14 Top 8-Player Switch Games that Make Parties Come Alive

• I couldn’t remember the last time my friends had a get-together without 8-player
• Switch
• games making an appearance. These titles bring everyone together for unforgettable party moments. I admit that finding 8-player games on
• Switch
• can be pretty tricky; most top titles only handle 2 to 4 players at a time. But you’re lucky since
• I’m going to share 14 amazing games here

.

These Nintendo Switch 8-player games are perfect for family events, game nights with friends, office parties with coworkers, competitive group sessions, and much more. If you’re looking for nonstop fun with your best pals, check out my top picks and 9 equally exciting multiplayers.

Our Top Picks for 8-Player Switch Games

• If your
• Switch
• games don’t handle 8 players, your game night’s missing half the fun. I narrowed down the best multiplayer options available on
• Nintendo Switch

that accommodate a larger group of people. These options include racing games, fighting games, TPS & FPS options, sandbox ones, survival games, and farming sims. Just to make sure that nobody in your family/friend circle feels left out. The best ones include:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

RACING

This thrilling racing game is packed with colorful tracks & iconic characters, making Mario Kart 8 Deluxe an easy winner in the 8-player category.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

FIGHTING

This one’s the ultimate fighting game with a big roster of all your favorite characters, letting 8 players duke it out in explosive battles, a more family-friendly alternative to Dragon Ball FighterZ.

Splatoon 3

SHOOTER

You can play this team-based shooter with your friends to enjoy ink-splatting fun with strategic play, making Splatoon 3 ideal for groups obsessed with cooperative & competitive gaming.

These five games represent a mere taste of what’s out there for a group of 8 people interested in Switch gaming. You should keep scrolling to explore my complete list of 14 Nintendo co-ops designed for an eightsome. Get ready to boost your team-building skills and add these amazing titles to your set of multiplayer all-time favorites. Your octet will never get tired of playing these.

14 Best 8-Player Switch Games to Enjoy with Your Pals

These best games I’ll list below are perfect for eight players; most games can be played on your own or with more than eight people (what else do we have AI for?). These are the best 8-player Switch games I recommend to everyone in my family & friend circle.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Ultimate Kart Racing Experience

• Our Score
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• Type of Game
• Multiplayer racing game
• Nintendo Switch
• Player Setup
• Local wireless (multiple consoles) up to 8; online up to 12; single-console max 4 split-screen
• Creator/s
• Nintendo
• Average Playtime
• 6 hours
• Best For
• Competitive and lightning-fast racing enthusiasts
• Metacritic Score

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

• is one of those rare racing games for
• Switch

that instantly brings a smile to my face whenever I play it. The controls are smooth and responsive, making it easy to jump right in but also offering skill depth for competitive players. I love the sheer variety of 48 tracks and 42 characters, including crowd favorites and some fun newcomers from Splatoon’s Inklings.

It’s perfect for 8-player local multiplayer, making family game nights and parties lively and full of laughter. The game runs at a crisp 60 FPS with stunning 1080p visuals in docked mode. The sound design is fantastic, from the jazzy soundtrack to the satisfying hits and item noises.

Pro tip

You can start drifting by holding the “R” button before corners to maintain and build speed. Watch the spark colors to gauge your boost level, aiming for purple for maximum acceleration. Use stunts off ramps to get brief speed boosts and gain an edge in races.

Plus, the new 200cc speed class adds a fresh, adrenaline-pumping challenge for veteran racers. The revamped Battle Mode finally gives me a fun alternative to traditional racing with chaotic multiplayer battles.

I admit that online play can sometimes be a little shaky, but it doesn’t stop the game from being addictive and highly replayable for kids & adults.

My Verdict:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

is the ultimate party and multiplayer racing game that delivers endless fun for players of all skill levels, ideal for an 8-player setting in family gatherings.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate [Crossover Fighting with Legendary Heroes]

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of Game Multiplayer fighting game Nintendo Switch Player Setup Local wireless (multiple consoles) up to 8; online multiplayer up to 8; single-console split-screen up to 4.

Creator/s Nintendo, Bandai Namco Average Playtime 15 to 45 minutes per match Best For Competitive brawling and casual fun fight fans Metacritic Score

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

is one of those games that instantly feels like a party magnet the moment you turn it on. I was blown away not just by the sheer volume of content, but also by how seamless the gameplay feels, whether you’re playing casually with friends or competitively.

The controls strike a perfect balance between accessibility for newcomers and deep mechanics for seasoned players, which makes it the best fighting game on Switch for family gatherings and intense multiplayer battles.

