If you're after the best two-player Switch games you can play in 2026, then we're here to help.
The Switch is home to all kinds of great games for two-players, from co-operative story driven adventures to some of best Switch indie games that can be enjoyed together, and much more. Bringing together a varied selection of options across all kinds of genres, you're sure to find something that will appeal to you here.
If you've got Nintendo's latest console, happily many of these games are also playable on the Switch 2. With some of the best Switch games and the Switch exclusives included, read on below as we take you through the best two-player Switch games available today.
The Best two-player Switch games to play in 2026
25. Luigi's Mansion 3
Genre: Action-adventure
Gameplay style: Co-operative
Luigi's Mansion 3 is one of the best two-player Switch games to come out in 2019. While you can play this as a single player, playing with a partner really amps up the fun as you and your player two explore a haunted hotel and bust a bunch of ghosts.
As Luigi or the green glob known as Gooigi, Luigi's Mansion 3 will have you working together to solve puzzles, fight boss fights, and search for your trapped friends that need your help. The game is cute, spooky, and has a ton of multiplayer features to dive into outside the main story as well. Whether it's the competitive mode of "ScreamPark" or the cooperative gameplay in "ScareScraper", you and your partner in ghost hunting will have hours of fun with this one.
24. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Genre: Action RPG
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Make up your ultimate Marvel team with a vast roster of superheroes from the comics in this brawling adventure. You can team up with your pal (or up to four players if you have more people who want to play) to work your way through the story.
In terms of ranking the best Marvel games, it's not quite as narrative-heavy as you'd like, but it's a fun romp that's best enjoyed with a friend. You can read our Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order review for more details!
23. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Not originally launched as a co-op game, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker added a two-player mode a little later, but it's a brilliant game to play along with a friend. Toad and Toadette can work together to unlock all the secrets and puzzles of each little boxy level, enjoying compact - yet intricate - worlds that need to be poked, prodded, and sometimes twisted to explore in full.
While we aren't massive fans of the price tag for this two-player switch game (read our Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker review for more information), we love how its cute gameplay brings players together.
22. Death Squared
Genre: Puzzle
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
If you don't want the adorable robots to meet an explosive end, you're going to have to work together. Death Squared is a co-operative puzzle game where you must guide your little droid to a color-coded goal, but along the path you'll find deadly hazards and traps that could cause you to meet a quick demise.
It's only with teamwork that you'll work your way through all 80 story levels, all of which can be played in two-player mode. There are also 40 party levels that support up to four players, which means this is easily one of the best multiplayer Switch games out right now.
21. Super Mario Party
Genre: Board game / Party
Gameplay Style: Competitive
In a world where getting your hands on a physical board game can be a little tricky, Super Mario Party has you covered. Taking the form of a board game, Super Mario Party delivers special events as you land on different spaces, including a range of interactive mini-games that you'll have to compete in against the other players. You can pick from 20 different playable characters from the Super Mario universe to play as, and you'll work through the various mini-games collecting coins.
You can spend these on Stars and other items, but at the end of the game, the one with the most Stars wins. It's a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, just be prepared to get competitive. If you still aren't convinced, check out our Super Mario Party review or you can read our list of the best Mario games.
20. Moving Out
Genre: Action / Simulator
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do, but this quirky co-op game brings you all the physics and flapping about, with none of the potential muscle strain or worrying about getting your deposit back. Up to four players have to move beds and couches into your moving truck. Can you be bothered to get that microwave down the stairs? Throw it through a window!
As your skills increase, so does the fiendish layout of the levels, with some taking to space or adding things you won't find in everyday homes, like jet streams or revolving cylinders of spikes. As we mentioned in our Moving Out review, the two-player Switch game is family-friendly with lots of customization options and is a spiritual successor to the massively popular Overcooked series.
19. Cuphead
Genre: Action / Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Once your eyes are drunk on the incredible hand-animated 1930s style of Cuphead, you'll realize you're up against one of the toughest run-and-gun action games in recent memory, so having a friend to help out is a massive plus. Together, you play as the eponymous Cuphead and his pal Mugman, racing through levels that require perfect timing to get to villainous bosses that will test your reaction times and sanity.
