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- Best overall: Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
- Best budget: Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch
- Best premium: Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch Sports for Nintendo Switch: Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the better pick for competitive battles and a huge character roster.
- Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the easier choice for quick, accessible races with up to 12 players online.
- Both games support up to 8 players locally on one Nintendo Switch system.
- Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree and Nintendo Switch Sports add more party-friendly choices.
- Choose by the kind of multiplayer your group enjoys, not by the size of either game’s roster.
Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are two of the strongest Nintendo Switch multiplayer picks for Black Friday 2026. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivers frantic battles with 89 fighters, while Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers approachable racing across 48 courses.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to help you choose between the two headliners and five more Nintendo games. Here's the bottom line: pick Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for fighting-game depth, or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for a simple, replayable race night. Both work well as gifts, and both support up to 8 players locally on one system.
How We Picked
- Compared local and online player limits, multiplayer modes and how quickly new players can join.
- Reviewed official game features, including characters, courses, sports, party modes and campaign content.
- Considered owner feedback and the replay value each game offers across different group sizes.
- Selected games with distinct play styles so the list covers racing, fighting, sports and cooperative adventures.
- Prioritized clear use cases over Black Friday pricing; no price claims are needed to compare these games.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Local players | Online players | Standout content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch | Competitive battles | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | 89 fighters |
| Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch | Accessible racing | Up to 8 | Up to 12 | 48 base-game courses |
| Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch | Party boards and minigames | Up to 4 | Online modes | 7 boards |
| Nintendo Switch Sports for Nintendo Switch | Motion-controlled sports | Up to 4 | Up to 8 | 7 sports |
| Nintendo Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch | Online team battles | Varies by mode | 8 per Turf War match | 4-versus-4 Turf War |
| Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for Nintendo Switch | Cooperative platforming | Up to 4 | Not the focus | Co-op campaign |
| Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch | Co-op adventure | Up to 2 in story | Up to 8 in ScareScraper | 2-player story |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch is the best fighting game for competitive groups, with 89 playable fighters. The Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch's large roster and flexible battle rules give returning players plenty to master.
Best for: Competitive battles and fighter variety
- Playable fighters
- 89
- Local players
- Up to 8
- Online players
- Up to 8
- Game genre
- Fighting
- Huge roster of familiar Nintendo and guest characters
- Customizable battles suit casual and competitive groups
- Local and online multiplayer support
- Busy battles can overwhelm newcomers
- Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership
Is Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch is a strong buy for groups who enjoy fighting games, thanks to its 89-fighter roster, flexible rules and battles for up to 8 local players.
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#2 · Top pick
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch is the best racing game for mixed-skill groups, with 48 courses in the base game. Assist options help newer players stay in the race while veterans chase clean wins.
Best for: Accessible racing and family game nights
- Base-game courses
- 48
- Local players
- Up to 8
- Online players
- Up to 12
- Racers per race
- Up to 12
- Easy to learn, with enough depth for repeat play
- Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate assist newer players
- Large selection of courses and online races
- Extra Booster Course Pass tracks are separate content
Is Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch is an excellent pick for casual and competitive racers, with 48 base-game courses, accessible driving assists and online races for up to 12 players.
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#3
Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch is the best board-game party pick for groups of up to 4 players. Seven boards and a large set of minigames give friends several ways to compete.
Best for: Board-game-style party competition
- Local players
- Up to 4
- Playable boards
- 7
- Game modes
- Multiple
- Several boards support varied matchups
- Minigames add quick rounds between board turns
- Good fit for groups who enjoy playful competition
- Board-game turns take longer than a quick race
Is Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch is worth considering for groups who want board-game strategy alongside minigames. The Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch's 7 boards and support for up to 4 local players make it a natural party-night option.
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#4
Nintendo Switch Sports for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch Sports for Nintendo Switch is the best active party game for households that want motion-controlled play across 7 sports. Bowling and tennis make quick rounds easy to explain to new players.
Best for: Motion-controlled sports and active groups
- Sports
- 7
- Local players
- Up to 4
- Online players
- Up to 8
- Motion controls make the sports easy to approach
- Includes both local and online play
- Offers several short-session activities
- Motion-focused play is less appealing to players who prefer buttons
Is Nintendo Switch Sports worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Switch Sports for Nintendo Switch suits players who want motion-controlled group activities rather than traditional racing or fighting. Seven sports and local play for up to 4 players give families several ways to start a match.
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#5
Nintendo Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch is the best team shooter for online-focused players, with 4-versus-4 Turf War matches. The Nintendo Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch's bright paint-based combat offers a distinct alternative to racing and fighting games.
Best for: Online team battles
- Turf War teams
- 4 vs. 4
- Players per match
- 8
- Main modes
- Multiplayer and story
- Fast team matches built around painting territory
- Includes a single-player story campaign
- Distinct weapons and gear support different play styles
- Online multiplayer is central to the experience
Is Nintendo Splatoon 3 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch is a good choice for players who want colorful online team competition. Four-versus-four Turf War matches provide a clear group objective, and the story campaign adds solo content.
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#6
Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for Nintendo Switch is the best cooperative platformer for up to 4 local players. Kirby’s copy abilities and shared stages make the adventure friendly for mixed-experience groups.
