Updated: July 2, 2026 · AceGamer Editorial

TL;DR — Many of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games shine with a proper controller, whether you are docked to a TV or propped up in tabletop mode. Mario Kart World, Super Mario Party Jamboree and Survival Kids are ideal for local co-op with a controller each, while Donkey Kong Bananza, Zelda, Hades II and Cyberpunk 2077 reward a comfortable pad over long single-player sessions. Here are ten standouts, and how a controller — including a T50, or a 2-pack for co-op — fits each.

Why play Switch 2 games with a controller

Before the games, a quick word on why a controller helps. When your Switch 2 is docked to a TV or propped up on its stand in tabletop mode, a full-size controller is more comfortable over a long session than detached Joy-Con 2, giving you proper grips, triggers and a familiar layout. A controller also unlocks easy local multiplayer: with one pad per player, and the console propped up or on the TV, you get instant co-op or versus play. And for games with motion aiming, a controller with a gyro adds precision. Note the one thing a controller does not change: in pure handheld mode, with the console in your hands, you use the built-in Joy-Con 2, since an external controller only comes into play once the console is set down — as explained in do you need a controller for handheld Switch 2. For docked and tabletop play, though, a comfortable pad like the T50 makes these games better, and a 2-pack turns any of the multiplayer titles below into a two-player night. Here are ten that play brilliantly with a controller.

It is worth adding a word on how a controller changes different kinds of games, since the benefit is not the same everywhere. For multiplayer and party games, the controller is not just more comfortable — it is what makes the shared experience possible, since each player needs their own pad, and a matched set means nobody is stuck with an odd layout. For long single-player adventures, comfort is the main gain: a contoured pad with proper grips is far kinder to your hands over dozens of hours than holding the console or gripping small detached Joy-Con 2. For precise action and fighting games, a good controller's inputs land more reliably, which can directly affect how well you play. And for games with motion aiming, a gyro adds fine control on top of the sticks. So as you read the picks below, the reason a controller helps shifts from game to game — sometimes it is comfort, sometimes precision, sometimes simply enabling a second player — but across the board, a proper pad in a comfortable seat with the console docked or propped up is the ideal way to enjoy the system's best titles.

1. Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World is the Switch 2's flagship and its best-selling game by a wide margin, and it is the first game most people should play with a controller. This entry reinvents the series with an open world you can free-roam between races, dozens of tracks and up to two dozen racers on screen, plus a chaotic knockout-style battle-royale mode that will spark plenty of living-room rivalry. It is the definitive party and family game on the system, playable single-player, in local multiplayer or online. A controller each is the natural way to enjoy it with others, and its accessible racing means anyone can pick up a pad and have fun immediately. For local races, a controller per player around a docked or propped-up console is the classic setup, which is exactly where a 2-pack of pads earns its keep. If you buy one Switch 2 game to play with friends and family, this is it, and it is the clearest reason to have a spare controller or two on hand.

What makes Mario Kart World such a natural fit for a controller each is how quickly it turns into a group event. Because it is easy to pick up but rewarding to master, players of very different skill levels can share the same race and all have fun, which is exactly what you want when a room full of people wants to play. The open world adds a relaxed dimension too — between races you can simply drive around and explore together — so it works both as competitive party fuel and as a laid-back shared activity. Each of those modes assumes everyone has a comfortable pad in hand, and a race night falls apart quickly if there are not enough controllers to go around. This is the single strongest argument on the list for keeping a couple of spare pads ready: Mario Kart World is the game people will most often ask to play together, and being able to hand each newcomer a controller is what keeps the fun flowing.

2. Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza is among the Switch 2's most acclaimed exclusives and a frequent game-of-the-year pick, a terrain-destroying 3D platformer with tight controls, creative problem-solving and huge personality. You smash, dig and tear through malleable environments as DK, uncovering secrets and collectibles across expansive levels, with plenty of Super Mario Odyssey in its DNA. It also has a clever local co-op mode: one player controls DK while a second plays as a young Pauline, adding a cooperative layer that families with younger players especially enjoy. The precise platforming rewards a comfortable controller over a long session, and the co-op mode is a natural fit for a second pad. Whether you play solo, chasing every collectible, or bring in a partner for the co-op, Bananza is one of the most joyful games on the system, and one that feels great with a proper controller in hand while the console is docked or propped up.

