Gaming with friends becomes much more fun when you have the right games to play together. The Nintendo Switch makes it easy to share controllers and jump into multiplayer action, whether you’re sitting on the same couch or playing online. The Switch offers some of the best multiplayer experiences available, from party games that get everyone laughing to competitive battles that test your skills.
Finding the perfect game to play with your friend can be tricky with so many options available. Some games work better for casual players, while others challenge experienced gamers. The Switch’s unique design lets you pass a Joy-Con to someone else and start playing right away.
The best multiplayer Switch games bring people together and create memorable moments. Whether you want to work together as a team or compete against each other, these games deliver hours of entertainment. Each game on this list offers something different, so you can find the perfect match for your gaming style.
Top 7 Switch Multiplayer Games You Should Play With Your Friend
The Nintendo Switch offers amazing games that let friends play together in the same room or online. These seven games provide fun experiences that range from racing and fighting to building and puzzle solving.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands as one of the best racing games for friends to play together. The game supports up to four players on one console. Players can race on 48 different tracks filled with colorful characters and fun power-ups.
The game works great for all skill levels. New players can turn on smart steering to stay on track automatically. This feature helps beginners compete with experienced players.
Split-screen mode lets friends race side by side on the same TV. Online mode allows up to 12 players to race together. The game includes battle modes where players fight with items instead of racing.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs smoothly and looks great on both TV and handheld mode. The controls feel responsive and easy to learn. Friends can play for hours without getting bored.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together over 80 fighters from different video game series. Friends can battle each other using famous characters like Mario, Link, and Pikachu. The game supports up to eight players at once.
The fighting system is easy to learn but hard to master. New players can have fun by pressing random buttons. Serious players can learn complex moves and combos.
Classic mode offers single-player adventures for each fighter. World of Light provides a story mode with hundreds of battles. These modes help players practice before fighting friends.
Tournament mode lets groups of friends compete in brackets. Players can create custom rules for matches. The game includes over 100 stages with different layouts and hazards.
Local multiplayer works with multiple controllers or single Joy-Con. Online matches connect players worldwide. The game receives regular updates with new fighters and features.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons lets friends visit each other’s virtual islands. Players can decorate their islands with furniture, flowers, and buildings. The game focuses on relaxation and creativity rather than competition.
Up to eight players can visit one island at the same time. Friends can trade items, share design ideas, and help with island projects. The game encourages cooperation and friendship.
Seasonal events bring special activities throughout the year. Players can celebrate holidays together and collect limited-time items. The real-time clock makes each day feel different.
The game includes tons of customization options. Players can design clothes, furniture, and even their own faces. Friends often share custom designs with each other.
Online play requires Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Local play works without internet connection. The game saves progress automatically so players never lose their work.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Overcooked! All You Can Eat combines both Overcooked games into one package. Players work together as chefs in crazy kitchens. The game requires teamwork and communication to succeed.
Teams of up to four players must prepare meals under time pressure. Each level presents new challenges like moving platforms or fire hazards. Players must coordinate their actions to avoid chaos.
The game teaches players to work together effectively. Communication becomes essential as levels get harder. Friends often find themselves laughing and shouting at the same time.
Over 200 levels provide plenty of content. New kitchens introduce different mechanics and obstacles. The difficulty curve helps players improve their skills gradually.
Cross-platform play lets Switch players cook with friends on other consoles. Online mode works well with minimal lag. Local co-op remains the best way to experience the game.
Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3 offers unique team-based shooting with colorful ink instead of bullets. Players control squid-like characters called Inklings. The main goal involves covering territory with team colors.
Turf War serves as the main multiplayer mode. Two teams of four players compete to ink the most ground. Matches last three minutes and feel fast-paced and exciting.
Ranked modes add competitive elements with different objectives. Players can climb ranks by winning matches. The game includes several weapon types like shooters, rollers, and snipers.
Salmon Run provides cooperative gameplay against computer enemies. Teams work together to collect golden eggs and survive waves of enemies. This mode offers great practice for new players.