I love that you can get up to 8 players battling at once, which turns any party into a chaotic, fun-filled event that everyone can enjoy regardless of their age or skill level.

Pro tip

Pressing the “‘A” button performs basic attacks like punches, providing steady damage. For a more dynamic move, pressing the A button along with the jump button lets you leap slightly and execute an aerial attack against your opponent.

The game’s aesthetic (its music, character animations, attention to detail, etc.) is just charming and honors its rich legacy while pushing the series forward. New additions include big names like Sephiroth, Kazuya, and Sora, as well as an unexpected fighter (a Piranha Plant, and none of my friends were excited about it). Waluigi remains missing, much to my chagrin. If Luigi’s evil version was made available, I would’ve rated Smash Bros at the top of my list. But anyways…

My Verdict:

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

is the definitive multiplayer fighting game that delivers endless fun for both casual players and competitive fans alike.

Minecraft

Creative Freedom in a Pixelated World

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of Game Sandbox action adventure Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Mobile Player Setup Local wireless multiplayer up to 8 players (each with their own console and copy of the game); online multiplayer with cross-platform play 2011 (available on Nintendo Switch since 2017)

Creator/s Mojang Studios Average Playtime 50+ hours (varies significantly from player to player)

Best For

Creative building, exploration, survival gameplay, multiplayer cooperation and competition, etc.

Metacritic Score

Minecraft

has completely transformed how we experience virtual worlds. On Nintendo Switch, it brings that same boundless creativity with impressive portability.

You find yourself able to jump into multiplayer matches with up to 8 players either via split-screen or online is a game-changer for me.

Doesn’t matter if you’re building elaborate structures or exploring vast landscapes with your friends, the experience is seamless and engaging. The Switch version runs smoothly, keeping a solid performance at 720p in both handheld and docked modes. Controls are quite responsive, especially with the Pro Controller, although it’s a bit inconvenient that single Joy-Con play isn’t supported for split-screen co-op. But that’s something we have to learn to live without.

Pro tip

When exploring caves, a handy trick is to always place your torches on the left side as you go deeper; this way, when you turn around, the torches on your right guide you back out.

The absence of native voice chat makes coordinating with friends online slightly challenging, but the fun and freedom to create more than makes up for it. A 2GB world size limit means that the huge worlds you create eventually hit a cap; this cap restricts how far you can expand.

One of my favorite extras is the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, which adds nostalgic charm with familiar characters and music, enriching your exploration experience. The world size on Switch is a big step up from older portable editions; it allows for far larger and more detailed creations.

My Verdict:

As one of the most beloved survival games on Switch,

Minecraft

perfectly combines portability with expansive creativity and the multiplayer fun fans expect.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 [Skateboarding Action with Amazing Soundtrack]

• Our Score
• ☆
• ★
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• ★
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• Type of Game
• Skateboarding game
• Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, & Xbox Series X/S
• Player Setup
• Local split-screen up to 2 players; online multiplayer up to 8 players
• Creator/s
• Vicarious Visions
• Average Playtime
• 20 to 40 minutes per session
• Best For
• Skateboarding fans and trick lovers
• Metacritic Score

This one’s a brilliant remaster that brought back all the nostalgia of the classic games but with a fresh, modern polish. The trick system was smooth and responsive; It let me chain combos like manuals and reverts effortlessly. I could switch between the updated and original movesets. The levels were beautifully recreated; playing on the Switch let me enjoy fast sessions on the go.

Pro tip

A manual is a trick you do as you land from a flip or grab by pressing a combination like up then down on the D-pad just before touchdown. This makes you land on your front or back wheels, letting you keep moving forward with momentum. While in a manual, you need to constantly balance using your controller to maintain control and extend your combo.

I have to say that customization options are decent, letting you personalize your skater, while multiplayer is great fun for local competitions or online play. The controls can be tricky with the Joy-Cons, so I recommend a solid Switch controller for the best experience (especially with 8 players).

My Verdict:

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

delivers the perfect blend of nostalgia, a killer soundtrack, and smooth gameplay, a must-play skateboarding experience on the Switch.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Charming Ghost-Hunting Adventure

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of Game Adventures with puzzles Nintendo Switch Player Setup Local wireless or online co-op up to 8 players in ScareScraper mode (1-2 players per console, max 4 consoles); local multiplayer up to 8 players in ScreamPark mini-game mode (same console)

• Creator/s
• Nintendo
• Average Playtime
• 40 to 60 minutes per session
• Best For
• Puzzle and exploration fans
• Metacritic Score
• If you ask me for the best
• co-op multiplayer Switch game
• (for two people), I will mention

Luigi’s Mansion 3

• without stammering. This one is a fantastic multiplayer experience on the
• Switch
• (up to eight players allowed in
• ScareScraper and ScreamPark modes

with 4 consoles).

