Local co-op seems to be something of a lost art in gaming these days. This is especially true when it comes to RPGs, which tend to either focus on solo epics or massive MMOs that drop you into virtual worlds with countless strangers. Yet, there's a certain charm in just kicking back on the couch with a friend or sibling and venturing forth into majestic fantasy worlds to do some monster-slaying together.
Being the multiplayer-centric console it is, the Switch contains a fair amount of these co-op RPGs. These are virtual adventures that are typically rich while also granting accessible local and online multiplayer modes.
So let's grab our swords and bows as we venture forth and explore 10 of the best RPGs on Switch to play with a sibling, friend, or spouse.
Updated February 4th, 2020 by Stephen LaGioia: Now that the Nintendo Switch is closing in on its 3rd full year, we felt it appropriate to flesh this initial list of 10 entries and add another 5 similarly stellar RPGs. We'll be adding a couple of titles released since this piece was published as well as a few older ones we feel deserve a spot. After all, there is no shortage of great co-op RPGs on the console, with more in the pipeline all the time.
15 Moon Hunters
One of the more unique RPGs for the Switch is also one of the most effective in terms of offering a memorable, enjoyable co-op adventure.
The game is described by its own developers as a "personality test" RPG in that your decisions and characteristics will translate into the experience of the game. You and up to 3 other companions can choose from 6 unique classes as you embark on a pixelated quest to defeat the Sun Cult. There's a charming art style that melds retro sensibilities with wondrous Mesopotamian mythology. This paints a distinctly enriching scene, as do the procedurally generated areas and quests that provide a different experience every time.
With its simple gameplay and short runtime, this is a great title for you and a friend to kick back and kill a couple of hours with.
14 Nine Parchments
This delightful dungeon crawler is not unlike Diablo III with its solid isometric ARPG gameplay, its plethora of character builds and spells, in addition to its colorful fantasy-based environments.
While the game does take a more minimalistic approach to Blizzard's more detailed Diablo series, this is actually part of Nine Parchments' charm, as it makes for a fun and accessible way to slay some monsters with family or friends. The game encourages teamwork, as each character can only wield a handful of powers; each of which comes with very different traits and strengths.
13 * Dauntless
This MMORPG is so fun and intricate that you'll be surprised that is actually free-to-play. While you, unfortunately, won't be able to partake in local co-op, you can team up with a friend online and engage in some thrilling monster battles.
There are some similarities to Capcom's famed Monster Hunter series, but given the feverishly addictive experience that series is, this is by no means a bad thing. The bouts of endless action, tons of weapons, and elaborate customization will have you and your fellow monster-slayer taking up arms for hours on end.
The game even supports cross-platform play, meaning you and a PS4 or Xbox One gamer can take part in this exciting odyssey together.
12 Fire Emblem Warriors
While Fire Emblem purists might scoff at this more mindless action hack 'n' slash, it's tough to deny the satisfying adrenaline-fueled combat you're bombarded with throughout this Dynasty Warriors-esque romp. Unlike the 3DS version, this superior Switch rendition of Warriors allows for a friend to jump into the fray and add some extra firepower -and extra fun - against the hordes of foes flung at you.
A game like this, with its simple button-mashing combat and emphasis in stringing together combos for points, lends itself to a co-op experience. At the same time, there's enough depth through its system of unlockables/upgrades and campaign mode to provide substance.
11 Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!
While the massively hyped mainline Pokémon epics, Sword & Shield, will host a system of online battles, raids, and co-op, even these games cannot boast a local split-screen option. That's where this more humble RPG, Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee! comes in.
A second player can easily and seamlessly hop into your virtual Poké-world, allowing you and a friend to double up on NPCs and monsters in battle. You can even land a special catch bonus should you and your companion manage to throw Pokéballs at a Pokémon at the same time. While the cooperative elements are fairly stripped-down, it goes a long way in adding some life and a fun new dynamic to this more basic Pokémon adventure.
10 *Cat Quest 2
Given the no-nonsense, fast-paced, and accessible nature of Cat Quest, the experience seems tailor-made to enjoy with a cat companion. Thankfully, we do get this option for the charming sequel to this enjoyable indie. While the game is more vast and fleshed out, it maintains that pure, undiluted simplicity throughout.
You and your fellow feline warrior will have a blast as you'll be venturing through a diversity of colorful environments and hacking at a slew of enemies.
9 *Ashen
Ashen can be described as a somewhat more lighthearted and cartoony version of Dark Souls, largely featuring the same mechanics, rules, and progression system. Though it feels distinct too; not only from its more colorful visuals, but also because of its more open worlds and its passive co-op functionality.
During your epic journey, you'll be fighting alongside AI companions at times, Code Vein style. Yet, you'll come upon other players amongst this massive world. You can choose to engage them in combat, or invite them to your party and take on foes together.
