The best local multiplayer Switch 2 games to play with your friends

As August goes on and on, more of us are returning to school. While there are certainly some more useful things to pick up if you want to be productive at school, sometimes you just need to relax and have a good time with friends.

That’s where video games come in.

Whether you’re chilling in a rec center between classes or want to play a game with your friends during lunch, the Nintendo Switch 2 is your best bet for a console gaming experience. It’s portable and has easily detachable controllers that make playing with others easy.

Even though the system is only two months old, there are already plenty of multiplayer games that don’t require the player to pay close attention to their story or have an internet connection to play.

If you’re wondering which games you can play offline with your friends, I’ve rounded up this list of the six best games with local multiplayer available for the Switch 2.

6

Mario Kart World

Supports up to four players

The most obvious choice is the one that probably came bundled with your console: Mario Kart World. It’s a cartoonish, lighthearted kart racer with plenty of unlockable characters to play as and tracks to race on.

While it’s unfortunate that Free Roam mode doesn’t easily support offline co-op play, it’s very easy to boot up multiplayer and play a quick race or two when you have a bit of time.

It’s easy to control and has options like auto-accelerate and smart steering, so even your non-gamer friends can have a good time with this one.

It’s the one Switch 2 game that’s a no-brainer to have installed on your console as we head into the new school year.

5

Fast Fusion

Get in your race car and drive

If Mario Kart World is a little too kid-friendly for you, you might find Fast Fusion to be a way cooler game. This is a difficult sci-fi racer all about driving around at high speeds.

It’s a spiritual successor of sorts to Nintendo’s F-Zero and Sony’s Wipeout video game series, rewarding smart play and keen understanding of how to control its futuristic vehicles.

It also has some of the most impressive visuals at a high frame rate on the system, even in handheld or tabletop mode.

If you and your friends are up to the challenge, consider giving Fast Fusion a shot.

4

Donkey Kong Bananza

Jump and destroy

Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the best games of 2025 so far, and it supports local co-op play, even if you only have the two Joy-Cons that come with the Switch.

One player controls Donkey Kong and can jump around and destroy the levels to their heart’s content.

The other controls Pauline, and they can scan materials in the environment before shooting them back out using motion controls, causing more mayhem and destruction.

While player two is taking a backseat in this one, playing Donkey Kong Bananza in co-op can still be a ridiculously fun time.

3

Survival Kids

Keep it calm

Survival Kids was a local co-op launch title that flew a bit under the radar as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title. In it, players have to work together to solve puzzles and complete survival-related challenges on tropical islands.

Its crafting mechanics might appeal to you if you enjoy games like Minecraft or Terraria, which don’t yet have native Switch 2 versions.

If you’re looking for a relatively calm and straightforward cooperative experience, Survival Kids is one available on Switch 2 that you can’t get anywhere else.

2

Street Fighter 6

Show off your fighting moves

For those with a more competitive spirit, there are options for more intense local multiplayer games.

One of the more obvious examples is Street Fighter 6, a fighting game where each player chooses a character and tries to best their opponent with all of their special moves and abilities.

While the skill ceiling with Street Fighter 6 is extremely high, as seen at events like EVO 2025, its “Modern” control option does make it more approachable.

If your friends are experienced enough gamers, consider giving Street Fighter 6 a go the next time you hang out with them.

1

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

Line ’em up and clear the board

Finally, there’s Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S. This is a crossover between two of my favorite puzzle game series.

Puyo Puyo is all about grouping together the titular creatures of the same color to clear your board, while Tetris is about lining up falling blocks to clear your game board.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S combines the two to create an addictive, competitive puzzle game experience. After a round or two, it’s easy to understand how to play, and from there, you can create some really intense and memorable puzzle game moments.

Just don’t let the teacher hear you.