December 8th 2024.
Playing video games with a friend is one of the best ways to bond and have fun, and my oldest friend and I have been doing just that for years. We grew up together, and our love for gaming has stayed with us from childhood to our mid-forties. The only difference now is that he lives in Sweden while I live in England. But thanks to the magic of online gaming, we can still play together and stay connected.
As avid gamers, we are always on the lookout for new co-op games to try out. However, it can be challenging to find a comprehensive list of online co-op games. Many lists online don't differentiate between co-operative and competitive games, and some focus on couch co-op rather than online co-op. So, to help others looking for great co-op games and to celebrate our own gaming experiences, we have compiled a list of our favorite Nintendo Switch online co-operative games.
Our list is divided into two parts. Part 1 includes well-known titles that you have probably heard of before, while Part 2 features hidden gems and lesser-known titles that we have personally enjoyed playing.
The Best-Known Nintendo Switch Co-op Games
The first game my friend and I played together, and the reason he bought a Switch, was Super Mario Maker 2. With thousands of levels to play, including many designed specifically for co-op, this game never gets old. And speaking of plumbing, don't forget to try Super Mario 3D World, which offers even more co-op fun.
For fans of beat 'em up games, we highly recommend Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. But, in our opinion, nothing beats the classic Streets Of Rage series. We were huge fans of Streets Of Rage 2 as kids, and the fourth installment of the franchise does an excellent job of updating and modernizing the game while staying true to its roots.
If you enjoy retro brawlers, the Capcom Beat 'Em-Up Bundle is a must-have. It includes seven classic scrolling beat 'em-up games that all offer online co-op play, such as Final Fight and Knights Of The Round.
The Switch's online service also offers a wide selection of co-op games from various platforms. Some of our favorites include Gunstar Heroes, Contra: Hard Corps, Snake Rattle 'N' Roll, The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, and ToeJam & Earl.
One game that many people may not realize has a co-op mode is Portal 2, part of the Portal: Companion Collection. Solving the clever co-op puzzles in this game will make you feel like a genius.
But if you're looking for unabashed fun, you can't go wrong with It Takes Two. In our opinion, this is the best co-op game we have ever played. With a wide variety of ever-changing challenges, a whimsical story, and engaging gameplay, it's a true love letter to co-op gaming.
Lastly, we highly recommend all five Trine games. The first four are 2D puzzle platformers where you must use the unique abilities of different characters to overcome environmental obstacles. The fifth installment attempts the same concept in 3D, and while it may feel unfinished, it's still worth a try, especially since these games often go on sale.
Hidden Gem Nintendo Switch Co-op Games
Continuing with the Trine games, we have to mention Nine Parchments, a 3D magical-combat adventure game by the same developer. This game is aesthetically similar to Trine and offers a lot of fun and memorable boss battles.
Another game that follows a similar concept to Trine is Degrees Of Separation. In this game, you must use contrasting but complementary powers to solve 2D spatial and environmental puzzles. It's well-designed and immensely satisfying.
For those who enjoy penguin-based humor, we highly recommend Bread & Fred, a co-op game about guiding two penguins up a mountain. It's challenging but in the best way possible and tons of fun.
Equally charming is Ibb & Obb, a 2D puzzle-platformer with simple graphics and controls. It has a lot of heart and some challenging puzzles to keep you entertained.
If you're looking for a quirky and ridiculous challenge, look no further than Phogs! In this 3D platformer, you control both ends of a two-headed snake-dog and take part in various challenges while wearing some funky hats.
On a smaller scale but no less silly, KeyWe tasks you with running a postal service with two small flightless birds. It's a bit fiddly, but still a good time.
Another difficult game to categorize is Knights And Bikes. It's a mix of Secret Of Mana, retro point 'n' click adventure, and something entirely unique. With its quirky humor, charming visuals, and fun gameplay, it's a must-try.
For those who love a challenge, we recommend Nobody Saves The World, a huge adventure game with multiple characters and skill trees to unlock. It takes time to complete, but it's worth it. And if you enjoy it, try Full Metal Furies, which offers inventive combat and a significant challenge.
For a more cerebral experience, we highly recommend Tick Tock: A Tale for Two and The Past Within, both of which feature mind-bending puzzles centered around time travel and co-operative communication.
Of course, there are many other games we have tried, some we have completed, and others that weren't quite for us. Some honorable mentions include Blanc, a fun but flawed arctic adventure, 20XX, a lively Mega Man-style roguelike, Hammerwatch and its sequel, which offer gloomy Gauntlet-style combat quests, and Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2, a chaotic 2D run 'n' gun game. We also can't forget Warhammer 4,000: Shooters, Blood and Teef, a game set in the popular Games Workshop universe.
We are always on the lookout for new co-op games to try, and we plan to test out Operation: Tango and revisit ToeJam & Earl 2: Panic On Funkotron, which is now available on the Switch's Online service. And who knows, maybe by then, we will have some exciting news about the Switch 2 and even more online co-op games to look forward to.
Thank you for reading, and happy co-operating!
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