286 games
The best co-op games on Nintendo Switch
Better together: games that are the most fun with friends, whether online or on the couch.
How to find games that really suit you: Tap “I like it” on up to 5 games. Playalike compares 20 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
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1 Rocket League
- Co-op or multiplayer
Fast-paced rocket-car soccer where physics-driven ball control and aerial maneuvers create a staggering skill ceiling. Easy to pick up, yet competitive online play offers years of mastery.
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2 It Takes Two
- Co-op or multiplayer
A co-op-only adventure for two, with constantly changing gameplay ideas and plenty of humour.
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3 Fortnite
- Co-op or multiplayer
A free-to-play battle royale with a bright cartoon look, where fast gunfights and optional building decide who survives. Constant new seasons, live events and a huge library of player-made modes keep it fresh.
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4 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Co-op or multiplayer
The definitive crossover brawler, gathering every fighter in Smash history into a game that works equally well as chaotic party fun and deep competitive play. A massive soundtrack and the World of Light adventure mode round it out.
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5 Apex Legends
- Co-op or multiplayer
A fast free-to-play battle royale hero shooter set in the Titanfall universe, where squads of three legends with unique abilities fight to be the last team standing. Slick movement, tight gunplay and squad synergy define it.
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6 Payday 2
- Co-op or multiplayer
A co-op heist shooter where a masked crew of four robs banks, jewelry stores and meth labs, either quietly through stealth or loudly through escalating police shootouts. Deep skill trees, weapon mods and a pumping soundtrack keep you coming back for one more job.
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7 Overwatch
- Co-op or multiplayer
A vibrant team shooter where two squads of five clash over objectives using heroes with distinct abilities. Coordination, smart role and hero picks, and sharp reflexes decide every match.
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8 Dead by Daylight
- Co-op or multiplayer
An asymmetrical horror multiplayer game where four survivors repair generators to escape while another player hunts them as the killer. It thrives on tense chases, perk builds and a roster of licensed horror icons.
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9 Split Fiction
- Co-op or multiplayer
A strictly two-player co-op adventure where two writers hop between sci-fi and fantasy worlds, constantly reinventing its mechanics. Every chapter throws new ideas at you, from chase sequences to playful side stories.
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10 Overcooked!
- Co-op or multiplayer
A frantic co-op cooking game where up to four chefs chop, cook and serve under time pressure in increasingly absurd kitchens, turning communication and teamwork into hilarious chaos.
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11 Overcooked! 2
- Co-op or multiplayer
A frantic co-op cooking game where up to four players race against the clock in wacky, shifting kitchens, and success hinges entirely on communication and teamwork. Tossing ingredients across the room adds speed and plenty of laughs and shouting.
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12 Brawlhalla
- Co-op or multiplayer
A free-to-play Smash-style platform fighter where up to eight players knock each other off stages using weapon-wielding legends from across history and myth. Easy to pick up, with surprising competitive depth and full cross-play.
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13 Borderlands 2
- Co-op or multiplayer
A loud, cel-shaded loot shooter packed with countless randomly generated guns, irreverent humor and one of gaming's most memorable villains, Handsome Jack. It shines brightest as a chaotic four-player co-op hunt for ever better loot.
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14 Phasmophobia
- Co-op or multiplayer
You and your friends play ghost hunters, using EMF readers, spirit boxes and cameras to work out which kind of ghost haunts a location. Voice recognition and sudden hunts make for genuine panic and plenty of hilarious co-op moments.
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15 Splatoon 2
- Co-op or multiplayer
A vibrant Nintendo team shooter where Inklings cover the map in ink and swim through it as squids. It stands out with a unique style, fast matches, and a charming single-player campaign and co-op mode.
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16 Smite
- Co-op or multiplayer
Smite is a third-person MOBA where you play as gods from various mythologies in 5v5 matches. WASD movement and aimed abilities make combat feel more like an action game than a classic top-down MOBA.
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17 My Hero Ultra Rumble
- Co-op or multiplayer
A free-to-play 24-player anime battle royale where you play as a My Hero Academia hero or villain and team up to be the last squad standing. Each character's unique quirks drive fast, team-based fights.
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18 Super Mario Party
- Co-op or multiplayer
A colorful party game for up to four players: you race around boards collecting stars and settle the lead in over 80 quick minigames. Ideal for couch play with family and friends, full of luck and friendly rivalry.
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19 R.E.P.O.
- Co-op or multiplayer
A chaotic online co-op game for up to six players where you haul fragile valuables through procedurally generated levels while monsters hunt you. Physics-driven slapstick mishaps and proximity voice chat blend big laughs with real tension.
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20 Gang Beasts
- Co-op or multiplayer
A silly party brawler where floppy, jelly-like characters shove, grab and throw each other around hazardous arenas. The deliberately wobbly controls make for slapstick chaos and big laughs, especially with friends.
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21 Big Walk
- Co-op or multiplayer
A cooperative online game from the makers of Untitled Goose Game where you wander a big world with friends, chat and get lost together. Relaxed exploration, light puzzles and plenty of humor take center stage.
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22 We Were Here
- Co-op or multiplayer
Two players are separated in an abandoned castle in a frozen wasteland and must solve puzzles using only a walkie-talkie, describing what they see to each other. Communication and teamwork are the core of the experience.
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23 Peak
- Co-op or multiplayer
Peak is a chaotic co-op climbing game where you and friends scale a mountain that changes daily. Stamina management, ropes and pitons, and plenty of slapstick create tense and funny moments.
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24 Golf With Your Friends
- Co-op or multiplayer
A chaotic mini golf party game where up to twelve players tee off at the same time. With friends, quirky courses and mishaps make for lots of laughs.
What matters with Co-op games
Co-op games work because shared wins and shared disasters are more memorable than anything you experience alone. On Switch, that often means passing a Joy-Con to someone on the couch, but plenty of games on this list are built around online squads instead. Before picking, decide who you play with: a partner, a group of friends, or the whole family. Then think about difficulty and commitment. Some games are easy for anyone to jump into, others reward hundreds of hours of practice or grinding.
For two players who want a story together, It Takes Two is the clear pick, since it is co-op only and keeps throwing new gameplay ideas at you. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the safest choice for mixed groups and families thanks to its approachable controls and chaotic item battles. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate works as both silly party fun and serious competition, so it scales with your group's skill. If your friends prefer teaming up for a hunt, Borderlands 2 offers four-player co-op with endless randomly generated guns and plenty of jokes.
If you want something free to try, Fortnite, Apex Legends and Warframe are all free-to-play. Apex rewards coordinated squads of three and has a steep learning curve, while Warframe suits groups who enjoy a long grind of collecting and modding. Rocket League is easy to pick up but has a huge skill ceiling for those who stick with it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best couch co-op games on Nintendo Switch?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are classic picks for playing together on one console with friends and family. It Takes Two is a great choice for two players who want a shared adventure with a story.
Are there free co-op games on Switch?
Yes, Fortnite, Apex Legends and Warframe are all free-to-play. Fortnite is the most colorful and varied, Apex Legends focuses on tight three-person squad play, and Warframe is a co-op shooter with a deep grind.
What is a good co-op game for couples on Switch?
It Takes Two is built entirely for two players and mixes platforming, puzzles and humor with constantly changing mechanics. For something more relaxed and competitive, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is easy for both experienced and new players.
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