TheNintendo Switch 2has made its debut, arriving on the scene with alaunch line-upconsisting primarily of ports.Mario Kart Worldis the console’s main system seller and offers a fun evolution of the franchise’s formula. Covering both single-player and multiplayer, the racing game is well-rounded, and the free-roam mode supports online co-op for people who want to play together. However,local co-opis not part of the equation, even if there might be a workaround to get two players into the same world.
The Switch 2 is still very early in its life, and its library is hardly stuffed with options. At the moment, only a handful of couch co-op Switch 2 games exist, to the point that nobody should currently buy the console solely for local multiplayer. However, the launch lineup included a couple of titles that incorporate the feature, and they will eventually be joined by even more projects. Let’s highlight thebest local co-op games on the Switch 2, for now.
Only native Switch 2 games will be included, so no backward-compatible titles.
Although not overly stacked with pending releases, the Nintendo Switch’s yet-to-be-released lineup is relatively impressive and features a couple of projects that will certainly incorporate co-op. As players have few options at the moment, here are a few exciting upcoming couch co-op Switch 2 games that look great.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2has been out for a couple of years, and it is even available on the Nintendo Switch; consequently, the Switch 2’s upgraded version is not that exciting a prospect in the grand scheme of things. That said, this iteration is a pretty good option for anyone craving acolorful puzzle gamethat also comes with a fun story mode, along with plenty of modes that are tailor-made for a party setting.
Now,Puyo Puyo Tetris 2Sis not primarily sold as a local co-op game, and this aspect is a relatively minor part of the overall package. Still, players can combine forces to take on boss raids, along with diving into a 2v2 mode that is new to this version. While the Tetris aspect is fine, this title is mainly forPuyo Puyofans.
Level-5’sFantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Timeseemed to go through a somewhat troubled development cycle, one that saw multiple delays. Despite its history, the final game successfully managed to bring everything together, crafting an ambitious adventure capable of satisfying both RPG and life sim fans. Both aspects are not only fully developed and enjoyable in their own right, but they complement each other surprisingly well, allowing for a whole that is more than just the sum of its parts.
The Girl Who Steals Timeis sold as a single-player package, asmultiplayer comes with a fair few limitations. Focusing solely on local co-op, the second player is cast as the protagonist’s companion rather than a character on equal footing, and their primary purpose is to assist the main user. Just to be clear, the game is plenty of fun in co-op, but it might not quite hit the mark with everyone.
An argument could be made thatSurvival Kidsis the definitivelocal co-op Switch 2 gameso far, mainly because it isonly available on Nintendo’s latest console. Konami’s release is not a port, but rather a completely new game designed specifically for the Switch 2. While not a hugely well-known property,Survival Kidshas been around since the late ’90s, with the franchise originally debuting on the Game Boy Color. Multiple sequels were eventually released, although they were calledLost in Bluein Western nations.
2025’sSurvival Kidsis the first entry in the series in more than 15 years, and it has garnered very little attention so far. Part of that has to do with its art style, which is fairly uninspired and paints the picture of a budget title. However, the game itself is better than it looks, with the campaign challenging a group of friends to work together to make their way off an array of islands. Local co-op supports two-player split-screen, while online co-op allows up to four players. Despite its name,Survival Kidsis primarily an easy-going puzzle and adventure game rather than a full-blown survival experience, even if it takes a few minor elements from the latter.
As thebest co-op game of 2025so far,Split Fictionranking as the greatest option on the Nintendo Switch 2 is hardly surprising. Hazelight specializes in two-player experiences, with all three of the developer’s games only being playable in co-op. Online is viable, but these titles are designed with couch co-op in mind.Split Fictionis arguably Hazelight’s crowning achievement, particularly when it comes to gameplay. The story follows two writers who go on a wild adventure as they visit worlds based on their sci-fi and fantasy stories, with each setting not only being unique but also introducing new mechanics.
Now, the Switch 2 version comes with a few limitations compared to other consoles. The FPS taps out at 30, which is relatively low compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The graphics are also not quite as impressive as other versions. Still,Split Fictionworks well enough on the Switch 2, and these compromises hardly detract from the game’s brilliance.
