40 of the Best Nintendo Switch Party Games (July 2019)

It’s party time! Pack your carry bag, grab those Joy-Cons and get ready to compete with your friends and family in some wild Nintendo Switch party games! This hybrid console was made for local multiplayer straight out of the box, so a full list of the best Nintendo Switch party games is a must to get any party started.

We have picked a lot of Nintendo Switch party games to be on this list but if we have forgotten any that you may feel deserve to be on this list, please let us know by emailing us at team@switchaboo.com.

1-2-Switch

Developed By Nintendo
Published By Nintendo
Rating E10+
Players 2

1-2 Switch is a great way to utilise all of the Nintendo Switch features. With 28 different games that can be played in docked mode at home or in tabletop mode when camping, this party game is perfect for any occasion. Even after a few years since the console’s launch, we’re still impressed by the HD Rumble allowing you to guess how many balls are in the box.

12 Orbits

Developed By Roman Uhlig
Published By Roman Uhlig
Rating E
Players 1 – 12

Parties can have a lot of people at them, so a simple and quick-to-learn game that can host up to 12 players is a no-brainer. 12 Orbits is a one-button/touch game that features four game modes, 20 maps and five modifiers. This game brings people together (literally) as each player is required to gather around the Switch that’s laid down on a flat surface and with each game lasting five minutes, there’s always enough time for one more game.

Astro Bears Party

Developed By QubicGames
Published By SONKA
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

A party game that features bears in space suits? Do we need to go on? … probably should explain the gameplay a little bit. With up to four players running around a small planet, each leaves ribbons behind themselves. With the ability to jump and hover over these ribbons, it becomes a game of last bear standing.

Catan

Developed By Exozet
Published By Asmodee Digital
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Catan is a cult-classic board game that has finally made its way onto a console that is perfect for board games. This board game requires each player to gain supremacy by collecting and trade resourcing in order to build settlements.

Cluedo

Developed By Marmalade Game Studio
Published By Marmalade Game Studio
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 6

Speaking of board games on the Nintendo Switch, Clue(do) is also on Nintendo Switch! Murder is afoot and it is up to you and your party guests to work out who is was, with what object and where.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

Developed By Beenox
Published By Activision
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 8

Twenty years ago on PlayStation 1, mascot kart racers were all the rage and to compete with Mario Kart, everyone wanted in. That is when we saw Crash Team Racing and it was amazing. Twenty years later, this cult-classic has been remade in glorious HD graphics and is a treat for all of your friends who owned an original PlayStation.

Crawl

Developed By Powerhoof
Published By Powerhoof
Rating T
Players 1 – 4

If you and your friends are more experienced gamers and want a game that requires a bit more know-how. Crawl is a fast-paced RPG dungeon crawler that can be played with up to four players. The twist is that one player plays as the hero and the other three as the monsters and if one monster kills the hero, they take the hero place.

Death Squared

Developed By SMG Studio
Published By SMG Studio
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

On grid-based levels, play as cubed robots and solve puzzles with your friends and family. The aim of the game is to guide each coloured robot to its respective goal, but this is easier said than done; traps and hazards will do as much as they can to stop that from happening.

FIFA 18/19

Developed By EA
Published By EA
Rating E
Players 1 – 8

Whether you’re a fan of football/soccer or not, you cannot deny that playing FIFA with a group of friends is a great way to spend an evening. With the ability to play with up to eight players, whether that’s done on a single screen or through local wireless play if someone brings their own Switch, FIFA always manages to bring people together.

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Flat Heroes

Developed By Parallel Circles
Published By Deck 13
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Flat Heroes has you playing as a square, dodging incoming projectiles throughout over 300 levels. Whilst this game may seem a little one-dimensional (pun absolutely intended), it contains an enriching co-op mode that allows yourself and three others to work through some truly crazy platforming levels.

If you’d like to learn more about Flat Heroes, click here to read our review.

