Grab a friend or family member and get ready to dive into the world of teamwork and fun! Whether you’re playing side by side on the couch or linking up from afar, the Nintendo Switch offers some of the most entertaining co-op games out there.
Curious about which ones stand out? We’ve done the digging and ranked our top picks for the best Nintendo Switch co-op games. Let’s jump in!
1. It Takes Two
Starting things off, we have It Takes Two, an action-adventure platformer developed by Hazelight Studios that was released in March 2021.
The plot of the game revolves around a married couple who are planning on getting a divorce. Upon informing their daughter about it, they end up trapped inside dolls. It is then up to them to navigate the environment while helping each other solve various obstacles that stand in their way.
What separates this game from others on this list is the fact that it is purely made for cooperative play. It is also worth mentioning that only one player is required to purchase the game.
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release Date: 25 March 2021
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the fifth installment in the long-running series of this crossover fighting video games. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate allows the player to pick from a roster of 89 different fighters from various other video game franchises among which are Mario, Kirby, Pikachu, Link, and many more.
While the Super Smash Bros. series of games are widely known as versus brawlers and pit players against each other in competitive matches, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features a Co-op mode that allows the player to bring a friend along and fight across most of the game’s other modes.
- Developer: Bandai Namco Studios, Sora Ltd.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 7 December 2018
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
3. Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition
Minecraft is a video game that truly needs no introductions. This immensely popular sandbox survival game was released way back in 2011, however, it wasn’t until May 2017 that the game received a release for Nintendo Switch.
Minecraft allows you and your friends to explore an endless world filled with secrets, collect different materials, and craft a whole bunch of weapons, items, and structures in order to survive the harsh environments that you will be facing.
- Developer: Mojang Studios
- Publisher: Mojang Studios, Xbox Game Studios, Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Release Date: 18 November 2011
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox 360, Raspberry Pi, PlayStation 3, Fire OS, PlayStation Vita, Windows Phone, tv OS, Wii U, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, New Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch
4. Don’t Starve Together
Next up we have another survival game, Don’t Starve Together. This little gem was released by Klei back in 2016, however, the Nintendo Switch port of the game was released a lot later, in April 2022.
This survival title revolves around players exploring a strange land filled with unknown creatures, strange magic, and mysterious monsters that lurk in the darkness. It is up to the players to work together to create tools, weapons, and everything else they can think of in order to conquer the harsh environment around them.
- Developer: Klei Entertainment
- Publisher: Klei Entertainment
- Release Date: 21 April 2016
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
5. Overcooked 2
Overcooked 2 is a co-op cooking simulation video game from Team17 that was released in August 2018 across multiple platforms. The game marks the second installment in the franchise and since its release, it has received multiple DLC packs.
The premise of Overcooked 2 is pretty simple, you and up to three of your friends are tasked with cooperating with each other in an effort to prepare various dishes and serve them to customers before they get tired of waiting, and leave your restaurant.
While the premise of the game is simple, things can quickly get out of control with multiple obstacles standing in your way and too many orders coming in. Make sure that you can take the heat if you want to spend time in this kitchen.
- Developer: Team 17, Ghost Town Games
- Publisher: Team 17
- Release Date: 7 August 2018
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Linux, macOS, Google Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
6. Stardew Valley
Next up, we have Stardew Valley, a simulation RPG developed by a single person, Eric Barone, who is more commonly known among the gaming circles as ConcernedApe. Stardew Valley was originally released in 2016, however, it wasn’t ported to Nintendo Switch until October 2017.
Stardew Valley takes place in a small fictional town where the player receives a small farmhouse upon their grandfather passing away. All of this occurs right at the start of the game, and from there it is up to the players to decide how they want to spend their time in the game.
Whether you want to explore the abandoned mines and search for treasure, grow crops on your farm and sell them for profit, explore the faraway islands, or simply chat with the locals and perform small tasks for them, you are guaranteed to have a good time.
- Developer: ConcernedApe
- Publisher: ConcernedApe
- Release Date: 26 February 2016
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android Nintendo Switch
7. Cuphead
Cuphead is a run-and-gun video game developed and published by Studio MDHR. The game was originally released on multiple platforms in September 2017 with the Nintendo Switch port released a couple of years later in 2019.
The gameplay revolves around boss fights and multiple run-and-gun levels, reminiscent of games such as Contra and Metal Slug, with an esthetic similar to the old cartoons and animated shows. However, don’t let the looks fool you as Cuphead is widely known for its difficulty so make sure that you and another person of your choosing are up to the challenge.
