Top-notch Multiplayer Switch Games for Fun-Filled Couch Co-op Experiences (21 Picks)
Revamped Version
Hey there, pal! We hope you're stoked about our recs! Some might be sent as samples, but the ones here were hand-picked by our awesome editors. Here's a heads up - BuzzFeed and its partners might snag a share of sales from these links.
Psst - one of them is even free!
By Danielle HealyBuzzFeed Staff
Here are some banger local co-op games to keep you entertained with your mates!
1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land re-unites players with our adorable, powerful puffball, Kirby. Fight your way through a 3D platformer, using your inhaler to snag enemies and objects, copying their powers. The main campaign supports co-op, so bring a pal along as Kirby's friend, Bandana Waddle Dee!
Note: You'll have to plow through a short solo level to unlock co-op mode.
Top Kudo: "It's so cute, you almost want to puke. The way Kirby eats up random stuff never stops being amusing. Graphics are slick, classic Nintendo quality. New to the series but highly recommend!" -Amy Lockwood
Grab it from Amazon for $59.99 (digital download code also available).
2. Cuphead is a runner-up with a charm-packed, modern twist. The titular Cuphead made a deal with the devil, collecting souls to repay his debt. Recruit a chum to play as Mughead and kick ass together.
This game rocks whether it's a solo venture or a team-up! The 1930s animation is insanely charming, and the jazz soundtrack bangs hard. Most levels consist of themed zones featuring a cluster of bosses to take down and collect their souls. Each fight requires mastering patterns and working together if you've got a partner. Find a solid wingman to avoid aggravating fights.
Cop a digital download code from Best Buy or GameStop (both offer physical copies), priced at $19.99.
3. Unravel 2 follows the adventure of two yarn-based creatures named Yarnys. Connecting together, they form a bond, following a spark through an immersive, fantastical story rife with monsters.
Top Kudo: "The game is fun as heck, and the graphics are top-notch! My daughter and I spend hours having a blast playing together." -Giovanni
Pick it up from Amazon for $24.97, or get a digital download code for $19.99.
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons turns your mortgage payments to a party with a seemingly endless list of customization possibilities. You can quadruple fun by inviting pals to settle on your island.
Brand new to the Animal Crossing scene? Now's the perfect time to hop on board, even if you remained oblivious during its pandemic lift-off. Since launch, the game has gotten a string of free content updates, as well as its sole expansion, Happy Home Paradise. Each co-op session is hosted by a designated leader, with online and LAN play supporting up to 8 players.
Top Kudo: "Nintendo does it again! Great player feedback in one of my fave AC series. New Horizons has the best multiplayer options of any Animal Crossing, full of features like online connectivity and real-time visiting. Beats the previous games by miles." -Austin
Grab it from Amazon for $56.95, or nab a digital download code for $59.99. If you cop the extension, Happy Home Paradise clocks in at $24.88, or it's free with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
5. Overcooked! Special Edition + Overcooked! 2 brings both parts of the beloved series together for hours and hours of co-op chaos! Up to four chefs can compete to whip up delicious dishes as quickly as possible, putting your communication and teamwork skills to the ultimate test.
To only grab one game, opt for Overcooked! Special Edition or Overcooked! 2 separately.
Top Kudo: "I love this game! My entire family jumps in and we all get competitive, trying to dominate each other on the levels. So much fun!" -Tony Craven
Snag it from Amazon for $30.49.
6. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a knockdown party that'll please fans of smashing their opponents with a mad roster of characters from diverse titles. It's not all brawling, though! The brawler boasts two co-op modes, with teams collaborating to defeat a series of bosses.
Top Kudo: "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is another top-notch addition to one of the most successful video game franchises in history. This game is easy for newcomers to approach, despite the series' many years in the scene. I'd say the roster is the best part - it caters to everyone, with characters to fit every taste." -Justin T.
Cop it from Amazon for $49.94.
7. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime blasts off in a hot pink Death Star, set deep within dangerous space. Take on baddies as a team, working together to control weapons, drive the ship, and more to survive.
Grab a digital download code from the Nintendo Store for $14.99.
8. Luigi's Mansion 3 shines the spotlight on Mario's cowardly brother, Luigi, trapped in a haunted hotel. Use the Poltergust G-00 to tackle ghosts and solve puzzles. Co-op mode lets a mate control Gooigi, helping explore blocked areas.
Luigi's Mansion 3 tosses in a ScareScraper Mode that lets you connect 4 Switches (up to 2 players each) via local wireless or online, letting 8 players duke it out in a timed battle. Each Switch needs its own game, and the game supports up to 4 players on the same system.
Top Kudo: "Luigi's Mansion 3 takes what was great about the first two games and mashes 'em together into something new. Great graphics, lots of levels - you'll get your money's worth. Mansion 3 is the best multiplayer option in any Animal Crossing series." -Nate R
Get it from Amazon for $49.94.
9. Don't Starve Together leaves you stranded in a randomly generated Tim Burton-inspired world, forcing you to collect resources, craft items, and employ your character's unique skills to survive. Invite pals for local co-op or online fun.
Local co-op only supports two players, but 4-player online co-op is also on the menu.
Top Kudo: "This game's what I live for - surviving and struggling's my bag! Also, it's got oodles of replay value." -Yaretas24
Nab a digital download code from Amazon for $14.99.
10. Minecraft shuffles between Creative Mode (unlimited resources) and Survival Mode (craft weapons to fend off creeps). Invite up to 3 friends for a split-screen building adventure!
This game also supports online co-op (up to 8 players) and combo co-op (local and online combined).
Top Kudo: "My kids love this game, and it's a great creative, collaborative alternative to lame games." -tatiana
Score it from Amazon for $29.88, or download digitally for $29.99.
