Nintendo Switch is the ideal console for couples to play games on. Switch’s hybrid versatility is the perfect solution and middle ground between a home console and a mobile device. The concept seems like a no-brainer now, but it blew our minds when the reveal trailer first aired.
The hardware sales of the Switch now quickly surpassing the two other console juggernauts is evidence of its popularity. Casual audiences, including many couples, prefer having a Switch to play games on to a PlayStation or an Xbox console.
If you and your partner are one of them, then today we’ll list 6 of our favorite Switch games for couples.
How to Tell Which Switch Games Are the Best for Couples?
Before diving into the list, we’ll tell you how we pick the best games for couples. So without further ado, let’s dive into the metrics we use for shortlisting games for our list.
- First, the game under consideration must be on the Switch; however, it doesn’t have to be a Switch exclusive.
- Secondly, the games must have entertaining co-op/multiplayer capabilities suitable for couples.
- Third, the game must also have a uniqueness that separates them from other titles in the genre.
- Lastly, the game must have critical acclaim from the Nintendo Switch fanbase as an ideal couples game.
Which Games on The Switch Have We Picked As Best for Couples?
Now that the small talk is out of the way, it’s time to begin our list. Today, we have games with a healthy mix of fan favorites and some underrated hidden gems. Let’s not waste any more time and dive in immediately.
Here we go!
6. Luigi’s Mansion 3
Starting things off, we’ve got a Nintendo first-party exclusive that many players find enjoyable even today. Luigin’s Mansion 3 is an excellent story-driven Switch game with highly innovative multiplayer components that couples will love.
Spooky and Charming Vibes Await Couples in Luigi’s Mansion 3
The overall aesthetic and setting of the gameplay are within a spooky haunted hotel. Couples will find the mansion’s immersive and intriguing vibe contrasting brilliantly with Luigi, the protagonist of Luigi’s Mansion 3. Whether it’s the campaign or multiplayer modes, couples are in for a ghost-hunting treat.
Why is Luigi’s Mansion 3 Such A Great Switch Game For Couples?
The gorgeous visuals of Luigi’s Mansion 3 perfectly portray the perils awaiting Luigi. Gameplay-wise, there is a fun semi-open world-level design with the hotel, emphasizing exploration and puzzle-solving. Let’s get into the specifics.
The Good
Right off the bat, there are loads of excellent features crammed within Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Puzzles Require Cooperation Between Luigi and Gooigi
There are many obstacles that neither Luigi nor his doppelganger Gooigi can get past alone in Luigi’s Mansion 3. Gooigi can phase shift past barriers, which Luigi can’t, but is weak if there is fire or water; that’s where Luigi handles things.
Combat is Super Fun and Engaging When Playing Together
When playing Luigi’s Mansion 3, the combat portion of the gameplay feels like you’re a ghostbuster. The ability to pull in ghosts and slam them around if they’re stubborn feels incredibly satisfying. Playing this Switch game together as a couple will only enhance the enjoyment for both partners.
The Bad
As much as we personally love Luigi’s Mansion 3, we must confess there are elements that couples might not enjoy.
Controls Feel Wonky
The controls can feel like they’re not responding to what you’re trying to do; specifically, that’s a problem when aiming. Couples might not enjoy the experience of Luigi’s Mansion 3 if frustrated by the poor control implementation.
Multiplayer Modes Feel Repetitive
Don’t get us wrong, the multiplayer modes in Luigi’s Mansion 3 are fun, but they can feel more of the same after a while. The lack of variety is a nitpick that holds the game down for us. Sorry to anyone who feels the exact opposite.
The Verdict
Despite our tiny grievances, we still have fun with Luigi’s Mansion 3 now and then. The incorporation of Luigi’s ectoplasmic clone, Gooigi, makes for a fun-filled adventure game for couples on the Switch. Combat is another area where Luigi’s Mansion 3 shines. Hidden treasures and other bonuses make Luigi’s Mansion 3 worth checking out.