Regular updates add new weapons, stages, and events. The game hosts Splatfests where players choose sides and compete globally. These events bring the community together around fun themes.
Minecraft
Minecraft lets friends build and explore together in blocky worlds. The game supports up to eight players on one world. Players can create anything they imagine using different types of blocks.
Survival mode challenges players to gather resources and stay alive. Friends can work together to build shelters and fight monsters. Creative mode removes limits and lets players focus on building.
The game includes countless activities for groups. Players can build cities, create mini-games, or explore caves together. The only limit is imagination and time.
Cross-platform play connects Switch players with friends on other devices. Realms provide dedicated servers for consistent multiplayer worlds. Local play works great for family gaming sessions.
Regular updates add new blocks, creatures, and features. The game never feels finished because players always find new projects. Friends can play together for years without running out of ideas.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 offers spooky fun for up to eight players. The main story supports two-player co-op with Luigi and Gooigi. ScareScraper mode provides multiplayer ghost hunting action.
Players explore a haunted hotel filled with creative puzzles and boss fights. The co-op mode lets one player control a green slime version of Luigi. This doubles the puzzle-solving possibilities.
ScareScraper creates random floors for teams to explore. Players must work together to catch ghosts and solve puzzles. The mode includes different objectives like collecting money or rescuing Toads.
The game looks amazing with detailed animations and lighting effects. Each floor of the hotel has unique themes and challenges. Boss fights require teamwork and strategy to complete.
ScreamPark offers competitive mini-games for up to eight players. Teams compete in ghost-themed challenges. These modes provide lighter alternatives to the main adventure.
Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party brings the classic board game experience to Switch. Up to four players roll dice and move around colorful boards. The game includes 80 mini-games that test different skills.
Each character has unique dice blocks with different number combinations. This adds strategy to simple dice rolling. Players must choose when to use character dice versus regular dice.
How to Choose the Perfect Multiplayer Game for Your Group
Picking the right game depends on knowing your group’s size and what types of games everyone enjoys. Players also need to decide if they want to work together or compete against each other.
What Games Work Best for Different Group Sizes?
Small groups of 2-4 players have the most game options. Most Switch multiplayer games work well with this size. Popular choices include racing games, puzzle games, and fighting games.
Larger groups of 5-8 players need specific games that support more people. Party games like trivia or drawing games work great for bigger groups. Some sports games also allow more players to join.
Players should think about their different skill levels too. Some friends might be gaming experts while others are beginners. Games with simple controls work better when skill levels vary a lot.
Personality types matter when choosing games. Some people love fast action games. Others prefer slower puzzle games. Shy players might feel more comfortable with cooperative games instead of competitive ones.
The age range of the group also affects game choice. Games rated E for Everyone work well for mixed-age groups. Teen or adult groups can pick from more game types.
Should You Pick Cooperative or Competitive Games?
Cooperative games make players work as a team toward the same goal. These games help build friendships and reduce arguments. Cooking games and adventure games often use cooperative play.
Some groups prefer competitive games where players try to beat each other. Racing games and fighting games are popular competitive choices. These games create exciting moments but might frustrate some players.
Mixed gameplay offers both cooperation and competition. Some games let teams compete against other teams. This style works well for groups that want variety.
Players should consider their group’s personality. Friends who argue easily might prefer cooperative games. Groups that enjoy trash talk might love competitive games more.
How Important Are Easy Controls and Learning?
Simple controls help everyone join the fun quickly. Games that only use a few buttons work best for mixed groups. Complex control schemes can frustrate new players.
Learning time varies between games. Some games take 5 minutes to learn. Others might need 30 minutes or more. Groups with limited time should pick games that start quickly.
Age-appropriate difficulty keeps everyone engaged. Games that are too hard will frustrate younger or newer players. Games that are too easy might bore experienced players.
Clear instructions help players understand what to do. Games with good tutorials work better than games that expect players to figure things out alone.
