Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games (2021)

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console created by Nintendo and launched worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a tablet that can either be anchored for use as a home console or utilized as a mobile device, making it a hybrid console. Its wireless Joy-Con controllers, with standard switches and also directional analog sticks for customer input, motion picking up, and tactile feedback, can affix to both sides of the console to support handheld-style play. They can also connect to a hold device to provide a traditional home console game pad kind, or be used independently in the hand like the Wii Remote as well as Lunch, sustaining neighborhood multiplayer settings. The Nintendo Switch's software program sustains online PC gaming through Net connectivity, in addition to regional cordless impromptu connectivity with various other consoles. Nintendo Switch games and also software are offered on both physical flash-based ROM cartridges and also electronic circulation via Nintendo shop; the system has no region lockout. A handheld-focused revision of the system, called the Nintendo Switch Lite, was launched on September 20, 2019. A revised higher-end model, including an OLED screen, was released on October 8, 2021. The Nintendo Switch was introduced on October 20, 2016. Understood in advancement by its code name NO, the idea of the Switch happened as Nintendo's response to numerous quarters of financial losses into 2014, connected to poor sales of its previous console, the Wii U, as well as market competition from mobile games. Nintendo's then-president Satori IATA pushed the company towards mobile video gaming and novel hardware. The Nintendo Switch's layout is aimed at a wide demographic of video clip game players with numerous modes of use. Nintendo opted to utilize even more conventional electronic components, such as a chipset based on Nvidia's Terra line, to make advancement for the console less complicated for programmers and also even more compatible with existing game engines. As the Wii U had actually battled to get outside assistance, leaving it with a weak software collection, Nintendo preemptively looked for the assistance of numerous third-party developers as well as publishers to aid build out the Switch's game collection together with Nintendo's first-party titles, consisting of numerous independent computer game workshops. While Nintendo originally expected around 100 titles for its very first year, over 320 titles from first-party, third-party, and independent designers were released by the end of 2017. As an eighth-generation console, the Nintendo Switch completes with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4. Virtually 3 million console units were shipped in its first month, going beyond Nintendo's initial projection of 2 million as well as within a year of release accomplished over 14 million units offered worldwide, outselling complete lifetime sales of the Wii U. By the start of 2018, the Switch became the fastest-selling home or crossbreed console in both Japan and the United States. Since September 2021, the Nintendo Switch and also Nintendo Switch Lite have sold almost 93 million devices worldwide. Switch sales have actually been strongly connected to sales of Nintendo's first-party titles, with six games-- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of bush, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Knockout Bros. Ultimate, Pokémon Sword as well as Shield, and also Animal Crossing: New Horizons-- having actually sold over twenty million units each.

Three isn’t always a crowd, especially if you’re looking to play some multiplayer Nintendo Switch games. The only problem is, it can be tricky to find titles which allow a trio to dive into them together. That’s why we’ve rounded up a solid list of the 20 best 3 player Nintendo Switch games you can play right now.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Mario Kart is the classic split-screen multiplayer game, y the Switch version of 8 is comfortably the best option. It includes all the DLC tracks y characters, adds the ability to hold an additional item, y looks better than ever before. Simply chuck a couple of friends a joy-con y start racing!

Overcooked 1 & 2

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Don’t be fooled by the cooking theme, jolly music, or lighthearted visuals; there are few games that are as stressful as those from the Overcooked series. You can have up to four other chefs work together to slice y fry your way to success, trying to get every dish out a quickly as possible. Just be prepared to shout at your friends y family when things go wrong.

Rocket League

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Rocket League’s initial influx of attention came when it was a free PS Plus game on PS4. Now, however, with it coming to other consoles y developing an esports following of its own, it’s still hugely popular. Flying through the air is difficult to master, but the ‘soccer with cars’ premise is easy for anyone to get to grips with, y the competent bots make it easy to play with just three players.

Minecraft

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Minecraft is the game that offers whatever experience you’re after. Whether you want to join up with your friends to create the structures of your dreams, or explore the vast worlds while trying to survive the attacks of the enemies that lurk around every corner, the choice is up to you. Also, now that the game has been available for a few years, there is plenty of content for you to enjoy.