You'll learn special moves like Smoke Bomb and get hold of weapons like the Peashooter and Chaser to increase your odds. Co-op is drop-in, drop out too, so no penalties if your chosen comrade has a bladder the size of a kumquat. Read our Cuphead review for more details!
18. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Genre: Puzzle
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
If you're the passive type then screaming at people will probably be good for you, and if you are usually in a rage then at least this game will direct it in a positive way. One player is in a room with the bomb and can see all its nefarious mechanics, while the other players have the manual.
If you're the player with the bomb you'll need to describe what you can see to the players with the instructions, who will then relay what you need to do to defuse it. It's a simple concept that gets very tense very quickly, as the time counts down, and your friend insists there is no serial number on any side of the damn bomb even though you know there is.
17. Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
There's no mistaking the dreamlike world of Rayman, and now you can share it with wireless local co-op for up to four players. In this adventure, Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies travel through various paintings to explore new magical lands.
The platforming is challenging, but at least you've got something pretty to look at when you fail to make that jump for the 24th time. But as with most co-op platformers, if there is a skill difference between you and player 2, keep in mind that you'll need to use some patience with this one.
16. Unravel 2
Genre: Puzzle / Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Brace yourself for this one, because there's nothing more gut wrenching than two little creatures made from yarn dying repeatedly as you fail to clear that jump. Again. But, at least this time around with Unravel 2 you can die over and over again with a friend or loved one.
As this pair of customizable cotton critters, you have to navigate through the human world that's full of dangers, whether it's birds wanting to unravel you thread by thread, or an unclimbable wall. Work together, solve puzzles, survive - and be adorable while you're doing it. If you are curious about the franchise, here is our Unravel review!
15. Super Mario Maker 2
Genre: Creation / Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative or Competitive
Although the creation side of Super Mario Maker 2 is a solo endeavor, playing through either your own or the community's creations is much more of a two-player affair. It's not your traditional multiplayer game by any means, but some of the best fun comes from heading online to play the courses players from around the world have brought to life.
There are new stages being added all the time, so there's always something fresh to play through. And hey, you might even get some inspiration for your own courses, too. We unpack even more reasons to love this game with our Super Mario Maker 2 review.
14. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Genre: Simulation
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
The game that got the world through a pandemic lockdown; there is a reason why our Animal Crossing: New Horizon review was almost a perfect score. This cozy title is a glorious multiplayer game that gently ticks away the hours spent trapped in your home. Solo, it's your goal to create the desert island paradise of your dreams.
Invite villagers to bulk out your population, plant trees and flowers, tweak river courses, add cliffs, and generally make your island exactly how you like it. From there, you can visit other people's islands, trade resources, sell turnips, or just frolic together, living out a life outdoors that we currently can't otherwise have. New Horizons is a little slice of paradise to cultivate and share with others.
13. The Stretchers
Genre: Puzzle
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Not some weird Stretch Armstrong spin-off but a game where two players work together to handle medical stretcher and rescue people who have a case of the "Dizzies." It's bright, loud and has the look of those toy towns we all had growing up. As well as carting people around on stretchers you'll be smashing your ambulance through fences and hedges to get to those in need.
Don't worry if the idea of anything hospital related feels a bit anxiety-inducing right now, this is totally tongue in cheek and packs in plenty of laughs and slapstick. There's lots of collectibles to reply for and customization options, and at least it feels like you're helping. Ish.
12. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Genre: Turn-based tactics
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Don't be fooled by the adorable combination of Mario and the rambunctious Rabbids, this is a true strategy game that takes some smarts. Battle through the Mushroom Kingdom with the help of a friend with local multiplayer, solving puzzles in candy-colored levels.
As well as Mario and the Rabbid, old favorites like Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi make an appearance - all with their own special skills you'll need to use to take on puzzles and bosses - and there are plenty of nods to Nintendo nostalgia too. You can read our Mario+ Rabbids Kingdom Battle review for more details.
