If you like gaming with family and friends, the Switch is one of the best consoles for the job. Here are the best Nintendo Switch co-op games on the market.
The Nintendo Switch is one of the best consoles for co-op gaming. As a console and portable hybrid, the Switch is the ideal device for playing with friends and family. As you would expect, the console has myriad co-op games available. Some of them are ports from PC and other consoles, while others were designed specifically with the Switch in mind.
The Switch is an interesting console because it has multiple ways to enjoy co-op games. As more titles shift to online-only multiplayer, Nintendo seems to be doubling down on split-screen local co-op. Though there are plenty of online titles to enjoy, as well.
Whether you like action games, puzzles, or just goofy antics, here are 12 of the best Nintendo Switch co-op games you can play right now. This list only begins to scratch the surface of excellent co-op titles available for the Switch, though.
“Monster Hunter” finally gained traction in Western markets with “Monster Hunter World,” but the franchise returned to Nintendo exclusivity (at least for a time) with “Monster Hunter Rise.” That limited release didn’t stop the game from being a major success, though, and the reasons are obvious. The game has everything that made “Monster Hunter World” great and only adds to it. You even get a dog!
Players can either hunt monsters solo or with up to three other players. You can either join a party randomly or play with friends, making this a great way to spend time with a group. Players repeat hunts to gather crafting elements to make new weapons and gear, and the “Sunbreak” expansion adds hours of content to an already massive game.
If you’re looking for a time sink that is great to play by yourself or with friends, “Monster Hunter Rise” is arguably the best option.
“Pokémon” has always been a popular franchise to play with friends, but “Pokémon Scarlet” and “Pokémon Violet” finally make the game a true co-op experience by letting players romp around cooperatively in the same world. While players could technically join a game of “Let’s Go, Pikachu!” or “Let’s Go, Eevee!” they were mainly just an assist for the host player. “Scarlet” and “Violet” let players move and play independently, and they can come together to battle each other, trade, or do raid battles. Up to four players can play together, so this is an excellent game for weekend adventures.
“Pokémon Scarlet” and “Pokémon Violet” are held back by their graphical limitations, and the open world is not as fleshed out as some would like — but at large, the gameplay is a step in the right direction for the franchise. At the end of the day, it’s still a good time for friends looking for a casual and nostalgic experience.
“Minecraft” is the most popular game in the world for a reason. Besides the fact that it has an addictive gameplay loop, players can create worlds to play with their friends or jump into each other’s games to show off their impressive building skills. “Minecraft’s” features have steadily expanded over the years, with the latest release adding a host of new content and enemies to face.
Combine that with the “Minecraft” marketplace and the efforts of the modding community, and you have a game that has endless amounts of content. If you were so inclined, “Minecraft” could be the only game you ever play. Whether you enjoy the challenge of survival mode or the satisfaction of creative mode, it’s hard to deny that the game is incredibly popular for a reason.
“Minecraft” is available on everything (you can even put it on a Raspberry Pi), and the Switch Bedrock Edition is a great way to play with friends.
Have you ever wanted a game to just kick up your feet, make friends with cute animals, and dig up fossil bones? “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is the game for you, then.
