TOP Nintendo Switch Local Multiplayer Games

10. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Mario & Sonic team up once again run, jump, swim and ride their way to the top of the podium. Featuring a veritable smorgasbord of minigames, the 6th entry in the series now includes a Tokyo 64 mode (1964 being the last time Tokyo hosted the Olympics), in which characters and maps are transported back to their 8/16 bit roots. It’s a nice, retro-themed addition that helps make this a must buy ahead of the Summer games next year!

9. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

If you’ve played any of the earlier entries in this series, The Black Order will feel very familiar, except this time all the action is team-based as you form a squad of four heroes to play in either solo or multiplayer combat. Now, there isn’t much in the way of a grand, arching narrative like we’ve seen through the MCU, rather a loose plot that allows for some awesome, mindless battles. But where it lacks in plot, it more than makes up for it with its character roster.

8. Crash Team Racing Nitro Fuelled

This remaster of the cult classic kart racer has managed to retain all of the charm and fun of the original CTR, making it a great game for local co-op or tearing up the leaderboards online. But this isn’t just cheap nostalgia bait, and developers Beenox has added more than a graphical update. Brand new unlockable kart parts, character skins and customisation items mean there’s even more incentive to be the fastest on the track.

7. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

This remake of the underrated Wii U title sees the titular ape at his side-scrolling best, with gorgeous animation coupled with satisfying if at times a little punishing gameplay. However, if you’re a fan of a more casual experience or just a bit crap, the brand new Funky mode lets you play as Donkey’s totally rad uncle Funky Kong, an experience which offers you more lives and greater resistance to damage. Proof that a surfboard can cure all of life’s ailments.

6. Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions

Based on the classic manga series, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions looks to blend football with roleplaying and quintessential anime madness. It combines a solid sporting experience with enough charm and heart to really set itself apart from it’s more simulation-based counterparts. With local multiplayer for up to 4 players supported too, you can all share the over the top frivolity! Whether you’re a fan of the source material, or just discovering it for the first time, you’re sure to have a blast lacing up your vibrant, anime boots.

5. Overcooked 2

The original Overcooked was one of the first games to truly show off the multiplayer capabilities of the Switch, as you team up with friends to play as chefs scrambling to get orders out of the kitchen. Overcooked 2 is equally as entertaining, and fixes some of the kinks of its predecessor. Sure it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but when it comes from such a widely celebrated series, it really doesn’t need to. The ideal MO of a good sequel is ‘more but better’, and Overcooked 2 fulfils this with aplomb.

4. Diablo III: Eternal Collection

The standard when it comes to horror-themed dungeon crawlers, Diablo III should absolutely be on your radar. Although the package offers very little brand new aside from a Ganondorf armour set, it is objectively the most polished version of the game to date, making it well worth a pick up for old and new fans alike. A full local co-op mode accompanies the single-player experience, looking good in 720p and playing oh so buttery smooth. 

3. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

For those joystick junkies who were let down by the slightly lukewarm Street Fighter 2: The Final Challengers, this is the perfect remedy. Comprising of 12 classic releases from the flawed masterpiece that was the first Street Fighter to 1999’s Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, this is an absolutely essential purchase and is sure to even bring a smile to M. Bison’s face.

2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The king of the kart racers, nothing comes close to Mario Kart on the Switch. With the near-perfect balance between pick-up-and-playability and challenge, MK8D truly does cater for everyone. Whether entertaining your grandparents or duking it out with the best online, you’ll find a satisfying experience no matter what you’re looking for.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo has been perfecting their Smash Bros series for the past 2 decades, an effort that culminates with the near-obnoxiously good Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The fighting/party game boasts one of the best rosters of characters found in any game ever, ranging from Pikachu to Solid Snake to Sonic and even the Wii Fit Trainer (because why not?), and each character feels unique, with a deep move set and individual play style.

TOP 10 Nintendo Switch Fighting Games

10. Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers

The ultimate edition of arguably the most iconic fighting game of all time Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers is dripping with nostalgic enjoyment. It features all of the classic characters, a host of new single-player and multiplayer features, as well as two new fighters: Evil Ryu and Violent Ken. As well as the classic modes, it also has a first-person experience, in which you use the Joy-Cons to perform Hadoukens as well as Ryu’s other classic moves to defeat the Shadaloo army.

9. Blazblue Cross Tag Battle

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is undoubtedly the best tag team fighting game on the Switch. Alongside the classic roster of fighters, you can also pick characters from the Persona franchise as well as the popular Rooster Teeth series RWBY in gorgeously rendered 2D action. Expect crazy combos, frenetic action and satisfying victories either with friends or solo.

8. Guilty Gear 20th Anniversary Edition

An anniversary re-release of one of the more hardcore PS1 fighting games, Guilty Gear isn’t for the faint-hearted. Combining twisted anime-style characters with a hard rock soundtrack and a complex combo system, it exudes originality in a genre that all too often relies on tropes and lacks originality. This package also includes the previously digital-only Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R, arguably the best game in the franchise to date.

7. WWE 2K Battlegrounds

After the hot mess that was WWE 2K20, the developers have decided to offer a palette cleanser in the form of 2K Battlegrounds. A much more over the top affair, with arcade-style grappling, cartoony graphics and outlandish weapons, it’s a tonne of fun seeing these larger than life characters looking a little more larger than life. Plus you can throw your opponent into the mouth of a waiting crocodile - what more could you want?

6. Pokkén Tournament DX

Taking Pokémon out of the shackles of turn-based combat and into a total brawl. Dipping into the series’ diverse pool of pocket monsters, each fighter has a unique move set to master, allowing for plenty of replayability. A thriving online community makes it an even more enticing prospect, that’s a must-buy for any fan of the franchise.

5. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Part fighting game, part RPG, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is essentially an abridged version of the original anime. You’ll take the role of some fan favourites, including Goku, Gohan, Piccolo and Trunks, as you take on superpowered enemies against a lush, colourful backdrop. It may be a story that’s been told plenty of times before but offers enough surprises to keep it fresh, original and exciting.

4. Dragon Ball FighterZ

The Dragon Ball series has inspired some great fighting games over the years, but FighterZ has got to top them all. With gorgeous animations that make you feel like you’re playing through an episode of the anime, deep but accessible move sets and an original story written by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, there’s plenty for both the hardcore and filthy casuals to enjoy with this entry into the franchise.

3. Mortal Kombat 11

MK 11 is predictably incredible. You can expect the usual affair of tight, fluid mechanics and brutal fatalities that are just as wince-inducing on the tablet screen as they are in docked mode. But it’s the story with which Mortal Kombat stands out from its predecessors. No spoilers, but after the time-shattering events of Mortal Kombat 10, you’ll have to fight different versions of yourself from previous games. Mortal Kombat is one of those franchises that seem to knock it out of the park more often than not, and MK11 is no exception.

2. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

For those joystick junkies who can recognise true pedigree, this is perfection. Comprising of 12 classic releases from the flawed masterpiece that was the first Street Fighter to 1999’s Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, this is an absolutely essential purchase and is sure to even bring a smile to M. Bison’s face.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo has been perfecting their Smash Bros series for the past 2 decades, an effort that culminates with the near-obnoxiously good Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The fighting/party game boasts one of the best rosters of characters found in any game ever, ranging from Pikachu to Solid Snake to Sonic and even the Wii Fit Trainer (because why not?), and each character feels unique, with a deep move set and individual play style.

Top 10 Xbox One Fighting Games

10. Samurai Shodown

After many years out of the spotlight, the acclaimed Samurai Shodown series returns with a vengeance. With 16 characters returning to do battle in a visually stunning cinematic art style, the tense, exhilarating battles burst off the screen in this stunningly designed and richly-detailed game. The game’s revolutionary Dojo Mode is especially exciting, learning from player patterns and styles to create the perfect adversary.  

9. Dead or Alive 6

Boasting the series’ fan-favourite Mass Destruction mode, fighters can use the environment in their attacks in this triumphant return of the celebrated Dead or Alive franchise. With a wide range of incredible locations and notable fighters, the game is a stunning and powerful beat-‘em-up. With a focus on coin and credit collecting to unlock costumes and styles for your fighters, the game is rammed with replayability! 

8. UFC 3

With revolutionised fighting movement and new animation technology, UFC 3 is almost photorealistic in its visuals. With every single punch, kick, block and counter captured and animated on cutting-edge animation tech, the game looks and feels authentic and visceral. Packed with game-types like Knockout Mode, Submission Shootout and Stand & Bang, UFC 3 is packed with content and some of the very best and most lifelike visuals seen in gaming.

7. Marvel vs Capcom Infinite

The epic clash between two universes is the order of the day in Marvel v Capcom Infinite, pitting endless iconic characters against each other in an action-packed, vibrant and fun fighter. With an interesting story mode alongside the usual multiplayer and arcade modes, this one deserves a place on this list purely for the sight of Resident Evil’s Chris Redfield going toe-to-toe with Marvel’s Thanos. Delightful.

6. Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

In this super-powered sequel to the acclaimed Gods Among Us, Injustice 2 allows players to build and power up the ultimate versions of their favourite DC characters. With endless customisation options across characters’ appearances, skills and fighting styles, Injustice 2 is packed with content. A massive selection of extra playable characters and fighting stages included in the Legendary Edition make this one a must-own.

5. Tekken 7

With all-new battle mechanics like “Rage Arts”, “Power Crushes” and “Rage Drives”, Tekken 7 is certainly the finest and most comprehensive entry in the iconic franchise so far. With a solid roster of over 30 playable characters, the game encourages training and creativity in developing your own deadly fighting techniques and styles – something that will help you power through the game’s powerful and cinematic story mode.

4. Mortal Kombat 11

Featuring more character customisation than ever before in the beloved series, Mortal Kombat 11 allows players to change their fighters’ gear and special abilities to truly make them a force to be reckoned with. Packed with a thrilling campaign and various fighting challenges to test your skills, Mortal Kombat 11 is one of the best games released in the genre to date thanks to stunning visuals and finishing animations. A brilliant game!

3. Dragon Ball: FighterZ

Dragon Ball: FighterZ builds upon what makes the series so loved – spectacular, over-the-top and visually breath-taking fights. Full to the brim with thrilling features, the game excels with its crazy 6-player online party matches that allow for all-out chaotic war! With truly gorgeous anime visuals, the game is clearly a labour of love and plays like a charm. This one deserves its place at the top end of this very competitive list! 

2. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

This ultimate tribute to the genre’s finest franchise is an absolute love letter to a bygone era of gaming. Rich in content, this nostalgic anthology package contains a staggering 12 titles that will take you back in time to gaming’s most formative years. The games play as well as they ever did, and the addition of online play here makes the experience all the more exciting. A truly wonderful release that reminds us of the genre’s roots.

1. Soul Calibur VI

When it comes to fighting games, one franchise just does it best. Soul Calibur’s 6th entry is absolutely the best, thanks to beautiful visuals and revamped, precise gameplay mechanics, making the game feel completely polished and made with love. Boasting a complete roster of characters including The Witcher himself Geralt of Rivia, it doesn’t get much better than this. A masterpiece of the fighting genre, and the leader of the pack.