If you think about a hardcore gaming session with a host of other avid gamers, what titles come to mind? Do images of various Call of Duty games fly by like virtual bullets? Do champions and minions march out onto a battlefield in League of Legends, or do hordes of heroes charge in to defend Azeroth from the forces of evil?
All these multiplayer titles are very good options, but some quickly forget that everyone's friend, Nintendo, has more than enough online action to offer on the Switch. Spanning a wide range of genres, these multiplayer titles are all playable from the comfort of your sofa, or even your bed.
10 Minecraft
Minecraft will always be a great choice for anyone who wants to create and explore. It's available on so many platforms, there's no way to say it isn't accessible. It's fine to play in survival mode, but playing with friends is where the real action is.
The game has a phenomenal online community of creative individuals who have practically built their own worlds with the Lego-inspired tools of the trade. The only limit is your imagination.
9 Divinity Original Sin 2
This game wins an honorable mention simply because as a turn-based fantasy RPG it's not usually something many people think of when they consider an online multiplayer game. Divinity Original Sin 2 is almost like holding a Dungeons & Dragons session from the comfort of your console.
It has a phenomenal world rich with lore and magic, but there's a lot more strategy and planning involved. As fun as it is to go hacking and slashing as you please, Divinity 2 just scratches that tactical itch.
8 Tetris 99
At first glance, Tetris doesn't seem like a game that lends itself over to being a multiplayer extravaganza. When you include 99 players fighting for top rank on the board, it becomes a cutthroat title where dozens will fall.
It takes more than just being a good Tetris player to score in the top ten in this rendition, it also takes quick thinking and rapid coordination to make those blocks plummet to victory. Download this title for a puzzling challenge.
7 Pacman 99
Similar to the previous entry, Pac-Man lends himself to the multiplayer medium surprisingly easily. Taking a cue from the Championship Edition, you can gobble dots, ghosts, and fruit to secure a place out of 99 other Pac-Men.
It's not just running through mazes. It's running through mazes, collecting trails of dozens of ghosts, and avoiding enemy players to make it into the top spots. Talk about getting Pac-Man fever.
6 Splatoon 2
Some people like Call of Duty, some people like Fortnite, and some people like Destiny, but when it comes to Nintendo shooters, Splatoon is packing more than paint. It's stylish, it's silly, and it's fun for gamers of any age.
It might not be assaulting other players with automatic weapons, but finding new and creative ways to splatter them with paint is just as satisfying. While there is a single-player adventure, the online mode is the main reason for getting this game, end of story.
5 Animal Crossing New Horizons
Despite the game's initial success likely being down to world circumstances combined with a long wait, an island escape is something all gamers need at times, and the population of animal friends is just a bonus.
Any Animal Crossing title is a commitment, but it's one the AC fanbase has honored for years. Now that they can share their islands and creations, there's never been a better time to play. So grab a friend and show off your creations.
4 Rocket League
It's nitro cars playing soccer in a neon-lit arena, not exactly the most complex entry on the list. Still, Rocket League is a great way to spend a few hours in a late-night gaming binge. While it is available across multiple platforms, there's something extra about having it on the go.
It's one of the most popular games in the world of Esports, and it's easy to see the appeal of the title. Even the mighty Nintendo had to get in on the action.
3 Diablo III
Although the series originated on the PC, it just feels more at home on a console. Diablo III was absolutely made for the Switch, plain and simple. And like any good dungeon-crawler worth its loot, it's much more fun when a full party gets to play.
Dungeon-crawling is a multiplayer pastime that's been a part of the gaming world for decades, and Nintendo has taken full advantage of it. With the remake of Diablo II on the horizon, it might be good to get a little practice in with this classic as well.
2 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
It's fun on its own or at parties, but playing a good, old-fashioned Smash tournament with other players online is the near-perfect formula for brawl-junkies. And with the largest roster out of any past entry ever, there are more than a few reasons to play.
Like so many games on this list, it's a game that's made for multiplayer. Plus, since when has a full game not been a nail-biting, white-knuckled fight? The more the merrier, right?
1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart isn't just one of the most beloved multiplayer experiences out there, it's a tradition going back generations. The eighth entry in one of Nintendo's biggest series has only perfected that practice.
There are so many characters, tracks, and powerups that it's enough to make any gamer's head spin. Racing against other eager drivers not only offers up a bigger challenge but also makes for more interesting gameplay. It's practically the perfect multiplayer title for the console.