Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Four players, one screen, one of Nintendo's most polished platformers. That sounds simple because it is, but the execution is what separates this from the shelf of co-op games that technically support multiple players without ever feeling built for them. The camera in 3D World forces everyone to stay in proximity, which sounds like a limitation until you realise it is actually the game's best trick. Everyone is responsible for not falling behind. Chaos is constant but readable. The Bowser's Fury mode thrown in at no extra cost is a solo extra, not the main event, but it adds value. If you have kids old enough to handle a 3D platformer, this is the family co-op game on Switch.

Mario 3D World does something no other entry on this list does quite as cleanly: it lets one person be better than the other without that being a problem. The stronger player carries where needed, the less experienced partner still feels involved, and neither is waiting around. I have played through several Mario co-op campaigns with people who rarely touch games, and this one is the friendliest entry point in the series for that exact situation. Bowser's Fury is a bonus, a standalone open-world chase that works well as a short palette cleanser when you have finished the main campaign and want something different for an evening.

Where Wonder keeps everyone on equal footing, 3D World lets the chaos happen. Four players each picking a character with distinct abilities, bumping into each other on platforms, accidentally stealing power-ups, arguing about who gets Cat Mario. I find this one funnier than Wonder in a session with adults, and the level design has more room for skilled players to do something clever while others just try to survive. Bowser's Fury adds a bonus two-player mode that plays completely differently. Two Mario games for the price of one that actually feel distinct from each other is a good deal. A slight edge to Wonder for pure accessibility, but for a slightly older group this might honestly be the better couch game.

Two games for the price of one, and both work properly for two players. The main 3D World campaign is polished and well-paced, with enough variety across worlds to stay interesting for the full run. Then Bowser's Fury gives you something tighter and more freeform as a bonus. I personally find the shared-screen scramble in 3D World slightly chaotic compared to Rayman's side-scrolling clarity, which is part of why it sits here rather than higher. But for Nintendo fans who want a proper Mario co-op campaign, this package is the most content you will get in one purchase.

This bright 4-player platformer blends polished controls and clever level design with a co-op structure welcoming all ages. The bubble system and simple move set make it easy for beginners to stay involved while hidden secrets keep veterans engaged. The only drawback is camera struggles when everyone sprints in different directions, but for families it's a near-essential choice.

Four-player platforming balances playfulness with structure through short modular levels and quick resets. Character differences enable organic role specialization while competitive scoring nudges friendly rivalry without derailing progress. The port runs smoothly in crowded scenes keeping inputs precise, and the breadth of levels sustains multiple sittings with different squads.