10 Of The Best Nintendo Switch Multiplayer Games (That Aren’t ‘Animal Crossing’)
It’s hard to believe, but there are other games on the Nintendo Switch besides Animal Crossing. In fact, some of the best Switch offerings are the multiplayer games you can play with friends or housemates.
Tom Nook is shaking.
The Nintendo Switch is one of the best consoles for multiplayer gaming, with two controllers in the box and a huge library of games that are designed to be played with friends.
2000: obsessed with “survivor,” played mario kart constantly, way too afraid to get close to any men
2020: same
— Chris Kelly (@imchriskelly) April 15, 2020
We’ve rounded up some of the best here, to help you plan your next epic iso games night. No matter how competitive you are or what kind of game you like, there’s something here for everyone.
Just saying it now though: it’s not our fault if your friends start fighting over who should have won the last round of Smash Bros.
Here are 10 of the best Switch games for multiplayer:
#1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
If you’ve ever owned a Nintendo console or been friends with someone who did, chances are you would have played a version of Mario Kart before. The most recent instalment is the best yet, adding a whole heap of new karts and tracks to race on.
It even added new characters like Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, and Isabelle from Animal Crossing. Finally, a chance to assert your dominance over your friends as a cartoon dog.
#2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Another long-time Nintendo classic, the latest Smash Bros is one of the best Switch games when you’re having friends over. Team up or go head to head in the beat ’em up that includes every single character, item, and stage that’s appeared in the franchise before.
That means your squad can play as everyone from Mario, Fox, and Pikachu to Inkling, Snake and Mega Man, with more releasing soon.
Nintendo announcing the Super Smash Bros Ultimate roster pic.twitter.com/qPa4UPg4HG
— Adam Moussa (@adamjmoussa) June 12, 2018
#3. Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is an excellent single player game, but there’s no doubt it’s more fun with a buddy. One of you plays as Luigi, the other plays as Gooigi, the green goo clone of our hero.
Work together to solve puzzles and clear out a haunted mansion, or team up with seven other players for the couch co-op ScreamPark mode. There’s even the ScareScraper mode for those times you’re playing with friends in other houses.
#4. Overcooked 2
Ever dreamed of opening a restaurant with your best friends? Try Overcooked 2, a kitchen sim that’ll make you love being stressed out of your brain.
Choose from cute characters like a unicorn and a shark, and try to cook and serve as many orders as possible before the time runs out (or the kitchen catches on fire).
#5. Super Mario Party
If you can’t decide what game to play, throw on Super Mario Party and play through a bunch of mini-games. This would already be one of the best Switch games purely because of how much there is to play, but it helps that most of the 80 mini-games are fantastic.
Some of these will test your speed, memory or agility, pit you against the other players or make you work together to solve puzzles. It’s the perfect choice when you want to settle in for a long night of games you don’t really have to pay much attention to.
I’d compare college to thinking you’re leading in Mario kart then realizing it’s the wrong screen & you’ve been hitting a wall for 3 yrs
— Kate Pulio (@kate_pulio) August 30, 2017
#6. Moving Out
Moving Out is quick to learn and harder to master. You and three friends play as removalists, and your main goal is to clear out a house in the shortest time possible.
You’ll also have to manage the way you pack boxes into your truck and avoid obstacles like ghosts and traffic. If you’re still not sure if this the game for you, just know that there’s a dedicated button to slap your friends.
#7 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
If you’re only playing with one other person, this game is perfect if you want something totally different from the other entries on this list. Mario + Rabbids is a tactical, turn-based strategy and one of the best Switch games, even if it is totally bizarre.
It’s not as easy to pick up as something like Smash Bros or Mario Kart, but if you’re settling in for a night of serious gaming then it’s a great choice that’s still got Nintendo’s trademark super cute vibe.
#8. Cuphead
Who would have thought this gorgeous, old-timey cartoon platformer would become one of the best Switch games? Cuphead can be infuriating, maddening, and rage-inducing, but it can also make you and your friends feel like gods when you finally beat a boss.
This is the kind of game you play at the start of the night before you’ve had too many drinks. Trust us, you don’t want to turn Cuphead into a drinking game.
sitting in the corner of the party just thinking about how utterly fucked the mario kart blue shell is
— (@cake_hoarder) November 3, 2019
#9. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
This is the classic Mario platforming experience, updated for 2019. That means better graphics, new levels, and more ways to screw over your friends.
Or, depending on your preference, it might mean more opportunities to work together. But let’s not kid ourselves. You’re not going to do that, are you?
#10. Super Mario Maker 2
If you’ve ever wanted to design your own Mario levels, this is the game for you. Challenge your friends to complete your original maps or work together to tackle custom maps from other players.
Because this is the internet, some of the maps you’ll find are pretty outrageous. But if you’re looking for a challenge over the regular Mario experience, you can’t look past this madcap game.
(Lead image: Super Mario Maker 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Cuphead / Nintendo)
