Best Co-Op Survival Games On The Nintendo Switch

Highlights

Survival games on the Nintendo Switch offer relaxing resource management, base building, and farming, perfect for handheld mode play.
The Switch has a variety of survival game options for both hardcore gamers and those seeking a more casual experience with friends.
From battling bosses and gathering resources in Portal Knights to taming dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved, the Switch has it all.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that these three games are absolute gems for those who love to build, explore, and survive in a cooperative setting.

Playing survival games on Nintendo Switch offers a comfortable experience, as there’s nothing quite as calming as gathering resources, constructing a cozy base, and farming while in handheld mode. It becomes even more enjoyable when you add friends to the mix! Worth noting is that the Nintendo Switch offers much more than just light survival games.

Hey there fellow gamer! If you’re on the hunt for a challenging survival game that pushes your gaming skills to the limit, or if you’re looking for something fresh with an unexpected twist, the Nintendo Switch has got you covered. Whether it’s the familiar mechanics of survival games you crave, or you’re after a unique blend of genres or an intriguing setting for your survival game fix, this versatile console has a plethora of options just waiting to be discovered!

6 Portal Knights

Sandbox RPG Survival Made Better With Friends

Best Co-Op Survival Games On The Nintendo Switch

Release Date: May 18, 2017
Genre: ARPG, Survival
Developer: Keen Games
Publisher: 505 Games

Many survival games primarily concentrate on resource management, fighting, and constructing bases extensively. However, Portal Knights pushes the formula a notch higher by incorporating various role-playing game (RPG) aspects. Players can select from traditional RPG roles such as Mage, Warrior, or Ranger and journey to randomly generated islands where they engage in battles with bosses, collect resources, and delve into an immersive world of exploration.

Players who enjoy survival games will find Portal Knights comfortable, as it emphasizes resource collection and base construction. While it doesn’t offer the same level of survival intensity as some other games, it is ideal for those seeking a less demanding survival experience, particularly groups that appreciate RPG elements and challenging boss battles.

5 ARK: Survival Evolved

Open World Dinosaur Taming That Tests Your Resolve

Fans seeking the traditional survival elements such as resource accumulation, exploration, base construction, and a touch of combat will be captivated by the game ARK: Survival Evolved, as it offers these features along with the unique advantage of dinosaur allies! ARK is undeniably one of the finest survival adventures available on the Switch, making it an ideal choice for players who enjoy a more challenging and time-intensive gaming experience.

Even after the grind in Ark: Survival Evolved, there’s still a world of excitement waiting. You can traverse various landscapes and train dinosaurs to your heart’s content. The game becomes even more enjoyable when played with companions as it allows each player to pursue individual goals without having to juggle numerous tasks simultaneously. Plus, the thrill of exploring and adventuring on dinosaur back with friends is simply unmatched!

4 Grounded

Survive In The Backyard Against Ants, Spiders, And More

In a fresh take on the survival genre, Grounded presents an engaging twist. Unlike traditional games where players are left stranded on isolated islands or battling through post-apocalyptic landscapes relying on their first-person shooting abilities, Grounded transports players to a setting that is both ordinary and comfortingly familiar: the backyard! Yet, it also reduces players to the size of insects, introducing challenges never before considered by survival gamers (such as scaling a baseball).

One delightful aspect of playing ‘Grounded’ in a team setup is sharing the story’s discovery journey and relishing an exclusive survival adventure. Instead of felling trees, players are tasked with harvesting mushrooms. Familiar tasks like base construction, resource acquisition, and crafting are still present, making it feel homely while offering a refreshing take on the genre by introducing an innovative twist.

3 Dragon Quest Builders 2

Minecraft Meets Dragon Quest In This Epic Adventure

Dragon Quest Builders 2 combines elements from building games such as Minecraft and colony management games like Rimworld. This blend allows players to explore different islands, reconstruct the towns, and unfold the narrative – a delightful addition since this is part of the Dragon Quest series!

Players seeking a construction-oriented game similar to Minecraft but with a touch of structure will find themselves smitten with Dragon Quest Builders. It stands out as one of the finest cooperative games across all platforms, offering an experience much like Minecraft, where there’s always something to engage in and unleash their creative minds. The game offers endless possibilities for building structures and exploring locations together. Constructing a complex town with friends is nothing short of rewarding.

2 Don’t Starve Together

Gothic 2D Survival Roguelike

As a seasoned gamer with years of survival game experience under my belt, I can confidently say that “Don’t Starve Together” is one of the most captivating and challenging games I’ve ever played. This 2D roguelike masterpiece has an undeniable allure that draws you in, making it almost impossible to put down once you start playing.

The appeal of the Don’t Starve series lies primarily in its captivating artwork, yet it’s the gameplay that effectively keeps players engaged. It’s perfect for teams seeking an ominous and somber ambiance combined with challenging survival mechanics. Don’t Starve Together, a standout co-op game, is particularly impressive even on the Switch. Players should be prepared to meet their demise frequently only to start again, but with a dash of good fortune, a single session could last for weeks.

1 Terraria

Addicting Side-Scrolling Sandbox

By now, it’s fair to say that almost everyone is either familiar with or has experienced playing Terraria. There’s a compelling explanation behind why its devotees continue to invest countless hours into the game even in solo mode. The game offers an abundance of activities, ranging from locating and battling bosses, constructing intricate structures, hiring NPCs, optimizing impressive designs – players will find themselves constantly spoiled for choice with no end to the tasks at hand. To top it off, the graphics are a delight for pixel art enthusiasts and truly shine on the Nintendo Switch.

Terraria offers unique survival elements such as hunger management, base construction, and resource collection. Although there are limited resources to manage primarily focusing on hunger and health, Terraria still satisfies the survival craving for those seeking a game that doesn’t entirely revolve around survival mechanics. One of the perks of playing with friends is that one player can focus on procuring food, another on resource gathering for the base, while another gathers essential items to summon a boss. This way, everyone will have their role, and exploring the world together is simply exhilarating.

2024-08-11 13:34