Gaming
Play together: These are the best couch co-op games for Nintendo Switch in 2025
Couch co-op games will still be a big hit in 2025. Multiplayer games on one screen continue to be hugely popular, especially on the Nintendo Switch hybrid console.
Couch co-op is an important topic for the Japanese and, thanks to shareable Joy-Cons, you can start your adventure straight away in most titles at no extra cost. Here is our selection of the best couch co-op games for Nintendo Switch that you must have played.
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01
Super Mario Bros Wonder
Nintendo's cult plumber Super Mario returns to the screen with a brand new adventure, and it really packs a punch. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, as the latest instalment is called, is a classic 2D platformer, but with a whole range of new power-ups and game elements.
From charming new animations to the varied levels and the new elephant or drill item: the hunt for the wonder seeds is great fun for the whole family - and one of the best games of 2023.
Incidentally, speedrunner David 'GrandPOOBear' Hunt also thinks so. He loves Super Mario Bros Wonder for its movement, among other things. Up to four players can jump through the levels together.
02
Cat Quest 2
Cat Quest 2 is one of those games that hardly anyone knows about, even though it's really good. Come on: After all, it's about cats! And dogs.
The game is a classic 2D action role-playing game in which you explore the kingdom of Felingard together in couch co-op mode and take on all kinds of pawsome enemies.
Cat Quest 2 combines a charming story with a surprisingly complex combat system, plenty of humour and numerous secrets to discover.
03
Kirby and the forgotten land
With Kirby and the Forgotten Land , Nintendo presented the pink ball with a new spin-off that brought the gameplay into the third dimension for the first time.
As a classic 3D jump-and-run, you explore a colourful world and acquire a variety of new skills. The latest Kirby adventure canalso be played by two players in couch co-op.
04
Portal: Companion collection
With its unique gameplay, the puzzle shooter Portal 2 has been one of the best co-op games everfor over 10 years. Since 2022, the adventure about the two crazy robots Atlas and P-body has finally been available for Nintendo Switch.
The aim of the game is to use a portal gun to create dimensional gates and solve tricky puzzles. This requires two players to work together perfectly, especially in couch co-op. The companion collection includes Portal 1 and Portal 2 as remasters, which also have a lot in store for solo players.
05
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
The 3D platformer Super Mario 3D World was originally released back in 2013, but eight years later the mascot's adventure is celebrating a furious comeback on Nintendo Switch, with a brand new world added in the form of the Bowser's Fury expansion.
Another new feature is the co-operative mode for up to four players, in which you slip into the skin of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad to take on Mario's arch-enemy Bowser together.
In the expansion, a second player can take on Bowser Jr. if desired, who can provide Mario with further assistance. Mario and co-op? That always works.
Speedrunner against Bowser: The former snowboarder shows what it looks like when speedrunning pro David 'GrandPOOBear' Hunt takes on the game in his video.
06
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The Smash series is best known for its competitive battles. Esports pros such as Masaya 'aMSa' Chikamoto and Mustafa 'Ice' Akacaya regularly prove their skills in the gaming hit.
In classic mode, you can also play co-operatively against a number of challengers. Thanks to the gigantic roster, you have a number of different characters to choose from, all of which are very different from one another in terms of gameplay.
Alternatively, you can now also compete in ghost board mode and face tricky challenges together. Either way: In co-op mode, you can be sure of many hours of fun.
Gaming and esports in Japan: Our'Playing Fields' series presents all aspects of Japan's thriving scene. In this episode, two fighting game pros take us into the world of esports.
07
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Although Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is only a conversion of the Wii U spin-off, that doesn't change the fact that you're dealing with one of the best 2D jump-and-runs of recent years. The return of Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and co. plays just as well as it did in SNES times. Especially in co-op mode for two players, as each character has their own special abilities that need to be combined to solve the challenging levels.
Above all, the varied levels and the brilliant soundtrack make Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze a real co-op hit that Switch owners should not miss out on.
08
Unravel 2
The cute little yarn man Yarny gets support in the second instalment of the series, Unravel 2. Together, you will experience an emotional and gripping adventure that tells a story of love, friendship and hope.
09
Rocket League
Rocket League is an ingenious multiplayer game that also provides a lot of fun in couch co-op. In the game, your task is to manoeuvre a giant ball into the opponent's goal with your vehicle. But this endeavour, which is quite simple on paper, turns out to be much trickier than you might expect.
Rocket League is one of the biggest surprise hits of recent years and is also hugely popular on Nintendo Switch. Up to four players compete against the AI in local co-op mode, while countless unlockable cars and customisations keep you entertained for a long time.
10
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition
Minecraft is one of the most successful and popular games of all time, and not without reason. Exploring the world of blocks alone and building huge structures out of the ground is brilliant. But in the couch co-op mode of Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition, it's even more fun to let your creativity run wild.
The title is far more than "just" a simple video game. Depending on the game mode, Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition is almost a meditative experience that will keep you glued to the screen for hours, if not weeks. Those who like a little more excitement can take on the challenge in survival mode, but even those who want to create a breathtaking world in peace and quiet will get their money's worth with Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition.
11
Monster Hunter Rise
What could be better than hunting monsters with a few friends? How good that Monster Hunter Rise is the first instalment of the cult series on Nintendo Switch.
Together with up to four players, the aim is to protect the village of Kamura from the approaching monster invasion. To do so, you have a huge arsenal of weapons at your disposal to face the varied and challenging monsters. Monster Hunter Rise is great fun, especially in co-op mode.
12
Luigi's Mansion 3
Sneaking through a creepy ghost hotel alone with Luigi can be quite nerve-wracking. Luigi's Mansion 3 is undoubtedly one of the best games for Nintendo Switch, but the co-op mode makes the already successful action adventure even better.
While one player slips into the skin of the plumber, the other takes on the slippery doppelganger Fluigi, who is given a very special role, especially in the varied puzzles. After all, Fluigi is able to squeeze through narrow grids or pass through nasty traps unscathed thanks to his consistency. Thanks to successful gameplay, an incredibly charming game world and exciting puzzles, this is an absolute feast for couch co-op.