The co-op mode deserves a closer look, because it is designed with families in mind in a way that suits a spare controller perfectly. The second player, controlling Pauline, plays a supporting role rather than needing to match DK's platforming precisely, which makes it approachable for a younger child or a less experienced player joining in — they can contribute and enjoy the adventure without the pressure of keeping up. That asymmetry is what makes it such a friendly introduction to co-op gaming, and it only needs a second pad to set up. For a parent wanting to play through a big, charming adventure alongside a child, or two friends who want a shared experience where one can take the lead, Bananza's cooperative mode is a highlight, and a good reason to have a second controller ready. Played solo, meanwhile, its demanding platforming and generous collectibles reward the comfort and precision of a full controller over a long session, so it earns its place on this list in either mode.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild are among the highest-rated games on the system, and they are perfect for long, immersive single-player sessions with a controller. These enhanced versions run better on the new hardware and add companion-app features, but the core remains the same landmark open-world adventure that redefined the genre, full of exploration, physics-driven puzzles and emergent freedom. Playing on a TV or in tabletop mode with a comfortable controller suits the many hours these games ask of you far better than holding the console, and a gyro helps with fine aiming for the bow. If you want a single game to lose yourself in for a hundred hours, either Zelda is a superb choice, and both play beautifully with a full controller during those marathon sessions on the couch or at a desk.

4. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 is the standout competitive two-player game on the Switch 2, and a fighting game is one of the genres where a proper controller matters most. Each player picks a character and duels with special moves and combos, and clean directional input — through a good D-pad or precise stick — is essential for landing those inputs reliably. It is ideal head-to-head fun with a friend on the same console, one controller each, and it also has deep single-player content for solo practice. Because fighting games demand precision, this is a title where sitting comfortably with a controller, rather than using detached Joy-Con 2, clearly improves your play. Set the console up docked or in tabletop mode, hand each player a pad, and you have an evening of competitive matches. For two-player action that rewards skill, Street Fighter 6 is a highlight of the Switch 2 library and a strong reason to have a second controller ready.

Fighting games are also where the choice of controller shows up most in how the game feels to play. Special moves rely on quick, exact directional sequences, so a pad with a responsive D-pad or a precise stick makes those inputs come out cleanly, while a mushy or imprecise one leads to dropped moves and frustration. That is why serious fighting-game players are particular about their controllers, and why even casual players notice the difference between a comfortable pad and awkward detached controls. You do not need specialist hardware to enjoy Street Fighter 6 at home — a good standard controller is plenty for two friends trading matches — but it is a genre where sitting comfortably with a proper pad, rather than sharing a single Joy-Con, clearly makes for a better session. Set up two controllers, pick your characters, and it becomes an easy, endlessly replayable way to settle who is best, which is exactly the kind of head-to-head fun a second pad exists for.

5. Hades II

Hades II is one of the best-reviewed games in recent memory and a perfect fit for the Switch 2, a roguelike that follows Melinoë through beautifully crafted, ever-changing dungeons as she battles toward Chronos. Its fast, precise action and bite-sized runs make it ideal for quick sessions, and it rewards the responsiveness of a good controller, where accurate movement and timing matter run to run. Though single-player, it is the kind of game you return to again and again, and playing it with a comfortable pad on a TV or propped-up screen beats hunching over the console for its many hours. The tight controls and quick restarts make it a great pick-up-and-play title between longer games. For anyone who loves rewarding, replayable action, Hades II is a must, and its precise gameplay is exactly the sort that benefits from a proper controller in a comfortable seat.

