Best multiplayer games on the Nintendo Switch in 2025

The Switch is designed for multiplayer games. It’s portable, easy to set up, and has a huge library of games you can play with your friends at home or online with people from around the world.

When it comes to local multiplayer, the Switch has more than enough games you can play with your friends or family on one console. Some games even let you split the Joy-Cons so two people can play without needing their own controller, which is great for quick, casual fun on games like Mario Kart or Overcooked that are super easy for anyone to pick up fast.

Playing online is just as fun. There’s a massive library of Switch games that let you go head-to-head with people from around the world, from racing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to battling it out in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If you're into shooters, Splatoon 3 offers fast-paced, team-based action with colorful style and cool weapons. And if you like strategy, games like Tetris 99 or Mario Party Superstars bring a competitive edge that keeps things interesting.

Don’t forget you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play online for most games, and the connection quality can vary depending on the broadband package you’ve got at home. Make sure your internet is fast enough for online gaming!

The Nintendo Switch is perfect for local multiplayer and couch co-op fun. You don’t need a bunch of gear, just grab a couple of Joy-Cons and you’re good to go.

Here are some of the best games you can play side-by-side with your friends or family:

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

1–4 players

Overcooked is pure chaos in the best way. You and your team work as chefs in all kinds of crazy kitchens. You’ll chop ingredients, cook meals, plate dishes, and deliver them before the timer runs out. Sounds simple, right? But then the kitchen starts moving, the floor catches fire, or you’re cooking on a hot air balloon. It’s a game that demands teamwork, fast thinking, and lots of communication. Expect to laugh, panic, and maybe yell at your friends (in a fun way). The “All You Can Eat” edition includes both Overcooked 1 and 2, plus all the DLCs, so there’s a tonne of challenges for you to fall out over!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

1–8 players (4 players on one screen, up to 8 with LAN play)

Do we even have to introduce this one? A must-have for any group, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is perfect for parties and family nights. It’s super easy to learn, even for people who don’t play games often. Just pick your favorite character, hop in a kart, and race through colorful, wild tracks while tossing shells, bananas, and other wacky items. You can play in split-screen with up to four players on a single Switch, and if you have more systems, you can race with up to eight people locally or play online with people around the world. With tons of tracks, characters, and modes, it never gets boring.

Moving Out 2

1–4 players

If you've ever thought moving house could be fun, Moving Out 2 proves it. You and your teammates are movers who have to get sofas, fridges, and other objects out of houses and onto a truck. It starts off simple but quickly gets ridiculous – from throwing furniture through windows to dodging ghosts, or squeezing a giant couch through a narrow hallway. The controls are silly on purpose, which makes it all the more entertaining. Like Overcooked, it's great for laughs and good-natured chaos. Perfect for a fun, laid-back gaming session.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 (ScareScraper Mode)

1–4 players (ScareScraper)

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is mainly a single-player adventure, but it also includes a great multiplayer mode called ScareScraper. In this mode, you and your friends team up as different-colored Luigis and go through haunted hotel floors, catching ghosts and completing tasks. It’s slower-paced and more puzzle-focused than other multiplayer games, so it’s great if you want something a bit more relaxed. The ghost-catching mechanic is fun, the environments are creative, and the spooky theme adds a lot of charm without being scary. Plus, the main game also has a 2-player co-op story mode where one person plays as Luigi and the other as Gooigi.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

1–8 players (best with 2–4 on one screen)

This one's another Nintendo Classic. In case you've been living under a rock, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings together characters like Mario, Link, Pikachu, Sonic, and more for wild brawls on dozens of stages. You can play competitive 1v1 matches or chaotic 4-player free-for-alls. The controls are easy enough for beginners, but there’s also a ton of depth if you want to get good at it. It’s super fun to play in short bursts or long sessions, and there’s a lot to unlock. Even if someone’s never played a fighting game before, they can still have a blast just jumping in and mashing buttons.

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

1–4 players (varies by game)

Clubhouse Games is incredible for casual gaming sessions with your friends. Clubhouse Games has a big collection of classics from around the world; things like chess, checkers, bowling, darts, card games, and more. It’s perfect for when you want a chill game night without fast action or complicated rules. Some games are competitive, others are cooperative, and most are easy to learn. It’s also a great pick if you're playing with older family members or younger kids. There’s something for everyone, and the clean, simple style makes it relaxing to play.

Snipperclips – Cut it Out, Together!

1–4 players

Snipperclips is a super clever puzzle game where players control little paper characters who can "snip" pieces off each other to change their shapes. You use these new shapes to solve puzzles—like fitting into outlines, pushing buttons, or carrying objects. It’s very creative and encourages a lot of communication and problem-solving. It’s especially fun with two players, but there’s a party mode for up to four if you want more of a group challenge. It’s light, cute, and surprisingly brainy without being overwhelming.

