While there's a huge variety of gaming experiences available on Switch, there's a good chance that couch co-op games were a big part of the reason you bought Nintendo's hybrid console. After all, the Switch is tailor-made for those experiences thanks to its Joy-Con controllers, which double up as two separate pads when you've got a friend nearby, even when you're out and about.

But what are the best couch co-op games on Nintendo Switch? That's what we're here to find out in this selection of cooperative local multiplayer titles. We're going with the implicit definition that co-op games allow players to work together as teammates, as opposed to competing against each other (those would be competitive multiplayer games). We're also only including games with local multiplayer on a single device, which rules out games like Splatoon 3, for example.

If you're not concerned specifically with local co-op multiplayer, be sure to check out our selection of the best Nintendo Switch games, an ever-evolving list of the top 50 Switch games ever, as ranked by Nintendo Life users.

However, assuming you're looking to collaborate with a mate, we proudly present — in no particular order — the best cooperative games on Switch...

Death Squared (Switch eShop)

Death Squared was built with co-op in mind, and boy does it do a good job of it. You have to work your way through a bunch of increasingly-challenging puzzling levels, helping two cuboid robots to stand on their same-coloured circle without destroying each other. It sounds easy, but navigating the various pitfalls and challenging sequences can be very challenging. Packed with character and brilliant narration, Death Squared is a little cube-shaped eShop gem.

Rocket League (Switch eShop)

Rocket League is a fine online multiplayer game which involves driving really fast, pulling off insane tricks, and scoring ridiculous goals with an oversized ball on an oversized football pitch. Make no mistake, despite the odd concept, this is up there with the finest football games available on Switch. Local co-op is supported for up to four players, and you can battle against the CPU in 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 matches. That's plenty to sink your teeth into.

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Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch)

A beautiful little game, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a winner whether you're after puzzling or jump button-less platforming, and the two-player co-op Nintendo added post-launch makes this offering even tastier with Toadette able to join the Captain through the entire game. There's even a nice little nugget of DLC for once you've polished off the main story. With beautiful visuals and an upbeat soundtrack, it's a real gem; a wonderful and gorgeous 3D platform puzzler fit for all ages, and one which you should definitely experience if you're yet to.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (Switch eShop)

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime turns the silliness right up to 11, and provides near-perfect co-op action fun for you and your friends. It's got support for four players, and each of you have to work together to keep a pink Death Star running as it battles nasties in space. You'll run between various different control rooms, manning turrets, lasers, shields, and thrusters to both keep your ship functioning and to rack up a high score. Death is inevitable, but you can delay it for as long as possible – provided you work together.

Enter the Gungeon (Switch eShop)

Enter the Gungeon is as mad as its name suggests. This is an absolutely bonkers bullet-infested roguelike in which you shoot, loot, roll, and flip a bunch of tables on your journey through hordes of enemies to earn the legendary gun that can... er, kill the past. Whatever that means. Who really cares about story – this is an action-packed shooter that makes the action of The Matrix look like a Yoga session for the elderly.

Pode (Switch eShop)

With its subtle, relaxing, and appropriate musical score, gloriously soft visuals, and a simple yet emotional story, Pode succeeds in offering a generous cooperative experience and a challenging 8-10 hours of content that will shine brightly — especially amongst the assortment of fast-paced and frantic multiplayer games on the eShop. A lovely little co-op game.

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Switch eShop)

Minecraft was at one point the biggest game on the planet before Fortnite muscled in on the limelight. Even so, its influence is far-reaching and explains the sheer number of copycat survival games and blocky builders. The original and best is available on Switch, though, and provides you with countless hours of co-op fun as you pretty much do anything you want from building stuff to crafting weapons and beating up enemies.

Snipperclips Plus: Cut it out, together! (Switch)

Not only is Snipperclips a Nintendo Switch exclusive, but it remains one of the finest couch co-op experiences on the platform. It challenges you to navigate around a variety of creative levels, cutting your paper characters into different shapes to help you solve puzzles. There's a massive single-player story to work through, which supports two-player co-op, then a bunch more puzzles you can figure out with up to four players. While you don’t strictly need a second player, we wouldn’t play Snipperclips without a friend, relative, or significant other – when solutions elude you or an attempt goes sideways, exorcising frustration by snipping (and, indeed, clipping) your partner is always cathartic and hilarious.

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition (Switch)

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is an absolutely excellent 2D platformer that you really should check out regardless of the multiplayer options. As it happens though, it has full couch co-op support, allowing you to play through the entire experience with a friend. And what an experience it is. You'll run, jump, and punch your way through a variety of imaginative levels that draw on influences from Mario to Sonic, and even Guitar Hero.

Cuphead (Switch eShop)

Cuphead was an absolute masterpiece when it launched on Xbox and nothing has been sacrificed in its move to the Switch. It’s the same visually jaw-dropping, aurally delightful, knuckle-whiteningly difficult game it was on Microsoft’s console and the Switch’s library is all the better for its presence. Its focus on intense boss battles won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into we can’t recommend it enough — and it's easy to share with a mate taking control of Mugman and joining you for the ride in two-player co-op. And with the DLC, The Delicious Last Course, there's even more to dunk into with a friend.

Again, don't be fooled by this one's impeccable cartoon facade — this is a hard-as-nails run-and-gunner, so just be prepared for punishment.

TowerFall (Switch eShop)

TowerFall set the standard for excellence in local multiplayer, creating a fun and endlessly replayable experience that’s a blast every time you play. Although the single-player content is a bit thinner than we’d like and the omission of online may be disappointing to some, few games better exemplify the unique multiplayer strengths of the Switch, with support for up to six players. TowerFall is perfect for anyone looking for a great party game, with the easy-to-understand mechanics and near-bottomless depth that ensures it'll become a household favourite.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (Switch)

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury takes everything that made the cat-filled Wii U original special and throws in various small gameplay tweaks to make it even more enjoyable. The first four-player 3D Mario game fuses the freedom of the third dimension with the spirit of the tighter, more constrained (yet no less imaginative) courses from his 2D games to wonderful effect. The cooperative multiplayer element brought Princess Peach, Luigi, and Toad back into the fold of playable characters, mirroring the lineup of Super Mario Bros. 2., and both Cat Mario and Captain Toad were also introduced here.

This game serves as an unintimidating introduction to a larger three-dimensional Super Mario world, and a joy for veterans of the Z-axis to boot, up there with the very best of the plumber's portfolio. If you're looking to expand your local multiplayer gang's horizons beyond the 2D plane of the other Mario platformers, Super Mario 3D World is a great option.