5. Overcooked
Next up on our list of games for couples on the Switch, we have a popular choice in the gaming community, Overcooked. All you need to know is that Overcooked relies on its gimmick effectively to deliver a satisfying gameplay experience for couples.
Order Up! Frantic Kitchen Dillemas and A Side of Hilarity Are The Chef’s Recommendations in Overcooked
The premise of Overcooked is all about chefs that players control and the duties that come with it. Meaning couples will be collecting ingredients, cooking, serving, and washing dishes, all while under a time limit within the game. The twist is that everything’s a mess.
How Overcooked Delivers As A Couples Game on Switch?
Overcooked is a game that brings fresh and fun ideas for couples looking for a unique game to play on the Switch. The gameplay Separates the kitchen’s layout at every stage and is a nightmare scenario couples will thoroughly enjoy while fumbling.
The Good
Overcooked is our kind of game, and if you love cooking with your partner in real life, you’ll also enjoy it.
The Fun is in the Chaos
Playing Overcooked will leave couples in awe of the absurdity within each level of the game. The kitchen layout is such that players will have trouble navigating to get the ingredients, requiring precision and sprinting in-game. The obstacles also create many diversions from the main goal, like kitchen fires or bumping into one another.
The Progressive Difficulty Will Make Players Sweat Buckets
In Overcooked, the challenges get even more weirder with every stage. Some kitchens are split on moving trucks driven at differing speeds, so you’re essentially stuck if you don’t time your jump. Another example is a kitchen divide across a street with a pedestrian crossing. You can’t bump into someone, or the dish you’re carrying will drop.
The Bad
Overcooked is an excellent entry game on the Switch for couples; however, it has its downsides that we must mention.
Overcooked Can Feel Overwhelming
Sometimes, uniqueness isn’t everything a couple’s game on the Switch should have. In the case of Overcooked, the problem is that while the concept is original, the frantic pace and gameplay can overwhelm new players. Couples might feel they need a game with a relaxing vibe, which Overcooked is undoubtedly not.
Frame Rate Drops
An exclusive complaint about the Switch version of Overcooked is that couples might find the game laggy. The delay from frame rate drops in control input and animation can make or break the immersion, and unfortunately, it’s the latter.
The Verdict
There isn’t a doubt about the enjoyment of playing Overcooked as a couple on the Switch, the game’s excellent. The slight hiccups prevent it from realizing its full potential. If you’re interested in similar types of games, we have alternative recommendations for party games like Overcooked.
4. Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
We have a fighting game at the halfway point on our list of best Switch games for couples. It’s a game that needs no grand introduction, and everyone is probably aware of it, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate – Smashing Opponents Has Never Felt This Exhilarating
The hype from advertising campaigns of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate was at a fever pitch. Fans, including couples, held lofty expectations for the Switch game, and Super Smash Brothers Ultimate more than delivered. Everything from the breathtaking visual presentation to the intriguing story, and satisfying fighting mechanics, feel perfect.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate on the Switch is the Fantasy Crossover Fighting Game for Couples
The idea in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is to win in one of three ways. Couples can reduce their opponent’s health to zero, throw them off stage to increase their knockback percentage and eliminate them for good, or accumulate the most points by hitting the rival characters at the end of the time limit.
The Good
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is an excellent game for couples on Switch to see how their favorite characters would fare against their partners.
Crossover Galore Will Keep Couples Fabodying and Fangirling Over Characters
Whether it’s Snake from Metal Gear Solid, Samus Aron from Metroid, Simon Belmont from Castlevania, or Akuma from Street Fighter, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate has them all and more. It’s all thanks to Mr. Sakurai that he’s allowed players and couples to have this dream-come-true fighting game on the Switch.
Engaging Fighting Mechanics Will Ignite The Competitive Spirit In Couples
Even though the casual nature of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is apparent, there is a surprising degree of depth. It’s not about button-mashing and complex combos, as newbie gamer couples can also enjoy the Switch game.
