How to Play Nintendo Switch with 2 Players: A Set-Up Guide

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Plus, discover the best 2-player games for the Switch

Written by Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: April 9, 2025 Fact Checked

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Setting Up Two-Player Mode

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Best Two Player Games

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The Nintendo Switch is a popular gaming console with lots of fun two-player games to choose from. If you’re ready to battle it out with your friends or family, this article will teach you how to set up and play with 2 players on the Nintendo Switch. Plus, we’ve gathered some of the best multiplayer Switch games to get you started.

How to Play 2-Player on Nintendo Switch

Detach the Joy-Con controllers from the Switch and attach the wrist straps.
Open the controller settings menu and click Change Grip/Order .
Turn both Joy-Cons sideways and press the L and R buttons.
Select a game that supports two-player mode.
Follow the on-screen instructions to start two-player mode.

Section 1 of 3:

Setting Up 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch

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To detach the Joy-Con controllers, pick up the Nintendo Switch and turn it over. Press and hold the round button on the back of the Joy-Con controller next to the ZL and ZR buttons. Slide the Joy-Con up to detach it. Do the same for the Joy-Con controller on the other side. ^{[1]
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Attach the Joy-Con straps. The straps are the thin pieces with two buttons and a wrist strap attached. The Joy-Con straps have a “+” or “-” engraved on the top. Line these up with the “+” and “-” buttons on the Joy-Con controller. Slide the opening at the bottom of the strap over the track on the side of the Joy-Con controller until it snaps in place. ^{[2]
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- To remove the Joy-Con straps, pull the gray tab at the bottom of the strap and slide it up.
- If one player is using the Pro Controller, the other player can place both Joy-Cons in the Joy-Con controller holder that turns both of them into a single controller.
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Open the controller settings menu and select Change Grip/Order . The icon on your Switch’s home screen that resembles a Joy-Con is the controller settings menu. This is where you can set up the controllers for two players. Once you’ve opened the menu, select Change Grip/Order . It’s the first option in the menu. ^{[3]
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- You can select items on the Nintendo Switch by tapping them on the screen or navigating to them with the controller and pressing A .
If you are using the Joy-Cons to play two players, turn both Joy-Cons sideways with the analog stick to the left. Press the two buttons (R & L) on top of the strap. If you are using a Pro Controller or other controller setup, press R & L on both controllers that you want to use. ^{[4]
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There are a variety of two-player Nintendo Switch games you can purchase from the Nintendo eShop or a store. Check the information on the back of the game or on the information page of the Nintendo eShop to see how many players a game supports. When you find a game you like, select the multiplayer/two-player mode on the title screen to start a two-player game. ^{[5]
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Section 2 of 3:

Best 2-Player Nintendo Switch Games

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Mario Kart Mario Kart is a classic competitive racing game enjoyed by people of all ages! The game allows for 8-player local co-op or 12-player racing online. Choose one of 42 characters to play as and race your friends on one of 48 tracks on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe . ^{[6]
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Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a cozy game in which you set out to create an island paradise filled with cute animal characters. Up to 4 players can play together on the same island on the same Nintendo Switch system, and you can also invite up to 8 friends to visit your island via local wireless or online play. ^{[7]
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Fortnite Fortnite is a popular game in which players battle against each other to be the last one standing. While Fortnite is most known for being an online multiplayer game, it’s also possible to play it with a friend via split-screen on Nintendo Switch. ^{[8]
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Mortal Kombat 11 Mortal Kombat 11 is the newest game in the Mortal Kombat franchise, in which you fight against other players. The game supports two-player gameplay, allowing you to play against a friend using the Joy-Cons. You can also play with up to 3 players online. ^{[9]
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FIFA 24 If sports games are more your thing, FIFA 24 , officially called FC 24 , is a great multiplayer option. This soccer game allows you to play multiplayer by connecting a second pair of Joy-Cons or a Pro Controller to your Nintendo Switch. You can also use the Split Joy-Con feature to play 1v1 or 1+1 Co-op without additional equipment. ^{[10]
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Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons follows two brothers on a quest to collect the Water of Life to cure their sick father. This action-adventure game allows you to play solo or with a friend, as one brother is controlled by a thumbstick and the other by the D-pad. ^{[11]
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate If you want to play against your friends rather than work with them, Super Smash Bros. may be the game for you. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate , choose one of your favorite Nintendo characters and battle your friend in combat. ^{[12]
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It Takes Two It Takes Two is a popular co-op game that follows a couple who, after deciding to separate, are turned into two small dolls. They then have to work together to change back and help their daughter. This game is all about teamwork and communication, making it the perfect game for two players. ^{[13]
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Snipperclips Snipperclips is an underrated action puzzle game that can be played co-op or competitively. Play as characters Snip and Clip to solve puzzles by cutting them into different shapes. Two players can work together on the main adventure, and up to 4 can play in the Party and Blitz modes. ^{[14]
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Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a unique co-op puzzle game in which players must actively communicate to win. One player is in a room with a bomb, while the other is in a room with the manual. The player with the bomb must describe what they see to the player with the manual, who will then explain what to do to diffuse it. ^{[15]
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Section 3 of 3:

Playing Nintendo Switch FAQs

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1

Can you play 2-player on the Nintendo Switch without a TV? Yes, you can use the tabletop or handheld modes to play 2-player on the Nintendo Switch without a TV. To use tabletop mode, fold out the kickstand and play with the built-in screen. To use handheld mode, hold the Switch console with the Joy-Con controllers attached and play on the built-in screen. ^{[16]
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How do you connect two controllers to the Nintendo Switch? From the home screen, select Controllers , then Change Grip/Order . Pair the controllers you want to play with in order, following the instructions on the screen. Note that on the “Change Grip/Order” screen, you can only pair up to 4 controllers. ^{[17]
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How do you change Player 1 to Player 2 on the Nintendo Switch? To change which controller is Player 1, go to the home screen, select Controllers , then Change Grip/Order . Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the Joy-Cons in the correct order. When playing online, the player who set up the online game must press ZL + ZR to open the Suspend Menu, then press Y or select Swap P1 to swap between Player 1 and Player 2. ^{[18]
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How do you play 2-player on Nintendo Switch with one controller? To play 2-player with only one controller, detach both Joy-Cons and press the SL and SR buttons simultaneously on each controller to register them as a single controller. ^{[19]
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Community Q&A

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Question

One of my controllers broke. Two of the buttons do not work. What should I do?

Community Answer

You should contact Nintendo's customer service. They can probably fix your controller.

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How can I connect two players to Minecraft on my Nintendo Switch if I only have one joystick?

Community Answer

Simply, you cannot. You may want to invest in another joycon or other Nintendo controller.

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Is it possible to assign a player to #2 automatically on a Nintendo Switch?

Community Answer

For certain games, yes. If you have played two-player before, then it should be able to pair up automatically if you click the "sl" and "sr" buttons.

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How to Play Nintendo Switch with 2 Players: A Set-Up Guide

How to Play 2-Player on Nintendo Switch

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Setting Up 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch

Best 2-Player Nintendo Switch Games

Playing Nintendo Switch FAQs

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

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