenges. When you complete a campaign once, you’ll also get the option to go back and try it again on a harder difficulty.
13. Super Bomberman R
Bomberman is another classic franchise that has gotten some new life on the Nintendo Switch. Super Bomberman R was a launch title for the Switch from Konami, and while it had a bit of a rough start thanks to online issues and other troubles, it has improved quite a bit since it stepped out of the gates.
Which is a good thing, because the Bomberman puzzles are always fun and engaging, forcing players to be aware of their surroundings at all times while thinking quickly in order to avoid being blown up themselves. As the old saying goes, two heads are better than one when dealing with tricky puzzles and challenges. It’s a good thing that Super Bomberman R allows for local co-op, letting you and a friend take on the trickiest scenarios side by side.
14. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is simply a good time that you should definitely pick up if you own a Nintendo Switch. While most of its modes are of the competitive variety, you can actually team up with other players in the improved Battle Mode and show others, or the computer, who’s really the best kart driver around.
Mario Kart 8 allows players to make up teams of four to cooperate and strategize on the battlefield. Just make sure you choose your team wisely because those enemy balloons can be deceptively difficult to pop.
15. Minecraft: Switch Edition
You ever have those moments where you know you want to play some couch co-op but have no idea what it is you actually want to do? Do you want to kill monsters, do you want to explore, do you want to just do random things, do you want to build houses… the list is often times endless.
Luckily enough, there happens to be a single game that scratches many different itches by giving players the freedom to play however they see fit. You may have heard of this little game, it’s called Minecraft.
When the Nintendo Switch was released, it was only a matter of time before Minecraft hit the console. It’s just as fun as it is everywhere else you can play it, only you can take the console, local cooperative experience on the go.
Build a fantastic castle, take on endless hordes of skeletons and Creepers, discover the end, and make a life for yourself. Whatever you want to do, you can, and you can do it with a friend.
16. Death Squared
Puzzle games are fun, especially when getting answers wrong means death (for your virtual character, at least). Death Squared tasks players with moving colorful cubes around a map while avoiding traps and hitting switches that only specific squares can use.
It requires top-notch communication and cooperation, and is much more challenging than it seems at time… which makes it very fun.
We do suggest bringing your brightest and most strategic friends if you hope to make progress. Also, there will be lots of yelling, but the fun kind. So grab some Joy-Cons, a few friends, and get ready to test your puzzle-solving abilities.
17. Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania is a game that finally gave fans of the classic franchise something they had long been waiting for — a successful return in modern times to the game’s roots. This isn’t your new-school 3D version of Sonic.
It’s a fun way to reach back in time with the aesthetics of the Genesis, but with more polishing in terms of visuals and performance. This platformer pays homage to old-school gaming in a way that sends you down memory lane, but you might not always want to take that trip alone.
If you want to share your Sonic-filled expeditions with a friend, Sonic Mania allows you to team up with a buddy in more ways than one. For those seeking a little competitive edge, Sonic Mania brought back the game’s split-screen competition mode that will let you challenge friends to races.
If you and a friend want to find a way to work together, however, the game’s co-op mode is pretty fun. Co-op Sonic Mania allows one player to have control over Sonic while the other comes to their aid in the form of Tails. It’s the same kind of co-op experience that was in Sonic 2, making it yet another successful nod to Sonic’s earlier days.
18. Rayman Legends
Rayman Legends is just one of those games that should be owned on all platforms. It has an incredible music score, beautiful artwork, and some of the most fun platforming we’ve seen in a video game to date.
And you know what? It’s even better when you have a friend running right with you, taking out enemies and collecting Lums.
If you’re a fan of Rayman, music, platforming, fun puzzles, or all of the above, then you most certainly should have Rayman Legends as part of your Nintendo Switch collection. The fact that it’s also a great couch co-op game is just an amazing cherry on top.
19. EA Sports FC 24
Sports games are fun, and when you and a friend can sit down and play on the same team it’s even more fun. The rebranded EA Sports FC 24 brings the celebrated series to the Switch with all of the features you could expect.
You can play the game on your TV, or even take it on the go, all the while maintaining the option to play local co-op if you want. You don’t even need to buy an extra controller, as you can split a pair of Joy-Cons with a friend and play that way.
But, we do recommend having two complete controllers in order to take advantage of everything in the game (such as all of the offensive and defensive maneuvers). Still, if you’re looking for something a bit more sports-centered that grants couch co-op pretty much anywhere, this is a great option.
20. Fire Emblem Warriors & Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Fire Emblem Warriors is a fun hack-and-slash RPG that becomes even more enjoyable when you get friends involved. The gameplay is essentially giving you a Dynasty Warriors experience except with slightly better storytelling and familiar faces from the Fire Emblem franchise at the helm.
Fire Emblem Warriors also allows you to use more strategy than other hack and slashers by including a more in-depth character upgrade system.
You’ll also want to consider the fact that certain characters excel in different situations in battle. It’s not enough to make the gameplay particularly challenging, but it’s enough to make sure that you’re still entertained.