6. Super Mario Party Jamboree

Super Mario Party Jamboree is the Switch 2's premier party game, built from the ground up for family game nights and group play. It packs a huge variety of minigames and board-game modes designed for multiple players together on one console, making it a natural centrepiece when friends or family are over. This is a game defined by local multiplayer, so having enough controllers is the whole requirement — each player needs a pad, and the more players, the more chaotic the fun. A propped-up or docked console with a controller each turns it into an instant party, and a 2-pack of controllers is a tidy way to add players for a four-player session with a couple of pairs. Accessible enough for anyone to jump in yet varied enough to stay fresh, Jamboree is the game to reach for when you want everyone in the room playing together, and a clear case for keeping spare controllers on hand.

7. Fast Fusion

Fast Fusion is a thrilling high-speed sci-fi racer, a spiritual successor to the likes of F-Zero and Wipeout, and one of the best-looking games on the system even in handheld or tabletop mode. It is all about mastering futuristic vehicles at breakneck speeds, rewarding precise control and a keen understanding of its tracks, and it supports local multiplayer for racing against friends. Its blistering pace makes a responsive controller valuable, and its strong performance in tabletop mode makes it a great pick for propping the console up and racing with a pad wherever you are. For players who find Mario Kart a touch too gentle and want a sharper, faster challenge, Fast Fusion delivers, and it plays superbly with a controller in both docked and tabletop setups. It is a standout for racing fans and a showcase of what the Switch 2 can do at a high frame rate.

8. Survival Kids

Survival Kids is a local co-op gem that flew somewhat under the radar as a launch title, and it is one of the best cooperative experiences on the system for a relaxed pair. Players work together to solve puzzles and complete survival challenges across tropical islands, with crafting mechanics that will appeal to anyone who enjoys the likes of Minecraft or Terraria. It is a calm, straightforward co-op game rather than a frantic one, making it ideal for playing alongside a partner, a child or a friend at your own pace. Because it is built around two players cooperating, a controller each is the way to enjoy it, and it is exactly the sort of title a 2-pack of pads is made for. For a laid-back, screen-sharing co-op experience you cannot easily find elsewhere on the platform, Survival Kids is a lovely choice, and a natural fit for tabletop play with two controllers.

9. Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the first 3D Pokémon game built with the Switch 2 in mind, and a strong single-player pick for the controller. Set in a present-day, Paris-inspired Lumiose City, it takes the series in a faster-paced, more action-oriented direction while keeping the open catching zones fans enjoy. It is among the best-selling games on the system, and its blend of exploration, catching and real-time-leaning battles suits comfortable, extended play with a controller on a TV or propped-up screen. As a substantial single-player adventure, it is the kind of game you sink many hours into, which is precisely when a comfortable pad beats holding the console. For Pokémon fans and newcomers alike, Z-A is a fresh, engaging entry, and one that plays well with a full controller during those long catching-and-battling sessions.

10. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most impressive third-party ports on the Switch 2, a sprawling AAA open-world RPG that simply was not possible on the original hardware. Its dense, cinematic version of Night City offers dozens of hours of story, exploration and choice-driven role-play, and it is a showcase for what the new console can run. This is a deep single-player experience, and playing it with a comfortable controller on a TV or in tabletop mode is far more suited to its long sessions than handheld play. Its blend of shooting, driving and RPG systems benefits from a full controller's layout and triggers. For players who want a mature, meaty adventure to disappear into rather than a pick-up-and-play title, Cyberpunk 2077 is a standout on the system, and a prime example of a game that rewards a proper controller over extended play.

Playing co-op with two T50s

Many of the games above are at their best with more than one player, which is where a pair of controllers turns a solo console into a shared one. The AceGamer T50 comes in a 2-Pack of two foldable, pocketable pads at a lower combined price than buying two singly, which makes an economical, portable co-op kit for exactly these titles — Mario Kart World races, Donkey Kong Bananza's co-op, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Survival Kids and more. Because the T50 folds flat, two of them pack away easily for game nights at home or co-op on the go in tabletop mode, propping the console up and handing a pad to each player. Pairing two controllers takes a minute through the console's Change Grip/Order screen, covered step by step in how to pair two controllers for co-op. For the single-player games, one comfortable pad is all you need; for the multiplayer ones, a 2-pack is the neat, affordable way to make sure everyone has a controller. Either way, connecting a T50 to the console is quick, as shown in how to connect the T50 to a Switch 2.