8 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
This deceptively complex strategy romp grows even more fun and in-depth with the neat inclusion of a second player to assist you in your turn-based Mario and Rabbid battles.
Simply pay a visit to the "Buddy Dome," and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle will allow a friend to jump in as a second featured hero. You'll be granted a slew of multiplayer-specific challenges and campaign missions, where you'll join forces to team up against a common Rabbid enemy. This adds new elements of both enjoyment and tactics, as you'll want to coordinate tag-team attacks, jumps, and ambushes with your teammate. Just be careful who you're targetting, as the game has friendly fire!
7 *Castle Crashers Remastered
While the RPG elements are light on this one, the entertainment value certainly isn't, especially when taking up arms with up to 3 other players. This delightful and silly action-RPG by The Behemoth provides countless bouts of laughter and fun. You'll take control of one of a variety of knights as you and your friends hack and slash your way through an array of cartoony settings and hilarious foes.
The co-op nature of this game is both exciting and helpful, as you'll likely be dropping quite a bit and will be in need of frequent revives.
6 Dragon Quest Builders 2
Much like a similar sandbox builder, Minecraft, Square Enix and Omega Force's delightful RPG/sim/sandbox allows players to join together in the same virtual online space, as well as locally. This makes for one of the most notable additions to this underrated sequel to DQ Builders 1, adding a ton of entertainment and replay value.
Take note - you'll have to achieve a handful of story missions before gaining access to the new multiplayer mode. Still, it's worth the effort to get it, as you and a friend can have endless bouts of fun building and battling together, which is useful considering the multitasking Dragon Quest Builders 2 often requires.
5 *Stardew Valley
This indie sensation - which is already dynamic and feverishly addictive when playing solo - becomes even moreso when having another player enter the fold.
With the myriad of activities to take part in - tending to crops, crafting, slaying baddies, etcetera - it's always helpful to have a friend at your side. The solid online co-op support will allow you and a friend to get lost in this colorful, majestic world for countless hours on end. And take it from us - the hours will fly by. In terms of depth and enjoyment, Stardew Valley does not disappoint on the multiplayer front.
4 Terraria
For purists out there - yes, Terraria is technically more action-oriented than a traditional RPG. Yet, its myriad of upgrades, collectibles, and magical abilities, in addition to town NPCs certainly place it in the RPG realm. Still, the more critical element here is Terraria's superb online co-op, which allows you and a companion to seamlessly jump into the same massive 2D world.
This game is feverishly fun and addictive as is; with its epic, diverse landscapes, heaps of cool loot, and colorful baddies just waiting to be slain. Yet, adding another player into the mix increases both the entertainment value and productivity in this super-dense sandbox adventure. One player, for instance, might decide to explore a dungeon, while another stays back and tends to the home base, building and crafting new goodies.
3 Mana Collection
Sure, the more archaic Final Fantasy spinoff on Game Boy - from which the charming Mana series branched off - is sadly lacking on the multiplayer front. Yet, this stellar RPG package is worth playing just for the other 2 games on this collection alone - Secret and Trials of Mana. This quality extends to the game's enjoyable multiplayer feature, which allows a friend to take control of one of the 3 characters in your party.
They can engage in the fun action-based combat, purchase weapon/armor upgrades, grab loot, and navigate the lavish fantasy worlds in the same manner you can. This isn't just one of the best co-op RPGs for Switch, but possibly as a whole, even decades after their original launch.
2 Tales Of Vesperia - Definitive Edition
Not only is this Definitive Edition of ToV the best way to play this already robust RPG journey, but it also features a thrilling combat system, which is made even more fun by having a friend fight alongside you. The game's fun, free-flowing ARPG style of combat is perfect for co-op multiplayer romps.
You and a teammate can hack and slash your way to victories more efficiently by piling on baddies and notching more valuable combos. Alternatively, your partner can handle healing duties while you take the frontlines. While there are a fair bit of narrative-heavy elements and traveling, battles still make up the majority of the gameplay in Tales.
1 Diablo III: Eternal Edition
When it comes to rich RPGs that also offer an accessible co-op mode, Blizzard's Diablo III is second to none. Gameplay-wise, this third iteration of the massive hit that is the Diablo series is still compelling and addictive even when fighting hordes of demons solo.
Yet, bringing another player into the fray adds a whole new dimension to this dungeon crawler, and amplifies the fun - as you begin to realize just how much this grindy action-based RPG was made for multiple players. Not only can you hop into other games online and tackle objectives/bosses together, but you can have up to 3 other players tag along in local sessions too, making for a truly solid Switch port.
It certainly beats having a rather useless AI companion by your side, who you've constantly got to watch over and fortify with new equipment.