Thanks to the Nintendo Switch’s design, it makes it easy to pass a joy-con to a friend and engage in some multiplayer. This has created a resurgence in creating fun experiences designed to be played with others, whether that’s local split-screen or online only. That said, here are our top 10 picks of the best Switch games to play with friends:
10. Minecraft
The squad is finally complete to take on the block.
Minecraft has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2009. It has consistently put out updates for new game modes, biomes, and content to keep the gameplay exciting. You can build great constructions in Creative or survive for as long as you can in Survival. There’s even an Adventure mode where you can explore player-created maps for a different experience every time!
In Multiplayer, these modes can be played in split-screen co-op or online. It even sports cross-play with other consoles–a valuable feature if your group plays on different hardware. You can spawn in one world together and tackle the game co-op–or, as many playthroughs go, sabotage one another with tons of TNT!
Minecraft has solidified itself as one of the greatest gaming experiences of our age, and the Switch lets you take that greatness on the go. Truly, this sandbox game is limited by your imagination, and with friends, that imagination gets all the more larger.
Play this if you like:
- Building monuments: Minecraft is an artist’s friend. Even with simple blocks, players are able to create almost anything, from a recreation of the Taj Mahal to their own realized worlds. If you fancy yourself a painter, some have even created artworks using the game’s engine.
- Looking up recipes: Recipes in this game translate to what you need to craft better items. Before, simply memorizing the limited craftable items was possible but after all the updates, we recommend looking at the wiki or guide to get you started.
- Collaborating with others: Co-op in Minecraft is taken to the extreme. Due to the game’s focus on freedom, you’ll have to coordinate what exactly you and your team want to do. Do you take on the Ender Dragon or mine for more diamonds? Will you be playing for combat or build a structure? If this seems to open for your first time, trying out the established worlds in Adventure mode can help as they often contain an end goal to work towards.
9. Rocket League
Snatching a point from the opponent's hands.
In the most unlikely of pairings, Rocket League combines soccer with car racing. Unusual, but the concept just works. It has even formed its own World Championship, getting over 450,000 peak viewership during its last run.
Of course, you don't get that kind of clamor without good gameplay. And Rocket League certainly puts the pedal to the metal. Controls feel tight and responsive, whether that's playing in local split-screen or online. It's also a great way to build friend lists since solo queues can pair you with other players for 2v2 or 3v3 matches. While already established teams are common today, many still form new groups either for fun or make their way up the rankings.
Regardless of what category you fit into, Rocket League is an adrenaline rush of a game, perfecting the easy to play, hard to master concept. This leads to crazy stunts and near-misses, both as equally exciting as the other. And when the thunderdome gets too stressful, don't worry--the game features more casual experiences like its equivalent of hockey and basketball.
Play this if you like:
- Accessibility to new players: Rocket League’s learning curve is steep, but it starts low. That means new players can easily pick up the game’s mechanics and from there, refine their skills. You may not win your first few matches, but hey, practice makes perfect.
- Designing your cars: The cars, being the face of the game, are designed beautifully. But if you want to add your personal flair, there’s a Car Designer available as a mobile app that you can link to place your dream car in the game.
- Match variety: As a multiplayer game, Rocket League offers tons of modes to match what you’re in the mood for. Whether that’s competitive Soccar or a casual round of Hoops, it’ll have something for you. The best part is due to the game’s popularity, it’s easy to find matches!
8. Arms
Two duelists preparing a counterattack.
Arms is a perfect example of Nintendo putting the fun in all things bizarre. Here, you will fight your way through a cast of colorful characters with one unique gimmick: all of you have long, springy arms. With a pair of joycons, you can use motion controls and bring your character to life with your own real-world punches--or, you know, flail your arms around which is the game's equivalent of button-mashing.
Multiplayer is extremely accessible. In fact, outside of Grand Prix or Endless Mode, there's no real campaign to propel solo play. Meanwhile, multiplayer throws 1v1 or 2v2 matches. There's even a mode where you can engage in a free-for-all against twenty other players for the ultimate chaotic fun!
Plus, true to classic Nintendo fashion, Arms keep the split-screen action alive. You can invite friends to play all the mentioned modes in couch co-op alongside other party favors like basketball and volleyball matches. All in all, if you want a game that offers tons of multiplayer options, Arms will keep your group entertained for a long time.
Play this if you like:
- Motion controlled combat: While Arms is fully playable with a controller, the game is much more interactive with motion controls. You'll see your punches spring to life towards enemies in-game. It has a strategic element to it too since you'll need your game arms to wind back before punching again.