Platoon 2

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Platoon 2 is certainly one of the best y most popular multiplayer games available for the Nintendo Switch. However, you’ll have to play online. You’ll then have to meet up in-game to be part of a single team, working together to take out the other inklings y cover the floor with your team’s ink. It’s a unique take on the team-based shooter, but makes for great fun.

Death Squared

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Death Squared is all about teamwork. With each of you controlling a colored block, you need to solve a selection of puzzles by moving around, activating switches, y dodging traps. To have to think before every movement, or face having to start the level again, makes communication absolutely vital.

FIFA

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

FIFA 21 may not be the same single-player experience on Switch as it is on other consoles, with the likes of FUT Champs strangely missing, but it’s still the same in multiplayer modes. Even with just one joy-con, you can join some friends on the couch for some competitive action, or you can jump online to play with guests in most of the fan favorite modes.

Rayman Legends

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Rayman Legends has some of the best platforming in the series y the art style is beautiful, but best of all, almost all of it can be played with some friends. Jump around, collect Luis, y reach the end of the level. It’s all quite simple, but a lot of fun. If you’re after a challenge, though, try the music levels at the end of the game. They’re tough, but really well-designed. There’s also a fun little soccer side game that you can jump into with some friends.

Kirby Star Allies

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Kirby Star Allies is a charming platformer, but it’s even more fun when playing in co-op. Only one of the up to four players can actually be Kirby, with the others acting as helpers who are able to do things such as turn enemies to your side. It’s easy to get to grips with, cute, original, y works well with three players.

ARMS

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

ARMS is a unique fighting game. You can pick any of the fighters, each with unique styles y abilities, y take part in tactical fights that require quick thinking y precise timing. You can jump into 2v2 matches — with one of the fighters being controlled by the computer if you only have three players — y work together to take down the opposing team.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime sees you y up to three other players take control of a ship as it travels through space. One of you controls the weapons, another the shield, y someone’s responsible for the engines. Your roles can change, but you have to keep in contact with each other to ensure that you’re heading in the right direction. Survival is key, but that won’t be possible without great teamwork.

Puyo Tetris

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

There are a lot of different multiplayer modes in Puyo Tetris, but they’re all based around the usual simple gameplay of Tetris. Modes like Party Mode introduces items that help you beat other players’ scores, but it’s still all about speed y quick thinking to ensure that you get the high score. It may be simple, but Puyo Tetris is a great alternate to standard Tetris.

NBA Playgrounds

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

We all missed the likes of NBA Jam; or at least, we did until NBA Playgrounds released, anyway. With caricatured players, insane special moves, y fast-paced gameplay, it feels just like the arcade style games of old. You can also jump onto the court with friends to play 2v2, using your favorite players in intense competition.

LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Most LEGO games that are based on a specific franchise are great fun in multiplayer, y Marvel Superheroes 2 is no different. You can pick your favorite Marvel hero, put together an unusual dream team, y head out to take on enemies y collect every brick you can find. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for something that’s easy y lighthearted to play with kids.

Jack box Party Pack Games

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

The Jack box Party Pack titles that are now available feature a whole host of fun party games. The best thing is that you can all play from your phone. Whether it be answering questions, solving puzzles, or hampering other players, you can all do so from devices that are connected to your Switch. It makes the already great mini-games more accessible for gamers that are deeply invested in gaming.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

The latest entry in the acclaimed life simulation series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a blast to play alongside two of your friends. You can all meet up at one of each other’s islands y engage in any number of adventures. Gather resources to craft new objects, pose for a group photo inside an unsettling abode, or even lounge around y enjoy each other’s company. The choice is yours.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

It’s no secret that Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series is a go-to for multiplayer fun, y that won’t change if you have three players looking to tussle. All of you can duke it out from the same console or through online play, using your video game character of choice to lay the hurt down on your treasured companions.

