Best Family Nintendo Switch Games

Summary

• Nintendo Switch offers a wide range of family-friendly games for parents and kids to enjoy together.
• Switch features party-style gaming with motion controls and multiple controllers.
• Several developers have created games that parents and children can enjoy together while providing engaging gameplay for both.

The Nintendo Switch is the perfect console for parents and kids to play together thanks in large part to the huge range of family-friendly games available. Outside of that, the Switch is built for party-style gaming with motion controls and multiple controllers coming as standard. Not only is it great for families to play together, but it’s also a solid choice for children alone; the Switch’s portability allows them to stay occupied on long journeys or when waiting for appointments.

Not every Nintendo Switch game is suitable for kids, of course, and many of those that are aren’t challenging or engaging enough for adults to fully enjoy. It’s a fine line for developers to walk, but several of them have managed to create the perfect product that parents and their children can both enjoy together.

Updated on January 9th, 2024 by Blaise Santi: With every new week, it seems that the Internet is becoming more and more flooded with rumors and leaks regarding the Nintendo Switch’s highly-anticipated successor. One of the biggest hopes that fans have for this new era of gaming is for backward compatibility, which would allow all owners of the next Nintendo Switch to carry over not just their old games, but all their save data as well to the new console. This will be a great way for parents and children to continue playing the games they love together while also experiencing whatever Nintendo has in store for the next few years. With that in mind, here are some other fun games families will want to get started on before the official Nintendo Switch 2 announcement!

25

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Supports 4-Player Local Play (Up To 20 Players Online)

Super Mario Party Jamboree should be a no-brainer to buy for anyone who’s ever had fun with Nintendo’s premiere party franchise. The latest title boasts over 20 playable characters, with the addition of a single-player mode as well as the ability to turn off minigames that require players to use the often frustrating motion controls.

In addition to all the typical multiplayer fun that Jamboree offers, the game also has online multiplayer, allowing families to connect from far away to join one party together. It may not mend any difficult relationships (in fact, as Mario Party does, it’ll likely strain them), but it’ll certainly turn a boring afternoon into a fun evening in any type of household!

24

Pikmin 4

Supports 2-Player Local and Online Play

Pikmin has never been a franchise that’s necessarily appealed to multiple players at once, but Pikmin 4 is the exception to this rule! The game’s main story can be entirely played with a second player, albeit you will both be working together to control the same character. It certainly has its own learning curve, but in no time at all you’ll find yourself coordinating strategies with your partner!

Compared to most of the other games on this list, Pikmin 4 allows for the most cooperation in any actual co-op mode, as players work together to complete the main story and keep their Pikmin safe. Plus, the franchise famously has a breezy and relaxing atmosphere that will entertain the little ones while keeping adults fascinated by the story developments!

23

Castle Crashers Remastered

Supports 4-Player Local and Online Co-Op

Castle Crashers may seem like an unconventional recommendation to kids, given that its sense of humor is a little more adult. However, there’s nothing more fun as a kid than getting to play something that’s a lot older than your demographic, and with a parent’s supervision, this can make for a memorable experience for all members of the family!

In Castle Crashers, players venture through an absurd beat-’em-up world as knights rescuing kidnapped princesses. The game is at times juvenile, but will no doubt derive laughter from kids as well as adults! It’s the type of game that’s quick and easy to complete, and each character offers enough variety to give it tons of replay value as well!

22

New Pokemon Snap!

One Person Controls, But Everyone Gets To Witness!

The mainline Pokemon franchise is tough to recommend to more than one player, but a game like New Pokemon Snap! has a lot of broad appeal. As a highly-anticipated follow-up to the iconic N64 title, there are definitely parents out there who will have nostalgic love for this Switch title, while their kids might simply just be entranced by getting to see their favorite Pokemon out in the wild.

The game doesn’t have any official co-op mode, but it’s easy for spectators to get enthralled watching players attempt to snap perfect shots of over 200 Pokemon from across eight generations. It may only allow for one player to control the camera at a time, but by taking turns going on research expeditions, families can make a competition out of who can snap the best photos!