The practical appeal of a foldable 2-pack for these games is that it makes spontaneous multiplayer effortless and portable. Keeping two folded pads in a drawer or a bag means that when someone wants to join a Mario Kart World race or a round of Super Mario Party Jamboree, there is always a controller ready, without hunting for a spare or handing over a single Joy-Con. For families, that convenience is the difference between multiplayer happening on a whim and not happening at all. And because the pads fold flat, the same kit travels easily for co-op away from home — prop the console up in tabletop mode on a train tray or a hotel desk, hand a pad to each player, and a game like Survival Kids or Fast Fusion becomes a two-player session anywhere. It is a modest, affordable addition that quietly expands what you can do with the console, turning it from a mostly solo device into one ready for company at a moment's notice. For the multiplayer half of this list especially, having two controllers on hand is what unlocks the fun.

View the AceGamer T50 2-Pack → · Best Switch 2 controllers →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Switch 2 games to play with a controller?
Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, the Zelda Switch 2 editions, Street Fighter 6 and Hades II all play brilliantly with a controller. Multiplayer titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree and Survival Kids are best with a controller per player.

What are the best Switch 2 co-op games?
Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza's co-op mode, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Survival Kids and Fast Fusion are among the best for local play. Each is ideal with a controller per player, which a 2-pack of pads makes easy and affordable.

Do I need a controller to play Switch 2 games?
Not in handheld mode, where the built-in Joy-Con 2 are your controls. For docked or tabletop play, a comfortable controller improves long sessions and is essential for local multiplayer, since each player needs their own pad.

Can I play these games with an AceGamer T50?
Yes, in docked or tabletop mode. Once connected over Bluetooth, the T50 works as a Switch 2 controller for these games, and a 2-pack gives two matched pads for the co-op and multiplayer titles. It is used with the console set down, not in handheld mode.

What is the best Switch 2 game for family game night?
Mario Kart World and Super Mario Party Jamboree are the top family multiplayer picks, both accessible and endlessly replayable with several players. Donkey Kong Bananza's co-op mode is also great for playing with a younger child.

Are two controllers enough for local multiplayer?
For two-player games, yes. Many titles support more players, so for four-player party games you may want four controllers. A pair of 2-packs is an economical way to get four matched pads for larger sessions.

Which Switch 2 games benefit most from a comfortable controller?
Long single-player games like Zelda, Cyberpunk 2077 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and precise action games like Hades II and Street Fighter 6, all reward a comfortable controller over detached Joy-Con 2 during extended play.

Do these games work in tabletop mode with a controller?
Yes. Prop the console on its stand and connect a controller, and these games play the same as when docked, just on the built-in screen. Tabletop mode is ideal for co-op on the go, with a controller per player around the propped-up console.

Are older Switch games playable on the Switch 2 with a controller?
Yes, nearly all original Switch games run on the Switch 2, and many play well with a standard controller. Some have paid upgrade packs or free updates that add Switch 2 features, though a few titles built around the original Joy-Con have caveats.

Is a 2-pack of controllers worth it for these games?
For the multiplayer titles, yes. Many of the best Switch 2 games shine in local co-op or versus play, where each player needs a pad. A T50 2-pack gives two matched, foldable controllers at a lower combined price for exactly that.

Sources & methodology

This guide draws on published reviews, sales data and coverage from established gaming outlets, alongside AceGamer's finalized specifications for the T50. Game availability, features and rankings change over time, so details are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.

• Best Switch 2 games coverage — Nintendo Life.
• Switch 2 games and multiplayer picks — GamesRadar.
• AceGamer T50 details — T50 specs & price.