Summary
- The Switch celebrates consoles preceding it, like the Famicom, with built-in local and online multiplayer.
- The Switch offers a variety of quality multiplayer RPGs, from classic SNES games to enhanced modern titles.
- Must-play multiplayer RPGs on Switch include Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Risk of Rain Returns, and Diablo 3: Eternal Collection.
The Nintendo Switch wasn’t just a make-good on the Wii U; it was a celebration of other consoles that came before it, like the Famicom, the Japanese version of the NES. That system had two controllers organically attached to it, building multiplayer right into the system.
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With two Joy-Cons coming on every Switch, it's easy to get a local co-op or versus game going on the go or at home. Of course, the Switch also has online functionality for broader multiplayer sessions. Honing in on the RPG genre specifically, along with games featuring RPG elements, let’s rank t he best multiplayer RPGs on the Nintendo Switch based on quality and their range of online options.
8 Collection Of Mana
Two Classic SNES Adventures
Collection of Mana
- Released
- August 27, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Multiplayer: Three Players Local
Collection of Mana is a packaged deal exclusive to the Switch that comes with Final Fantasy Adventure, Secret of Mana, and Trials of Mana. Final Fantasy Adventure, aka the first Mana game, has no multiplayer, but Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana do as they did when they were first released on the SNES.
Once players reach certain points in each story, they can play with two other friends locally. It’s not as grand as other multiplayer options on the Switch, but these are classic SNES RPGs that fans need to play, so the limited co-op options shouldn't dissuade them.
7 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Earth’s Greatest Heroes Await
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
- Released
- July 19, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Multiplayer: Four Players Local/Online
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is another Switch exclusive, and another series that Nintendo helped bring back from the dead, thanks also to a collaboration with Koei Tecmo.
Players can play as dozens of Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, Deadpool, Wolverine, Captain Marvel, and more to go through dungeons with up to four friends locally or online to fight Thanos. It’s a standard top-down dungeon crawler, but the number of Marvel characters on the roster more than makes this game a worthy time-sink.
6 Risk Of Rain Returns
A Roguelike Update
Risk of Rain Returns
- Released
- November 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen Due To Drug Reference, Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Platformer
- Multiplayer: Four Players Local/Online
Risk of Rain Returns is a remake of one of the best roguelikes on Switch, now with enhanced graphics and better gameplay options. Four players can jump into matches locally or online to survive as long as possible.
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Characters can level up during a match, which resets upon death (hence the roguelike elements), but there are progression mechanics that unlock fully when enough time is put in. It’s not the most RPG game on this list, but the elements are there. More importantly, it’s a very good multiplayer game.
5 Mercenary Kings: Reloaded
Monster Hunter + Metal Slug
Mercenary Kings
- Released
- July 22, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer: Four Players Local/Online
Mercenary Kings: Reloaded is another game that supports four players locally and online. It can best be described as Monster Hunter meets Metal Slug, as players will tackle missions with a variety of quick objectives, from collecting objects to slaying a big boss.
The pixel art is out of this world, the gun customization is effective and funny, and the gameplay loop is solid. With tons of missions to dive into, this indie game will keep friend groups occupied for a while.
4 Borderlands Legendary Collection
Three Games, One Good Time
- Developer: Gearbox
- Publisher: 2K
- Released: May 29, 2020
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch
- Multiplayer: Two Players Local/Four Players Online
Borderlands Legendary Collection features Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. All three Borderlands games support two players locally via split screen and four players online.
Visually, they’re a bit of a downgrade compared to their counterparts on other consoles, but they still run pretty well on Switch. There’s simply no better trilogy of games that offers this much content and this much loot in a shooter, or this amount of oddball comedy during gameplay.
3 Monster Hunter Rise
Hunting Monsters With Ninjas And Samurai
Monster Hunter Rise
- Released
- March 26, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer: Four Players Online
Monster Hunter Rise was an exclusive sequel to Monster Hunter World for the Switch, but it was later ported to other consoles. Since it was initially designed for the Switch exclusively, it was optimized to create a memorable co-op experience on Nintendo's console.
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While the Monster Hunter games can be played alone, they’re easier and more fun with other players. Some of the later monsters can be quite challenging, even for a group of well-equipped friends. However, the best thing about the game is the Palicos and Palamutes, and showing them off to some friends is always a good time.
2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
It’s Pizza Time
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
- Released
- June 16, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
- Multiplayer: Six Players Local/Online
Of all genres, the Switch might have the most brawlers with RPG elements, and chief among them is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. It pays homage to the classic TMNT arcade days but with innovations like leveling up, a world map, and six-player co-op locally or online.
From the four Turtles to Casey Jones, Splinter, and April O'Neil, there are a lot of characters to choose from, each with their own attacks and abilities, which makes any team-up of four a unique blend of heroes. Other good brawler RPGs include Castle Crashers, River City Girls 2, and Full Metal Furies.
1 Diablo 3: Eternal Collection
The Ultimate Looter
Diablo 3
- Released
- September 3, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Multiplayer: Four Players Local/Online
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection is, without a doubt, the best multiplayer RPG on Switch. The port is a masterclass lesson in how to do adapt games for the Switch, and it runs just as well as other consoles and looks decent too. It even had some Nintendo-themed content, like a Ganondorf armor set.
With tons of classes to choose from, plenty of loot, and a gripping story, this Diablo game is fun the first, second, and third time around. Action RPG fans may also want to look into Diablo 2: Resurrected, Torchlight 2, and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2, but they don't quite match up to Blizzard's Switch port of Diablo 3.
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