Best Nintendo Switch Couch Co-Op Games

While there's a great many different types of gaming experiences available on Switch, the chances are that couch co-op games were a big part of the reason you bought Nintendo's hybrid console. After all, the Switch is tailor-made for those experiences thanks to its Joy-Con controllers, which double up as two separate pads when you've got a friend nearby, even when you're out and about.

But what are the best couch co-op games on Nintendo Switch? Well, that's a question we aim to answer in this selection of co-operative local multiplayer titles. We're going with the definition that co-op games allow players to work together as teammates, as opposed to competing against each other. We're also only including games with local multiplayer on a single device, which rules out games like Splatoon 2, for example.

If you're not concerned specifically with the local co-op experience, be sure to check out our selection of the best Nintendo Switch games, an ever-evolving list of the top 50 Switch games as ranked by Nintendo Life users. However, assuming you're looking to collaborate with a mate, we proudly present - in no particular order - the best cooperative experiences on Switch...

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Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (Switch)

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (Switch)Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Koei Tecmo
Release Date: 19th Jul 2019 (USA) / 19th Jul 2019 (UK/EU)

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order isn’t a groundbreaking, narrative-heavy reinterpretation of the comic characters you know and love, but then again neither were the first two games. In that regard, it’s a very faithful sequel that mines the vast roster of characters from the comics while including plenty of nods to the current state of the more modern Marvel Cinematic Universe. While it doesn’t do anything particularly new or outstanding, it embraces the brainless fun of its brawler combat with gusto, and it’s at its absolute best when played with a team of player-controlled supers.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Switch)
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft
Release Date: 29th Aug 2017 (USA) / 29th Aug 2017 (UK/EU)

You might not be aware that Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle has an excellent co-op mode, with you and a friend tackling a variety of mission maps as your favourite characters. You'll have to have completed World 1.5 in solo mode before it becomes accessible via the Buddydome to the right of Peach's Castle. We'd love to see this expanded on in a potential sequel, and we're keeping our fingers crossed for an announcement this year.

Fire Emblem Warriors (Switch)

Fire Emblem Warriors (Switch)Fire Emblem Warriors (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Tecmo Koei
Release Date: 20th Oct 2017 (USA) / 20th Oct 2017 (UK/EU)

Fire Emblem Warriors combines the insanely addictive Dynasty Warriors combat with the strategy and dramatic plot of a Fire Emblem. The result is a unique game of taking strategic locations with force, directing troops, and battling bosses.

You can play pretty much the entire experience in co-op as well. After a few short missions, a friend can pop in and join you as you work together to capture all of the strategic locations, defeat bosses, and find the secrets in each level.

Rocket League (Switch eShop)

Rocket League (Switch eShop)Rocket League (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Psyonix Studios / Developer: Psyonix Studios
Release Date: 14th Nov 2017 (USA) / 14th Nov 2017 (UK/EU)

Rocket League is a fine online multiplayer game of driving really fast, pulling off insane tricks, and scoring ridiculous goals with an oversized ball in a car. Make no mistake, despite the odd concept, this is arguably the finest football game available on Switch right now. Local co-op is supported for up to four players, and you can battle against the CPU in 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 matches. That's plenty to sink your teeth into.

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ (Switch)

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ (Switch)The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ (Switch)
Publisher: Nicalis / Developer: Edmund McMillen
Release Date: 17th Mar 2017 (USA) / 7th Sep 2017 (UK/EU)

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ offers four player local co-op in this Zelda-like endless dungeon crawler roguelike. Bit of a mouthful, eh? Sadly, you won't play as four Isaacs. Only player one is Isaac, with the other players playing as babies instead. These deal half of the damage of Isaac and can fly, but only have a single heart container – which they take off Isaac when they join.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch)

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch)Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: 13th Jul 2018 (USA) / 13th Jul 2018 (UK/EU)

A beautiful little game, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a winner whether you're after puzzling or jump button-less platforming, and the two-player co-op Nintendo added post-launch makes this offering even tastier with Toadette able to join the Captain through the entire game. There's even a nice little nugget of DLC for once you've polished off the main story. With beautiful visuals and an upbeat soundtrack, it's is a real gem; a wonderful and gorgeous 3D platform puzzler fit for all ages, and one which you should definitely experience if you're yet to.

Enter the Gungeon (Switch eShop)

Enter the Gungeon (Switch eShop)Enter the Gungeon (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Dodge Roll
Release Date: 14th Dec 2017 (USA) / 18th Dec 2017 (UK/EU)

Enter the Gungeon is as mad as its name suggests. This is an absolutely bonkers bullet-infested roguelike in which you shoot, loot, roll, and flip a bunch of tables on your journey through hordes of enemies to earn the legendary gun that can... er, kill the past. Whatever that means. Who really cares about story – this is an action-packed shooter that makes the action of The Matrix look like a Yoga session for the elderly.

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Switch eShop)

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Switch eShop)Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Mojang / Developer: Mojang
Release Date: 11th May 2017 (USA) / 12th May 2017 (UK/EU)

Minecraft was at one point the biggest game on the planet before Fortnite arrived to steal all of the limelight. Even so, its influence is far-reaching and explains the sheer number of copycat survival games and blocky builders. The original and best is available on Switch though, of course, and provides you with countless hours of co-op fun as you pretty much do anything you want from building stuff to crafting weapons and beating up enemies.

Death Squared (Switch eShop)

Death Squared (Switch eShop)Death Squared (Switch eShop)
Publisher: SMG Studios / Developer: SMG Studios
Release Date: 13th Jul 2017 (USA) / 13th Jul 2017 (UK/EU)

Death Squared was built with co-op in mind, and boy does it do a good job of it. You have to work your way through a bunch of increasingly-challenging puzzling levels, helping two cuboid robots to stand on their same-coloured circle without destroying each other. It sounds easy, but navigating the various pitfalls and challenging sequences can be very challenging.

Trine Enchanted Edition (Switch eShop)

Trine Enchanted Edition (Switch eShop)Trine Enchanted Edition (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Frozenbyte
Release Date: 9th Nov 2018 (USA) / 9th Nov 2018 (UK/EU)

Trine Enchanted Edition is the origin story for the three unlikely heroes of Trine - Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight, and Zoya the Thief. Spellbound by the magical object Trine, the heroes must join forces to overcome obstacles and puzzles in a fully interactive physics-based world, battle the undead and their minions, and restore balance to the kingdom. This a great game for playing with one or two friends as you really need to work together to solve the puzzles and move to the next area. The whole charming trilogy is available on the eShop, with Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power making the (somewhat awkward) jump to full 3D and also supporting online and local co-op.

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition (Switch)

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition (Switch)Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition (Switch)
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft
Release Date: 12th Sep 2017 (USA) / 12th Sep 2017 (UK/EU)

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is an absolutely excellent 2D platformer that you really should check out regardless of the multiplayer options. As it happens though, it has full couch co-op support, allowing you to play through the entire experience with a friend. And what an experience it is. You'll run, jump, and punch your way through a variety of imaginative levels that draw on influences from Mario to Sonic, and even Guitar Hero.