The Bad
As much s we love Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, we must be fair and highlight the glaring weakness.
The imbalance of Characters is Off-putting
Let’s not beat around the bush and call a spade a spade; every character in the game isn’t equal. Nor should it be the case, but the problem with the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate roster is that some characters are ridiculously broken and overpowered while others are severely underpowered. Couples won’t enjoy one-sided matchups in the Switch game.
The Verdict
In spite of the hiccups, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate remains the crown jewel of fighting games on Switch that couples will enjoy. In fact, no other fighting game has the popularity, accessibility, and sales numbers to claim it’s better than Super Smash Brother Ultimate. The amount of characters from various franchises is insane; we doubt any game mirrors it.
3. Splatoon 3
We’re in the top 3 of our Switch games list for couples, and it’s fitting that Splatoon 3 takes the spot. Splatoon 3 is a Nintendo exclusive, and it is synonymous with fun gameplay.
Enjoy Paintball on Steroids With Splatoon 3
The best way to describe Splatoon 3 is paintball but with an anime-style aesthetic and colorfully over-the-top vibe. It’s got everything couples look for in a fun game on the Switch, from exciting traversal, addictive shooting mechanics, and fast-paced gameplay.
What is it About Splatoon 3 that Makes it Fun for Couples?
Splatoon 3 carries on the fun style of gameplay of the previous two entries, refining the formula. The inklings and octolings have swim forms that are more agile and faster but can only work within the colored splashed areas. The weapon variety is diverse and creates a fun, competitive, and hilarious game for couples on the Switch.
The Good
Splatoon 3 is brimming with fun co-op and multiplayer elements that make the game a delight for couples on the Switch.
The Co-op Modes Provide Endless Entertainment for Couples
In Splatoon 3, various competitive modes keep couples engaged in the game on Switch. Our personal favorite one is the Salmon-run mode, where couples can team up with other players to take on enemy waves. Each stage concludes with a boss fight that requires excellent teamwork and watching out for each other, something couples can relate to.
The Comical Art style and Sound Effects Will Make Couples Laugh and Snicker
Believe it or not, Splatoon 3’s co-op and competitive modes only get that much better because of the game design. The traversal and wonky physics give a cartoonish effect to the Switch game that couples will find endearing. The shooting elements take on a family-friendly tone of inks instead of bullets, and the colorful visuals are a feast for the eyes.
The Bad
Splatoon 3 is a delightful Switch game, and many couples will agree on this point; however, we should also mention its downside.
More of the Same From Its Predecessors
A considerable drawback of Splatoon 3 is that it can’t justify its existence. The visuals upgrade is a nice touch from Splatoon 2, but that’s not by much. The point is, there’s no major reason for couples to buy the game on the Switch if they’ve played a previous entry of the Splatoon franchise.
The Verdict
Overall, Splatoon 3 is an incredible game with a lively personality and highly addictive quality that couples will love playing together. If you like shooters, check out our list of best shooting games on the Nintendo Switch.
2. Minecraft: Dungeons – Our Runner-Up Game For Couples on The Switch
Moving on to the runner-up Switch game for couples, we have a good one, Minecraft Dungeons. If you’ve ever thought about what a co-op dungeon-crawling game in a Minecraft setup would look like, Minecraft Dungeons is the answer.
Dungeon Crawling and Combat Heavy Focus Make for Exciting Gameplay in Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeons is an action-oriented Minecraft game that eliminates the grind of vanilla Minecraft. Couples will enjoy a fun, innovative, and satisfying play on the Switch that embraces the fantasy aspect. The game feels like a DnD session in Minecraft.
Minecraft Dungeons is A Fantasy Game On The Switch That Couples Will Love Diving Into
Minecraft Dungeons allows couples to embark on an epic adventure and explore the lore-heavy world of Minecraft. There is a great evil rising from the Otherworld, and the chosen characters by the couple must team up, fight to raise their skills, and finally vanquish the looming threat. The dungeon crawling ensures surprises at every turn for couples.