Just Dance 2017-19

Developed By Ubisoft
Published By Ubisoft
Rating E
Players 1 – 6

I think parties and dancing are a given, so it just makes sense to add in a video game that encourages you and your guests to bring their A-Game and turn it into a friendly competition. Ubisoft’s Just Dance series has been a best seller across many consoles and after ten minutes of dancing, it’s easy to see why.

Go Vacation

Developed By Bandai Namco
Published By Nintendo
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Parties can be tiring; so when the evening is beginning to settle down, why not go on a vacation? In Go Vacation, compete in over 50 activities that range from roller-blading to kayaking to riding buggies along the beach. One could spend hours just exploring and relaxing with friends on this beautiful vacation island.

Gyro Boss DX

Developed By Chequered Ink
Published By Chequered Ink
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Gyro Boss DX is a retro inspired bullet-hell arcade game that has you circling an invading alien and dodging the projectiles that come your way. The game also comes complete with a Party Mode that pits you against your friends and family in a last man standing deathmatch. Gyro Boss DX thrives in its simplicity, which may well be a good party game to ease players into.

If you’d like to learn more about Gyro Boss DX, click here to read our review.

The Jackbox Party Pack 1-5

Developed By Jackbox Games
Published By Jackbox Games
Rating T
Players 2 – 8

Any of the five Jackbox Party Packs are the perfect accompaniment to any social gathering and with the ability to take it on the go and to be controlled by each participants smart phones, it just makes perfect sense. Each pack consists of fun and unique games that will either have you coming up with the funniest anagram, designing the best T-shirt or competing in a game show that may cost you your (character’s) life. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to a party that hasn’t turned into a Jackbox Party.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

Developed By Steel Crate Games
Published By Steel Crate Games
Rating E10+
Players 2 – 4

How good are you under pressure? There’s a bomb ticking and the (un)lucky player who has the Switch must disarm it before the time runs out. But how are they supposed to do that without any instructions? That’s where your party guests come into it. They have the instructions either printed out or on a device and they must communicate with the disarmer to avoid a big loud BOOM!

Kirby Star Allies

Developed By HAL Laboratory
Published By Nintendo
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 4

Who doesn’t love a good Kirby game? The pink puffball that we all know and love is on another adventure and must call on the help of enemies and allies alike. So who are going to play as these allies? Why, your party guests, of course! With up to four-player co-op, the only thing better than a Kirby game is a Kirby game with friends.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

Developed By Asteroid Base
Published By Asteroid Base
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 4

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime requires yourself and up to three friends to pilot a spaceship and protect it from hazards and fierce space monsters. Run around within the spaceship to man guns, activate shields and control the thrusters and make it out alive.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Developed By Nintendo
Published By Nintendo
Rating E
Players 1 – 12

Mario Kart and parties go together like Ying and Yang, bacon and eggs, Mario and Luigi. Everyone knows how to play Mario Kart and with the sorely missed Battle Mode making a return, this kart racer has it all! You could even have every player on their own screen in an old school/new school LAN party.

Mario Tennis Aces

Developed By Camelot
Published By Nintendo
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

For fans of tennis or just for fans of great video games, Mario Tennis Aces takes the series back to its wacky arcade gameplay with a wide range of courts and gameplay variety. This iteration also features an energy meter that allows you to leap for the ball, slow down time, aim shots from a first-person perspective, break your opponents’ rackets and KO them to claim victory.

Monopoly for Nintendo Switch

Developed By Engine Software
Published By Ubisoft
Rating E
Players 1 – 6

Who doesn’t love Monopoly at parties? The trading; the banter; the flipping of tables – we live for moments like that! But this time when you flip a table, you can still continue playing (unless the Switch was on that table). No having to set it all up; no having to pack back up again after a five hour game; no having to watch your cheating uncle who always volunteers to be the banker. And if you buy the Hasbro Game Night pack, you’ll also receive Trivial Pursuit and Risk, setting yourself up for many parties to come.

