Nintendo Switch splitscreen games for kids

November 24, 2024 9:31 AM

Cousins aged 10 and 8 would enjoy a split screen multiplayer game that can be played on one console with two controllers.

One plays more games than the other so hoping for something easy to learn the controls on. Heck, if it is easy enough, I'll try playing.

Looking for maximum hilarity; cooperativity would be great but competition is fine too.

No FPS, please.

I'm interested most in games I can get to my house (in the US) before the upcoming holiday on Thursday, but if there's something older/unusual, feel free to mention it but let me know if it is not easy to get.

posted by sciencegeek to Shopping (14 answers total)

Overcooked and Moving Out (both have sequels) are great 2-4 player co-op games for kids and adults. Mario Kart is a classic for a reason and has driver aids (auto accelerator/auto steering) for younger kids.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:03 AM on November 24

Rocket League can be a blast and the price is right.
posted by starman at 10:11 AM on November 24

Super Mario Party is fantastic for this.
posted by xo at 10:43 AM on November 24

Snipperclips is hilarious and fun. Towerfall ditto.
posted by supercres at 10:52 AM on November 24

The podcast The Besties did their Patreon episode on “best party games” which has a lot of overlap with this question— Towerfall and Mario Kart were both up there. Overcooked, Drawful (uses phones/tablets as “controllers”), Wii Sports (there’s a new Switch version that’s pretty good). Anti-recommendation for Mario Party to be honest.
posted by supercres at 10:56 AM on November 24

Untitled goose game is fun.
posted by Ftsqg at 11:10 AM on November 24

Untitled Goose Game isn't a split-screen game for the two-player option.
posted by cooker girl at 11:15 AM on November 24

My college-age kids suggest Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. They say Smash is not split-screen, but two people can play together on one console and the Lego game is split-screen only when the two characters get far enough apart from each other. They're guessing you really just want games two people can play together on one console, not necessarily only split-screen games. You can download digital versions of the games, so no problem getting them before Thursday.
posted by Redstart at 11:35 AM on November 24

If 'upcoming holiday' means a decent amount of people in the house, I'd definitely recommend Mario Kart - most (?) people will enjoy doing at least one race, which is all the more fun for the kids. Mario Kart is particularly good for this because you don't really need instructions.

Up to four people can play at a time, but you'll need extra controllers. (The Joy-Cons can be used individually, so one extra pair or two 'Pro' controllers and you'll be set.)
posted by demi-octopus at 12:19 PM on November 24

Second Mario Kart. I have got my non-game playing parents joining in. Easy casual thing to pick up and put down with short play sessions. Has assisted modes and is intended to be fun for anyone.

Also second untitled goose game. It is not split screen, so it is a bit more constraining, but maximum hilarity ensues for sure. It is inherently cooperative in objectives but doesn't require effective collaboration to be fun (as objectives can also be accomplished by a single player). Potential future single player fun.

Overcooked is fun, but also requires cooperation to achieve any objectives, and has a natural tendency towards someone needing to decide on splitting up tasks or otherwise needing consensual splitting of tasks. Potential issues with people getting frustrated with each other - less guaranteed fun than the above. And is not fun to play single player.

Stardew Valley apparently now has split screen multi-player. Could be a source of very long term fun for the right people. Theoretically cooperative (some shared resources), but doesn't require cooperation to succeed or have fun - players can choose to do their own thing. Lots of potential future single player fun. Maybe higher level of challenge, but doesn't require skill to have fun I think.
posted by lookoutbelow at 8:07 AM on November 25

My kid brought up the same issue about people getting frustrated with each other in Overcooked, although I think she might have used the word "enraged." Her initial thought was that it wouldn't be good for pre-teens because of that, but she also thought maybe younger kids wouldn't take it too seriously so it might be fine.
posted by Redstart at 1:09 PM on November 25

Ultimate Chicken Horse is a lot of fun for two or more players.
posted by chrisamiller at 1:49 PM on November 25

So far Lego Star Wars: Skywalker Saga has been a great hit. I was also very happy to get it for 75% off.

I’ve got a couple others to try but I’m not sure they’ll do anything other than Lego Star Wars, honestly.
posted by sciencegeek at 5:27 PM on November 26

There is also an edition of Worms for Switch. Though a bit old school. my son (8 at the time) loved it. Not cooperative but great fun!
posted by kmt at 5:56 AM on November 27