After I covered the best-looking Nintendo Switch games of 2024 and the best horror games on Switch , I have some ideas for what to tackle next. While on vacation in Singapore, I bought a copy of Nintendo World Championship: Famicom Edition and was blown away by it. I also got the code for it, so I lent the physical copy to a friend, but after playing it for a few hours, I started thinking about what I think are the best party games on Switch in 2024, and here we are .
As expected, there are a lot of first-party Nintendo games on this list, but there are also some notable third-party and indie games that make for truly amazing party games. Hopefully this set will help you find your next favorite party game on Switch the next time you have friends over. As always, this list is in no particular order.
Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition ($29.99)
When Nintendo World Championship: NES Edition was announced, I canceled it. After playing it I realized I was wrong. Not only does it work perfectly to make me want to keep playing and improve my time on various game sections, but it’s also a great party game. It does feel like a game that was originally built for Nintendo Switch Online, but it’s a few updates away from being a game I’d recommend to anyone, regardless of asking price. It costs half as much as a full-priced game, which certainly makes it easier to recommend. I just wish it was updated with a better way to compare your own time to your friends.
Mario Party Super Stars ($59.99)
After Super Mario Party felt lacking, Nintendo released Mario Party Super Stars. I know all eyes are on Super Mario Party Bash right now, but Mario Party Superstars is an excellent and beautiful entry in the series, and for those who have never experienced the older games Say, it’s fun to play. I still have regular online meetings with friends and it works really well. This is undoubtedly one of the best party games for all ages on the Switch.
Overcooked! All you can eat ($39.99)
The original one was overcooked! Online games feel lacking. Overcooked 2 solves this problem and is a better game. Overcooked! All You Can Eat combines these two campaigns, new features, accessibility options, and more into one of the best party games on any platform and a hybrid Nintendo Switch game. This is a game I recommend everyone try, especially if you’re frustrated with friends and family. I hope the team will continue to bring more excitement to “Overcooked”! All you can eat because it’s a gem.
Super Smash Bros. Special Edition ($59.99)
I never actually played Super Smash Bros. until I got the 3DS version, and I’ve been convinced since then that it’s a great party game. The Switch version comes with tons of amazing characters (including DLC), levels, and modes. This really feels like the ultimate party game to play locally. I just wish the online mode worked better. Outside of online, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an easy recommendation and a must-have for every Nintendo Switch owner.
Wario Software: Move! ($49.99)
Wario Software: Move! This is an interesting inclusion because I recently purchased it on a whim and was initially disappointed that it didn’t support the Pro Controller. Then I realized what it was for and thought it was one of the best games in the series. Just make sure you have a Joy-Con strap to play with, as it feels like a game designed for Joy-Con and motion controls, but it’s well done and fun to play alone or with other people locally. I recommend this, but with a caveat.
Tower Falls ($19.99)
Towerfall was one of the early indie games that surprised me by how well it worked in a local multiplayer environment. On Switch, Towerfall is right at home, and its asking price is very good. A friend told me that if you combined Balloon Fight with Smash, you’d get Towerfall, which I can see to some extent, but the developers included 6 player co-op on the Switch with this one The archery party game has more achievements.
Moving Out 2 ($29.99)
Just as Overcooked 2 solved the problems I had with the first game, Moving Out 2 succeeds in bringing out the best in Team17’s other series. I absolutely love the Moving games because they’re fun to play, but going online only takes this physics-based moving simulator to new heights. Moving Out 2 is also the game I’ve played more on the Switch than any other platform, and I think the highlight of these games is the hybrid nature of the system.
Lovers in Dangerous Time and Space ($14.99)
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is one of the early darlings of Switch indie games and a great couch co-op experience. Lovers in a Dangerous Time has always been a game I give people away on Steam, but its beauty really shines on the Switch OLED screen. I still can’t understand how it blends several playstyles together to offer something special. This one is often on sale, but still worth full price. I think both Lovers and Towerfall are the best indie games on the Switch, not just the best party games.
Dokapon Kingdom Link ($49.99)
This may feel like an odd choice to those unfamiliar with the game, but after playing Dokapon Kingdom Connect on Switch and Steam Deck, I’ve grown to like it even more. Dokapon Kingdom Connect is a fusion of an RPG and a party game, and it’s unlike anything I’ve played before. It already includes many modes that support online from the start, but the core gameplay is the real star. I wish it had a demo because it’s a hard sell to newbies, but if the board game RPG party game concept sounds good, you should give it a try.
Ultimate Chicken Horse ($14.99)
Ultimate Chicken Horse is fun as a party game because you can build levels as you play. Games are more fun when you annoy your friends, which is where Ultimate Chicken Horse excels. It was already great from the start, but updates only make it better, and the lower asking price makes it an easy recommendation if you’re a fan of the concept. While many of the games on this list can be played solo, if you want to play on your own, I strongly recommend against playing Ultimate Chicken Horse. Playing with friends is great, but playing alone is not so great.
bonus
Jackbox party bag (variable)
I’m including The Jackbox Party Pack as a bonus because I couldn’t decide which numbered version to release, and because not everything is bundled together. The Jackbox Party Pack versions are incredible party games on any platform, and I think some of the games included over the years are good enough to be purchased individually rather than just through the bundled version. I hope we see a bundle like this on Switch soon.
Demon Slayer – Demon Slayer – Sweep the board! ($59.99)
Demon Slayer – Demon Slayer – Sweep the board! is a bonus because I recommend it, but it’s on discount on Switch instead of full price. If you’re a fan of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, this one is easier to recommend, but feels a bit lacking in what it currently includes with its full price tag. Still, it translates the characters and world perfectly into a party game setting, and if you like Demon Slayer, it’s worth your time.
Here is my list of the best party games to play on Switch in 2024. I’m always looking for more local multiplayer, co-op, and party games on Switch. It would be even better if it supports single Joy-Con games. As always, thank you for reading!