11. Diablo 3: Eternal Collection
Genre: Dungeon crawler
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Blizzard's huge dungeon crawler is an all you can eat buffet of monsters, loot and lore. Smash your way through the creatures and creepers of Sanctuary to face the Lords of Hell, using special weapons, items, and over 800 unique abilities, including a personal favorite, zombie dogs. There's local and online co-op so up to four of you can play together, creating a party that might just discover the real epic loot was the friends we made along the way.
The Switch version also packs in the Reaper of Souls expansion, and the Rise of the Necromancer expansions, so you'll have plenty of hacking and slashing to do. If you need more dungeon crawling in your life you can also read our list of the best games like Diablo to play right now.
10. Knights and Bikes
Genre: Action-adventure
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Go back to your childhood memories of make-believe and bombing around the streets on your trusty bike with this gorgeous picture book adventure. It owes its quirky look to Rex Crowle, who worked on LittleBigPlanet, and has that same mix of charm and cheekiness that made Media Molecule games so special.
The two main characters are Nessa and Demelza, and you and a friend can play together as the girls as they explore their town, facing foes with frisbees, water balloons, and the mighty toilet-plunger. A goose even makes an appearance, but this one is much more friendly than the infamous star of a certain Untitled Goose Game.
9. Overcooked 2
Genre: Simulation
Gameplay Style: Co-operative / Competitive
Sure, the graphics look cute and you've been known to whip up a decent omelet of an evening, but this sequel to the brilliant Overcooked seriously turns up the heat in the proverbial kitchen. As a team of chefs, you and your buddies have to work together to prepare and serve meals in increasingly chaotic kitchens.
We're talking outer space, sushi restaurants, magic schools, all with their own hazards and recipes. Gordon Ramsey wouldn't last five seconds before spontaneously combusting in rage in one of these kitchens, but he'd have plenty of fun before he did. If you are still unsure about adding this two-player Switch game to your menu check out our Overcooked 2 review!
8. Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince
Genre: Puzzle platforming
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
2.5D fantasy with added night terror. Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight, Zoya the Thief have to take on Prince Selius' nightmares, and that means exploring your way through fairytale lands, and using the wonders of fire, air, light, magnets and electricity to battle and solve fiendish puzzles.
There's local and online co-op for up to four players if you need company, and the whole thing never looks any less than supermodel stunning. If you are a fantasy fan, though, this Switch game will be right up your street.
7. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Genre: Kart racing
Gameplay Style: Competitive
Beware the blue shell! It's a Nintendo classic and is the perfect addition to your Nintendo Switch collection, whatever your age or driving abilities. There's plenty of fun to be had racing your nearest and dearest - with eight-player local co-op - or you can go online for 12-player racing.
There are 42 racers to choose from, and 48 tracks, and even a Smart Steering option to help out younger players compete on the tracks without tantrums. There is a reason we gave this game a perfect score in our Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review. It's everything that made Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U a winner, but with an extra level of Nintendo Switch polish for a new generation.
6. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Mario flavored, side-scrolling magic with the option to add up to three friends to your adventure. This is basically a new, shinier version of two Wii U games, New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U from the Wii U, mashed together.
That means 164 levels to jump and smash through with your buddies, and modes like Challenges, Boost Rush, and Coin Battle for the hardcore to play through. As we point out in our New Super Mario Bros. U review, there's nothing like that sweet ping of collecting a gold coin, and it's even better with friends.
5. Yoshi's Crafted World
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
There was only one way Yoshi was going to get more wholesome, and that was if he was made out of your nana's crafting materials. Nintendo has made it happen, with an adventure made of household objects like cardboard and tape and cotton balls.
The goal is to collect gems from the Sundream Stone as you explore the world, solving platformer puzzles by moving through their layers. There's a Winged Yoshi mode for players that need a more chilled experience, and once you've completed a level you can try it again backward to collect the three hidden Poochy Pups. You can read our Yoshi's Crafted World review for more details!
