The Nintendo Switch is usually seen as a rather casual console, so more hardcore gaming groups, looking for a challenge, will usually look elsewhere. However, more and more game developers have noticed the lust for difficulty among Switch players and have started targeting the Nintendo Switch along with other consoles.
6 Hardest Roguelikes On The Nintendo Switch
The hardest roguelikes on the Nintendo Switch handheld will put players to the test to come out on top against brutal RNG and vicious enemies.
There have never been more difficult Switch games than there are now. These games span across every genre, and many of them are either co-op or have co-op built into them. This is fantastic news for players looking to lose over and over again until they finally receive the satisfaction of a hard-fought win.
6 Monster Hunter Rise
Difficult Mechanics And Hard Boss Fights
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise is basically "boss fighting, the game." It's one of the most fun co-op games on the market, which is no surprise when looking at its concept. Players need to work together to bring down giant monsters, either by slaying them or capturing them. Players can choose from many different weapons and craft new versions of their weapons and armor from the materials that they harvest from monsters, and bringing a balanced team to the fray is vital — especially once players start facing off against endgame monsters.
Players only get three lives during a mission in Monster Hunter Rise, and these lives are spread out among everyone on the mission. This makes the game even more difficult, because if one player is having a hard time with a specific boss, then both players will be punished and forced to restart the entire mission. Couple this with the fact that some monsters are just extremely hard and will require learning attack patterns and taking the right kind of gear, and Monster Hunter Rise is easily one of the hardest games on the Switch. This also means it can be played for basically forever without getting bored or feeling too easy.
5 Don’t Starve Together
Merciless Survival Roguelike
Don't Starve Together
- Released
- April 21, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Adventure, Open-World, Crafting, Sandbox
Don't Starve Together is technically a roguelike, which means its main goal is to eventually kill the players. However, the game leans much more heavily on survival mechanics; there just happens to be a lack of respawning. While many survival games make it difficult or tedious to get going, start building a base, and collect resources, Don't Starve Together takes it to another level.
5 Best Co-Op Deck Builders
Deck builders are typically single-player affairs, which is why these co-op deck-building games are such a breath of fresh air in the genre.
Players should expect to lose, almost immediately, in their first few runs of Don't Starve Together. While it sounds easy, on the surface, to ensure there's enough food to go around, sometimes finding berry bushes at a critical time is impossible. Players are also on daily time limits, as they need to avoid being caught out in the dark without a campfire (and fuel for the fire).
4 For The King
Co-Op Board Game RPG
For The King 2
- Released
- November 2, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Ironoak Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
For The King is a game where players need to think about every single move they make. The game places players on a hexagon board and has them move around to complete the story and side missions. They'll also need to purchase weapons and defeat enemies in turn-based combat. Even the combat requires thoughtful planning each turn, since players will need to minimize the damage they take and the resources they spend.
For The King is one of the best co-op roguelikes on the Switch for players who want to play something akin to classic RPGs. However, it's one of the most difficult as well, since players are always fighting against the clock. This requires a lot of team work and communication to succeed, requiring players to split up, multitask, and even share resources like gold and gear. So, going rogue will result in failure every time.
3 Risk Of Rain 2
Third-Person Roguelike With RNG
Risk of Rain 2
- Released
- September 11, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Hopoo Games
- Publisher(s)
- Gearbox Publishing
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Roguelike
Players looking for a more class roguelike co-op game where every run starts from scratch are going to love Risk of Rain 2. During a run, players will basically have to defeat hordes of bosses and monsters while collecting random power-ups that may or may not synergize with the rest of their build.
There are many classes in Risk of Rain 2 to choose from, so the difficulty in co-op starts when building a strong team composition. During a run, though, is when the difficulty really ramps up. Levels can be very chaotic — especially once all players have a ton of power-ups at their disposal and are trying to break the game!
2 Spelunky 2
Phenomenal Side-Scrolling Roguelike Dungeon Delve
Spelunky 2
- Released
- September 15, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Mossmouth, BlitWorks
- Publisher(s)
- Mossmouth
- Platform(s)
- Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Platformer
There are very few great 2D co-op games with the notoriety and infamy of Spelunky 2 and its predecessor. Players starting up a run of Spelunky 2 should be ready to die over and over again to a bunch of unfair and silly things, whether they be enemies, natural hazards, or random traps placed in a very devious way.
10 Games To Play If You Liked Spelunky 2
Enjoyed playing Spelunky 2? Then check out these games that are sure to scratch that roguelike itch.
Even though it can be wildly difficult, Spelunky 2 is still a ton of fun. It has randomly generated levels, and the platforming is sharp and engaging. Not to mention, there's nothing more satisfying than finally completing a level with a friend after countless rage-inducing losses!
1 Enter The Gungeon
Chaotic Bullet Spamming Roguelike
Enter the Gungeon
- Released
- April 5, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Dodge Roll
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
Very few games have names as perfect and descriptive as Enter the Gungeon. Enter the Gungeon is a fantastic roguelike game and is just even more chaotic and difficult in co-op as it is in single player. It's the perfect game for Switch co-op as well, thanks to its pixel art graphics and twin stick shooter gameplay.
Basically, players are going to be forced to dodge countless streams of bullets and projectiles throughout their entire run of Enter the Gungeon. There's barely any relief from the action, which is what makes the game so great. Enter the Gungeon is perfect for bullet hell fans looking for a fun co-op experience.
24 Best 4-Player Co-Op Games
There are countless 4-player co-op games available for gamers to check out. These, however, are easily among the best.