Looking to team up with a friend or family member for some fun on your Nintendo Switch? Co-op games offer a fantastic way to connect and play together. Whether you crave thrills, creative challenges, or friendly competition, there’s a co-op game out there for you. So if you’re in the market for the best co-op Switch games, keep reading as we showcase the best of them here.
1. WarioWare: Move It!
- Release Date: November 3, 2023
- Developer(s): Nintendo
WarioWare: Move It! is a fantastic co-op game on Nintendo Switch due to its energetic and chaotic gameplay. Players must quickly react and cooperate to complete wacky microgames, fostering teamwork and communication.
The game’s variety of motion-controlled challenges ensures constant laughter and surprises, making it perfect for casual and competitive play alike. Additionally, its multiplayer modes offer diverse experiences, catering to different group preferences and skill levels.
2. Unravel Two
- Release Date: March 22, 2019
- Developer(s): Electronic Arts
Are you looking for a more visually cozy co-op game on Nintendo Switch? This charming co-op experience features delightful visuals and a heartwarming story that creates a perfect atmosphere for shared gameplay.
The puzzle-platforming challenges of Unravel Two require excellent communication and teamwork, making it a perfect choice for friends or couples. Additionally, the game’s emphasis on cooperation fosters a strong sense of connection between players making it one of the best co-op Nintendo Switch games.
3. Stardew Valley
- Release Date: October 5, 2017
- Developer(s): ConcernedApe
Stardew Valley’s co-op mode takes the cozy grind of farming and injects a delightful dose of teamwork. You and a friend can transform a neglected plot of land into a bustling agricultural empire, dividing tasks or working side-by-side. Collaborate on crops, animals, and resource gathering while exploring the vibrant world of Pelican Town.
Share the joy of discovering new areas, completing quests, and forging relationships with the town’s quirky inhabitants. The game’s relaxed pace and endless possibilities make it a perfect co-op experience for players seeking a laid-back and rewarding adventure.
4. Snipperclips – Cut it out, together!
- Release Date: March 3, 2017
- Developer(s): Nintendo
What if you could solve puzzles by literally cutting your friend in half? Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! is a wildly imaginative co-op game where you and a friend become living, breathing paper people.
Work together to snip, reshape, and solve clever challenges. It can be a fun and engaging experience for you and your friends on Switch. Especially, putting the joycons to the max use.
5. Cuphead
- Release Date: April 18, 2019
- Developer(s): StudioMDHR
The iconic 1930s cartoon aesthetic and challenging gameplay of Cuphead make it a standout co-op experience on Nintendo Switch. The frantic boss battles become even more chaotic and thrilling with a friend by your side, offering strategic opportunities and shared triumphs.
While the game remains one of the hardest video games ever, the ability to revive a fallen partner adds a layer of teamwork and resilience. Plus, the portability of the Switch allows you to tackle these cartoonish challenges wherever you and your co-op buddy desire.
6. Minecraft
- Release Date: June 20, 2018
- Developer(s): Mojang
Minecraft on Nintendo Switch is a sandbox of endless possibilities, perfect for collaborative adventures. Build sprawling kingdoms, and treacherous redstone contraptions, or explore mysterious caves together.
The split-screen mode allows for seamless couch co-op, while online play connects you with friends across the globe. Exclusive Super Mario Mash-up packs add a delightful Nintendo twist to the iconic blocky world. If you already know Minecraft, you know it’s one of the best co-op games on the Nintendo Switch too so get it.
7. Pode
- Release Date: June 21, 2018
- Developer(s): Henchman&Goon
Is your inner explorer yearning for a co-op adventure that thrives on collaboration? In Pode, as a star named Glo and a rock named Bulder, players must synergize their unique abilities to illuminate paths, activate mechanisms, and overcome environmental challenges.
Pode’s enchanting world and clever puzzles foster a sense of teamwork, making it an ideal choice for friends seeking a shared, problem-solving experience. Its seamless co-op design ensures both players feel essential to progress, creating a rewarding journey filled with shared triumphs.
8. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
- Release Date: February 12, 2021
- Developer(s): Nintendo
Co-op and Mario games are synonymous but Super Mario 3D World feels different. The game’s vibrant levels, brimming with secrets and challenges, are a joy to explore with friends, fostering laughter and cooperation.