If you enjoy the first game, you’ll also be delighted to hear that Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a game in the same vein but based around the characters and storyline of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, a more typical, turn-based entry in Nintendo’s long-running series.
21. Rocket League
Rocket League has been one of the most captivating new entries to the sports genre since it was first introduced back in 2015. After making its way to the Switch, it’s continuing on its path to being one of the most strangely satisfying games you never knew you wanted to play.
By the time you play with a friend, you’ll find it difficult to pull yourself away. Getting your screen real estate cut in half can feel a bit bothersome at times, but teaming up with a friend to pull off some awesome plays just makes it all worth it.
The gameplay here has a great, explosive pace and the soundtrack amplifies all the excitement even more. Whether you want a partner who is ready to come in and execute coordinated plays with military precision or you just want a friend to goof around with as you both just try your best to score at least once in the whole game, Rocket League has what it takes to keep you and your friends entertained for hours.
22. Skylanders Imaginators
No matter how you may feel about the death of Spyro that was brought along by this toys-to-life franchise, there’s no denying that Skylanders is one very fun time.
The series is known for hitting all available platforms, so when the Nintendo Switch was announced Activision made sure to have Imaginators ready for it. If you have children or you’re just looking for a fun, lighthearted game that’s full of action and customization, Skylanders Imaginators is a perfect option. It gets even better when you throw couch co-op into the mix.
Throwing two figures onto the portal and running around with another player as you destroy everything in sight and see who has the better-created character is always a blast.
23. Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug 3 is one of the many Neo Geo classics available on the Nintendo Switch’s eShop. It’s a serious blast from the past that many older gamers may remember from arcades and classic handhelds.
You play as a lone soldier who’s taking the fight to a seemingly endless army of robots and other technical marvels. Like most games of its time, Metal Slug can be really challenging, so it’s fortunate that you don’t have to go at it alone.
Thanks to the wonderful magic of local co-op, you can bring along an extra soldier to stem the tide of the mechanical onslaught heading your way. Make use of powerful Metal Slugs, pick up upgrades, shoot enemies on the ground and out of the sky, and just go nuts as you fill your screen with explosions and victory.
24. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
If you’re a fan of the Warriors games from Koei Tecmo, you already know what you’re getting into with Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition. However, this is one of the most fleshed-out Warriors games we’ve ever seen from the developers, and it features tons of fun callbacks to popular games in the Legend of Zelda series.
The game also boasts a pretty diverse cast of characters, along with a few game modes outside of the story to keep you occupied. Like all other Warriors games, this one is best experienced in local split-screen co-op.
25. Enter the Gungeon
If the gameplay in Binding of Isaac is a little too clunky and slow-paced for you, give Enter the Gungeon a try instead. The shooting mechanics are much more refined than in Isaac, and the addition of the combat roll also adds some depth to the gameplay.
Your co-op partner will act as a sidekick to your character, and this should help to make your dungeon runs a little easier. That’s actually a good thing because Enter the Gungeon can be a very tough and grueling game to get through if you’re playing solo.
26. Wizard of Legend
Wizard of Legend is one of the newer roguelite games to hit the Nintendo Switch. Unlike Isaac and Gungeon, Wizard of Legend is a little more forgiving in that the sense of progression is more palpable.
It’s much easier to unlock permanent spells and relics in this game than its counterparts, which is great because experimentation in combat makes up half the fun. The game also features a two-player mode where you can run through the dungeons together. You can also engage in a little PvP action with the versus mode to see who’s the superior wizard.
27. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is probably one of the more underrated and overlooked co-op games on the Switch right now. The entire story campaign is playable in co-op, and the optional Raid Mode is an absolute blast to play through with a friend.
If your friend isn’t too good at video games, the story mode actually features characters who can play a more supportive role by identifying items for you and shining the flashlight so that you can kill the zombies easily.
28. Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies is one of the easier platformer games you can get into on the Switch. If you’re looking for a stress-free game to play with three other friends, this is definitely a good pick.
Kirby can assume the forms of his enemies and make use of their abilities to clear platforming challenges and obstacles in the game. It doesn’t offer much in the way of challenge, but it’s still a fun one to get through on a lazy weekend.
29. Nine Parchments
Nine Parchments features a beautiful world centered around wizards and magic spells. The game also has extensive skill trees, and tons of spells for you to learn and master.
This also happens to be a game that is a lot more enjoyable if you have three other people to play it with, either through online or local play.
The mixture of RPG and looting elements makes this one a fun one to play, and it’s even better on the Switch.
30. ARMS
ARMS doesn’t just have to be a competitive fighting game all the time. You can also team up with someone at home and challenge other players online together.
The 2v2 modes are pretty fun, and force you to communicate with your friend while deciding who to take down and how to pull off combo attacks together.
If you’re not in the mood for the fighting game action, there are a couple of other game modes to help break the monotony.
31. Puyo Puyo Tetris
This isn’t really a co-op game per se, but it’s a whole ton of fun if you have someone at home to play with. There’s Party Mode, where it’s every player for themselves.
You can make use of items to give yourself an advantage or an edge in the battle and try to put your friends at a disadvantage.
