Best 2 Player Switch Games for Co-op, Couch Play and Couples

Summary: The best 2 player Switch games split into two camps: co-op games where you work together, like It Takes Two, Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Overcooked! All You Can Eat, and competitive ones like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Most need only one console and a Joy-Con each. Nearly all of them also run on the Switch 2, which adds new co-op games of its own.

• For co-op, start with It Takes Two, Kirby and the Forgotten Land or Luigi's Mansion 3.
• For competition, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Smash Bros. Ultimate are hard to beat.
• Couples tend to prefer calm co-op such as Stardew Valley, Unravel Two and Snipperclips.
• Switch 2 owners can add Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, and still play the original Switch library.

The best 2 player Switch games are the ones that work on one screen with one Joy-Con each, so you can start playing without buying a second console or a second copy. That is the Switch's big advantage over other consoles: almost every game in this list supports couch play out of the box.

We grouped the best 2 player Switch games by the kind of evening you want: working together, beating each other, or settling in for a long session. A quick table follows for anyone who just wants the list.

Best Co Op Switch Games for Two

• It Takes Two: a split-screen adventure built entirely for two players, with a new mechanic in almost every level. Only one copy is needed thanks to its Friend's Pass.
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land: a bright 3D platformer where the second player joins as Bandana Waddle Dee. Easy enough for younger players.
• Luigi's Mansion 3: player two controls Gooigi, and many puzzles need both ghosts working together.
• Overcooked! All You Can Eat: chaotic kitchen co-op that tests communication more than reflexes.
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder: side-scrolling Mario for up to four, with a drop-in, drop-out style that suits mixed skill levels.
• Cuphead: hard, hand-drawn boss fights for two. Best for players who enjoy a challenge.

If you want the best co op Switch games in one sentence: It Takes Two for adults, Kirby for families, and Overcooked when you want to shout at each other in a friendly way.

Best Competitive 2 Player Switch Games

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: the most played racing game on the console, with assists that let beginners keep up.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: a huge fighting roster, easy to pick up and deep enough for years.
• Nintendo Switch Sports: tennis, bowling and more with motion controls, great for a living room.
• Mario Tennis Aces: quick one-on-one matches with a surprising amount of skill involved.

These 2 player Switch games are also the backbone of the best multiplayer Switch games lists, since all of them scale up to four players when more friends turn up.

Best Party and Board Games for Two

Super Mario Party Jamboree and Mario Party Superstars are built for four but work fine with two, with computer players filling the empty seats. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics is the quiet alternative, with chess, cards and dozens of tabletop games that suit a two-person evening. They are among the most relaxed multiplayer Switch games, because nobody needs gaming skill to win, and they sit comfortably among the best multiplayer Switch games for mixed groups.

2 Player Switch Games for Couples

When people search for 2 player Switch games for couples, they usually mean something cooperative and low-stress. These are the picks that come up again and again:

• Stardew Valley: run a farm together in split-screen co-op, at your own pace.
• Unravel Two: two yarn characters tied together, solving gentle physics puzzles.
• Snipperclips: short puzzles where you cut each other into shapes. Cheap and very funny.
• Moving Out: a removal-van comedy where teamwork matters more than speed.

It Takes Two belongs here too. Its story is literally about a couple, which makes it the obvious first choice among 2 player Switch games for couples who like a narrative.

Longer Couch Co Op Switch Games

For weekend-long sessions, these couch co op Switch games keep two players busy for dozens of hours:

• Minecraft: split-screen survival and building with no end point.
• Diablo III: Eternal Collection: couch co-op dungeon crawling with loot to share.
• Divinity: Original Sin 2: a deep role-playing game with two-player split screen.

Couch co op Switch games like these suit pairs who play a little every night, since progress carries over from one session to the next.

Switch 2 Co Op Games Worth Knowing

The Switch 2 runs most original Switch games, so every title above still works on it. It also has new options. Mario Kart World is the new flagship racer, Donkey Kong Bananza includes a two-player mode, and Split Fiction, the follow-up to It Takes Two, brings its split-screen co-op to the console. These Switch 2 co op games add to the old library rather than replace it.

If you are buying a console or extra Joy-Cons for two-player play, Best Buy stocks both Switch models and controllers, and it is worth checking for console bundles around sales. To try a few Switch 2 co op games before buying, a rental service such as GameFly sends physical copies by mail.

Best 2 Player Switch Games at a Glance

For a similar list on Sony's console, see our 2 player PS5 games guide.

Questions About Two Player Switch Games

Do two players need two copies of a Switch game?

Not for local play. Two player Switch games played on one console need one copy and a Joy-Con each. Online play needs two copies and Nintendo Switch Online.

What are the best two player Switch games for kids?

Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with assists on. They are the best two player Switch games for mixed ages.

Are Nintendo Switch 2 player games playable on the Switch 2?

Yes, most Nintendo Switch 2 player games run on the Switch 2. A small number of original games have compatibility issues, so check Nintendo's list for a specific title.

What is the difference between switch multiplayer games and co-op games?

Switch multiplayer games include anything with more than one player, competitive or not. Co op Switch games are the subset where players work together instead of against each other.

Do Nintendo Switch 2 player games need Nintendo Switch Online?

Only for online play. Nintendo Switch 2 player games on one console work offline with no subscription.

Grab a Second Joy-Con and Pick Tonight's Game

Most of the best 2 player Switch games need nothing more than the console you already own and a Joy-Con each. Pick a co-op game if you want to play as a team, Mario Kart or Smash if you want bragging rights, and top up for the next one with a Nintendo eShop gift card.