21

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Supports 8-Player Local Play

One of the most popular fighting games on the market, Super Smash. Bros is a Nintendo crossover fighting series that players can’t get enough of. The latest game in the series features the biggest cast of characters in a Smash game to date, letting players use iconic characters from their favorite video games to defeat opponents and knock them off the map.

While Smash is a competitive game, the level of violence is completely cartoonish, with characters like Mario and Pikachu smacking each other with paper fans and giant slapstick hammers, making the game an excellent pick for a lighthearted fighting game that the entire family can join in on for a great time. A parent and child can team up together to take out their enemies too, or to make their way through the game’s story mode, which can make for a great bonding experience.

20

Stardew Valley

Supports 4-Player Local Co-op (8-Player Online Co-op)

One of the most charming farming simulators around and one that shows the power of indie gaming, Stardew Valley features a vibrant, retro art style with fun gameplay and numerous characters that players can befriend as they explore this wondrous town. The game is already a fun experience when played solo, so it’s nice to see that it supports co-op too.

Parents and children can jump into the game at a moment’s notice and manage a farm together, which is a surprisingly enjoyable experience given the simple yet rewarding gameplay of this title. The fact that a total of eight players can join a multiplayer session is pretty impressive, meaning that the entire family can have a great time making the most of what Stardew Valley and the surrounding environment have to offer.

19

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Supports 4-Player Local Play

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a game that some people wrote off as nothing more than a run-of-the-mill 2.5D platformer, with some people feeling like it simply wouldn’t do enough after the disappointment players faced with the other games in the series. In the eyes of many, these games didn’t live up to the legacy of the Mario franchise.

So, fans were glad to see that Super Mario Bros. Wonder innovated the series formula in a way that pleased many. From the incredible animation work to the Wonder Seeds and how they changed every stage in new and interesting ways, it’s easy to see why the charm of Super Mario Bros. Wonder makes it the perfect game for a family to enjoy together.

18

Runbow

Supports 4-Player Local Play

The frenetic action of Runbow continues to be engaging long after its release, with its simple yet compelling gameplay loop making it the perfect party game. Of course, that doesn’t mean that parents and their kids can’t have a fun time competing against each other as long as everything is done in good spirits.

Runbow‘s quick-paced action forces players to adapt on the fly and use all their abilities to gain as many victories as possible. No matter who wins, it’s only a given that a group of players will be more than entertained after this game draws to a close.

17

Boomerang Fu

Supports 6-Player Local Play

Boomerang Fu may seem like a cute game, but it doesn’t take too long for players to realize just how action-packed this title really is. A single mistake can be deadly, which is why players must use a combination of short and long-range attacks to take out the opposition and rack up as many points as possible.

To make rounds more engaging, players can attain a wealth of powers to turn the tide of battle and shift things in their favor. It’s amazing just how competitive this game can get, but the charming aesthetic of Boomerang Fu means that things never get too overbearing. It’s a near-perfect game for parents and their kids to get into, especially once a few rounds are done and everyone is on the same skill level.

16

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Supports 4-Player Local Play (2-Player For Bowser’s Fury)

The re-release of Super Mario 3D World along with Bowser’s Fury was a smash hit, with players loving the additional content and how it marked another evolution in the Mario franchise. Levels in Bowser’s Fury merge seamlessly with each other, almost feeling like a mini open-world game where objectives could be tackled in any order.

This additional mode along with Super Mario 3D World can both be played with another player, although the original game’s content is more suited for co-op. Regardless, both friends and family can have a great time tackling the many enemies in this title.

15

Mario Party Superstars

Supports 4-Player Local Play

Mario Party makes for a great time no matter what title players check out, and Mario Party Superstars is no exception to this rule. This chapter in the Mario series may not be groundbreaking in any way, but it is still worth checking out for fans of unique party games.

Suffice it to say, a family can make their game night pretty special with this great title. It does the classic things that everyone expects from Mario Party, making for a wholesome experience that never ceases to be entertaining.

14

Nintendo Switch Sports

Supports 4-Player Local Play (Some Sports Only Have 2-Player)

Many people feel like Nintendo Switch Sports has royally dropped the ball in terms of being an engaging Switch game, especially with this title being hyped to the moon and back since it would continue the legacy of Wii Sports. The title is nowhere near as great as its beloved predecessor, with the post-launch support for this title being woeful.