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NBA 2K Playgrounds 2

Developed By Saber Interactive
Published By 2K Games
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

The Nintendo Switch has NBA 2K19, which by all means is a great to play with friends who are familiar with the controls. However a much more inviting arcade twist with NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 allows newcomers to join in on the wackiness. Perform over-the-top slam dunks and have onlookers marvel at your crazy skills that are easier to pull off than they look.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Developed By Nintendo
Published By Nintendo
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

No matter how good you are – amateur or pro, speed-runner or meticulous completionist – everyone knows how to play a 2D Mario game. So take out those extra controllers and save the princess one more times with the help of your friends and family.

Overcooked 2

Developed By Ghost Town Games
Published By Team17
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Want to test how much your friendships can handle? Overcooked 2 will surely test that. Work together to fill restaurant orders in the most bizarre kitchens imaginable. As you can only communicate with other players in-game using the games pre-defined sentences such as “OK!” and “!@#$#@”, it’s up to you and your friends to communicate with one another to make sure things run the way they should.

Oxyjet

Developed By Upstairs Digital
Published By Upstairs Digital
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 4

Oxyjet is one of those unique games that has unfortunately not garnered the attention that it may deserve. Where it may lack in its single-player component, Oxyjet excels in its local multiplayer as it requires you and your teammate to communicate effectively and efficiently. The game is best described as sumo wrestling in space, with two ships starting off on either side of the circle arena and needing to make and repair holes in their ship in order to guide themselves to the ring in the middle. However, your opponents wants to get into the circle as well, and that hole isn’t big enough for the both of them. Smash and crash into each other to gain control of the safe zone, but don’t let out too much oxygen to do so because the first ship to run out of oxygen is the loser.

If you’d like to learn more about Oxyjet, click here to read our review.

Puyo Puyo Tetris

Developed By Sega
Published By Sega
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 4

Two of the most recognisable puzzle games have joined forces to give an experience like no other. Puyo Puyo Tetris is complete with a story mode in addition to many multiplayer modes, making it perfect for any party. You always know you’re going to have a good time when Tetris is involved.

Rocket League

Developed By Psyonix
Published By Psyonix
Rating E
Players 1 – 8

The car-soccer phenomenon has come to the Switch and Nintendo made sure that we all knew about it at E3 2017. This addictive game is a perfect addition to Nintendo’s online and local gaming library, and you can also get a Mario and Luigi hat for your cars… how cute is that! With ability to team up via local wireless or split screen on the TV, anyone can play… and if they’re not, they’ll sure love to spectate.

Runbow

Developed By 13AM Games
Published By Headup Games
Rating E
Players 1 – 8

With up to eight playable characters at any given time, Runbow will have you and your friends jumping and having fun until crazy hours into the night. With each swipe of the stage, the colours will change and new platforms will appear whilst the old ones disappear. Runbow contains three local multiplayer modes (Run, Arena and King of the Hill), in addition to a whole lot of extra content.

Screencheat: Unplugged

Developed By Samurai Punk
Published By Samurai Punk
Rating E10+
Players 2 – 4

Think Goldeneye 007, but everyone is invisible. Screencheat: Unplugged has is a local multi-player game with classic first-person deathmatch gameplay. All of the arenas are colour-coated, requiring you to look at your opponents squares in order to determine their approximate locations. Once you think you’ve got them, unleash hell into nowhere and hope that you hit them before they hit you.

SnipperClips Plus – Cut it Out, Together!

Developed By SFB Games
Published By Nintendo
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Snipperclips: Cut it out Together was a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and perfectly utilises the instant two-player fun that you can have with the Joy-Cons… or four player for some fun mini-games on the side. Work together to cut each other into various shapes so that you can solve some of the creative puzzles that this game has to offer. Despite having to say some pretty strange stuff that can easily be taken out of context, the game is innocent fun with colorful graphics and light-hearted mayhem… unless you get frustrated easily.

Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure DELUXE

Developed By Game Swing
Published By Reign Bros
Rating E
Players 1 – 6

Dodgeball party anyone? Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure DELUXE pits you and up to five other players in frantic, all-out, no holds-barred dodgeball death matches. Don’t hold back, load up your throwing arm and aim for the face as you fight to be the last player standing, but watch out for some of the crazy hazards that each level has (I’ve been hit by a bus more times than I care to admit… in the game).