Best for: Cooperative family platforming
- Local players
- Up to 4
- Playable characters
- Kirby and friends
- Game genre
- Cooperative platformer
- Co-op adventure supports a full group of 4
- Accessible platforming welcomes newer players
- Copy abilities add variety to stages
- Less suited to players seeking head-to-head competition
Is Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for Nintendo Switch is a solid choice for cooperative play, with a campaign for up to 4 local players. Pick it for shared platforming rather than competitive matches.
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#7
Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch is the best spooky co-op adventure for 2-player story play. The Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch's ScareScraper mode supports up to 8 players, adding a separate group challenge beyond the campaign.
Best for: Co-op adventure and group challenges
- Story players
- Up to 2
- ScareScraper players
- Up to 8
- Game genre
- Action-adventure
- Co-op story mode pairs two players
- ScareScraper supports groups of up to 8
- Puzzle-solving adds variety to exploration
- Story co-op is limited to 2 players
Is Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch is a worthwhile co-op pick for players who enjoy puzzles and exploration. The story supports 2 players, while ScareScraper brings up to 8 players into a separate challenge.
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Which game is better: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe each support up to 8 local players, but suit different kinds of competition. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the stronger choice for players who want to learn fighters, stages and battle rules.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is easier to pick up when players have mixed skill levels. Assist options help beginners, and 48 base-game courses give groups plenty of track variety. Online races support up to 12 players, which makes Mario Kart the clear pick for bigger remote groups.
Choose Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for battles and character variety. Choose Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for racing, fast rematches and broader accessibility. Worth it for most players: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, especially when the group includes casual racers.
Which game is better for local multiplayer?
Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe both support up to 8 local players on one Nintendo Switch system. The best fit depends on whether your group wants arena battles or races.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate makes a lively living-room pick when players enjoy knocking opponents off the stage. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers a more familiar format: choose a racer, pick a course and compete for first place. Assist features make the racing option less intimidating for younger players and newcomers.
For a party with different gaming backgrounds, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the simpler starting point. For a group with fighting-game fans, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate provides deeper character choices and match customization.
Do Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe need online membership?
Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe require Nintendo Switch Online membership for their online multiplayer features. Both games also offer local multiplayer, so a membership is not needed for couch sessions.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s online battles suit players who want matches beyond their household. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports online races with up to 12 players, making it a natural choice for friends who live in different places. A stable internet connection is important for either game’s online modes.
Check your household’s membership status before choosing a game mainly for online play. For local game nights, both headliners work without an online membership.
Which Nintendo game is best for families and first-time players?
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Nintendo Switch Sports are strong family picks because each game offers approachable rounds and clear goals. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has driving assists, while Nintendo Switch Sports uses motion controls for activities such as bowling and tennis.
Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree suits families who enjoy board-game turns and minigames. Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is the better pick when everyone wants to cooperate through a platforming adventure rather than compete against each other.
Think about the players’ preferred style before choosing. A family that enjoys quick races should start with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; a group that wants to move around and play sports should choose Nintendo Switch Sports.
Which game offers the most variety beyond the two headliners?
Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree, Nintendo Switch Sports and Nintendo Splatoon 3 offer three distinct multiplayer styles beyond racing and fighting. Mario Party focuses on boards and minigames, Switch Sports centers on motion-controlled activities, and Splatoon 3 builds its core around team-based ink battles.
For cooperative play, Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe supports up to 4 local players in its adventure. Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 pairs two players in its story and offers ScareScraper challenges for up to 8 players.
Those options make the category useful for more than one kind of gift recipient. Match the pick to the group’s preferred activity: competition, motion play, teamwork or exploration.
Buying Guide
Choose a play style first
Pick Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for fighting, Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for racing, or Nintendo Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for cooperative platforming. A clear genre match matters more than the longest feature list.
Check the player count
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate support up to 8 local players. Nintendo Super Mario Party Jamboree and Nintendo Switch Sports support up to 4 local players. Confirm that the game suits your usual group size.
Separate local and online play
Local multiplayer works well for in-person gatherings. Online features in Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate require Nintendo Switch Online membership. Pick a game based on where your friends will play.
Consider the learning curve
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has driving assists for beginners, while Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate asks players to learn distinct fighters and battle rules. Nintendo Switch Sports offers straightforward motion-controlled activities.
Compare included content
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes 48 base-game courses. Check what comes with the edition you select and whether extra content is separate. For Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, consider whether its fighter roster is the main draw.
FAQ
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate vs Mario Kart 8 Black Friday: which should I buy?
Buy Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for fighting-game depth and its 89 fighters. Choose Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for accessible racing, 48 base-game courses and online races for up to 12 players. Both support up to 8 local players.
Is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe better than Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for beginners?
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is generally the easier starting point for new players. Assist features help newcomers stay in races, while Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has more fighter-specific rules and techniques to learn.
How many players can play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate locally?
Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate supports up to 8 local players on one Nintendo Switch system. Player count varies by mode and controller setup, so check the game’s instructions for the setup you plan to use.
How many courses are in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes 48 courses in its base game. Extra courses are available through separate additional content, so check the edition or content listing before buying if the expanded track selection is important.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online for these games?
Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for online multiplayer in Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Both games support local multiplayer without an online membership, making them suitable for in-person play.