Unlike previous Mario titles, the ability to transform into a cat adds a new dimension of agility and exploration, making the experience even more dynamic. And with the inclusion of Bowser’s Fury, a frantic open-world mode, the game offers a delightful blend of traditional platforming and chaotic fun.
9. Pikmin 4
- Release Date: July 21, 2023
- Developer(s): Nintendo
Pikmin 4 introduces a delightful co-op mode, transforming the strategic gameplay into a lively shared adventure. With the adorable Oatchi by your side, you and a friend can conquer challenges together, from commanding Pikmin armies to navigating treacherous terrains.
The seamless drop-in/drop-out feature ensures uninterrupted fun, while the expanded co-op options make it slightly more accessible than previous titles, inviting players of all skill levels to join the expedition.
10. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Release Date: October 20, 2023
- Developer(s): Nintendo
What makes Super Mario Bros. Wonder a fantastic co-op game? Wonder Flowers! Up to four players can embark on this fantastical journey together, navigating through ever-changing levels filled with surprises.
The game’s effervescent visuals and infectious soundtrack create an enchanting atmosphere, perfect for shared enjoyment. Nominated for numerous game awards like BAFTA, Super Mario Bros. Wonder offers a charming co-op experience for players of all ages.
11. Don’t Starve Together
- Release Date: April 12, 2022
- Developer(s): Klei Entertainment
Don’t Starve Together is a survival co-op game where you and your friends battle against the elements and eerie creatures in a whimsical yet perilous world. The game’s unpredictable nature and constant need for resource management create a thrilling challenge that’s amplified by cooperative play.
Coordinating survival strategies, building defenses, and sharing resources are essential for success, fostering teamwork and communication. With its unique art style and endless replayability, Don’t Starve Together is a captivating co-op game for Nintendo Switch.
12. Mario vs. Donkey Kong
- Release Date: February 16, 2024
- Developer(s): Nintendo
Get ready for a whirlwind of teamwork and toy-trotting thrills in Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s delightful co-op adventure! Players join forces as Mario and Toad to rescue Mini-Mario toys from Donkey Kong’s clutches.
The game cleverly blends classic platforming with ingenious puzzle elements, requiring teamwork and quick thinking to overcome challenges. With its charming visuals, catchy tunes, and engaging co-op mechanics, it’s a fantastic choice for friends and families seeking a shared gaming experience.
13. It Takes Two
- Release Date: November 4, 2022
- Developer(s): Electronic Arts
It Takes Two is a captivating co-op adventure that demands constant collaboration. Players embody a feuding couple transformed into miniature doll versions of themselves, embarking on a whimsical journey to save their marriage.
The game’s genius lies in its innovative gameplay, where each level presents unique challenges requiring both players to master diverse abilities and synchronize their actions. Beyond its playful exterior, It Takes Two delivers a heartwarming narrative about love, compromise, and the power of teamwork. Want even more of the best co-op Switch games like this one? Check out games like It Takes Two right here.
14. Rayman Legends Definitive Edition
- Release Date: September 12, 2017
- Developer(s): Ubisoft
Rayman Legends Definitive Edition is a vibrant platformer where up to four friends can embark on a fanciful adventure through enchanted paintings. Its intuitive controls and diverse levels, filled with rhythmic challenges and ingenious puzzles, create a perfect playground for cooperative fun.
The game’s infectious energy and colorful cast of characters ensure endless laughter and shared triumphs as you navigate through this imaginative world together.
15. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Release Date: March 20, 2020
- Developer(s): Nintendo
When it comes to one of the best Nintendo Switch games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons stays on the list but what about the co-op part? It’s an idyllic co-op experience perfect for friends and families. Up to four players can share an island, build homes, catch bugs, and craft together.
A fanciful and quirky aesthetic and laid-back atmosphere create a serene environment for collaborative escapades. While only one player can make significant island-wide decisions, everyone contributes to the shared paradise, fostering a sense of community and shared accomplishment.
That ends our list of the best co-op games for Nintendo Switch you must try. Don’t see your favorite games on the list? Share it with us in the comments below.