Streets of Rage 4

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

Up for some side-scrolling beat ’em up action to enjoy with two pals? Look no further than Streets of Rage 4, the latest entry in the lauded series. You can each choose from four potential playable characters y then work together to overcome the latest threat to besiege the streets that are rightfully yours. It’s a simple, yet effective way for your trio to bond with a quality gaming experience.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowler’s Fury

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

What’s better than jumping your way through one of the best Mario titles in recent memory? Why, jumping through it with two friends of course! In all seriousness though, Super Mario 3D World + Bowler’s Fury has plenty of content to keep you y your pals busy. You can work together to overcome each stage with grace, or sabotage each other’s platforming endeavors in some hilariously frustrating ways.

Monster Hunter Rise

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

It’s dangerous to go hunting alone in Monster Hunter Rise, so it’s a good thing that you can easily call in two of your closest allies for help. Though it’s limited to online multiplayer, this game can easily facilitate a play session with three people, allowing you all to hunt monsters without anyone feeling left out.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game — Complete Edition

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

If you’re a fan of beat-em-ups (especially also if you’re a fan of Scott Pilgrim) you’ll want to pick up the complete edition of the acclaimed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World game. Re-released on Switch, the Complete Edition not only features 3+ player action, but also includes all the DLC content released over the years.

Castle Crashes Remastered

Best 3 Player Nintendo Switch Games

The classic beat-em-up was re-released on the Switch recently y has been improved, so it looks its absolute best running on the Switch. Although, to be honest, the art style is kind of timeless anyway. Regardless, you can team up with 3+ players y hack y slash your way through an irreverent y zany medieval world, choosing from a number of different Knights with various play styles y advantages.

Hopefully this list of the best 3 player Nintendo Switch games you can play right now helped you out. For more on all things multiplayer y co-op, check out our lists of the best PS4 couch co-op games y the best upcoming co-op games of 2021.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart is the classic split-screen multiplayer game, y the Switch version of 8 is comfortably the best option. It includes all the DLC tracks y characters, adds the ability to hold an additional item, y looks better than ever before.

Overcooked

Don’t be fooled by the cooking theme, jolly music, or lighthearted visuals; there are few games that are as stressful as those from the Overcooked series. You can have up to four other chefs work together to slice y fry your way to success, trying to get every dish out a quickly as possible. Just be prepared to shout at your friends y family when things go wrong.

Rocket League

Rocket League’s initial influx of attention came when it was a free PS Plus game on PS4. Now, however, with it coming to other consoles y developing an esports following of its own, it’s still hugely popular. Flying through the air is difficult to master, but the ‘soccer with cars’ premise is easy for anyone to get to grips with, y the competent bots make it easy to play with just three players.

Castle Crashes Remastered

The classic beat-em-up was re-released on the Switch recently y has been improved, so it looks its absolute best running on the Switch. Although, to be honest, the art style is kind of timeless anyway. Regardless, you can team up with 3+ players y hack y slash your way through an irreverent y zany medieval world, choosing from a number of different Knights with various play styles y advantages.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The latest entry in the acclaimed life simulation series, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a blast to play alongside two of your friends. You can all meet up at one of each other’s islands y engage in any number of adventures. Gather resources to craft new objects, pose for a group photo inside an unsettling abode, or even lounge around y enjoy each other’s company. The choice is yours.

Minecraft

Minecraft is the game that offers whatever experience you’re after. Whether you want to join up with your friends to create the structures of your dreams, or explore the vast worlds while trying to survive the attacks of the enemies that lurk around every corner, the choice is up to you. Also, now that the game has been available for a few years, there is plenty of content for you to enjoy.

Platoon 2

Platoon 2 is certainly one of the best y most popular multiplayer games available for the Nintendo Switch. However, you’ll have to play online. You’ll then have to meet up in-game to be part of a single team, working together to take out the other inklings y cover the floor with your team’s ink. It’s a unique take on the team-based shooter, but makes for great fun.

Death Squared

Death Squared is all about teamwork. With each of you controlling a colored block, you need to solve a selection of puzzles by moving around, activating switches, y dodging traps. To have to think before every movement, or face having to start the level again, makes communication absolutely vital.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

It’s no secret that Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series is a go-to for multiplayer fun, y that won’t change if you have three players looking to tussle. All of you can duke it out from the same console or through online play, using your video game character of choice to lay the hurt down on your treasured companions.

