Playing multiplayer games on handheld devices can be anything from a fast match with someone nearby – like on a train – to a longer online session at home. The games listed here are easy to connect to and offer quick, fun matches. We’ve included options for local wireless play, co-op on a single system, and online connections across a variety of consoles like Switch, 3DS, Vita, and PSP. For each game, you’ll find details about how many players can join, how to connect, and what the multiplayer experience is like, so you can start playing quickly.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
As a racing fan, I’m really excited about how many ways we can play with friends! On the Switch, up to eight of us can race together locally – everyone just needs their own console. If you don’t have that many, up to four players can share a single Switch, either on the go or on the TV. And for those times when friends are far away, online races let you compete with big groups, whether it’s with people you know or random players. Just a heads-up, if you’re doing local wireless, make sure everyone has the latest version of the game and is close enough to connect!
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The Nintendo Switch lets up to eight players game together locally, even with multiple consoles. You can also have up to eight players on one Switch, but smaller screens are better for fewer people. Online, you can battle friends in private arenas and customize the rules. A good controller and a stable internet connection are key for a smooth gaming experience.
Splatoon 3
This Switch game lets up to four players team up online for competitive Turf War and Ranked matches. You can also play Salmon Run, a cooperative mode where you and up to three friends fight waves of enemies. Plus, you can create custom battles with friends, choosing teams and maps. To play online, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Monster Hunter Rise
In Monster Hunter on Switch, up to four players can team up online or locally to complete quests. The game keeps your progress separate for Village and Hub quests, so cooperative play centers around Hub quests. Any items you craft or armor you collect will be available whether you’re playing alone or with others. You can chat with your teammates using the Nintendo Switch Online app or another voice chat service.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Union Circle allows up to four trainers to play together in the same open world. You can trade Pokémon and battle with friends or other players online. Tera Raid Battles make it easy to team up quickly and battle strong Pokémon, and you can also play with nearby friends using local wireless connections, even without internet.
Mario Party Superstars
Okay, so this Switch game is awesome for parties! We can all play together – up to four of us – either on one Switch or using local wireless. If we want to play with friends online, we can do full board game matches, or if we just want something quick, there are mini-game playlists. The best part is, if someone’s connection drops mid-game, we don’t lose all our progress! Just a heads-up though, the mini-games need pretty good timing, so everyone needs to be consistent with their button presses.
Overcooked! 2
Overcooked! 2 lets up to four players team up and cook together, either locally on a single Switch console or online. It’s easy to find or create games with quick matchmaking and private lobbies for playing with friends. Success depends on working together to chop ingredients, cook dishes, and get orders out on time. The Switch’s handheld screen works well for two to four players as long as you’re all sitting nearby.
Among Us
This game of hidden roles lets lots of players join online, whether they’re on Nintendo Switch or mobile devices. If you’re playing with people in the same room, you can chat with them directly. Players on mobile can also play with friends on other devices. Creating a private game is simple – just use a code to invite your friends.
Tetris 99
This battle royale game for Nintendo Switch challenges you to compete against up to 98 other players online. You can also set up private games with friends. Regular events and new themes help keep the game fresh and engaging, and the controls feel great even during extended play sessions.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
You can play with up to eight friends online on the same island, or with up to four friends locally via wireless. You can also control who can make changes to your island using Best Friend settings. Inviting friends is easy with Airports and Dodo Codes.
Diablo III: Eternal Collection
As a Diablo fan, I’m really excited about the Switch version! It’s awesome that up to four of us can play together on the same system – perfect for couch co-op nights. And if we want to play with even more friends locally, we can link multiple Switches without needing the internet! Plus, both the seasonal characters and Adventure Mode support online play, which is great. The best part? Everyone gets their own loot, because the game generates drops specifically for each player. No more fighting over who gets the best gear!
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Up to four players can team up for hunts on Nintendo 3DS using a local wireless connection. While online lobbies and matchmaking are no longer available, local play still works. Players can choose from a variety of weapons and armor skills, allowing them to specialize in different roles within a team. The StreetPass feature lets you exchange guild cards and trade items even when you’re not actively playing with others.
Mario Kart 7
This 3DS racing game lets up to eight players compete together locally using wireless connections. While online races were once available, they are no longer supported. Local multiplayer still works great! If you only have one game cartridge, you can use Download Play to let friends join in, though with some limitations. As you play, you’ll unlock new parts to customize your racer, including gliders, bodies, and wheels.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Players can quickly connect nearby handheld devices for local wireless battles. While online matchmaking was available when the service was active, local battles are still playable. If turned on, players can also share custom moves and stages during local play. The game offers comfortable controls with both Circle Pad and customizable button options.
Pokémon Sun and Moon
The 3DS lets you battle and trade Pokémon with friends nearby. While online features like Festival Plaza are no longer available, local wireless play still works. You can have exciting four-player battles with two teams. Features like QR codes and Wonder Trade helped players collect a wider variety of Pokémon.
WipEout 2048
PS Vita lets you race online with other players in fast-paced, anti-gravity competitions across different vehicle classes and tracks. You could also play with players on PS3 if you both owned compatible game content, creating larger multiplayer lobbies. The game regularly features rotating time trial and combat challenges, and you can connect with nearby PS Vita owners for local multiplayer.
Freedom Wars
Vita’s cooperative action game lets up to eight players team up online for missions. You can also play locally with nearby friends without needing an internet connection. Players can craft weapons and use a unique movement system called ‘thorn’ to quickly get around and fulfill different roles within their team. The game also features competitive player-versus-player modes where teams battle for control of objectives.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
In the PSP version, up to four players can team up for hunts using a local wireless connection. The difficulty of quests adjusts based on how well players work together and the quality of their equipment. Players can combine items and farm for resources to better prepare for hunts as a group. While online play requires some extra setup, the local wireless connection is the most reliable way to play with friends.
Phantasy Star Portable 2
This game lets up to four players team up locally, choosing different character classes and using special abilities called photon arts. As you play, missions get harder and reward better items. When the game had online services, players could create lobbies and trade with each other, but local co-op is still available. You can customize your character to fill specific roles in a party, such as healer, close-combat fighter, or long-range attacker.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
In Game Boy Advance games, up to four players can connect their systems with link cables to explore dungeons together. Each player has their own unique view of the dungeon, with private rooms or secret passages appearing only on their screen. Players pool their rupees to work towards common rewards. Solving puzzles often requires teamwork, like sharing items and activating switches simultaneously.
I love thinking back to all the fun I’ve had playing with friends on handheld consoles! If you’re like me and have some awesome multiplayer memories, I’d love to hear about them. Also, what game do you still fire up and play with others even now?
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2025-10-24 17:48