- Developer: Studio MDHR
- Publisher: Studio MDHR
- Release Date: 29 September 2017
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, macOS, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
8. Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 was released in October 2019 on Nintendo Switch and is an action-adventure video game and the third installment in the Luigi’s Mansion Series.
The player once again assumes the role of Luigi and is tasked with catching ghosts within a haunted mansion and rescuing his friends in the process.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 also features a co-op mode in which the second player can take up the mantle of Gooigi and help out Luigi on his adventures.
- Developer: Next Level Games
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 31 October 2019
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
9. Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Diablo III: Eternal Collection was ported to Nintendo Switch in November 2018, however, its first release occurred many years prior, in May 2012.
This hack-and-slash action RPG lets up to four players form a team and battle the forces of hell across many different modes that the game features.
Players can choose one of the six classes such as Wizard, Demon Hunter, or Necromancer, and fight as a team against endless armies of hell in an effort to put a stop to their invasion. Across their multitude of battles, players can level up, unlock new abilities and find new weapons, items, and accessories to make themselves more powerful.
- Developer: Blizzard Team 3
- Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
- Release Date: 15 May 2012
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, OS X, Nintendo Switch
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game that was developed by Tribute Games and released on multiple platforms in June 2022 including the Nintendo Switch.
The game is a spiritual successor to the old Ninja Turtles arcade games from the 1980s and 1990s and allows a total of six players to play in a cooperative mode.
Players assume the role of their Ninja Turtle as well as April O’Neil, Casey Jones, and Master Splinter and battle against foot soldiers, Krang, and many other titular villains from the series in an effort to put a stop to Shredder’s latest evil scheme.
- Developer: Tribute Games
- Publisher: Dotemu
- Release Date: 16 June 2022
- Platform: Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS
11. Portal: Companion Collection
Portal: Companion Collection is a special collection that features both Portal and Portal 2 games bundled together. The collection was released for Nintendo Switch in June 2022 and contains 14 bonus chambers as extra content.
Portal Games are first-person puzzle platformers that were originally developed and published by Valve and take place in a fictional science center called Aperture Science Enrichment Center or ASEC for short.
Two players assume the roles of robots who are there as test subjects and are tasked with going through a multitude of chambers and completing various puzzles using their portal guns and the environment around them.
- Developer: Valve Corporation
- Publisher: Valve Corporation
- Release Date: 28 June 2022
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, Classic Mac OS
12. Spelunky 2
Spelunky 2 is a platform video game and a sequel to the original Spelunky game that was released in 2008. Spelunky 2 first came out back in September 2020 on PlayStation 4 and PC, however, the game was ported to additional platforms including Nintendo Switch in August 2021.
The plot of Spelunky 2 revolves around exploring caves and crevices on the Moon while avoiding traps and various enemies while collecting items and treasure. The game features both co-op and competitive modes and up to four players can play the game at the same time.
- Developer: Mossmouth, BlitWorks
- Publisher: Mossmouth
- Release Date: 15 September 2020
- Platform: Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
13. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest installment of the Animal Crossing franchise and one of the best-selling games for Nintendo Switch. The game was developed and published by Nintendo and was released back in March 2020. It also received multiple updates during its lifetime with the latest one being Happy Home Paradise in November 2021.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons gameplay revolves around you and your friends creating and shaping your own island, building structures, creating tools, crafting furniture, and much, much more.
- Developer: Nintendo EPD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 20 March 2020
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
14. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a platform game and the fight installment in the Donkey Kong Country series. The game was first released in 2014 but was later ported to Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Like many other Donkey Kong games prior, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze features a co-op mode in which two players can journey together across the five islands in an effort to save their own island home after a group known as Snowmads has completely frozen it.
- Developer: Retro Studios
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 14 February 2014
- Platform: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
15. Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is Ubisoft’s platform video game that was originally released way back in 2013 and later ported to Nintendo Switch in February 2018.
The gameplay of Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition builds upon the gameplay of its predecessor and its plot takes place a hundred years after the events of Rayman Origins.
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition can be played by up to four players simultaneously and the players are tasked with traversing a multitude of levels, defeating enemies, and obtaining various collectibles.
- Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
- Publisher: Ubisoft, Nintendo
- Release Date: 29 August 2013
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Stadia
16. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Shovel Knight was released back in 2014 on a multitude of platforms and almost instantaneously became one of the most popular platform video games out there.
Shovel Knight pays homage to a multitude of retro platformers and has players traverse difficult levels while avoiding all kinds of enemies, collecting treasure, and of course, performing a wide variety of platforming challenges. The game also features a multitude of interesting boss encounters that will truly test your skills and reflexes.
Over the years, Shovel Knight has received multiple DLC packs, and while the game does feature a Co-op mode, at the time of writing this, it is limited to the Shovel Knight campaign.
