The Best Nintendo Switch Games to Play as a Family
Discover our favorite Nintendo Switch games to play as a family, with age suggestions, player counts, and tips for your next family game night!
Our Favorite Nintendo Switch Games to Play as a Family
I love a family game night, and some of our favorites involve picking up controllers and playing together! If you’re looking for Nintendo Switch games to play as a family, these are games we’ve enjoyed, along with a few of my personal favorites I’d recommend for older kids. From building a world together to racing each other or trying to keep a spaceship running, there’s something for different ages and experience levels.
Below, I’m sharing what each game is about, suggested ages, whether you work together or compete, and what parents should know before buying. I’ve also included how many people can play and which games work on the original Switch and Switch 2 so you can find a good fit for your next family game night!
1. Minecraft
Minecraft is our favorite game to play as a family we even have Minecraft Mondays! Whether we’re playing Creative or Survival, everyone has something they love to do. I love building, Grant loves mining, and the boys love exploring. We each bring something different to our little world, and working together is what makes it so much fun.
Short description: Explore a world made of blocks, gather resources, and build everything from small houses to enormous shared creations.
- Suggested ages: Official rating: E10+. If recommending it for younger children, explain the adult support and settings you suggest.
- Teamwork or competition: Mainly teamwork in a shared family world.
- Players on one console: Up to 4 in split-screen on the Switch version, using a suitable TV setup.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch; the Switch version also works on Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: Explain Creative versus Survival mode. Creative emphasizes building, while Survival adds resource management, enemies, and combat. Include how to keep family play private and manage access to online features.
- Where to buy: See my Amazon store
2. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is one of my favorite Nintendo Switch games to play as a family! It’s rated 10+, but I’ve been playing with my boys since they were 7. Everyone has a job on the spaceship, from steering to controlling the shields or weapons, so you can give a simpler job to a less experienced player. You have to communicate and work together to keep the ship going, which is what makes it so much fun!
Short description: Work together to control a colorful spaceship, taking turns steering, operating shields, and firing weapons while rescuing space creatures.
- Suggested ages: 10+, with younger experienced players potentially needing adult help. ESRB: E10+.
- Teamwork or competition: Teamwork.
- Players on one console: Up to 4.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: Everyone shares control of the ship, so communication matters. Battles can get hectic, making this a good choice for families who enjoy working through a challenge together.
- Where to buy: Digital Copy Nintendo.com
3. Boomerang Fu
Boomerang Fu is always a party favorite and one of our go to Nintendo Switch games to play as a family or when friends come over. The rounds are quick, a little chaotic, and always get us laughing! You can play with up to six people on one console, making it perfect for game nights when four player spots just aren’t enough.
Short description: Play as cute food characters and battle with boomerangs, dodges, and unexpected power-ups in quick rounds.
- Suggested ages: Around 7+ for gameplay difficulty; add the official ESRB rating from your game listing.
- Teamwork or competition: Competition, with team options.
- Players on one console: Up to 6.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: The controls are simple, but rounds move quickly. Despite the cute appearance, characters slice one another apart in cartoon food battles. Eliminated players wait for the next round.
- Where to buy: Digital Copy Nintendo.com
4. Overcooked: All You Can Eat
Overcooked is one of my most played games I could spend hours playing it! It can get challenging, especially for younger kids, so I haven’t tried it with my boys yet. I’d recommend it for families with older kids who want a fun teamwork challenge. It’s also one parents can get just as hooked on as their kids!
Short description: Become a team of chefs preparing ingredients, cooking meals, and washing dishes in increasingly ridiculous kitchens.
- Suggested ages: Around 8+ with adult help. ESRB: E.
- Teamwork or competition: Mainly teamwork, with competitive challenges available.
- Players on one console: Up to 4.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: Simple controls don’t necessarily mean an easy game! Time limits and changing kitchens can get stressful. Assigning each person a job helps everyone work together.
- Where to buy: There are several versions of Overcooked, which can get confusing! I recommend Overcooked! All You Can Eat, which includes remastered versions of Overcooked!, Overcooked! 2, and all their additional content in one package.
5. Just Dance
Just Dance is one of our favorite Nintendo Switch games to play as a family, especially with a mix of older and younger kids! Even the little ones can dance along without getting every move right. We love how it gets everyone moving, laughing, and joining in!
Short description: Follow dancers on the screen and copy their choreography while dancing to familiar songs.
- Suggested ages: Around 6+ for following routines; review the song content and rating for your edition.
- Teamwork or competition: Both or simply dance together without worrying about scores.
- Players on one console: Up to 6 in Just Dance 2026.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 using the compatible Just Dance app for the 2026 edition.
- What parents should know:Song lists, controller options, and internet requirements vary by edition. You don’t need a subscription to enjoy the songs included with your game there are plenty to dance to! If you want more variety, compatible editions offer extra songs through an optional Just Dance+ subscription. Make sure everyone has enough room to move!
- Where to buy: Just Dance releases a new edition each year with a different mix of popular hits and classic favorites. You can grab the newest edition or browse the song lists and choose the one your family will have the most fun dancing to!
6. Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!
Snipperclips is one of my favorite Nintendo Switch games to play as a family because you have to talk through ideas and work together to solve each puzzle. It also made my list of [problem-solving games for kids], where I share more favorites that encourage kids to think creatively, test ideas, and try again when something doesn’t work!
Short description: Cut your paper characters into different shapes to solve puzzles, move objects, and complete challenges together.
- Suggested ages: Around 6+ with help. ESRB: E.
- Teamwork or competition: Primarily teamwork, with competitive extras.
- Players on one console: 1–2 in World mode; up to 4 in Party and Blitz modes.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: Not every mode supports four people. The puzzles encourage talking through ideas and testing solutions, although younger children may need guidance. Specify whether you recommend the original game or Snipperclips Plus.
- Where to buy: See Amazon Store
7. Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeons is one Grant and I enjoy playing just as much as the boys! We love teaming up to explore levels, battle enemies, and find new gear together. It’s also a great option for families with older kids looking for a fun game to play together on family game night.
Short description: Explore Minecraft-themed levels, battle enemies, collect equipment, and complete missions together.
- Suggested ages: 10+. ESRB: E10+.
- Teamwork or competition: Teamwork.
- Players on one console: Up to 4.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: This is a combat-focused adventure, so don’t expect the building experience of regular Minecraft. Younger players may need help choosing equipment and managing increasingly difficult battles
- Where to buy: The original Minecraft Dungeons is the one we’ve played and enjoyed as a family. Minecraft Dungeons II just came out, so that’s another option to check out, although we haven’t tried it yet!
8. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Short description: Choose familiar video game characters and battle to knock opponents off the stage.
- Suggested ages: 10+. ESRB: E10+.
- Teamwork or competition: Competition, including team battles.
- Players on one console: Up to 8 with enough controllers.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: This is a fighting game with cartoon violence and some suggestive themes. The action can be visually busy. Practice rounds and team battles can help beginners learn before competing individually.
- Where to buy: See Amazon Store
9. Super Mario Party
There are lots of Mario Party games to choose from, and this series is so fun to play as a family! You can revisit the original Nintendo 64 games—Mario Party, Mario Party 2, and Mario Party 3—with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. There are also newer games sold separately, including Super Mario Party, Mario Party Superstars, and Super Mario Party Jamboree. Between the game boards, silly minigames, and unexpected wins, there’s plenty to keep everyone laughing!
Short description: Travel around a virtual board collecting coins and stars, with short minigames between turns.
- Suggested ages: Around 6+ with help reading instructions. ESRB: E.
- Teamwork or competition: Both, depending on the mode.
- Players on one console: Up to 4.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: Luck can change the outcome, so winning isn’t entirely about skill. Board games take longer than individual minigames. Include the controller requirements for your setup and confirm that your post covers the original Super Mario Party, rather than Superstars or Jamboree.
- Where to buy: See Amazon Store
10. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Super Mario 3D World is one of my all time favorite games! I’d recommend it for families with older kids or more experienced players, since some of the jumps and levels can get tricky. It’s such a fun adventure to tackle together and one I’m always happy to play again!
Short description: Run, jump, collect power-ups, and explore imaginative Mario levels together.
- Suggested ages: Around 6+ with help. ESRB: E.
- Teamwork or competition: Mainly teamwork, with friendly competition over points.
- Players on one console: Up to 4 in Super Mario 3D World; up to 2 in Bowser’s Fury.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: The package contains two different adventures with different player limits. Some jumps and later levels are challenging, so experienced players may need to slow down for beginners.
- Where to Buy: See Amazon Store
11. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Short description: Race Nintendo characters around colorful tracks, using items to speed ahead or slow down the competition.
- Suggested ages: Around 5+ with driving assists. ESRB: E.
- Teamwork or competition: Competition, with team options.
- Players on one console: Up to 4.
- Playable on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
- What parents should know: Smart Steering and auto-acceleration help beginners participate. Items and surprise attacks keep races unpredictable, so even experienced players won’t always win
- Where to buy: See Amazon Store
Our Favorite Controllers for Family Game Night
Planning to play with the whole family? You might need extra controllers! Some games let each person use a single Joy-Con, while others require a pair or a compatible full-size controller per player. Check your game’s requirements so everyone can join in on family game night!
Do I buy Physical or Digital?
Nintendo Switch games come in two forms: physical copies are little cartridges you insert into your console, while digital copies download directly onto it. I like physical copies for families with multiple kids, especially if they each have a Switch it’s easier to pass the cartridge between them and take turns, although one copy doesn’t let everyone play on separate consoles at once.
You can also buy used, lend, or resell them. For classics like Mario Kart that I know we’ll keep playing, I prefer digital because there’s nothing to lose or swap out! Digital games use storage space and are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them, with extra rules for sharing. A mix of both works great: physical for flexibility and digital for convenience. Just check the packaging, since some boxes contain only a download code, and even cartridge games may require downloads.
