Playing with two players on a Nintendo Switch: 7 steps (with pictures)

Table of contents:

This article will show you how to play together on a Nintendo Switch. You can play in pairs by holding both Joy-Con controllers sideways, or have one player play with the Joy-Con and the other with the Pro controller.

Steps

Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch Step 1

Step 1. Unplug the Joy-Con controllers

Grab your Nintendo Switch and turn it over. Press and hold the round button on the back of the Joy-Con (next to the ZL and ZR buttons), and slide the Joy-Con up to release it. Now do the same with the Joy-Con on the other side.

Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch Step 2

Step 2. Connect the Joy-Con wristbands

The 'wristbands' are the thin parts with two buttons on them and a strap attached to them. The wristbands have a + and a − at the top. Make sure the + and − match the buttons on the Joy-Cons. Slide the opening at the bottom of the wristband onto the rail on the side of the Joy-Con until it clicks into place.

To release the wristbands, pull the gray slide at the bottom of the wristbands and slide them off.
When one player uses the Pro controller, the other player can place both Joy-Cons in the Joy-Con holder that turns the Joy-Cons into one controller.

Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch Step 3

Step 3. Select the Joy-Con icon

This icon, which looks like a Joy-Con, takes you to the options menu for your controllers. Here you can set up your controllers for two players.

You can select buttons on Nintendo Switch by tapping them on the screen, or by navigating with a controller and pressing A

Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch Step 4

Step 4. Select Change Play Style/Order

This is the first option in the Controllers menu.

Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch Step 5

Step 5. Press R+L on both controllers

If you're using the Joy-Cons to play in pairs, hold them sideways, with the stick on the left. Press the two buttons (R and L) on the top of the wristband. If you're using a Pro controller or other configuration, press R and L on both controllers you want to use.

Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch Step 6

Step 6. Choose a two player game

There are several games that you can play together on the Switch. You can buy games from Nintendo eShop or from a retail store. Check the information on the back cover, or on the Nintendo eShop page, to see how many players you can play a game with.