Versus and Big Bang Mode will pit you and your friend against each other, and you’ll have to try to get a higher score based on how well and how fast you can play.
32. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is probably a classic at this point, and it’s yet another chill co-op game you can enjoy with a few other friends on the couch. Together, you must work to keep your spaceship intact and steer it in the right direction. At the same time, you’ll have to protect it from enemies while also avoiding obstacles along the way.
This game requires some coordination, and it’ll surely test your friendship as you progress through the levels.
33. Wulverblade
If you’re looking for an arcade-style brawler to play at home or on the go, Wulverblade may be right up your alley. It features a distinct and pretty art style and it’s inspired by historical eras – both western and oriental.
The game is completely playable in two-player local co-op, making this a fun one to enjoy if you don’t like playing alone. The combat is rather nuanced as well, and it’ll certainly take a bit of time as you master its ins and outs.
34. Scribblenauts Showdown
The adorable Scribblenauts Showdown feels right at home on the Switch, and it’s clear it’s come quite a long way since its early days on the Nintendo DS.
It’s a great choice for couch co-op, especially if you’ve got young children who love playing alongside you, due to its family-appropriate nature and plenty of fun and silly puzzles to solve.
Sandbox Mode is perfect for summoning just about anything that comes to mind, and that can make for some very creative problems to solve.
Scribblenauts Showdown is a fun, colorful, and exciting choice with fun that’s amplified by experiencing it with others. While it has a viable solo mode, you’ll definitely want to recruit others to play with while you’re huddled around the couch having a blast.
35. The Escapists 2
The Escapists 2 offers a surprising amount of fun with a second player so you can enjoy co-op with friends and family. You can jump into any prison stage but the tutorial and bring your best buds in for a rousing game of split-screen adventuring.
It supports up to four players simultaneously as you all work toward busting out at the same time.
From moving jails, space jails, and other crazy locales to some of the wildest destinations you’ve ever heard of, The Escapists 2 offers a plethora of different ways to enjoy the game with others.
You can play online or with local players to work together to see how fast you can escape, or you can even compete against each other to see who’d bust out first. It’s great practice for, say, events like this that potentially could happen to you in real life. Jailbreaks are important to have experience with, after all.
36. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
If you missed out on the excellent Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze back when it hit the Wii U, it’s a great time to try it out now. Join Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and the rest of the gang as you navigate a tropical set of tundras with friends or family.
It’s made even more entertaining with two players, making it perfect as a couch co-op pick.
Players control their own separate characters and knock out enemies with super attacks and devastating combo moves. Whoever controls Donkey Kong is responsible for all typical platforming segments, while the other is tasked with long-range attacks while riding on DK’s back.
You’ll be having a blast monkeying around together, that’s for sure.
37. Overcooked 2
Since the first Overcooked game became such a hit, the developers went on ahead and rolled out a sequel with more kitchen mayhem.
Overcooked 2 stays true to the original formula: four players scrambling around to get orders in, cook food, serve the dishes, and clean things up all while dancing through the craziest kitchens conceived by mankind.
Overcooked 2 packs in a handful of new stages, recipes, and chefs while finally adding in some other nifty features, such as online multiplayer and a new throwing mechanic that lets you toss around ingredients.
Overcooked still stands as a great couch co-op game on the Nintendo Switch, and the sequel just makes everything better. This is a new series that became an instant classic and an obvious addition to our list of the best couch co-op games on Nintendo Switch.
38. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad makes his long-awaited return, this time on the Nintendo Switch. Treasure Tracker is a port of the Wii U version that’s been beefed up with some interesting new levels and a couch co-op mode that lets you share the fun with a friend.
When playing with a friend, they’ll take on more of a support role and help you, Captain Toad, make your way around levels.
The second player can rotate the camera, uncover coins, and even take care of some pesky enemies, helping you out on your journey. Captain Toad is filled with all sorts of unique maps that are riddled with all sorts of secrets just waiting to be uncovered.
39. Mario Tennis Aces
Mario and his friends step back on the court for another round of intense tennis action. Mario Tennis Aces is the latest sports spinoff in the series, bringing back classic characters and introducing some new athletes into the mix.
The sports game brings doubles back into the mix, letting you play with another person and challenge your other friends and even players online. 2v2 action means twice the suspense and competitive action as you and your partner have to cooperate and time your strikes at the right time.
Mario Tennis Aces is also easy to get into, and you can even use your Joy Con as a tennis racket to time your swings.
40. Salt and Sanctuary
Salt and Sanctuary is an incredibly challenging indie action role-playing game, forcing players to adapt to different situations and make the most out of their arsenal.
Based on the Souls formula, players will fight dangerous enemies that can easily rip them to shreds if they aren’t careful.
It’s all about learning enemy patterns and your mistakes as you make your way through Salt and Sanctuary’s dark and mystifying world.
That said, the game lets you bring a friend along for the ride, as the both of you can explore the world together. Like Shovel Knight, Salt and Sanctuary adapts when another player tags along, always guaranteeing a solid challenge.
Published: May 21, 2024 08:50 am