Nintendo has always been known for having stellar games with tight and engaging gameplay. They also have a history of producing delightful multiplayer games, a lot of which are perfect for family and friends of any age. 2021 was a good year for Nintendo fans, and the Nintendo Switch’s library gained a lot of fantastic multiplayer games. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best multiplayer Switch games of 2021—check it out below!
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
Ever wanted to prove you were more intelligent than your friends and flex that big brain of yours? Then Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is the perfect game for you! Up to four players can join together and compete in a series of activities to see whose brain is the best.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is perfect for the whole family as each player can set their difficulty so kids and adults can compete on a level playing field. In addition to competing against friends and family, you can see how you match up to players worldwide in Ghost Clash Mode. You can also unlock outfits for your in-game avatar to make them your own!
The Jackbox Party Pack 8
The Jackbox series needs no introduction when it comes to multiplayer games. The Jackbox Party Pack 8 is the eighth installment in a wacky and fun series. This party pack features five new games with you and your friends dying laughing. A central selling point for this game is that you need to play a smartphone and an internet connection! Even better, you can play with up to 10 players and 10,000 audience members. So have a blast in the crazy and creative games in The Jackbox Party Pack 8.
Just Dance 2022
The Just Dance series has been a staple for any recent Nintendo console, and Just Dance 2022 busts a move onto the Nintendo Switch. There are 40 new tracks in Just Dance 2022 featuring chart-topping hits and more. Players can dance together to their favorite songs and also get in a stellar workout! Families can enjoy the game, too, as there is a kids mode with kid-friendly songs and choreographies. If you’re looking to make some digital moves, then Just Dance 2022 is your game!
Mario Golf: Super Rush
Mario sure has a lot of talents for a plumber. He also has a lot of friends, which makes Mario Golf: Super Rush the perfect game to play with your friends! Hit the greens, compete in regular golf, and speed golf with your friends. There are numerous characters to choose from and many varied courses to have a round of golf. Mario Golf: Super Rush even includes a ranked mode where you can cool rewards such as new colors for Yoshi. This sports game is the perfect way to get active indoors with your friends.
Mario Party Superstars
If a game series ever existed that tested the limits of friendship, it would be Mario Party Superstars. This re-imagining of classic Mario Party games borrows boards and mini-games from the Nintendo 64 era of Mario Party games and gives them an HD facelift! So you can relive classic moments from your childhood with your friends. For first in the series, you can now fully play Mario Party online and locally. There are 100 mini-games to play as you and your friends make your way through the beautiful boards in Mario Party Superstars. Just remember not to take out your frustration on your friends!
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Screaming at your friends has never been more fun than in Overcook! All You Can Eat. This frantic co-op game will have you and your friends cooking up delicious food and disaster in the kitchen without burning your houses down! Overcooked! All You Can Eat features both Overcooked and Overcooked 2 and new levels, new chefs, and new mayhem. Players can also enjoy various game modes as they try not to set one another on fire or cut off a finger. Up to four players can play Overcooked! All You Can Eat means you need to get some friends together and whip up some fun!
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
The Pokémon series needs no introduction and, since its inception, has had a multiplayer aspect. While the games are primarily played single-player, you can trade and battle with your friends in person or online to see who is the true Pokémon Master! Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are HD remakes of the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Players can relive moments from their childhood or experience for the first time. There are numerous Pokémon to capture and befriend while you complete your Pokédex. Make sure you have a good team before you battle your friends, and don’t forget to trade with them for their version exclusives!
Pokémon Unite
For the first time, the Pokémon series has entered the MOBA genre. Players can go top, bottom, or middle lane as their favorite Pokémon, all while trying to dunk on the opposing team. So grab your friends, communicate, and work together to ensure that you win and take down Zapdos. Don’t forget to unleash your Unite moves! You will also need to make sure that you and your partner Pokémon look your best with unique cosmetics and holowear. You can even coordinate your appearance with your friends and look like a unified team!
Super Mario 3D World + Bower’s Fury
Super Mario 3D World is one of the best games on the Wii U, and Nintendo has brought this delightful game over to the Nintendo Switch and then some! This port includes new content in Bowser’s Fury, bringing even more co-op fun to the game. But the real multiplayer experience is in the base game where you and three of your friends can play as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, or Rosalina in a grand adventure! There are many different worlds and levels to explore with loads of collectibles to find. So run, jump, and throw your friends into oblivion (or maybe don’t do that last one) as you play through one of the best Mario games out there.
Warioware: Get it Together
It’s time to get weird with Warioware: Get It Together! Grab up to three friends and play over 200 wacky microgames. These are lightning-fast mini-games that will test your friends to see who is the best gamer! Okay, maybe not the best, but you will still want to win. There are a variety of characters to choose from and multiple game modes to keep everyone entertained. Don’t have any friends? Not a problem! You can play against complete strangers online in Wario Cup to show off your skills. Warioware: Get It Together is a hoot of a good time and will have you and your friends looking forward to the next session.
It can be challenging to choose which game to pull out when you have friends over, but you can’t go wrong with any of the above games. The Nintendo Switch is an excellent console for local gaming, but you can also go online and play with your friends when getting together isn’t possible! Regardless of which game you play, you will have a good time as long as you are playing with friends.
For more information on gaming, check out When will Genshin Impact release on Nintendo Switch? and How to fix Error Code 2137-7504 on Nintendo Switch on Pro Game Guides.