4. It Takes Two
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
If you are looking for a Switch game to play as a couple, you’ll find none better than It Takes Two. During this whimsical title, you play as two parents who have decided to separate. However, after being turned into small dolls, this husband and wife duo must work together to change back and help their daughter together.
This game works on so many levels as a two-player experience. Not only is its story designed to highlight the values of partnership, but its gameplay is expertly made to ensure no person is left behind. Sure, there are some mini-games if you want to get a tiny bit competitive, but at the end of the day, this title is about teamwork and communication. In our It Takes Two review, we even dubbed it as “a co-op experience unlike any other.”
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Genre: Fighting
Gameplay Style: Competitive
Nintendo made the genius decision to put all of its most iconic characters into their very own Fight Club way back in 1999, and it hasn't looked back since. This latest installment includes Animal Crossing's Isabelle, Bayonetta, Pikachu, and all your Nintendo favorites, and pits them against each other in combat.
The much loved classic modes of fighting are all here, along with new challenges like Smashdown, where each character can only be played once, and a 32 player tournament mode. We played the game extensively for our Super Smash Bros Ultimate review and trust us you'll never look at Jigglypuff the same way again.
2. Snipperclips
Genre: Action Puzzle
Gameplay Style: Co-operative / Competitive
Paper crafting has never been this much fun, or at least this tidy. Snip and Clip are your heroes, and you solve puzzles by cutting them into different shapes. Not in a horrific surgical way, but a creative, cut and paste sort of thing.
Think of a nice little curve to catch a ball or something sharp to pop a balloon. Two players can share the main adventure, and up to four can cut and caper in the Party and Blitz modes. This is an ofter overlooked gem, so check it out if you have the time!
1. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Genre: Action adventure
Gameplay Style: Co-operative
Whether you play solo or with a friend, prepare to be repeatedly punched in the feels. The mechanics are ingenious; the the two brothers are controlled by one thumbstick and one by the D-pad, and the story is one loaded with emotion. Your quest is to collect some Water of Life to cure your sick father, and there are perils and puzzles to face along the way.
It's short and bittersweet, but packs in more story and feeling than games three times its length. Play with a sibling and it might even bring you closer, or at least stop your arguing about that time she stole your favorite hoodie. You can read our Brotherhood: A Tale of Two Sons review for more information on this must-play two-player Switch game.
Two-player Switch FAQs
How to connect two players on Nintendo Switch?
If you want to connect two players to the Nintendo Switch from the get-go, you can do so by making sure you each have a controller. That can be by reconnecting each Joy-Con as its own controller, registering another pair of Joy-Cons on your Switch or connecting a Switch 2 Pro Controller. However, keep in mind that playing games together depends on whether the game you choose offers a multiplayer option. Most co-op games will guide you on connecting another controller in their menus once you click the multiplayer option.
How to set up the Nintendo Switch controller for two players?
From your HOME Menu, select "Controllers" and click "Change Grip/Order". From there, you'll be given instructions on how to pair your controllers. To connect a controller, you'll need to press the L and R bumpers at the same time. If you are using one pair of Joy-Cons, each will have L and R buttons on its side that you can press, resulting in each Joy-Con becoming its own controller for you and your player two to use.
Can you play two players on the Nintendo Switch Lite?
Yes, two players technically can play on the same Nintendo Switch Lite; however, you'll need to buy another pair of Joy-Con controllers or a Pro controller if you want local multiplayer. We also wouldn't recommend it, since the Lite's screen is smaller than the Switch's and it lacks a kickstand. For a better multiplayer experience, the original Switch is still better.
Can you play two-player games on Nintendo Switch without a TV?
Yes, you can play two-player games on Nintendo Switch without a TV; however, you may hurt your eyes. The Nintendo Switch does have a kickstand, which means you can set it up on a surface for both players to easily view. All the same functions that enable you to connect controllers are still functional even in handheld mode, but two-player games, especially those with a split-screen, may cause strain to your eyes, so we'd recommend playing on your TV whenever you can.
For more handheld fun, check out our guide on all the best Switch 2 games. Or if you are after fresh titles, you can read our list of all the new games heading our way.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
