The Switch 2 has been out for a little while now, so I think it’s time to talk about every single exclusive couch co-op Switch 2 game so far.
There still aren’t a ton of true exclusives yet, but there are already some interesting ones here. Some are full co-op games, some have assist modes, some have team options, and a few upcoming games look especially promising. I also wanted to touch on the Switch 2 upgrade packs and GameShare, because even though those aren’t all brand-new exclusives, they do add some unique local co-op features that are worth mentioning.
Current Switch 2 Exclusives
Donkey Kong Bonanza
Starting with the current games, we have Donkey Kong Bonanza. This feels like a reboot of the Donkey Kong series, and it’s the first time he’s been in 3D since Donkey Kong 64. This is a lot better than that game.
Now it’s an open world. You can climb on just about everything, and you can destroy just about everything. It feels kind of like Donkey Kong 64 mixed with Breath of the Wild. It’s just a huge world to explore and discover new things in.
One cool thing about this game is that you can actually play it in co-op. It is an assist mode, but this is one of the better ways that this has been done. Player two plays Pauline. She’s able to sing, and basically player two controls a cursor. Whenever Pauline sings, she shoots a projectile, and you’re able to pretty much destroy everything.
This is actually a huge help when playing with a friend. It’s not exactly an equal experience, but maybe play this with a kid or someone that has a little more patience. I’ve heard some people say that this actually makes the game too easy, and to me, honestly, that’s never a bad thing because I kind of suck at games. Overall, I think this is an excellent game, and it’s one of the better examples of an assist mode.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is pretty much more of the same if you already know the Hyrule Warriors games. So if you like those games, you’ll definitely like this.
It’s Zelda mixed with Dynasty Warriors. You play as a Zelda character, you go up against hundreds and hundreds of enemies, you hack and slash your way through all of them, then you do a boss fight, then you get a cutscene, then you go to the next level. That’s basically it, and you do that over and over again.
The one thing that’s cool about this one is that it gives you a lot of backstory for Tears of the Kingdom. So if you’re into Zelda lore, this is definitely a game you should check out.
Also, playing this on the Switch 2 is a huge step up. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was a fun game, but in split screen it slowed down immensely. It was kind of a mess. Having the more powerful Switch 2 here definitely makes this game feel and perform a lot better.
Kirby Air Riders
Kirby Air Riders is one I originally thought was just a remake of Kirby Air Ride, but it’s actually a totally new game, so I kind of ignored it for a minute.
Basically, it’s like Kirby mixed with Mario Kart, but this one adds a lot of new stuff. You can’t play through the actual story mode in co-op, but there are some team options. If you go into City Trial, there’s an option for rules. When you go into the rules and go down to versus format, you can change it to teams.
You can do two-on-two, three-on-three, all the way up to eight-versus-eight. In here, you can do the trial mode where you power up in the city and then compete. You’re also able to just do the free run mode, which is more of a casual experience where you just explore.
So while this isn’t really a full co-op game, there’s still enough team-based stuff here that I wanted to mention it.
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World is the latest addition to the Mario Kart series. If you like Mario Kart, you’re definitely going to like this one.
This one adds a few things, like an open world. However, the co-op gameplay is very limited. I still wanted to mention that it does have some team options. You can’t play through the whole story mode co-op, unfortunately, but if you go to multiplayer and select two to four players, you are able to play a versus match or a battle match with custom settings where you can set it up with teams. You can do two to four teams.
There’s also kind of a hidden mode. If you go down to wireless play, or if you hold L and R and push in the left stick, you can switch it to LAN play. Then you create a room, and basically you can do free roam in split screen co-op.
However, it doesn’t have all the same features. The P-switch challenges aren’t available, and you cannot enter photo mode. But you can still get the Peach medallions around the world. The other thing is that at the bottom of the screen it will always say “waiting for other players,” so that’s kind of lame.
The co-op gameplay here is definitely limited. There’s not a lot of actual cooperation happening, but it is kind of fun as a casual mode where you just explore the open world together.
Mario Tennis Fever
Mario Tennis Fever does not include co-op in its Adventure mode, which is strictly single-player. Instead, local co-op comes from doubles matches, where two players can team up against AI or other players. It’s more of a classic team-based multiplayer experience rather than a full co-op campaign, but it still works well for quick, competitive co-op sessions on the couch.
Obakeidoro 2: Chase and Seek
Obakeidoro 2: Chase and Seek came out only in Japan on Switch 2.
I played the original game a lot on Steam. It’s also known as Bail or Jail. Basically, it’s like a kids version of Friday the 13th. You can either play it with four players where one player is the monster and the other three players team up against them, or you can do it against AI.
The gameplay is pretty simple. Everyone goes and hides, and the monster tries to kill everybody. All of the human players want to survive until the timer runs out.
The gameplay really isn’t deep, but if you want something that’s slightly scary and that your kids can actually join in on, this is probably a decent title for that.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S originally came out on the Switch, but this is a version that’s exclusive to the Switch 2 with some added features, primarily that you can now play doubles.
