The most difficult co-op games on the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is typically viewed as a more casual console, so hardcore gaming groups looking for a challenge will usually look elsewhere. However, more and more game developers have noticed Switch players' appetite for challenges and are starting to target the Nintendo Switch alongside other consoles.

There have never been harder Switch games than there are now. These games cover every genre, and many of them are either co-op or have co-op built in. This is fantastic news for players who want to lose over and over again until they finally experience the satisfaction of a hard-fought victory.

6 Monster Hunter Rise

Difficult mechanics and tough boss fights

Monster Hunter Rise is basically “boss battle, the game.” It's one of the most fun co-op games out there, which is no surprise given the concept. Players must work together to defeat giant monsters by either killing them or capturing them. Players can choose from many different weapons and craft new versions of their weapons and armor from the materials they collect from monsters. It's important to bring a balanced team into battle – especially when players are facing off against endgame monsters.

Players only receive three lives during a mission in Monster Hunter Riseand these lives are distributed among all participants of the mission. This makes the game even more difficult, because if one player has problems with a certain boss, both players are punished and have to restart the entire mission. In addition, some monsters are just extremely difficult and you have to learn attack patterns and take the right equipment with you, and Monster Hunter Rise is by far one of the hardest games on the Switch. This also means that you can play it practically forever without it getting boring or feeling too easy.

5 Don’t starve together

Ruthless survival roguelike

Don’t starve together is technically a roguelike, meaning its main goal is to kill players eventually. However, the game relies much more heavily on survival mechanics; there is just a random lack of respawning. While many survival games make it difficult or tedious to get started, start building a base, and gather resources, Don’t starve together takes it to another level.

Related

The 5 best co-op deck builders

Deckbuilders are typically single-player games, so these cooperative deckbuilding games are a really refreshing change in the genre.

Players should expect to lose almost immediately in their first few playthroughs. Don’t starve together. While it may sound easy to ensure there is enough food, sometimes it is impossible to find berry bushes at a critical time. Additionally, players are subject to daily time limits as they must avoid being caught in the dark without a campfire (and fuel for the fire).

4 For the King

Co-op board game, role-playing game

For the King 2

Systems

Released

July 8, 2023

developer

Ironoak Games

editor

Curve games

For the King is a game that requires players to think about each and every move. The game places players on a hexagonal board and lets them move to complete the story and side missions. They also need to purchase weapons and defeat enemies in turn-based battles. Even combat requires careful planning of each turn, as players must minimize the damage they take and the resources they consume.

For the King is one of the best co-op roguelikes on the Switch for players who want to play something similar to classic RPGs. However, it's also one of the most difficult, as players are always racing against time. This requires a lot of teamwork and communication to succeed, and requires players to split up, multitask, and even share resources like gold and gear. So playing renegade will set you up to fail every time.

3 Rain risk 2

Third-person roguelike with RNG

Players looking for a more classic roguelike co-op game where each run starts from the beginning will love it Rain risk 2. During a run, players must essentially defeat hordes of bosses and monsters while collecting random power-ups that may or may not mesh with the rest of their build.

There are many classes in Rain risk 2 to choose from, so the difficulty in co-op starts with building a strong team composition. During a run, however, the difficulty really ramps up. Levels can be very chaotic – especially when all players have a ton of power-ups at their disposal and are trying to destroy the game!

2 Caving 2

Phenomenal side-scrolling roguelike dungeon delve

There are very few great 2D co-op games with the notoriety and infamy of Caving 2 and its predecessor. Players who have a series of Caving 2 You should be prepared to die over and over again from a variety of unfair and silly things, whether it's enemies, natural disasters, or random traps placed in a very sneaky way.

Related

10 games you should play if you liked Spelunky 2

Did you enjoy Spelunky 2? Then check out these games that are sure to satisfy your roguelike cravings.

Although it can be incredibly difficult, Caving 2 is still a lot of fun. It has randomly generated levels and the platforming gameplay is exciting and addictive. Not to mention, there's nothing more satisfying than finally completing a level with a friend after countless frenzied defeats!

1 Enter the Gungeon

Chaotic bullet spamming roguelike

Very few games have such perfect and descriptive names as Enter the Gungeon. Enter the Gungeon is a fantastic roguelike game and is even more chaotic and difficult in co-op than in single player. Thanks to its pixel graphics and twin-stick shooter gameplay, it's also the perfect game for Switch co-op.

Essentially, players must dodge countless streams of bullets and projectiles throughout the duration of their game. Enter the Gungeon. There is hardly any break in the action, and that is what makes the game so great. Enter the Gungeon is perfect for bullet hell fans looking for a fun co-op experience.

7:20

More

The 18 best 4-player co-op games

A group of friends can have hours of fun with the following cooperative games.