Kirby Star Allies

Kirby Star Allies is a charming platformer, but it’s even more fun when playing in co-op. Only one of the up to four players can actually be Kirby, with the others acting as helpers who are able to do things such as turn enemies to your side. It’s easy to get to grips with, cute, original, y works well with three players.

Streets of Rage 4

Up for some side-scrolling beat ‘em up action to enjoy with two pals? Look no further than Streets of Rage 4, the latest entry in the lauded series. You can each choose from four potential playable characters y then work together to overcome the latest threat to besiege the streets that are rightfully yours. It’s a simple, yet effective way for your trio to bond with a quality gaming experience.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowler’s Fury

What’s better than jumping your way through one of the best Mario titles in recent memory? Why, jumping through it with two friends of course! In all seriousness though, Super Mario 3D World + Bowler’s Fury has plenty of content to keep you y your pals busy. You can work together to overcome each stage with grace, or sabotage each other’s platforming endeavors in some hilariously frustrating ways.

Rayman Legends

Rayman Legends has some of the best platforming in the series y the art style is beautiful, but best of all, almost all of it can be played with some friends. Jump around, collect Luis, y reach the end of the level. It’s all quite simple, but a lot of fun. If you’re after a challenge, though, try the music levels at the end of the game. They’re tough, but really well-designed. There’s also a fun little soccer side game that you can jump into with some friends.

ARMS

ARMS is a unique fighting game. You can pick any of the fighters, each with unique styles y abilities, y take part in tactical fights that require quick thinking y precise timing. You can jump into 2v2 matches — with one of the fighters being controlled by the computer if you only have three players — y work together to take down the opposing team.

FIFA

FIFA may not be the same single-player experience on Switch as it is on other consoles, with the likes of FUT Champs strangely missing, but it’s still the same in multiplayer modes. Even with just one joy-con, you can join some friends on the couch for some competitive action, or you can jump online to play with guests in most of the fan favorite modes.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime sees you y up to three other players take control of a ship as it travels through space. One of you controls the weapons, another the shield, y someone’s responsible for the engines. Your roles can change, but you have to keep in contact with each other to ensure that you’re heading in the right direction. Survival is key, but that won’t be possible without great teamwork.

Puyo Tetris

There are a lot of different multiplayer modes in Puyo Tetris, but they’re all based around the usual simple gameplay of Tetris. Modes like Party Mode introduces items that help you beat other players’ scores, but it’s still all about speed y quick thinking to ensure that you get the high score. It may be simple, but Puyo Tetris is a great alternate to standard Tetris.

NBA Playgrounds

We all missed the likes of NBA Jam; or at least, we did until NBA Playgrounds released, anyway. With caricatured players, insane special moves, y fast-paced gameplay, it feels just like the arcade style games of old. You can also jump onto the court with friends to play 2v2, using your favorite players in intense competition.

LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2

Most LEGO games that are based on a specific franchise are great fun in multiplayer, y Marvel Superheroes 2 is no different. You can pick your favorite Marvel hero, put together an unusual dream team, y head out to take on enemies y collect every brick you can find. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for something that’s easy y lighthearted to play with kids.

Jack box Party Pack Games

The Jack box Party Pack titles that are now available feature a whole host of fun party games. The best thing is that you can all play from your phone. Whether it be answering questions, solving puzzles, or hampering other players, you can all do so from devices that are connected to your Switch. It makes the already great mini-games more accessible for gamers that are deeply invested in gaming.

Monster Hunter Rise

It’s dangerous to go hunting alone in Monster Hunter Rise, so it’s a good thing that you can easily call in two of your closest allies for help. Though it’s limited to online multiplayer, this game can easily facilitate a play session with three people, allowing you all to hunt monsters without anyone feeling left out.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game — Complete Edition

If you’re a fan of beat-em-ups (especially also if you’re a fan of Scott Pilgrim) you’ll want to pick up the complete edition of the acclaimed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World game. Re-released on Switch, the Complete Edition not only features 3+ player action, but also includes all the DLC content released over the years.

Comments