Rocket League boasts loads of two player action, from it’s splitscreen online multiplayer to its online versus modes, which can be used during portable play. There’s AI bot modes and more competitive ones too, all accessible with a friend. The game is easy to understand with a gentle learning curve for newcomers. Each player controls a rocket-powered RC car and tries to knock a giant ball into the enemy team’s goal. Think of it as Soccer played with RC cars… easy!
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is proof of just how powerful the switch can be as a portable 2 player device. There are so many configurations and modes to choose from, the game is one of the meatiest 2-player gaming experiences period, let alone on a portable device. Each player can bring their own switch and play together, or share a screen with their own controller in hand. It’s possible to jump into a race using one half of a Joy-Con each, and the added Battle Mode mixes things up from the standard racing fare.
Now there’s some caution to be had here, Overcooked has the potential to either strengthen your friendships or leave it in tatters. What starts off as a charming little kitchen management game quickly descends into a 2 player trip to inherent frustration, broken up with brief moments of glorious elation. Each player controls a character and must personally take charge of an area of each kitchen level. It inevitably ends up with one person barking orders at the other, but it is worryingly fun. The game is made for 2 players portable, making it one of the best and equally worst times you can have with a pal. At the very least, it will make you feel truly alive, and for that, Overcooked, we salute you.
Minecraft is everywhere at this point, but the Nintendo Switch version offers up a great version of the game on the go which can be played with a friend. There’s a whole procedurally generated world to explore in local splitscreen co-op or via the game’s online functionality. Building a new town from scratch with a buddy or simply exploring the underground caverns is a whole lot of fun, and has a real pick up and play portable quality.
Beating the tar out of your friends has always been fun in video games. Nintendo Switch has a handful of great fighting games on it but the one that takes the crown for being the most fun is definitely Pokken Tournament DX. You can battle it out using your favorite Pokemon, making use of the games easy to understand yet hard to master fighting systems. Watching a Pikachu hand a Charizard its butt in a fight never grows old, making this game a must play for those looking for a great 2-player portable experience.
DUAL! does something really awesome with 2-player portable gaming in that it is meant to be played face-to face, using two phone screens. Players use the game’s wide array of weapons to blast each other’s ships away. Tilt controls free up the screen for the other player to see where your ship is, and the retro arcade aesthetic means that the game runs very smoothly. DUAL! is a great way to play a simple arcade experience with a friend, one which is elevated to another level by its shared screen mechanics.
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Rocket League (Nintendo Switch)
Rocket League boasts loads of two player action, from its splitscreen online multiplayer to its online versus modes, which can be used during portable play. There's AI bot modes and more competitive ones too, all accessible with a friend. The game is easy to understand with a gentle learning curve for newcomers. Each player controls a rocket-powered RC car and tries to knock a giant ball into the enemy team's goal. Think of it as Soccer played with RC cars... easy!
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is proof of just how powerful the switch can be as a portable 2 player device. There are so many configurations and modes to choose from, the game is one of the meatiest 2-player gaming experiences period, let alone on a portable device. Each player can bring their own switch and play together, or share a screen with their own controller in hand. It's possible to jump into a race using one half of a Joy-Con each, and the added Battle Mode mixes things up from the standard racing fare.
Overcooked Special Edition (Nintendo Switch)
Now there's some caution to be had here - Overcooked has the potential to either strengthen your friendships or leave them in complete tatters. As you run around like madmen trying to deliver food orders to customers, communication inevitably ends up with one person barking orders at the other, or both of you failing miserably because you're in fits of laughter. The game is made for 2 players portable, making it one of the best and equally worst times you can have with a pal. Overcooked is an absolute joy and one of the best co op experiences on any platform.
Rayman Legends (Nintendo Switch)
Mario might be the biggest noise in the platforming genre, but Rayman has quietly starred in some absolute gem too. Rayman Legends takes everything that was great about Rayman Origins (including some of its best levels), and refines it. The game is an extremely accessible and consistently thrilling experience on your own, but with another player to join you, it becomes an even more special experience. The game's musical levels are some of the most fun you can have in a platformer, and its hefty selection of characters is sure to keep everyone satisfied.