While these disappointments should be addressed, there’s no denying that Nintendo Switch Sports can still make for a great time as players try their hardest to beat their fellow gamers and win as many games as possible. Children and their parents can get into the competitive spirit without getting too aggressive. At least, that’s what a parent would hope, but emotions can run high during closely fought games.

13

Super Mario Party

Supports 4-Player Local Play

Super Mario Party is a multiplayer game designed to be enjoyed by players of all ages. The game features a variety of mini-games that are easy to pick up and play but challenging enough to keep players engaged.

Players can roll a variety of dice and move around a board, trying to collect the most stars. The mini-games range from button-mashing challenges to more strategic situations that require players to work together. The game can be played with up to four players, making it a great option for families to play together.

12

Splatoon 3

Supports 4-Player Online Play

Splatoon 3 is another game that’s perfect for families. The game is a third-person shooter that features colorful, cartoonish characters known as Inklings. In the game, players compete in 4v4 multiplayer matches where the objective is to cover the most territory with ink.

The game is easy to pick up and play, but there’s also a lot of depth to the gameplay, making it fun for players of all skill levels. The game also features a single-player campaign that’s a great introduction to the game’s mechanics, allowing both kids and parents to pick up the basics before either teaming up or working against each other in these fun and colorful battles.

11

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Supports 2-Player Local Play

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a puzzle game that’s perfect for kids and parents who love solving brain teasers together. The game features Captain Toad, a character from the Super Mario universe, who must navigate through meticulous levels that almost feel like virtual dioramas.

The game’s puzzles are cleverly designed, and they require players to use their spatial reasoning skills to find hidden pathways and secrets. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker also features a co-op mode that allows two players to play together, and those who loved these sections in Super Mario 3D World will be more than happy with what this title has to offer.

10

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Supports 4-Player Local Play

The Animal Crossing series has been a fan-favorite for generations, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is another stellar example of wholesome gaming. It’s a popular choice among kids because the gameplay loop is relatively simple but surprisingly addictive at the same time. It’s easy to understand, and with a little guidance from parents, kids can easily build the island of their dreams.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has events at different points of the year, too, so even if it’s put down for a few months, it can be picked back up again during the holidays or Easter for a new experience.

9

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Supports 2-Player Local Play

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is easily one of the best family Switch games ever made, with combat that is simple enough for even the youngest gamers to understand and succeed at. The puzzle element of the game is where it shines, hitting the ideal point where a child could complete it but might need help with the more difficult bosses.

The downside is that couch co-op only becomes available part-way through the game, but this is also when the puzzles become more difficult, and kids could easily get that far without a parent available in-game.

8

Lego City Undercover

Supports 2-Player Local Play

There are a ton of different Lego games available on Nintendo Switch, but most of them are connected to popular franchises like Batman, Harry Potter, or Star Wars. They’re almost all fantastic games, but they do require a knowledge of the universe they’re set in to appreciate some of the humor involved.

Lego City Undercover is a great open-world game in a fresh setting that allows anyone to fully enjoy the quirks of the Lego franchise. It’s genuinely one of the best Lego games ever made, too.

7

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition

Supports 4-Player Local Play

Rayman is one of the classic platformers and a franchise has been incredibly popular since it began in 1995 with one of the hardest children’s games ever. Rayman Legends was the fifth mainline entry to the series that was first released on the Wii U but was ported over to the Nintendo Switch due to its popularity.

Rayman Legends allows up to four players at a time, and the amount of content is truly astounding. With different characters to choose from and well over a hundred different levels available, there’s a lot to do together in Rayman Legends.

6

Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Supports 2-Player Local Play

Kirby is one of the most iconic characters in Nintendo history, and the franchise has delivered some fantastic games over the years. Kirby and the Forgotten Land breathed new life into the series, becoming the best-selling entry and one of the highest-rated of all time.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great platform game with a lot of variation in gameplay thanks to Kirby’s classic copy ability. A second player can join after the initial tutorial is completed, although they will not have access to the copy ability.