11. Crawl puts a twist on a classic dungeon crawler, with you against your pals. Friends take control of traps and nasties, working together as 'enemies' to wipe you out to be the hero. It's essentially co-op, ferociously competitive.
While you'll have fun playing solo or locally with up to 4 friends, the real fun happens with 8 players online, all vying to become the hero.
This chaotic game's pitch-black humor and co-op/competitive vibe create an experience like no other.
Snag a digital download code from the Nintendo Store for $14.99.
12. Snipperclips Plus: Cut it out, Together! delivers three types of multiplayer madness! The main campaign needs a buddy to collaborate, while Blitz Mode and Party Mode can be enjoyed by up to 4 local players.
Top Kudo: "Absolutely adorable game! The graphics are vibrant, and the co-op play is a blast. The more you invite, the more fun you'll have." -Dee
Bag it from Amazon for $35.57, or grab a digital download code for $19.99.
13. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes brings you into a high-pressure situation: one player's trapped, another holds the manual. Communication is key to guide the trapped teammate through the bomb-disabling obstacles, with limited time.
While the game supports 2 players, additional friends can jump in to collaborate on the manual.
Top Kudo: "Played this game aggressively on PC with my brother, and I'm thankful it got ported to the Switch because so many more people should be playing it. Each bomb has different modules described by the trapped player, so the bomb expert knows what instructions from the manual to give. Let the timer run out or make three mistakes, and the round is over. It's a unique co-op experience that's exhilarating." -B.C.
Get a digital download code from the Nintendo Store for $14.99.
14. Haven tells the tale of two lovers, Yu and Kay, escaping an oppressive world to a strange planet called Source. Cook, craft, and explore to make a new home and uncover secrets. The 2022 update adds same-sex relationships, allowing you to play as either two men or women.
This game is rated M (Mature) for fantasy violence, use of drugs, sexual themes, and partial nudity.
BuzzFeed's video games editor, Jenae Sitzes, calls out this sci-fi love story as one that "offers a touching, realistic depiction of a mature, loving relationship." The co-op exploration gameplay takes some getting used to, but it's worth it once you're up and running.
Grab a digital download code from the Nintendo Store for $24.99.
15. Castle Crashers Remastered freshens up the 2008 classic with improved visuals, still keeping its engaging hack-and-slash action intact. Go solo, or recruit up to three friends for co-opPlay online and combo co-op support 4 players.
Snag it from the Nintendo Store for $14.99.
16. Rocket League blasts through a soccer-in-cars approach, with high-speed cars walloping a giant ball for out-of-this-world goals and saves! Take down friends, AI, or online opponents in 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 matches.
Both online and local multiplayer are supported, letting you enjoy matches with up to 4 players. Plus, Rocket League's multiplayer works across platforms!
Score a free digital download code from the Nintendo Store.
17. TowerFall marries rapid-fire gameplay with simple controls, ensuring beginners can learn quickly. Though mainly a local multiplayer game, it also has two split-screen co-op modes to battle beasts together.
Top Kudo: "Great game! Lots of replay value! Hours of entertainment! This is an excellent choice for couch co-op or competitive gameplay." -Heather Mae
Snag a digital download code from Amazon for $19.99.
18. Stardew Valley leans into your homestead dreams, with pixel-art charm and a multitude of farming, fishing, crafting, and lovemaking options. Invite a friend over for local co-op fun.
Open split-screen mode by visiting Robin in an existing game, building a cabin for your buddy, or creating a new game with split-screen co-op enabled. Note: each player needs a full controller.
Top Kudo: "Such a fun, cozy game to sit and play for hours at a time, especially with a friend." -Lex
Grab it from Amazon for $37.29, or download digitally for $14.99.
19. Portal Companion Collection unites Portal and Portal 2, with the latter's split-screen campaign separate from the main plot. Work together as two robots with portal guns to tackle physical puzzles set by a mad AI, GLaDOS.
Though the original Portal and the main campaign for Portal 2 are engaging on their own, the split-screen mode's online fun, too.
Snag a digital download code from the Nintendo Store for $19.99.
20. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons gives you a co-op mode for the Switch, allowing you and another player to split Joycons and share an emotional adventure together. Solve puzzles, fight foes, and... well, prepare for some feels.
If you're into video games and all the feels, this one's for you! The 4-hour solo play is just as enthralling as playing with someone you care deeply for.
Grab a digital download code from Amazon for $14.99.
21. Diablo Eternal Collection jets the 2012 genre classic to the Switch, nabbing exclusive Ganondorf armor. Pick your class and fight hordes of demons to save Sanctuary. Play solo, or gather up to 3 friends.
This hack-and-slasher also supports online co-op, LAN play, and combo co-op (local and online combined), letting your friends join no matter where they are.
Top Kudo: "Great game! Awesome replay value! Lots of entertainment! Personally, I've sunk my teeth into it deep...worth a shot, ya know?" -Joey Patton
Bag it from Amazon for $37.89.
Game Night Call:
Have you ever wanted to shout, "Prepare to be dominated!" as you and the crew team up in a high-octane game of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? Get your crew together tonight, and grab your Switch to channel some inner warrior spirit! Also, be sure to check out our list for more local co-op games primed to elevate your game night to the next level.
Enjoy, comrades!
- The majority of players who purchase Kirby and the Forgotten Land can enable Crossings, strategically playing as Kirby's friend, Bandana Waddle Dee, in the co-op mode.
- Content such as Cuphead can be bought at Best Buy or GameStop, and it features crossings with a chum to play as Mughead, which adds a strategic twist to the game's engaging co-op play.
- For those who own a Nintendo Switch, the local co-op game Unravel 2 can be strategically used to enhance family bonding in a fantasy world, as players work together to navigate challenges.
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