- Developer: Yacht Club Games
- Publisher: Yacht Club Games
- Release Date: 26 June 2014
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Nintendo Switch
17. Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug 3 is a run-and-gun arcade video game that was originally released back in 2000 and later ported to numerous other platforms including Nintendo Switch in March 2017.
When it comes to gameplay, it offers everything one would expect from a Metal Slug game. Players once again take up arms against the Rebel Army and the race of aliens in an effort to thwart their evil plans.
Overall, Metal Slug 3 is packed with exciting run-and-gun action, a plethora of weapon upgrades, and a wide variety of vehicles to pilot, as well as the never before seen, branching mission paths.
- Developer: SNK
- Publisher: SNK
- Release Date: 23 March 2000
- Platform: Arcade, Android, iOS, Linux, Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Neo Geo AES, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Network, Virtual Console, Xbox, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox One
18. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is a hack-and-slash video game that made its debut release on Nintendo Wii U back in 2014 and was later ported to Nintendo Switch in 2018.
The events of the game are set in Hyrule and take place outside of the official Zelda timeline and feature a multitude of modes including co-op mode which supports up to two players.
The gameplay of Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is a combination of various elements from other Legend of Zelda titles and Koei Tecmo’s popular video game series Dynasty Warriors.
- Developer: Omega Force, Team Ninja
- Publisher: Koei Tecmo, Nintendo
- Release Date: 14 August 2014
- Platform: Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch
19. Mario Tennis Aces
Mario Tennis Aces debuted on Nintendo Switch In June 2018 and as its name implies, is a tennis game and one of the entries in the popular Mario Tennis series.
The gameplay revolves around players assuming the role of one of many characters from the Super Mario franchise such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, etc, and then going up against each other in a series of tennis matches.
It is worth pointing out that these are no ordinary tennis matches and can feature various power-ups, trick shots, different types of terrain, and much more.
- Developer: Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 22 June 2018
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
20. Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition
This side-scrolling run-and-gun shooter was developed by Tribute Games and was first released for PC in 2014 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. It was later ported to PlayStation 4 as well as to Nintendo Switch and a couple of other platforms in 2018.
Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition feature gameplay very similar to the Metal Slug series in which player can use their weapons, roll, crouch, and collect various items and ammo types to power up.
- Developer: Tribute Games
- Publisher: Tribute Games
- Release Date: 25 March 2014
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
21. Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeons is a pretty self-explanatory title, that combines the basic design of the popular survival game Minecraft with various RPG elements and dungeon-crawling. The game was developed by Mojang Studios and Double Eleven and published by Xbox Game Studios in May 2020.
Up to four players can play at the time and each of them can use any and all weapons, armor, and items. There are also no standard classes such as warrior, mage, or any other that one would expect to see in an RPG.
- Developer: Mojang Studios, Double Eleven
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Release Date: 25 March 2021
- Platform: Arcade, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
22. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a top-down action RPG and the third installment in the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series. The game was released back in 2019 and its plot is heavily inspired by other Marvel media such as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Like the previous two games in the series, the gameplay focuses on cooperation between the players and the synergy of their abilities which they use to traverse a multitude of linear levels and fight against a plethora of enemies and bosses.
- Developer: Team Ninja
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 19 July 2019
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
23. Snipperclips Plus: Cut It Out, Together!
Snipperclips Plus: Cut It Out, Together! Is a puzzle game developed by SFB Games and published by Nintendo in 2017.
The premise of the game is very simple. Each player assumes the role of a single piece of paper and is then tasked with completing a variety of puzzles by cutting their bodies into specific shapes, carrying objects, or forming specific shapes by combining their bodies together.
- Developer: SFB Games
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 3 March 2017
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
24. Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise is an action RPG that was developed and published by Capcom and is the sixth main installment in the Monster Hunter franchise. The game was released on Nintendo Switch in March 2021 and features an expansion pack titled Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak.
Just like in other games of the franchise, players take on the mantle of a Monster Hunter who is tasked with capturing and killing a wide variety of monsters and completing quests. Players can also collect different monster parts in order to create new weapons and armor which they can use to hunt stronger monsters.
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release Date: 26 March 2021
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
25. Unravel Two
Last but not least, we have Unravel Two, a puzzle platformer released in 2018 and a sequel to the original Unravel game from 2016.
The plot of the game revolves around a small creature made out of yarn known as Yarny who washes up on an island and ends up tethered to a different Yarny.
Up to two players take control of these connected creatures and are tasked with working together in order to solve puzzles and progress through each of the levels.
- Developer: Coldwood Interactive
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release Date: 9 June 2018
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
