My list of the best Nintendo Switch online co-op games – Reader’s Feature-GameCentral-Entertainment – Metro

It Takes Two – just one of many great co-op games (EA)

A reader recommends the famous and not so famous co-op games he’s been playing online with his friend from Sweden.

Each week one of my oldest friends and I play online Switch games. We grew up together and have a shared love of gaming that has spanned a few decades, from childhood to adulthood. Now in our mid-forties, he lives in Sweden while I live in England, and playing online has been a wonderful way to stay in touch and have fun together.

We’re always on the lookout for new online co-op games we can try, but it can be hard to find a good list. Many of those I’ve found online don’t distinguish between co-operative and competitive online games (though we do play a few of them too), while others focus on couch co-op rather than online co-op.

Here then, as a reference for others as well as a celebration of two friends’ shared gaming experiences, is a list of our favourite Switch online co-operative games. It comes in two parts: part 1 covers some well-known titles you’ve probably heard of already, while part 2 reveals our favourite lesser-known titles and hidden gems.

We hope you enjoy reading this feature, and that you find a new game or two to enjoy with your own friends and family, wherever they may be.

The best-known Nintendo Switch co-op games

The first game we played together, and in fact the reason my friend bought his Switch, was Super Mario Maker 2. There’re thousands of levels to play, including many specifically designed for co-op. And on the subject of plumbing, be sure to try Super Mario 3D World too.

From Koopas to turtles, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is everything you could want in a scrolling beat ‘em-up. That said, it can’t beat (heh) Streets Of Rage 4. In our childhood we were huge fans of Streets Of Rage 2 and this fourth entry superbly updates and modernises the game while remaining accessible, fun and true to its heritage.

If you like retro brawlers, then be sure to grab the Capcom Beat ‘Em-Up Bundle too. This collection of classics has seven scrolling beat ‘em-ups that all offer online co-op play, from Final Fight to Knights Of The Round.

Sticking with nostalgia, and the Switch’s Online service has heaps of co-op games across various platforms. We’d recommend Gunstar Heroes, Contra: Hard Corps, Snake Rattle ‘N’ Roll, The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, and ToeJam & Earl to get you started. (And if you’re a fan of the latter, then modern sequel ToeJam & Earl: Back In The Groove is also very enjoyable.)

One game you might not realise has a co-op mode is Portal 2, part of Portal: Companion Collection. Solving the devious co-op levels will leave you feeling like absolute geniuses.

If it’s unabashed fun you’re after it’s hard to beat It Takes Two, which is perhaps the single best co-op game we’ve played. It provides a huge variety of everchanging situations, settings and challenges across a whimsical and engaging story. It’s a real love letter to co-op gaming and a joyful experience from start to finish.

Finally, the Trine games – all five of them – receive a strong recommendation. Numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 are 2D puzzle platformers where you swap between characters with different abilities to overcome environmental challenges and make progress across a likeable fantasy setting. The third entry attempts the same format in 3D – it’s fun though feels unfinished, but definitely still worth a go, especially as all the games often appear on sale.

The hidden gem Nintendo Switch co-op games

We finished part 1 talking about the Trine games, so we’ll start part 2 with a game by the same developer, Frozenbyte: Nine Parchments. Aesthetically similar to Trine, it plays as a 3D magical-combat adventure game, with elemental powers and enemies with corresponding attacks and defence. Like Trine, it’s a lot of fun, with some memorable boss battles too.

Another one similar to Trine is Degrees Of Separation. The name of the game is using contrasting but complementary powers to overcome 2D spatial and environmental puzzles. It’s very well thought-out and hugely satisfying.

Fans of penguin-based hilarity should try Bread & Fred, a co-op game about guiding two penguins up a mountain. Always staying just the right side of frustrating, Bread & Fred is challenging in just the right measure and a whole heap of fun. (Tip: turn on the setting that allows checkpoints before you start.)

Similarly charming is Ibb & Obb, a 2D puzzle-platformer with simple graphics and equally simple controls (move and jump). It has a ton of heart and some very challenging puzzles.

Phogs! is our next choice – a 3D platformer where you control two ends of a two-headed snake-dog, taking part in an inspired range of ridiculous challenges and wearing some excellent hats.

On a smaller scale and no less bonkers, KeyWe tasks you with running a postal service by controlling two small flightless birds. You have to work together to send mail, sort parcels and decipher messages. It can be a little pernickety but is still a good time.

Knights And Bikes is our next one – and is a difficult game to categorise. It plays a bit like a Secret Of Mana game, looks like a retro point ‘n’ click adventure, and feels like something very much its own. It’s full of quirky humour, excellent visuals, and fun shenanigans.

Nobody Saves The World is a huge adventure with a ton of stuff to do and loads of different characters to play as and skill trees to unlock. It takes a fair investment of time, but it’s worth it. And if you like that, try Full Metal Furies too, which offers inventive combat, varied stage design, and a significant challenge.

For those after a more cerebral challenge, both Tick Tock: A Tale for Two and The Past Within offer some excellent head-scratching puzzles based around time travel and co-operative communication.

There are plenty of other games we’ve tried too; some we’ve completed, others weren’t quite for us. Blanc is a fun but flawed arctic adventure with a wolf cub and a fawn. 20XX is a lively Mega Man-esque roguelike (we haven’t tried the follow-up 30XX yet).

Hammerwatch and its sequel are gloomy Gauntlet-style combat quests. Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2 is a riotous 2D run ‘n’ gunner and Warhammer 4,000: Shooters, Blood and Teef is a carbon copy based on the popular Games Workshop universe. (And if you like those check out Broforce too.)

Next up we’re going to try out spy adventure Operation: Tango, and revisit ToeJam & Earl 2: Panic On Funkotron, a new release on the Switch’s Online service. By that time there’ll hopefully be some news about Switch 2 and the prospect of even more online co-op games to look forward to.
Thanks for reading and happy co-operating!

By reader Tim F

Operation: Tango – not even we’ve heard of this one (Clever-Plays)

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