The main story mode is enjoyable solo or in 2-player co-op, where Luigi and Gooigi’s unique abilities complement each other, offering lots of room for teamwork and creativity. Each floor has a distinct theme, keeping the game fresh with challenging puzzles and hidden collectibles.

Pro tip Golden Bones in

Luigi’s Mansion 3

are like 1-up mushrooms; they revive Luigi if he loses all his hearts. You can get them from Dr. E. Gadd for 1000G, along with Boo and Gem trackers, and since money is plentiful, it’s wise to stock up on them.

ScareScraper is intense and requires coordination, making it a great pick for those who love cooperative gameplay. If you are partial to more casual fun, ScreamPark supports eight players locally, featuring mini-games that are light and entertaining, but don’t hold up to the story mode’s depth.

The vibrant comic-book art style and charmingly cheesy voice acting add an extra layer of fun to the whole experience. So,

Luigi’s Mansion 3

is perfect for parties and game nights.

My Verdict:

Luigi’s Mansion 3

offers a unique mix of spooky adventure and multiplayer fun, making it a must-play for family and friends on the Switch.

Farm Together [Farming Sim Multiplayer with Peaceful Vibes]

• Our Score
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• Type of Game
• Simulation and management
• Nintendo Switch, Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, & Xbox Series X/S
• Player Setup
• Online multiplayer up to 16 players
• Creator/s
• Milkstone Studios
• Average Playtime
• No set playtime
• Best For
• People who enjoy relaxing farming sims
• Metacritic Score
• If you have ever had this sudden urge to say
• adios

to city life and then start a quiet little farm somewhere with your family, I have the perfect game for you.

Farm Together

is a wonderfully relaxing farming simulation that I’ve found perfect for enjoying solo or with friends and family on the Switch.

The peaceful vibes it gives make it an ideal game for the whole family.

Pro tip

You should plant the same types of trees & fish together and label each area with a signpost. Focus on planting only the crops and trees you need for your current missions to complete them more quickly. You can unlock water sprinklers as early as possible to automate watering and efficiently manage your growing farm while planting new trees as you make progress.

I started with a modest vegetable farm, planting classic seeds like tomatoes, corn, and carrots, and gradually expanded into orchards filled with apple and orange trees. Over time, I diversified into raising animals like chickens and cows, which added new layers of farming fun. Growing herbs and flowers for decoration brought a personal touch to my farm’s design. Even my uncle with an actual farming background appreciated how well I did in this virtual world.

My Verdict:

Farm Together

offers an inviting and charming farming experience that’s ideal for relaxing solo or sharing the joy with friends and family online.

Knight Squad [Arcade-Style Battles with Medieval Weapon]

• Our Score
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• Type of Game
• Action-packed arcade game
• Nintendo Switch
• Player Setup
• Local split-screen up to 8 players; online multiplayer up to 8 players
• Creator/s
• Chainsawesome Games
• Average Playtime
• 10 to 30 minutes per match
• Best For
• Fast & chaotic multiplayer battle lovers
• Metacritic Score
• If you thought I was referring to that
• Nickelodeon

series from 2018, sorry to disappoint.

Knight Squad

is an absolute blast, especially when played with a group of friends or family.

This top-down arena brawler supports up to eight players, delivering frantic combat that’s equal parts chaotic and fun. I love how easy it is to pick up and play; you move around, swing swords, shoot crossbows, or wield one of the many crazy weapons that spawn throughout the match.

Each game mode has unique goals, ranging from classic deathmatches to capture-the-flag and king-of-the-hill style Gladiator battles, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Pro tip You should expect to die often in

Knight Squad

’s challenge mode since there are no shields, health bars, or checkpoints; one hit means restarting from the beginning. You must be patient and careful because surviving the challenges matters more than speed. Most challenges last around 5 minutes or less, so focus on staying alive rather than rushing through.

The variety of weapons and power-ups, like speed boosts, shields, and even mounting horses, add layers of strategy and silliness. My personal favorite is the Ripper, a rotating spiky disc that’s satisfying to throw around.

Matches are fast, and respawns happen quickly, which keeps the action nonstop.

The cartoonish graphics and playful sound effects make the game feel quite lighthearted but also very competitive.

My Verdict:

Knight Squad

is a chaotic and accessible multiplayer brawler that’s perfect for lively local parties and competitive gaming sessions on the Switch.