- Intense boss battles: It may not seem like it at first, but Arms slowly ramps up the difficulty. Once you reach the bosses, your arms will feel heavy and split-second dodging becomes crucial. This leads to cinematic moments that open up for a satisfying counterattack.
- Working up a sweat: If you throw your punches hard, you can treat Arms as an exercise game. Even with a few matches, you'll feel your calories burn through sore muscles and panting breaths.
- Banging soundtracks: Nintendo has always had a track record with iconic soundtracks, and Arms is no different. The pump-y music makes the gameplay all the more thrilling, especially when it's the last few hits before your health drops to zero.
7. Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Back to back against a horde of enemies closing in.
With Diablo IV up in the air regarding a Switch release, the third installment is more than enough to scratch your demon-killing itch. In fact, it's arguably the better experience, with fans favoring Diablo III's tighter dungeons and more detailed endgame content. You can even play as big bad Ganondorf himself on the Switch version!
Regardless where you stand, it can't be denied that fighting hellions is more fun with others. In Diablo III, you and up to three other players can team up, either locally or online. This lends itself well to the Switch's portability. Just grab a pair of controllers, pass it to a friend, and let the dungeon-crawling begin. Enemies will explode and the screen will shake as your characters unsettle the very foundation of hell itself.
Diablo III is great for when your group just wants some mindless grinding. For something with more challenge, you can take on the game's various bosses--admittedly, though, it's much harder to convince your friend to give you the loot you've always wanted.
Play this if you like:
- Grinding for loot: As action-RPGs go, Diablo III is a great introduction to a loot-heavy gameplay. You’ll be exposed to tons of gear and items as you explore, but the real meat are boss drops where you’ll have to face a difficult challenge first. Succeed and you earn great rewards.
- Playing in clans: While some players prefer facing hell alone, Diablo III also offers the option to join clans. These are great ways to communicate with multiple friends at once or if you just like being in the circle for recent news.
- Class-based progression: Your class will essentially determine what abilities you get late game. Fortunately, the game handles balancing really well. While some classes get DPS, others will focus on stat buffs so it really boils down to how you want to play. Plus, there are subclasses now too that open up the progression to more depth.
- Endgame content: Diablo III’s main story can be completed quickly–in fact, it averages out to just about 18 hours. The campaign isn’t the series’ focus at all, though, but instead the endgame content. This reveals more mechanics like Nephalem rifts which are dungeons you can clear in 5-15 minutes. There are also better items, stronger bosses, and more abilities that you can build your character around.
6. Mario Party Superstars
If you played the game, this is the calm before the storm.
Don't confuse Superstars with Super Mario Party. While the latter is a good game, the forced use of motion controls and slower gameplay makes Superstars the better choice for most groups. Plus, not to mention the sheer amount of collectibles and quality of life improvements Superstars bring to the table.
Like others in the franchise, the game has you play various minigames across a Mario-themed board. And like traditional tabletops, it encourages various interactions with players through duels, team-based plays, or sometimes even 1v3s! With over 100+ minigames unlocked from the start, there's no shortage of content to last through multiple game nights.
Plus, the game's drop-in feature lets players join the party mid-game! This may not seem groundbreaking but it comes in clutch if your group suddenly lacks one player. Nintendo has also announced that boards from previous entries will make a comeback--a great reminder of the controller-throwing fun born from the franchise.
Play this if you like:
- Tabletop-esque mechanics: Like all games from the franchise, Superstars is a Mario-themed board game. You’ll be moving around using dice, and sometimes, some minigames will even rely on getting higher rolls than others.
- Segmented minigames: Unlike other multiplayer games where there's a central theme, Superstars--and all of the Mario Party franchise--has you play through unrelated minigames. This system makes it perfect if you want to try varied experiences in the shortest amount of time.
- Remakes of nostalgic memories: Unlike Super Mario Party, Superstars is a remake of old boards from previous entries. This isn’t a bad thing; in fact, many players prefer this due to the focus on gameplay rather than showcasing new gimmicks like motion controls. Plus, it’s a great revival for the franchise, with nostalgic appeal for old fans and modern tweaks for new players.
5. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Serving food in a stormy shipwreck is surprisingly inefficient.
Guilty of destroying friendships, Overcooked has you manage a kitchen with up to three friends. Sounds simple? Try doing it while crossing rivers, jumping through platforms, and of course, with a growing pile of orders as the timer slowly ticks down.