Kirby Star Allies (Nintendo Switch)
More than almost any game on this list, Kirby Star Allies is designed to be played with friends. Its core mechanic of combining powers is an absolute blast to play around with, especially for younger audiences. There's rarely any danger in the Kirby world, making it a great game to play casually with a pal. You know you're in safe hands with Nintendo, and Kirby Star Allies is no exception.
Splatoon 2 (Nintendo Switch)
Splatoon 2 is known primarily for its online multiplayer action, but there is also a local multiplayer mode that is great to play with one other friend. You'll both need your own Switch though, but once you're connected via LAN you can tackle a huge variety of game modes. Salmon Run, in particular, is super fun horde mode that's especially fun with a buddy.
Pokken Tournament DX (Nintendo Switch)
Beating the tar out of your friends has always been fun in video games. Nintendo Switch has a handful of great fighting games on it but the one that takes the crown for being the most fun is definitely Pokken Tournament DX. You can battle it out using your favorite Pokemon, making use of the games easy to understand yet hard to master fighting systems. Watching a Pikachu hand a Charizard its butt in a fight never grows old, making this game a must play for those looking for a great 2-player portable experience.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Nintendo Switch)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was ridiculed when it was first announced. How could a game featuring the Rayman Rabbids crew possibly measure up to that of a Mario game? Turns out, exceptionally well. The game borrows a lot from tactical turn-based affairs like XCOM, while still offering that trademark Nintendo zaniness. Two players can team-up against their foes, making use of wacky weapons and a seriously wonderful cast of characters.
Minecraft (Nintendo Switch)
Minecraft is everywhere at this point, but the Nintendo Switch version offers up a great version of the game on the go which can be played with a friend. There's a whole procedurally generated world to explore in local splitscreen co-op or via the game's online functionality. Building a new town from scratch with a buddy or simply exploring the underground caverns is a whole lot of fun, and has a real pick up and play portable quality.
Just Dance 2018 (Nintendo Switch)
Just Dance has always made for great video game junk food. It's arrival on Nintendo Switch has made it more accessible than ever, allowing kids to take it with them, to parties, sleepovers and play-dates. It's also allowed fully grown adults to make massive fools of themselves on the go, wherever they happen to be. Whatever age you are, there's no doubting that Just Dance is a fun time to play with friends, especially when no one takes themselves too seriously.
Snipperclips (Nintendo Switch)
One of the most pleasant surprises of the Nintendo Switch launch line-up was a charming little indie game called Snipperclips. The game tasks players with solving shape puzzles by cutting chunks out of each other. Teamwork is the name of the game here, with so many creative and downright bizarre challenges to work through. It's all animated wonderfully too, giving off a paper crafts vibe that's sure to please a lot of people.
Pokemon Sun & Moon (3DS)
Pokemon games have always been fun to play with friends. Trading monsters, battling it out and playing through mini-games is as fun as it's ever been, with the island setting really shining through this time around. Better yet, if each player buys a different version of the game, they can trade each other Pokemon they would not have access to otherwise.
Monster Hunter Ultimate 4 (3DS)
With Monster Hunter World being all the rage at the moment it can be easy to forget that the series is usually a portable affair. Monster Hunter Ultimate 4 takes all the best bits from the series so far and modernises them, adding in the ability to switch between solo, local and online multiplayer with a tap of the screen. Teaming up with a buddy to hunt down giant monsters is always a good time, especially on the go.
Animal Crossing New Leaf (3DS)
While we wait patiently for the announcement of a new Animal Crossing game on Switch, we should remember just how great the latest one on 3DS is. Animal Crossing New Leaf lets players meet up and explore an idyllic island setting. You can dive for treasure, tend gardens, and play mini-games together, all the while enjoying the charming scenery. Each player will need to have their own 3DS and copy of the game to play, but once you're in, there's a lot of 2-player adventures to be had.
Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon (3DS)
Luigi's Mansion on GameCube stole the hearts of Nintendo gamers everywhere when it released. But would you like to know a secret? The one on 3DS is better. Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon contains its own dedicated co-op mode called the Scarescraper. The mode sees players teaming up to eliminate ghosts, ghouls and bosses, progressing steadily to the top of the tower. It's essentially a great co-op Ghostbusters game so what's not to love?
Fire Emblem Awakening (3DS)
The title that made Fire Emblem a household name, Fire Emblem Awakening boasts a great multiplayer offering. You can send your team over to another player's 3DS for them to beat and there's also a mode called Double Duel where you can team up with a friend and duel an opposing army. It's one of the best games in Nintendo 3DS so definitely worth picking up and trying with a friend.
Super Smash Bros. (3DS)
Super Smash Bros. 3DS brings the iconic arcade fighting game on the go, allowing it to be easier to play with friends. Players duke it out using characters from beloved franchises, visiting stages pulled from games like Mario, Fire Emblem and Donkey Kong. When playing locally with a friend, you can create custom rules, allowing you to tweak the experience to suit both of you.
PUBG (Mobile)
In a delightful turn of events, PUBG is now available on mobile devices, and it's surprisingly robust. Squading up with a buddy is just as much fun here as it is in the full game, made even more so by the fact you can load it up anywhere you are. The game is filled with bots at the moment but once you level up a bit you'll start facing off against more skilled players. PUBG is some of the most fun you can have hiding in a bathroom with a friend.
Fortnite (Mobile)
Another great battle royale experience to share with a friend on the go is Fortnite. The game boasts the same squad-based action as you'll find in PUBG, but offers more of an arcade shooter experience. It's colorful, chaotic and fun as all hell. The matches are often very quick too, making it the perfect 2-player mobile experience.
Hearthstone (Mobile)
Blizzard's turn-based card game Hearthstone is one of the most popular games on the planet, allowing players to build their own decks, and use them to battle it out online. The game is great when played with a friend, even better when you're in the same room, watching them react to each move you make. The game continues to get regular support from Blizzard too, meaning you won't feel bad investing a lot of time in it.
NBA Jam (Mobile)
NBA Jam is one of the best arcade sports games you can play with a pal. There's local multiplayer which is also cross-platform across IOS and Android devices, as well as online multiplayer. It's pure '90s nostalgia, backed up by great 2 on 2 slam dunk goodness. Matches are short, and the tension is high when going head to head with a friend. NBA Jam should take pride of place in any mobile gamer's catalogue.
DUAL! (Mobile)
DUAL! does something really awesome with 2-player portable gaming in that it is meant to be played face-to face, using two phone screens. Players use the game's wide array of weapons to blast each other's ships away. Tilt controls free up the screen for the other player to see where your ship is, and the retro arcade aesthetic means that the game runs very smoothly. DUAL! is a great way to play a simple arcade experience with a friend, one which is elevated to another level by its shared screen mechanics.
Terraria (Mobile)
Terraria is a 2D action-adventure sandbox video game in which players venture out to fight monsters, collect treasure, and craft stuff. As long as you and your friend are connected to the same network, you can both enter the same world, teaming up to conquer all of the creepy crawlies hidden within. Cross-platform play is supported between IOS and Android devices too, meaning no one will be left out.
Spelunky (PS Vita)
Spelunky is a tough as nails roguelike in which you explore underground caverns and icy depths to collect gold. The game is comically difficult, often resulting in hilarious and brutal deaths. When played co-op with a friend, the game takes on an even funnier side, given that you can launch your buddy at enemies, use them as human shields, and generally just wreak havoc as a team. Spelunky is a love letter to Indiana Jones and old-school arcade platformers, one which is even better when played with a friend.
Helldivers (PS Vita)
Another game that is brutally difficult to hilarious effect is co-op space shooter Helldivers. With a theme reminiscent of Starship Troopers, the game tasks teams of players with completing short objectives on an array of different planets. It's fun, rewarding and action packed and is designed to be played with another player.
About the author
Jake Green
A Nintendo evangelist and X-Files super-fan, Jake can be found peddling his gaming opinions online. He has a soft spot for VR and values story-telling in gaming above all else.
