Gang Beasts (Switch eShop)

Gang Beasts' charm has always been its janky, unpredictable, chaotic physics brawling, and you'll either be pleased or disappointed to know that it hasn't changed too much since 2014. On Switch, it runs well in Local and Online mode, although the Switch's voice chat options make the latter a less appealing choice. If you're a fan of portable party games, though, this is a classic not to be missed.

Overcooked 2 (Switch)

Overcooked 2 is a fantastic sequel to a co-op classic, building on the gameplay ideas from before in meaningful new ways while polishing up what was already there. There is a lingering sense that this is more of the same, but it’s such a blast to play that you’ll hardly be focused on the lack of any major innovations; overall, this feels like a stronger execution of the original vision with the added benefit of some hearty DLC that's been added to the menu since launch.

The organisation and coordination required to run a kitchen effectively may be beyond the abilities of your guests if the party's been jumpin' for a few hours, but Overcooked 2 is bubbling over with personality and heart, and we’d recommend this one to anyone looking for a fantastic party game.

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WarioWare: Get It Together! (Switch)

WarioWare: Get It Together! was a triumphant Switch debut for the subversive series that makes some daring changes to core gameplay, resulting in the best entry in the franchise to date. With a generous roster of playable characters, lots of solo and multiplayer modes to dig into, and stages that cleverly adapt to your choices on the fly, this is a superb compilation of hilarious microgames that delivers more ways to play than ever before.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll dodge bird droppings on a skateboard. So grab a few friends or family members, break out the controllers, and gather 'round the TV — WarioWare: Get It Together! is essential stuff.

Kirby's Dream Buffet (Switch eShop)

What do you get when you take a generous helping of Fall Guys, add a pinch of Super Monkey Ball, and then mix in a lovely big dollop of Kirby? Well, a great big dream buffet, that's what.

Kirby's Dream Buffet is a bright and breezy party game that sees a whole field full of Kirby characters roll at speed down sweet treat-laden tracks where the only objective is to get to the bottom first and lay claim to the largest mountain of strawberries when you get there. What results is a colourful and chaotic slice of slapstick party game action that's friendly to beginners, young gamers, and adults alike.

TowerFall (Switch eShop)

Some party games — like Jackbox — are suitable for all audiences. Others — like Smash Bros. — are for the gamers. TowerFall falls (ha) into that latter category, but don't let that fool you. This precision fighting platformer can support 6 characters, and the more chaotic, the better — it's an easy recommendation to anyone looking for a great party game for their Switch; the easy-to-understand mechanics and near-bottomless depth will ensure that this one will be a house favourite for years to come.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (Switch eShop)

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime caught us by surprise; we were expecting a great multiplayer party experience but ended up with something much more than that. If you have a great bunch of friends and the necessary controllers, be sure to gather everyone 'round for some challenging but hilarious teamwork.

But even when the party's over, load the game up anyway and enjoy an intense, strategically-minded campaign with a warm and welcoming exterior. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime deserves to be played and should most definitely be on your eShop wishlist – we’re in love, for sure.

Let's Sing ABBA (Switch)

As a group, Abba sits alongside only a handful of the world's biggest acts — The Beatles, Queen, and perhaps only a couple of others — with the cross-generational, mainstream appeal to support a multiplayer music game like Let's Sing Abba.

As a party game, it works well whatever the enthusiasm levels of your attendees; unabashed karaoke lovers can get stuck right in belting out the classics, but there's also 'Jukebox' mode, which just slaps the videos to the songs you've unlocked on screen with the lyrics. This makes for perfect background noise at reserved British parties where nobody wants to stand with a mic in their hand, but they'll happily spend several hours staring at a screen while nursing a drink and realising how few Abba lyrics they actually know. Everyone's a winner!

Mario Party Superstars (Switch)

Mario Party Superstars is a love letter to the parties you remember attending 20 years ago. A disappointingly slim selection of boards takes the shine off things somewhat, but it’s hard to argue that this is the best Mario Party has been in over a decade.

No new ideas feels like a missed opportunity, but by the same token we’d much prefer to have all these classic ideas intact rather than potentially tainting them with unwanted and unnecessary inclusions only added for the sake of being new. Grab a can of Tango and a fistful of 10p Freddos — you’re going to party like it’s 1999.

Vampire Survivors (Switch eShop)

Vampire Survivors skyrocketed in popularity in 2022 for good reason. It's one of the best roguelites in recent memory thanks to its gripping gameplay loop and metagame that highjacks your mind. The Switch port only adds more to love with local co-op and updated content. It's so easy to slip into a blissful sense of flow in Vampire Survivors' Castlevania-inspired, comically named levels as its ripping soundtrack and satisfying sound design propel you into the horde that you'll surely lose track of time playing it. It's a good thing that rounds don't usually last more than half an hour. As a party game, it's a winner thanks to the fool-proof simplicity of its controls — just push in the direction you want to go!

Trombone Champ (Switch eShop)

Trombone Champ is a hilarious rhythm game about perfection. Before you (or up to three other tromboners) play, it asks you to select a stance: 'estudious' or 'jubilant'. Neither of these is appropriate when you know your performance will be as ear-abusive as an excited puppy mauling a bulb horn. Or are they? The true lesson is perhaps to hold your head high anyway. In life, as in Trombone Champ, faced as we all are with certain doom, be 'estudious' if you like, be jubilant, parp like crazy, and be your very best you – no matter how imperfect that invariably is.

WarioWare: Move It! (Switch)

WarioWare: Move It! is another great entry in this long-running franchise that brings back the motion-controlled mayhem whilst giving you plenty of ways to enjoy its loony fun with family and friends. There are lots of fun modes to dig into and unlock here, the microgames are as daft and colourful as ever, and, as long as you can make peace with things not being quite as fun solo, it's really hard to knock the chaotically silly vibe of this most excellent party game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Switch games are more than four players?

If you're hosting a proper party for more than four, you might be looking for Switch games for five players, six players, seven players, more!

Of the Switch (local) multiplayer games above, here's a list of ones that cater to 5+ players in the same room:

  • Jackbox (up to 8 players)
  • Towerfall (up to 6 players)
  • Just Dance (up to 6 players)
  • Everybody 1-2-Switch! (up to 8 players)
  • Runbow (up to 9 players)
  • Bomberman R (up to 8 players)
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (up to 8 players)

The Venga bus is comin' and everybody's jumpin'... ahem. That's it for our picks of the best Nintendo Switch party games. Have you had a blast at your hip, sexy rooftop party with something that isn't featured here? Let us know below and we just might add it to the list. Until then, party on Wayne, Garth, and all you lovely people.

This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.

Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!

If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.