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more Nintendo Switch content. Also, please consider supporting us on Patreon so that we can continue to do what we love doing.

Super Bomberman R

Developed By Konami
Published By Konami
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 8

The Bomberman series has always been a great game to take out at parties as it’s one-button controls makes it easy for newcomers to jump right in. Super Bomberman R is the newest entry in the series and can be played with up to eight players in explosive fights to be the last bomber standing.

Super Mario Party

Developed By Nintendo
Published By Nintendo
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

Well, this one was obvious. But still! Super Mario Party is the first console entry that doesn’t have a number on the end since the original entry back in 1999… I guess they figured that they couldn’t keep doing the number thing. Super Mario Party takes the series back to its roots, getting rid of the controversial car and allowing each player to move around the boards independently.

Super Rocket Shootout

Developed By Oddly Shaped Pixels
Published By Plug In Digital
Rating T
Players 1 – 4

Super Rocket Shootout is a 2D platforming fighting game that pits unique cartoon comic characters against each other in frantic Super Smash Bros style gameplay. Take out your guns, float around on jetpacks and throw some bombs with up to four players and emerge victorious for ultimate bragging rights.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Developed By Nintendo / Sora Ltd. / BANDAI NAMCO
Published By Nintendo
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 8

Speaking of Super Smash Bros and ultimate… Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!
Again, this one is a given, but no party list could go without the most ambitious Super Smash Bros entry to date. Featuring every past fighter and more, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a SMASH hit at any party. With the ability to be played by up to eight players, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a no-brainer.

Team Sonic Racing

Developed By Sumo Digital
Published By SEGA USA
Rating E
Players 1 – 12

Team Sonic Racing is yet another kart racer that is a great option for any fans of the genre. With the accessible nature of the game and the ability to be played by up to 12 players, you may need to buy a bigger couch.

TowerFall

Developed By Matt Makes Games Inc.
Published By Matt Makes Games Inc.
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 6

From the creators of the nominated 2018 Game of the Year, Celeste, comes TowerFall, a 2D sprite-based brawler archery game that has up to six payers battling it out. The Nintendo Switch version of Towerfall contains over 100 levels and all previous expansions, so the content will have you and your friends sitting around the couch glued to the screen for hours on end.

Trivial Pursuit Live!

Developed By Ubisoft
Published By Ubisoft
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

After countless rounds of epic Super Smash Bros fights and multiple friendships lost playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it may then be a good idea to bring the mood back down a little bit by a game show version of the classic Trivial Pursuit. Show off your knowledge and emerge the nerdiest of the bunch when you collect all six wedges in Trivial Pursuit Live! And if you buy the Hasbro Game Night pack, you’ll also receive Monopoly for Nintendo Switch and Risk, setting yourself up for many parties to come.

Ultimate Chicken Horse

Developed By Clever Endeavour Games
Published By Clever Endeavour Games
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

In this crazy party platformer, create crazy levels using a wide variety of assets. Make the level hard enough so that your are able to overcome them, but that your friends cannot. If you can succeed in this, you will gain points. With wacky and adorable animal characters and a jolly art style, this one will push your friends, and yourself, to the very limit.

UNO for Nintendo Switch

Developed By Ubisoft
Published By Ubisoft
Rating E
Players 1 – 4

UNO has been host to many parties and is a game that will start with a round or two and end up taking over the entire night. But now instead of having to sit up at the table, you can play wherever you like; on the couch in front of the TV, at the table or in the backyard, it’s entirely up to you – whichever area has the least amount of valuables when five Draw 2s get pulled out consecutively.

Worms W.M.D

Developed By Team17
Published By Team17
Rating E10+
Players 1 – 6

Who remembers playing Worms back in the day? Well now we can relive those memories and make some more in Worms W.M.D! With new stages and beautifully hand drawn art work, pass the Joy-Con around as you each take turns blasting the living… dorsal out of each other?