The Nintendo Switch can adapt to most situations. While perhaps not the most powerful console ever, the system is the definition of flexible, and that goes beyond its hybrid selling point. The Switch library is incredibly robust, thoroughly covering pretty much every genre on the market. The same can be said for features, as the console has more than a few games designed around online multiplayer or local co-op. Even if it is no longer as popular as it was during the late '90s and early 2000s, couch gaming will always have a place in the industry.
Due to the store having so many products (and clutter), it can be difficult to sift through the noise to find the diamonds in the rough. Consequently, this article will highlight the best couch co-op Switch games to try and simplify the process as much as possible.
Updated April 8, 2025 by Mark Sammut: New local co-op Switch games might gradually become more uncommon as the console's successor prepares to make its debut. Still, the Switch is not ready to retire just yet.
29 Diablo 3: Eternal Collection
A Complete Package
Diablo 3
- Released
- September 3, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
The third entry of Blizzard's famed dungeon-crawling epic is largely known for its addictive, robust online gameplay. Yet, the Switch version of this game makes for a streamlined way to enjoy Diablo 3 with three other players locally. The game's convenient system of hotkeys and a palatable interface allows gamers to get the most out of the experience even amid chaotic four-player skirmishes with enemy hordes.
A single-screen can be shared, but remote play – or a combination of TV and handheld play – is also available. And with such an expansive rendition – which includes the Reaper of Souls and Rise of the Necromancer DLC – players can be assured countless hours of hack 'n slash goodness with their friends or family.
28 Risk Of Rain Returns
Revamping A Classic
Risk of Rain Returns
- Released
- November 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Hopoo Games
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Platformer
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
2013's Risk of Rain has been largely overshadowed by its 3D successor, but the first game is still a great and influential roguelike. 2023's Returns serves as both a 10-year celebration of the original project's debut and a revamp that irons out some of its rougher and more dated components. Nowadays, Risk of Rain Returns is arguably the best way to experience this seminal release, offering an addictive and challenging experience that can keep players engaged for potentially months on end.
Risk of Rain Returns: 10 Overpowered Builds That Are A Lot Of Fun
Getting specific item combinations in any of the Risk of Rain games can be difficult. But, players who manage to do so will feel extra powerful.
The remake pays quite a bit of attention to the multiplayer portion, and this is arguably the most improved area over the 2013 version. Online multiplayer is easy to set up and allows four people to participate together. While joining up with strangers is naturally an option, Risk of Rain Returns' high difficulty and item sharing (or exclusivity, depending on the host's decision) demand a united front if players wish to get far in a playthrough. Couch co-op is also available, and it plays out largely the same as the online variant. As the action gets hectic quickly in single-player, co-op amplifies the chaos quite a bit; however, it is all part of the fun.
27 Kirby Star Allies
Easy-Going Kirby Co-Op Fun
Kirby Star Allies
- Released
- March 16, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Nintendo's pink, spherical mascot has shined since the SNES days when it comes to simultaneous couch co-op – and this charming rendition on Switch is no different. In a sense, the game takes on the feel of both Kirby and New Super Mario Bros. Up to four players can embark on this colorful adventure, which hovers somewhere in between a platformer and a party game.
The game stresses the consumption of foes and the fusion of different powers and abilities. These attributes lend themselves to cooperative play, encouraging friends to work together and combine forces against the baddies, bosses, and puzzles in their path.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land's campaign can also be played in co-op, with a second player controlling Bandana Waddle Dee. The game is great and co-op is a nice option; however, Bandana definitely comes across as a support figure rather than Kirby's equal.
26 Resident Evil 5
While Shows Its Age At Times, Still A Decent Horror Co-Op Experience
Resident Evil 5
- Released
- March 5, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 29, 2019
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
- Splitscreen
Players looking for local multiplayer Nintendo Switch games with a horror twist have a couple of Resident Evil titles at their fingertips. Revelations 2 is a great pick due to its co-op raid mode, which is a blast with friends; however, while two players can take on the campaign, one of them will feel like a passenger rather than a fully active participant. Resident Evil 6 has a fleshed-out co-op campaign, but the game itself tends to attract a fair amount of criticism. That said, fun can still be had with Capcom's title.
Best Horror Co-Op Games To Play With Friends
Be it on Halloween or in the middle of Summer, it is always the right time for a fun co-op horror game.
Ultimately, that leaves Resident Evil 5, the first entry in the franchise to properly embrace co-op. The story mode supports two players, and they are both treated as equals in terms of gameplay. Even though it leans heavily into action, the 2009 release is still a polished and entertaining experience. The game's West African setting also sets it apart from most other action-horror projects on the market.
25 Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
The Warriors Formula Works When In The Right Mood
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
- Released
- November 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Koei Tecmo, Omega Force
- Genre(s)
- Action
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
The Nintendo Switch has a couple of Musou games that support co-op. While their quality varies to an extent, someone's preference is likely to come down to which license they feel most attached to. Fire Emblem fans should check out the Warriors sub-series, while One Piece has a couple of decent entries. Koei Tecmo's Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi also have representatives on Nintendo's hybrid system.