Overcooked can certainly be played solo, but the real fun comes from playing with friends. With kitchens layout being asymmetrical, various game mechanics are split among your group. You might have the ingredients but throw them quickly because the chopping board is in another player's area! This leads to some deliciously stressful moments and it doesn't take long before you'll be shouting over each other to satisfy the never-ending orders.
The dynamic gameplay leaves no dips in enjoyment. Aside from the various gimmicks, the constantly changing orders make sure that no two levels are alike. Plus, now with the Eat All You Can edition, you can enjoy both the eccentricities of the Overcooked 1, 2, and all the included DLCs.
Play if you like:
- Adorable graphics: Overcooked may not have ultra-realistic graphics, but personally, the cutesy art style makes it more appealing. It's fun seeing your chibi-fied chefs stumble across the kitchen. Plus, the cute animations soften the blow when failing a level.
- Multitasking challenges: The major part of the gameplay is juggling multiple tasks at once. From chopping veggies to delivering the dish, you'll have to balance the requirements of multiple orders. Plus, be aware of what you and your teammates' roles are in the kitchen!
- Dynamic and obstacle-filled maps: The various maps are no slouch either! You'll constantly encounter slippery glaciers, boiling lava, and moving platforms that aim to hinder you from those sweet three stars.
- Shouting and yelling with friends: Not many games skid towards the chaotic co-op gameplay as much as Overcooked. Is the pizza burning? Pass the onion! No, the onion! The only way to win is to communicate, and with orders piling and the timer close zero, communicating easily translates to yelling.
4. Splatoon 3
Painting the town yellow.
Splatoon is Nintendo's take on the shooting genre and it's exactly what you'd imagine it like. You spray paint--not bullets. And your bombs burst in color rather than ...well, \explosions. Granted, killing enemies is not the goal but instead who has painted more of the map with their Inklings' color.
The third installment refines this formula and adds a few more bells and whistles. Of course, the classic Turf Wars is available, freshly improved with new weapons, powers, and mechs! For something more cooperative, Salmon Run will have you and up to three other players hold back a horde of invading fish. Take note it's online co-op only which is a shame for those who prefer local play.
The biggest addition, however, has to be Tableturf Battle, an in-universe card game designed for 1v1s. With all these, Splatoon 3 definitely upped their multiplayer aspect while still being the charming shooter we love. If nothing else, it's a definite upgrade just for the ability to skip the news segment every time the game's booted.
Play if you like:
- Swift and quick gameplay: Regular Turf Wars only last three minutes long. It may seem short but the gameplay reflects the duration. You’ll be constantly moving, splatting ink and swimming through the map in squid form for mobility. Even kills come easily in just a few hits, but thankfully, Super Jumps can take you to the action just as quick.
- Controlling the map: The Splatoon series heavily focuses on map control. The more of the area you’ve inked, the more useful your traversal options become like squid form. As such, there’s more incentive to ink the map first, kill enemies second.
- Loadout customization: Part of Splatoon’s appeal is its varied weapon and clothing choices, and this is dialed to eleven in Splatoon 3. Classic favorites come back alongside new options like the Custom Goo Tuber. These come with their own stat buffs and subweapons–plus, they’re great if you want to sport new outfits for your inkling.
- Taking breaks from ranked gameplay: Splatoon 3 now offers options for when you want a break from the competitive scene. Of course, the cooperative Salmon Run is back, but you can also now play in-game cards with others for a tactical change.
3. Fortnite
Charging through enemy territory with a pistol.
How can we not put Fortnite in a list of best multiplayer games? This third-person shooter took the world by storm since its release and even more so with the Switch version. It's not the easiest game to follow with all its limited time events, but fortunately, it retains the shooting-building gameplay that skyrocketed its position to the top.
Nowadays, Fortnite is as much a social hub as it is a game, with features that encourage interaction between players whether friends or online strangers. There are even over a dozen game modes at a time to match your party's tastes, whether that's playing 2v2 free-for-alls in Duos, repelling zombies in Save the World, or constructing your own worlds in Creative.
In 2023, millions of players still log in everyday which is a testament to Fortnite's staying power. This huge community is the lifeblood of the game, making sure that there's plenty of multiplayer enjoyment for hardcore fans or casual players. But be aware that there will be toxic groups out there, too, so best prepare the mute button--just in case.