Nintendo Switch Sports

1–4 players (some sports allow 2–4 players)

Switch sports brings back the classic fun of Wii Sports with a fresh look and even more fun thanks to the Joy-Cons. You can play sports like tennis, bowling, soccer, volleyball, badminton, and chambara (sword fighting). The motion controls are super intuitive; just swing your arms like you're actually playing the sport. It’s very beginner-friendly, which makes it perfect for family gatherings or casual hangouts. Bowling with four people, for example, is a blast. It’s simple, active, and always gets people moving and laughing.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

1–4 players

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a mix of space action and teamwork. You and your teammates control a spaceship from the inside, with one person handling weapons, another steers, another shields, and one person jumping between jobs. You have to coordinate to fly through levels, rescue space bunnies, and fight off enemies. It’s fast-paced and requires good communication, but it’s also bright, colorful, and full of charm. Whether you’re playing with two, three, or four people, it feels like you’re all working together to survive an epic sci-fi adventure.

The Nintendo Switch has some great online multiplayer games that let you connect and compete (or cooperate) with players from all over the world.

Whether you're into fast-paced battles, creative building, or casual fun, there’s something here for every type of gamer. You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for most of these, but the fun you can have makes it worth it.

Here are some of the best online multiplayer games on the Switch:

Splatoon 3

4v4 online matches, plus co-op and events

If you're into colorful, fast-paced shooters, Splatoon 3 is a must for the Switch. The game is a unique team-based shooter where instead of bullets, you use colorful ink. The main mode, Turf War, is all about covering the ground with your team’s ink color. It’s super fun, fast-paced, and very different from traditional shooters. There are ranked battles for more serious players, and a fun co-op mode called Salmon Run, where you team up to fight waves of enemies. Nintendo supports the game with frequent Splatfests, events where the community votes and battles for themed sides (like Cats vs. Dogs). The community is huge too, so matches are easy to find and always exciting.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Up to 8 players online (1 host + 7 visitors)

Not every online game has to be competitive. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a cozy, relaxing game where you build and decorate your island paradise. You can invite friends to visit your island or travel to theirs, where you can trade items, show off your designs, and just hang out. There’s no rush or pressure; just chill vibes and cute conversations with you and your islanders. Visiting friends online is slower than other games (lots of loading screens), but for fans of laid-back social games, it’s totally worth it.

Monster Hunter Rise

Up to 4 players online co-op

For more action-heavy players, Monster Hunter Rise offers deep, satisfying co-op gameplay. You and up to three other hunters go out on missions to fight giant monsters, collect loot, and craft gear. It takes teamwork and strategy, and it's really rewarding once you get into the flow. The online system lets you team up easily with friends or random players, and the gameplay loop of hunting, crafting, and upgrading keeps things interesting for hours. The Sunbreak expansion adds even more monsters and challenges for veterans so there's plenty to get your teeth sunk into.

Tetris 99

Online only, 99 players per match

Tetris 99 turns the classic block-dropping puzzle into a high-stakes, fast-paced battle royale. You’re up against 98 other players in real-time, trying to survive as long as possible while sending junk lines to other players’ boards. It’s a thrilling twist on a well-known game, and it gets intense fast. There are also team battles and special event modes, so no game is ever the same. Plus, if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, this game is free to download and play.

Rocket League

Up to 8 players online (4v4 matches)

Rocket League combines football with rocket-powered cars – which is just as fun as it sounds. Teams drive, flip, and boost their cars across an arena to try to hit a massive ball into the opposing goal. The matches are short, explosive, and super fun whether you’re a casual player or aiming to rank up. Rocket League on Switch plays great and supports full cross-play with other platforms. It’s free-to-play too, which makes it an easy game to jump into with friends or strangers for quick, exciting matches.

Fall Guys

Up to 60 players online per match

Fall Guys is a chaotic party game where you race, jump, and stumble your way through wacky obstacle courses against 59 other players. It’s kind of like a game show mixed with a battle royale, and it’s free-to-play with tons of silly costumes and fun seasonal events. Matches are short and unpredictable, which makes it super easy to jump in and out of. Also, it supports cross-play, so you can join friends on other systems.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Up to 8 players online (4v4)

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a wild, arcade-style take on soccer with that signature Mario flair. You can play online with friends or random players in fast-paced 5-on-5 matches (including goalies). Each character has different stats and special abilities, so building your team is part of the strategy. The game’s biggest draw is the Strikers Club, an online mode where you can create or join a club with friends and compete in ranked seasons to climb the leaderboard. The gameplay is sharp and satisfying, with power-ups, tackles, and flashy Hyper Strikes that can turn the tide in seconds. It’s competitive, but still accessible enough for casual players, and updates have added new characters and gear over time.

Fortnite

Up to 100 players per match

Fortnite is one of the biggest online multiplayer games on any platform, including the Switch. It's a free-to-play battle royale game where you drop into a giant map, gather weapons, and try to be the last one standing. The Switch version holds up surprisingly well and supports full cross-play, so you can play with friends on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC. The game is constantly updated with new content—seasons, skins, and events – so there’s always something new to check out.

Playing multiplayer games on the Nintendo Switch is a lot of fun, but having a good internet connection can make a big difference to your gaming experience, especially when you're playing online. If your connection is slow or spotty, games can lag, buffer, or disconnect, which is no fun for you or the people you're playing with.

So, if your internet speed is too slow and it’s causing lag when you’re online, it may be time for an upgrade. At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of ultrafast gaming broadband deals destined to give you more than enough speed when you’re gaming. Starting with speeds of 136Mbps all the way until 1130Mbps when you go gigabit.

Not sure what you can get? Be sure to check out all our broadband deals and enter your postcode to see all the great deals available in your area.