The Good
There is plenty to praise about Minecraft Dungeons as the ideal fantasy adventure game for couples. If you like bizarre adventure games, check out our list of best adventure games where you play as an animal protagonist.
No Skill-Class Restrictions Allow Couples To Create Their Ideal Character Builds
Minecraft Dungeons has a unique approach to skill progression. Couples who want to use a melee-heavy character with the utility of an archer can now do so. Alternatively, if a partner wants a stealth dual-wield character build with magical attacks, it’s also possible. Minecraft Dungeons is a Switch game for couples to play as their ideal fantasy character.
Treasures Hunting and Boss Fights Within Dungeons that Require Couples To Work Together
Don’t let the happy-go-lucky aesthetic of Minecraft confuse you; the game is much more in-depth than you think. Deceptive dungeons with randomized traps and puzzles keep couples playing the game on Switch always on their toes. Boss fights trigger whenever a sense of safety is nearby, and couples must watch out for each other to survive.
The Bad
The thing with Minecraft Dungeons is that while it’s a great game, it fell short of meeting the expectations of gamers.
Players Wanted More They Got Less
The bulk of the criticism of Minecraft Dungeons revolves around the lack of content and variety after the base game, which itself was very short. Even with the DLC, the itch was left unscratched; hence many couples might not fully extract the full enjoyment out of this great multiplayer game.
The Verdict
While the short campaign and lack of variety are a problem with Minecraft Dungeons, we can’t deny that it’s a flawed gem. Couples who enjoy fantasy games will love playing Minecraft Dungeons on the Switch. If you’re interested in other fantasy games, check out our alternative recommendations for games like Hogwarts Legacy.
1. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order – The Best Game For Couples On The Switch
Finally, we’re at the top of our list, and no other game deserves the spot than Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. It is a wish-fulfillment Switch game that will amaze couples with its storytelling, massive roster of characters, and team-up attack combos.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order – Building A Dream Team of Marvel Characters and Smashing Enemies
We’re big fans of Marvel characters and consider Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order the perfect Marvel game for couples, and since it’s a Switch exclusive, it makes things even sweeter. Couples can play as their favorite Marvel character pairing and deliver beatdowns on minions of Marvel villains; what’s not to love?
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is the Switch Couples Game for Fans of Marvel Comics
The great thing about Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is its original tale. Most of the time, Marvel games usually follow established stories from the comics or chase the movie trends, but not Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. Also, the game embraces its comic roots with a mesmerizing art style for couples to appreciate.
The Good
Let’s break down what’s got us gushing so much about Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
Couples Will Enjoy Creating Original Marvel Teams
With Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, couples can shake up team dynamic. For instance, you can have Dr. Doom teaming up with Deadpool, Venom, and Ghost Rider; the possibilities are endless. Couples will love mixing and matching different characters from the Marvel Universe to build their team and play as them in the Switch game.
Co-op Gameplay is Highly Versatile With Excellent Replay Value
The nature of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a casual team-based co-op game. The lore and attention to detail are done with a high level of care, and the combat is very engaging especially team combos. Couples will enjoy replaying the game just to see contrasting attacks like Iceman and the Human Torch’s hot and cold elemental strikes.
The Bad
There’s nothing bad about Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order that we can think of. Perhaps it’s personal bias at play, but in our opinion, there’s no better Switch game for couples than Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
The Verdict
As far we’re concerned, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order sits at the apex of couples games for Switch. We tend to have a soft spot for Marvel games, and our favorite Marvel character is Spiderman. Check out our piece about Spidey if you want to know how we rank all the PS3 Spiderman games.
Final Thoughts
Well, that’s the end of our recommendations. We hope you like the games we have on the list. Let us know your thoughts on our picks in the comments below. Is there a game that you believe deserves to be on here? Please tell us why it shouldn’t have been left out.
We have a list of VR games for couples who want more recommendations to play with their significant other. Between those and today’s Switch games, there are plenty of titles to play as a couple. Until next time, stay safe and happy gaming, everyone.