Play this if you like:
- Battle Royale FPS: A genre that took gaming by storm, Fortnite utilizes the time-sensitive looting-shooting action of battle royales. Pillage from abandoned houses and enemies as the map slowly shrinks, forcing you to encounter other players.
- Building bases: If Apex Legends is to movement, Fornite is to construction. Aside from shooting, you’ll be building bases to defend, travel, and get to optimal position. Depending on your skills, this might cover for your shooting prowess or vice versa.
- Skins and cosmetics: Part of Fortnite’s staying power is its tons of cosmetic varieties. Most are bought with real currency, but it’s great if you want to swing as Spider-Man and encounter Rick Sanchez along the way.
- Switching between competitive and casual gameplay: Fortnite can easily become a competitive scene, especially with its standard battle royale mode. However, it also encourages more relaxing modes like Creative if you just want a night to kick back and chill.
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Nintendo greats duking it out in combat.
With 89 playable characters and over 100 stages, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the penultimate edition of the long-standing franchise. In fact, it's a love letter to all things gaming, featuring beloved Nintendo characters alongside timeless classics like Metal Gear’s Solid Snake and Castlevania’s Simon Belmont.
As a platformer-fighter, Ultimate has you jump, run, and swing while simultaneously attacking your enemies. The game can get crazy, especially with 8-player mode. Hits will come from everywhere and you'll be dashing across the stage to get that counterattack. For something more traditional, the game also features 1v1 mode or teams so you can blame your losses on your companion.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a unique take on the fighting genre. It may not have the complex movesets of traditional fighters, but it brings its own depth through its platforming mechanics and items to equip. If you're a fan of fighting games or just want a game full of chaotic opportunities, Ultimate fully delivers.
Play this if you like:
- A big roster of characters to play: If you're like us andlike to play a character, see their moves, then move on to the next, Ultimate's large roster appeals directly to that mindset. That said, people who have mains will also enjoy strategizing for all the available fighters.
- Tons of collectibles: Pulling from Pokemon's collect-them-all mentality, there are over a hundred stages to unlock and about 1,300 spirit characters to get. These are essentially loadouts that you can equip your fighters with to slightly alter the gameplay. With all these, Ultimate boasts one of the highest replayability factors not just in its franchise, but in the whole fighting genre.
- 2D Fighting: The Smash Bros. series lean into the 2D fighting hard. In fact, you'll be hitting just as much as platforming in this wacky combo of a game.
- Gaming in general: It's not called Ultimate for no reason. This installment features tons of beloved characters spanning multiple franchises. From Metal Gear's Solid Snake to Kingdom Hearts’ Sora, you'll feel a surge of nostalgia as you unlock their figure in the roster.
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Carefully planning which player to thwart with a banana peel.
Even after nearly three decades, Mario Kart remains a quintessential multiplayer experience, now even more so with its eighth installment. With a plethora of modes to choose from, including the fan-favorite Battle Mode from the Wii U days, Mario Kart 8 is filled with tons of racing goodness.
You can battle locally with up to four friends, although pro tip: dock it to your TV because all the action can get crowded on a small screen. For competitive players, you can race for the top spot either Regionally or Worldwide in online mode. You can even set up your own tournaments to truly crown the Mario Kart King (or Queen!).
Plus, with Battle Mode making a comeback, Mario Kart becomes a much better party game. It has its own array of minigames ranging from the fan-favorite Balloon Battle to the more niche Renegade Round-Up. With all these available options, along with upcoming tracks from updates, Mario Kart 8 has plenty to race into with friends.
Play this if you like:
- Kart racing: I mean, it's in the title. Mario Kart 8 doesn't go for realistic simulations like in Forza, instead going for a vibrant artstyle and more forgiving controls (still difficult to master, though!).
- Power-ups galore: Mario Kart 8 has tons of power-ups that'll equally lower and boost your chances of getting the #1 spot. Now you can even carry two items at once, which adds a layer of timing when to use your abilities. Or, you know, burn through them in one go.
- Highly-detailed tracks: Mario Kart not only features all the tracks from the Wii U version but also all the added expansions post-release. If Nintendo's plans follow through, that's a total of over 70 tracks, each as highly-detailed and colorful as the last.
- Customizing your rides: Granted, not many people dwell too much on car-customization but it opens up the game to much deeper mechanics once you do. Do you play as a heavy, stable truck or a risky but fast motorcycle? You can also make all things in between to match your playstyle.
- Casual or competitive races: One of the reasons for why Mario Kart is so enduring is appeal to everyone. It's just as fun to play casually as it is when you're on a competitive streak.
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