9 Best Multiplayer Games for Switch: Top Picks for Fun with Friends

Looking for the best multiplayer games to enjoy on your Nintendo Switch? Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive player, the Switch offers a fantastic range of multiplayer experiences that cater to all tastes. From intense battles to cooperative adventures, there’s something for everyone.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together beloved characters from various franchises in epic brawls. Dive into exciting battles with friends and foes alike on your Nintendo Switch.

Overview of Game Mechanics

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features intuitive controls where you choose characters, stages, and items for dynamic matches. Each character, like Mario or Link, has unique moves and abilities. The game embraces simple attacks and complex combos, making it accessible yet deeply strategic.

Unique Features for Multiplayer Enjoyment

Ultimate boasts over 70 characters, ensuring diverse gameplay each match. The 8-player battles are perfect for chaotic fun with friends. Online multiplayer allows you to challenge players worldwide, while the expansive World of Light story mode offers solo play intermissions. Regular updates and new fighters keep the game fresh, enhancing long-term engagement.

2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Game Highlights and Tracks

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a must-have for any Switch owner. It features 48 beautifully designed tracks that include new courses and old favorites. You’ll race through various locations, from bustling cities to serene forests. The anti-gravity feature adds a twist to the gameplay, allowing you to race on walls and ceilings.

Multiplayer Modes and Features

You can enjoy multiple multiplayer modes in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Local play supports up to four players on a single console. Online multiplayer lets you compete with up to 12 players worldwide. The game also includes a revamped battle mode with eight different types of battles. Customizable karts and characters ensure you can always find a setup that suits your racing style.

3. Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 takes team-based shooting to a whole new level with its unique ink-splatting mechanics. The game’s vibrant visuals and dynamic gameplay make it a standout on the Switch.

Core Gameplay and Objectives

In Splatoon 2, you and your team aim to cover the most territory with ink. You’ll engage in fast-paced matches where strategic ink placement is crucial. Each player controls an Inkling, which can transform between humanoid and squid forms. This ability adds layers of strategy, as squid form allows you to swim through your own ink faster and replenish your ink supply.

Multiplayer Competitions and Strategies

Splatoon 2’s multiplayer offers various modes, from Turf War to Ranked Battles. Cooperation and quick thinking are essential. In Turf War, basic strategies include focusing on inking the largest possible area while preventing your opponents from doing the same. For Ranked Battles, your objectives shift—whether it’s capturing zones or carrying a Rainmaker, your tactics and coordination need to adjust. Regular updates and events like Splatfests keep the multiplayer experience fresh and engaging.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a tranquil, community-driven experience on the Nintendo Switch. It’s designed to bring players together in a relaxing, creative environment.

Exploring Together: The Multiplayer Experience

Invite friends to visit your island or explore theirs. You can interact in real-time, share resources, and help each other build and decorate. Up to 8 players can inhabit an island simultaneously, allowing for collaborative endeavors. Coordination is key to designing beautiful landscapes and establishing thriving communities.

Special Events and Activities for Groups

Engage in seasonal events and activities designed for group participation. For example, you can partake in fishing tournaments, bug-catching competitions, and special holiday events. These activities not only add excitement but also allow for meaningful interactions and shared achievements with friends and family.

5. Pokémon Sword and Shield

One of the standout titles for the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Sword and Shield offers a robust multiplayer experience that keeps you coming back for more.

Multiplayer Battles and Trading

Engage in intense multiplayer battles and trading with other trainers globally. You can challenge friends or random players to single, double, and multi-battles. Trading is just as seamless, allowing you to expand your Pokédex by swapping Pokémon with fellow trainers worldwide. Utilize the Y-Comm feature to ensure smooth interactions, making battles and exchanges hassle-free.

Max Raid Battles with Friends

Join forces with up to three friends in Max Raid Battles to take on dynamically larger and more powerful Gigantamax Pokémon. These cooperative challenges require you to strategize and communicate effectively, ensuring everyone’s Pokémon are geared for the encounter. Not only do you get to enjoy the thrill of taking down a massive creature together, but the rewards include rare items and exclusive Pokémon that make the effort worthwhile.

