Historically, Nintendo has always been about making their games fun to play with friends and family. The Nintendo Switch continues this trend thanks to its accessibility and portability, making it easier than ever to get your friends together for quick games or long adventures.
With a massive library of multiplayer-friendly games, the Switch has something for everyone. Looking for your next co-op adventure to play through with friends? Grab your buddies and Joy-Cons, as we’re listing the top 20 best co-op games on the Nintendo Switch.
The top 20 best co-op games on Nintendo Switch
20. Snipperclips – Cut It Out, Together!
- Release: March 3, 2017
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Paper cutouts with silly faces come to life in Snipperclips, a two-player co-op puzzle adventure. Snip and Clip have to solve surprisingly complex puzzles to get through each level, and this requires some precision cutting. Both Snip and Clip can cut each other’s excess paper to transform their shape, which is needed to activate contraptions, mechanics, and more.
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19. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
- Release: January 18, 2019
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Travis Touchdown, the would-be hero from the No More Heroes, gets sucked into a video game! Now, he must fight his way out by teaming up with Badman in Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, an arcade action spin-off game of the No More Heroes series. Two players can team up in local co-op and perform wacky team maneuvers like the “Choco Banana with Caramel Ice Cream” special attack! We’re not kidding about that name, by the way.
18. Gal Guardians: Demon Purge
- Release: February 23, 2023
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Two high school girls are suddenly forced to become heroes when their school turns into an ominous castle haunted by vengeful demons in Gal Guardians: Demon Purge. Two players can take control of either sister in local co-op as they run, jump, and slash their way through the halls of the castle in this fast-paced platformer action game.
17. Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu/Let’s Go Eevee!
- Release: November 16, 2018
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikchachu/Eevee! is a remake of the original Pokémon Red & Blue, released all the way back on the original Game Boy. This game incorporates a lot of mechanics from the popular mobile game Pokémon Go, and you can even have your buddy join in on the fun. During battles, both players can move their Joy-Cons to toss Poké Balls, just like in Pokémon Go. The second player can’t really do much besides help in battles, but it’s still plenty of fun for Pokémon fans.
16. Astral Chain
- Release: August 30, 2019
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Astral Chain is a fast-paced action game from PlatinumGames, the developers behind the Bayonetta series. Taking place in the distant future, you take on the role of a special task force member equipped with sentient weapons known as Legions. Astral Chain allows a second player to take control of the Legion, allowing players to coordinate their attacks in local co-op.
15. Starlink: Battle for Atlas
- Release: October 16, 2018
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Starlink: Battle for Atlas is a sci-fi shooter RPG where players take control of a ragtag band of freedom fighters aiming to free the galaxy. Starlink is a “toys-to-life” game, where you get to use physical toys to unlock characters, weapons, and more in the game. On top of the game featuring split-screen co-op, the Switch version of Starlink features an exclusive Starfox side story!
14. Super Mario Odyssey
- Release: October 27, 2017
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Mario’s debut adventure on the Switch, Super Mario Odyssey, is an excellent globe-trotting journey, taking Mario through various locales inspired by real-world locations. Mario is accompanied by a ghost-like being named Cappy, who resides in Mario’s signature hat. In co-op mode, a second player can take manual control of Cappy, and they can assist Mario is various ways. It’s not a fully-fledged co-op mode, but it can still be fun, especially for some younger gamers.
13. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Release: January 19, 2019
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
New Super Mario Bros. U, originally released on the Wii U, was ported to the Switch in the form of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. This version contains the same four-player co-op action that the Mario series is known for, plus some new playable characters and bonus content. If you’re looking for some of Nintendo’s signature 2D platforming action, look no further than New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.
12. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- Release: July 13, 2018
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Toad, the plucky little sidekick in Mario games, finally gets to be the star of the show in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, a puzzling adventure that supports local co-op play for two players! As Captain Toad and Captain Toadette, players must navigate diorama-like levels and rotate the camera to uncover hidden stars and treasure.