You can’t play through the adventure mode here, but you are able to team up with a friend against two AI characters. You basically team up and each control shapes individually. If you’re into puzzle games, you might enjoy this one.
Survival Kids
And then there’s Survival Kids. This game only got a digital release, but it’s a sequel to a Game Boy Color game. It’s published by Konami, and you can play with up to four players in local co-op.
Basically, you play as these kids, you’re all stranded on an island, and you’re going to craft and build things. You can play the game in split screen co-op, so you’re not all stuck to the same screen.
I’ve heard this game described as a mix between Stardew Valley and Overcooked, and I think that’s pretty accurate. This is another one that’s just a really good family-friendly co-op survival game.
Switch 2 Upgrade Packs
I also wanted to talk about some of the upgrade packs. These are games that came out on the original Switch and other platforms, but they now have unique features exclusive to the Switch 2.
One thing that’s cool about these upgrade packs is that if you already own the original game, you just pay a lower price to unlock the additional content.
Brotato
Brotato is a really basic game. It’s similar to Vampire Survivors, where you control your character, move around, and it automatically attacks. There are some roguelite elements, so you can upgrade as you go.
The exclusive feature for the Switch 2 version is that you can now play it in four-player local co-op, whereas originally you could only play it in two-player.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World is basically DLC for Kirby and the Forgotten Land, but you can only play it on the Switch 2.
There’s actually quite a bit of content here. Playing through it, the whole thing is around two to three hours long. It’s a totally new story with some new levels, and you’re able to play it in two-player co-op just like the original game.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Super Mario Party Jamboree adds in a bunch of new mini-games, but there’s also a tag team mode, so you’re able to play through a game teaming up with a friend.
Mario Wonder (Upcoming Upgrade Pack)
An upcoming upgrade pack is Mario Wonder. This one hasn’t come out yet, but it’s going to add a bunch of new levels and a couple of new characters like some Yoshis, and you can play as Rosalina. Of course, you can play these co-op. I’m really looking forward to this one.
Upcoming Switch 2 Exclusives
There still aren’t a lot of Switch 2 exclusives that are already out, but there are some that are hopefully coming this year.
Mouse Works
Mouse Works is a four-player co-op game that exclusively uses the Joy-Con mouse feature.
It looks like you’re just playing a bunch of mini-games. This is made by the creators of Snipperclips, and it definitely looks like that kind of co-op party game. I heard it’s also influenced by Part-Time UFO, and I can totally see that with the art style.
Orbitals
Orbitals is the game I’m most excited for next year.
It’s a Switch 2 exclusive, it has a really great hand-drawn ’90s anime art style, and you can only play it in co-op. I don’t think there’s even a single-player mode. The gameplay seems to be asymmetrical, where everybody has their own roles and you have to work together.
It definitely looks like it could be similar to It Takes Two or Split Fiction. I’m really looking forward to this one.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is another new Yoshi game, and this one has co-op.
I’m a big fan of the Yoshi games. I really like Yoshi’s Woolly World and Yoshi’s Crafted World, and this seems to be more of the same. It’s a 2D platformer that can be played co-op, but this one’s art style looks more like watercolor, and I really like that. I think it looks good.
The Yoshi games are perfect to play with kids, but I’ve always had fun playing them with an adult partner as well. Either way, this is another one I’m really excited for.
Switch 2 GameShare Co-op Games
I also wanted to briefly go over the GameShare games.
If you don’t know what GameShare is, it’s a new feature on the Switch 2 where you can basically do a system link with a Switch 2 and an original Switch. You just need one copy of the game, and you’re able to broadcast it over to the original Switch.
I think this works really well. I played it with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and instead of playing split screen, you each have your own screen and can sit in the same room. I think this is awesome.
A lot of people who already have a Switch 2 probably also still have an original Switch. So this is just a great way to try some of these games out. If you don’t want to play on the TV or you don’t have access to a TV, you can still do local co-op, each on your own Switch. And like I said, you only need one copy of the game, which is the best part.
Most of these GameShare games can be played locally, but some of them are only online. So for some of them, you do need Nintendo Switch Online in order to use the GameShare option.
Brotato
Captain toad
Chillin by the fire
Donkey Kong
Human Fall Flat (switch 2 edition)
Hyrule warriors: Age of imprisonment
Lynked: Banner of the Spark (control the bot) (Need online connection)
Mario 3D World
Mario Odyssey
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Nicktoons & the Dicey of Destiny (online gameshare)
Overcooked 2
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
Pokemon Pokopia
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
Split fiction
Stardew Valley: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Storm Lancers
Survival Kids
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate
Final Thoughts
So those are all of the exclusive couch co-op Switch 2 games that have been announced so far, plus the upgrade packs and GameShare stuff that I think are worth mentioning.
The Switch 2 doesn’t have a huge exclusive library yet, but the games that are here are actually pretty solid. There’s already a decent mix of family games, assist modes, team-based stuff, and some more interesting upcoming co-op releases.
Hopefully we get a lot more announced pretty soon.
What’s your favorite couch co-op Switch 2 exclusive so far?