The Nintendo Switch revolutionized gaming with its hybrid console design, allowing seamless transitions between handheld and docked TV play. While this innovative feature often steals the spotlight, the Joy-Con controllers’ ability to facilitate effortless split-screen gaming is equally remarkable. With each Joy-Con functioning as a standalone controller, diving into the best Switch games with a friend requires no additional hardware investment. Given the Switch’s vast library of multiplayer titles, choosing the perfect split-screen experience can be daunting. If you’re ready for some couch co-op action, this list highlights the best split-screen Switch games available today.
While the upcoming Switch game lineup is dwindling, it’s always worth checking for new additions as we anticipate the Switch 2’s arrival.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe racing gameplay
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Racing, Arcade
- Developer: Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 7
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: April 28, 2017
Considering the sheer number of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe copies sold, it’s likely only a handful of gamers haven’t experienced its exhilarating races. If you’re among those few, there’s no better time to join the fun. Widely considered the best installment in the series and one of the greatest racing games of all time, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe perfects the simple yet addictive formula of drifting, item collection, and strategic power-up deployment. While the infamous Blue Shell can be frustrating, it’s a minor trade-off for the overall polished racing experience. With expansion packs adding even more tracks, along with a diverse selection of racers and karts, you and a friend can enjoy countless hours of competitive fun navigating the beautifully designed courses.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 Trailer
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity battle scene
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Adventure
- Developer: Omega Force
- Publisher: Nintendo, Koei Tecmo
- Release: November 19, 2020
Traditional Zelda games are primarily single-player experiences. However, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity breaks the mold, offering a Musou-style gameplay within the Zelda universe. Musou games, popularized by the Dynasty Warriors series, are known for their large-scale battles where players vanquish hordes of enemies. Age of Calamity embraces this formula, enabling you and a friend to team up as iconic characters like Link, Zelda, Impa, and the four champions to fight against Ganon’s forces in this Breath of the Wild prequel. The sheer amount of content is astounding, and the thrill of decimating enemies with spectacular attacks is amplified when shared with a friend.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Super Mario Party Jamboree gameplay
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Card & Board Game
- Developer: NDCube
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 17, 2024
While any Mario Party game on the Switch delivers a fantastic split-screen experience, Super Mario Party Jamboree stands out as the latest and arguably the best. True to the series, it unfolds like a board game, interspersed with minigames after each turn. With seven unique boards, each featuring distinct aesthetics and objectives, the core gameplay revolves around rolling dice to reach the coveted star. Featuring over 110 minigames, no two matches are ever the same, ensuring constant variety. Although playable solo against AI opponents, Super Mario Party Jamboree thrives with a full complement of four players sharing the same space. The competitive spirit can run high, especially when a star is snatched away at the last moment, but that’s part of the game’s undeniable charm.
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character roster
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Fighting, Platform
- Developer: Sora, Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: December 7, 2018
Fighting games can be intimidating for casual players, but Super Smash Bros. has always been an exception. While mastering a character’s moveset offers a competitive edge, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate allows anyone to jump in and enjoy the chaotic fun. The game’s appeal lies in its impressive roster of gaming icons, a crossover so ambitious that even Fortnite struggles to compete. Players of all backgrounds will find a familiar or intriguing character to battle with friends. Split-screen mode extends beyond one-on-one fights, offering a variety of modes and customizable match types to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Super Smash Bros. is coming to Nintendo Switch!
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi exploring a haunted hotel
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Adventure
- Developer: Next Level Games
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 31, 2019
Luigi returns to the spotlight in Luigi’s Mansion 3, this time with the option for a partner to join the ghost-hunting escapades as the gooey Gooigi. The adventure unfolds within a haunted hotel, where each floor presents a unique theme and its own set of ghostly inhabitants. Each floor offers a self-contained challenge, requiring players to capture ghosts, solve puzzles, collect treasure, and ultimately defeat a boss. The gameplay is accessible and lighthearted, making it an ideal choice for younger players or for seasoned gamers to introduce newcomers to the world of gaming. Gooigi, the second player character, is essential for certain puzzles and boasts unique abilities like slipping through tight spaces and traversing spiked surfaces unharmed. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a charming and delightful co-op experience suitable for all ages.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Working Title) – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder gameplay
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Platform
- Developer: Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 20, 2023
The third Mario title on this list, Super Mario Bros. Wonder returns to the classic 2D platforming formula. Like its predecessors, it supports up to four players simultaneously on a single Switch. The character roster is impressive, boasting 12 playable characters including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and various Toads and Yoshis. While reaching the end of each stage remains the objective, new Wonder Flowers introduce unpredictable and game-altering effects. Nintendo ensures seamless cooperative play by preventing players from obstructing each other. A traditional platformer is always a reliable choice for split-screen entertainment, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder reaffirms Mario’s reign as the platforming king.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Direct 6.21.2023
Pokkén Tournament DX
Pokkén Tournament DX battle scene
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Fighting, Arcade
- Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Publisher: Nintendo of America, Nintendo of Europe, Nintendo
- Release: September 22, 2017
While recent Pokemon games restrict multiplayer interactions to online play, Pokkén Tournament DX offers a way to engage in Pokemon battles from the comfort of your couch. Deviating from the traditional turn-based RPG format, Pokkén Tournament DX reimagines Pokemon battles as a more conventional fighting game. With 21 playable Pokemon and assist options for added attack variety, it embraces the local competitive spirit that defines the fighting game genre. The game’s mechanics are accessible, avoiding overly complex button combinations while still allowing players to witness their favorite Pokemon execute signature moves. It strikes a balance between depth and approachability, making it an excellent choice for casual matches with friends.