11. Kirby Star Allies
- Release: March 16, 2018
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Kirby is back for his first outing on the Switch, and he’s brought three friends with him! Kirby Star Allies can be enjoyed with up to four players in local co-op, and players can combine abilities to unleash powerful team attacks. One player is Kirby, while the other three can be the helper characters, or another variant of Kirby if they want.
10. WarioWare: Get It Together!
- Release: September 10, 2021
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
The WarioWare games have always been about zany party antics, and WarioWare: Get It Together! is no exception. The main story mode can be enjoyed in local co-op, as Wario and his friends find themselves trapped inside their own video game. The only way out is to work together and complete microgames as a team!
9. Luigi’s Mansion 3
- Release: October 31, 2019
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a spooky adventure game that sees Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach taking a well-deserved vacation at an eerily named hotel called “The Last Resort.” Sure enough, things take a turn for the paranormal as Mario and Peach disappear, and the hotel turns into a ghastly version of itself at night. It’s up to Luigi and his new and improved Poltergust G-00 to save the day, and this time he’s not alone! A second player can join in on the fun as “Gooigi,” a jelly-like clone of Luigi.
8. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Release: May 4, 2018
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Another game that was rescued off of the ill-fated Wii U, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is platforming perfection, now available on the Switch. The Snowmads have invaded DK Island, and they’ve covered everything in snow and ice! It’s up to Donkey, Diddy, Dixie, and even Cranky Kong to save the day in 2D platforming action, complete with two player local co-op.
7. Yoshi’s Crafted World
- Release: March 29, 2019
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Yoshi’s Crafted World is a bright and colorful platformer for gamers of all ages. As Yoshi, players get to run through creative worlds built with every day objects like cardboard boxes, yarn, and more. Up to two Yoshis can run around in local co-op for a fun time, and the game even offers an easier “Mellow Mode,” which is perfect for younger or inexperienced gamers.
6. Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda
- Release: June 13, 2019
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Indie rhythm roguelike Crypt of the NecroDancer meets The Legend of Zelda in an unlikely crossover! In Cadence of Hyrule, our heroine Cadence finds herself transported to the land of Hyrule. In order to return home, she needs to save Hyrule in a dungeon crawler where everything moves to the music. Follow the beat to deal more damage and ward off Ganondorf’s minions in this fun blend of rhythm and action games, with support for up to two players in local co-op.
5. Darksiders Genesis
- Release: Februrary 14, 2020
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Slash and blast your way through the underworld in Darksiders Genesis, a spin-off of THQ’s Darksiders series. Darksiders Genesis is a top-down action adventure game, featuring War and Strife, two of the four horsemen. War and Strife have their own unique abilities and play styles, so you have to team up and work together in local co-op to take down enemies.
4. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
- Release: November 20, 2020
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Koei Tecmo continues the Hyrule Warriors series with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, an intense action game set 100 years before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You and a friend can battle together through the times that led up to the Great Calamity in split-screen co-op, learning more about Zelda and the four Champions along the way.
3. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
- Release: June 24, 2022
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Koei Tecmo and Nintendo once again team up to bring another army-slaying action game, this time set in the Fire Emblem: Three Houses universe. In Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, players play as the mercenary Shez, as they pursue their own plan of revenge in an alternate continuity of Fire Emblem: Three Hopes. As with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, you can play through battles in split-screen co-op with a friend.
2. Pikmin 3 Deluxe
- Release: October 30, 2020
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
Nintendo’s adorable real-time strategy game returns with Pikmin 3 Deluxe, a Switch port of the Wii U game. While the original Wii U release had some multiplayer options, Pikmin 3 Deluxe adds the option of full co-op during the main game. Two players can take control of the three captains as they work their way through PNF-404 in search of sustaining food.
1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- Release: March 25, 2022
- Purchase on Nintendo eShop
It’s another peaceful day on Planet Popstar, when suddenly an interdimensional portal opens up in the sky! Kirby and friends get sucked into a whole new world, and now they have to find a way back home in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby’s first big 3D adventure. You can play through the entire game with a buddy, playing as either Bandana Dee or another Kirby. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a wild and memorable adventure for players of all skill levels and ages, and it’s one of the best Kirby games to date.
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Top 20 Best Co-Op Games on Nintendo Switch