6. Overcooked! 2

The Chaos of Cooking Together

Dive into the chaotic culinary world of Overcooked! 2, where your teamwork skills will be tested. You and your friends must manage various kitchen tasks, from chopping ingredients to washing dishes, all while navigating moving platforms and fires. The game’s frenetic pace and unpredictable obstacles create hilarious and often stressful moments, making it a riotously fun experience for everyone involved.

Multiplayer Challenges and Levels

Overcooked! 2 offers numerous multiplayer challenges that keep you and your friends on your toes. With over 45 levels spread across diverse environments such as space stations, sushi restaurants, and mines, each level introduces unique hazards and layouts. You’ll need sharp coordination and quick thinking to meet time limits and customer demands. Team up locally or online to conquer these tricky kitchens and achieve the highest scores while laughing through the madness.

7. Minecraft

Minecraft brings endless creativity and adventure to the Nintendo Switch, making it a standout multiplayer game.

Creative and Survival Modes in Multiplayer

Experience both Creative and Survival modes in Minecraft’s multiplayer setting. In Creative mode, you and your friends can unleash your imagination, building everything from sprawling cities to intricate monuments without worrying about resources. This mode offers an infinite amount of blocks and freedom, making collaboration limitless.

Survival mode, on the other hand, challenges you to gather resources, craft tools, and fend off mobs. Working together with friends to construct shelters and explore dangerous caves adds a layer of strategy and excitement. Success hinges on your ability to communicate and divide tasks effectively, ensuring you stay safe and well-equipped.

Building and Exploring Together

Minecraft’s appeal lies in its dynamic building and exploration opportunities. Team up with friends to create massive structures or embark on adventures across diverse biomes. Whether you’re designing an elaborate castle, digging deep to find rare ores, or navigating the mysterious Nether, the cooperative gameplay makes it more engaging. Each player brings unique ideas and skills, making your collective projects truly monumental.

Exploring can lead to discovering hidden treasures, rare biomes, and secret dungeons. Working together to tackle challenges like ender dragons or woodland mansions can improve your teamwork, while the shared sense of accomplishment strengthens your connections. Minecraft’s vast, open world ensures you’ll always have something new to discover and build, keeping the excitement alive.

8. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild isn’t traditionally known for its multiplayer features, there’s still plenty of fun to be had when exploring Hyrule with friends by your side.

Collaborative Discovery and Problem-Solving

Team up with friends to uncover the game’s secrets. By sharing discoveries, you and your friends can help each other find hidden shrines and Korok seeds. Discussing puzzle solutions can lead to creative problem-solving. It’s not only rewarding but also deepens your understanding of the game mechanics.

Tips for Group Exploration and Strategy

Coordinate exploration by dividing tasks. One friend can focus on mapping uncharted territories while another gathers resources or hunts for food. Sharing the detailed world map and marking points of interest allow for efficient teamwork. Use voice chat to plan strategies, making sure everyone’s on the same page.

9. Rocket League

Rocket League for the Nintendo Switch combines soccer with rocket-powered cars, delivering fast-paced, engaging multiplayer fun.

Gameplay Basics and Team Dynamics

Mastering Rocket League requires understanding its core mechanics. You’ll drive your car around a soccer field, aiming to hit a giant ball into your opponent’s goal. Precision and timing are crucial. Developing team dynamics is key; players must communicate and strategize to ensure efficient passing and goal-scoring. Practicing aerial maneuvers and defensive tactics will enhance your gameplay.

Competitive Play and Community Engagement

Rocket League’s competitive play mode is where you can truly test your skills. You’ll start in lower-ranked matches and work your way up. Participating in online tournaments can also sharpen your abilities. Engaging with the active Rocket League community will help you learn new techniques and strategies. Joining forums and watching live streams are effective ways to stay updated with the latest trends.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Next Multiplayer Game for Switch

Exploring the diverse array of multiplayer games on the Nintendo Switch opens up a world of fun and engaging experiences. Whether you’re into intense battles in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or strategic team play in Rocket League, there’s something for everyone. Each game offers unique features that cater to different playstyles, making it easy to find one that suits your preferences.

From cooperative adventures in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to the fast-paced chaos of Overcooked! 2, these games provide endless entertainment and opportunities for collaboration. Dive into any of these titles to enhance your gaming nights and create lasting memories with friends and family. Happy gaming!