Along with just screaming "Nintendo," The Legend of Zelda's Hyrule Warriors spin-offs are arguably the most impressive Muou games on the Switch, excluding Persona 5 Strikers since it does not support co-op. Age of Calamity gets the nod as it is a proper Switch project rather than a port of a Wii U release. Supporting split-screen, two players can take charge of Link, Zelda, and a host of other characters as they engage in a strange twist on the Breath of the Wild mythos. While not free of the occasional stutter, Age of Calamity looks great and plays reasonably well.
24 River City Girls
Well Done Modern Beat 'Em Up
River City Girls
- Released
- September 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- WayForward Technologies
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Beat 'em ups are just made for local co-op (or arcades). Rampaging through a city's streets while punching thugs into the stratosphere is always entertaining, however, it becomes infinitely better when a friend tags along for the ride. River City Girls flips things around by having two girls, Kyoko and Misako, head out on a quest to save their kidnapped boyfriends. Naturally, anything that moves or stands in their way is just asking to be greeted with a stylish attack.
River City Girls is a brawler done to near-perfection, albeit one that does not re-invent the wheel. The game takes a formula that works and adds gorgeous anime-style graphics, characters with an overabundance of charm, and some light progression mechanics.
23 Kingdom Two Crowns
Unique Co-Op Experience
Kingdom Two Crowns
- Released
- December 11, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Noio, Coatsink
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Kingdom: Two Crowns tasks players with developing a kingdom one pixel at a time. A beautiful indie RTS that largely resists the urge to hand-hold users, this Switch game comes with an initial learning curve, but it should not take new players too long to come to grips with its gameplay loop.
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These games actually become more difficult when players have a buddy by their side.
Supporting local co-op, two friends can work together to usher in a new era of prosperity and growth, with each person using one Joy-Con to control their character. Unlike most local co-op Switch games, Kingdom Two Crowns does not tether players to each other, allowing them to do their own thing. At times, it can feel like they are sharing the world rather than specifically working together, although they will eventually have to co-exist (or not).
22 Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy
The Latest Entry In A Series Defined By Co-Op
Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy
- Released
- August 31, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Trine
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Puzzle
- 4-Player Local Co-Op
- Co-Op Campaign
Nintendo Switch owners have a few Trine games at their fingertips, and an argument could be made that Trine 2 and 4 are the picks of the bunch. However, Trine 5 is a very solid addition to the franchise and also the most recent project. Three adventurers who conveniently fit into fantasy archetypes find themselves having to go on another quest, this time to stop a power-hungry villain called Lady Sunny. As far as stories go, Trine 5 does not try to be anything more than just passable, but it succeeds in reaching that standard. The game is entirely about its puzzles, and they are consistently engaging and creative.
Solo runners have the option to swap between any of the characters at once, allowing them to use their unique skills to carefully work their way through each puzzling scenario. Meanwhile, co-op players can also pick any of the characters, so they won't be forced to commit to one class; as such, there could be four clones on the screen at any given time. Trine 5 is a better overall experience in co-op.
21 Rayman Legends
Vibrant, Energetic, & Just Fun
Rayman Legends
- Released
- August 30, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montpellier
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Originally released in 2013, Rayman Legends was one of its decade's best platformers. Featuring colorful visuals, creative levels, tight and fast-paced gameplay, and an awesome soundtrack, the game scores a homerun in nearly every area, and it is an easy recommendation for those seeking an engaging single-player package on the Switch. Even if it is not the definitive way to experience the campaign, Ubisoft's project also supports co-op, allowing up to 4 players to take on the roles of Rayman and his friends.
Rayman Legends' co-op does not change all that much in the grand scheme of things, as it basically amounts to the group running through the standard levels as solo players (albeit with the introduction of a mechanic that allows someone to save their downed partners). However, the core gameplay loop is so strong that it applies seamlessly to co-op. Ubisoft needs to develop a new Rayman.
20 Pico Park
Lesser-Known Puzzle Game
Pico Park
- Released
- May 7, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tecopark
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
- 2-8 Player Local Co-Op
- 2-8 Player Online Co-Op
Pico Park is a small release that does not have that much of a presence, but if some friends are looking for a cute but challenging puzzle game, this project should be able to scratch that itch. The levels are generally quite simple, but they vary their mechanics just enough to ensure things do not get repetitive too quickly. The content is split into levels revolving around specific game styles, with each one being fairly different to allow players to pick and choose which activities best fit the group.
With accessible controls and concepts that are generally very easy to grasp, Pico Park is a great local co-op Switch game to throw on for a mixed group that has both experienced players and beginners. That said, it is very much a party-style title rather than one that people will revisit endlessly.
Pico Park 2 is also good.