How to Play 2-Player Super Mario Bros on Nintendo Switch Online

Playing Super Mario Bros with a friend online on the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic way to experience the joy of collaborative platforming. While the “traditional online co-op” isn’t a feature in the most recent title, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the Nintendo Switch still provides several methods to enjoy two-player Mario gameplay online. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how you can play 2-player Super Mario Bros games online, followed by frequently asked questions to cover all your concerns.

Online Multiplayer in Super Mario Bros. Wonder: A Unique Approach

Understanding the Online Experience

It’s important to note that Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn’t offer the classic, side-by-side, screen-sharing co-op that many expect in traditional Mario games for online play. Instead, it features a more unique online multiplayer experience. When you’re connected online, you’ll see near-invisible versions of other players exploring the same world as you, and these are not necessarily people on your friend list. You can interact by sharing items, and these “shadow” players can even revive you if you’ve taken a hit. It’s a connected but not directly synchronous co-op.

### How to Connect Online in Super Mario Bros. Wonder

1. Access the Main Menu: From the world map, press the + button to bring up the Main Menu.

2. Select Play Online: Choose “Play Online” at the bottom right of the menu (the icon resembles a wireless signal).

3. Choose Your Mode: Decide whether you want to create a “Friend Match” or play in a “Private Game”.

4. Room Creation: You’ll either Create a Room or Join a Room, depending on who is hosting the game.

5. Choose the Number of Players: You’ll select whether to play with Two Players on a System or One Player on a System. Note that in the case of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, each player requires their own console, and therefore should select “One Player on a System.”

   While this isn’t a traditional co-op mode, it is how you experience the online interconnected gameplay in Super Mario Bros. Wonder with friends.

Utilizing Nintendo Switch Online for Other Mario Titles

While Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s online system is unconventional, other titles might allow for a more traditional experience.

How to Play 2 Player Mario Games Online with Nintendo Switch Online

1. Ensure Online Membership: You and your friend will both need a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
2. Select Your Game: Choose a Mario game that supports online multiplayer from your game library. Only games that support online multiplayer will be listed when selecting from the Nintendo Switch main menu.
3. Invite a Friend: In the game menu, select “Invite a Friend” to send an invite to your friends.
4. Start Linked Play: Press the ZL + ZR buttons to open the Suspend Menu, then select “Starting Linked Play” to join or host an online game.
5. Game-Specific Instructions: Follow any on-screen instructions specific to the game you are playing for setup. Not all Mario games support traditional online co-op, and will only allow online interactions with the features available within the game.

Understanding Local Co-op Options

Many Mario games on the Nintendo Switch support local co-op, which is a great alternative if you’re in the same physical space as your friend.

How to Play 2-Player Local Co-op

1. Controller Setup: Make sure both players have configured controllers via the “Controllers” option in the Switch Home Menu.
2. Start the Game: One player should launch the game.
3. Choose Play Offline: Select “PLAY OFFLINE” when the game is connecting to start offline play.
4. Initiate Two-Player Mode: Within the game’s menu, look for the option to start a two-player mode. The method may vary slightly, but it’s usually accessible from the main menu, or by pausing and going into options. Some games like Super Mario Odyssey may require that one player selects the menu button (+ button) and chooses “Two-Players” before gameplay.

Controller Options for Local Co-op

Each player can usually use a **single Joy-Con, a pair of Joy-Cons, or a Pro Controller.**  Make sure your controllers are correctly synced and charged.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Super Mario Bros. Wonder have online co-op?

While it has online multiplayer, it does not have traditional side-by-side co-op for online play. Instead, you will see ghost-like representations of other players in the game and can interact with them in certain ways.

2. Do both players need Nintendo Switch Online to play online?

Yes, both players need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership to play online multiplayer games. However, a family membership can cover multiple users on different consoles.

3. Can two players on the same console play online in Mario games?

It depends on the specific game. Some games, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, allow two players on one console to play online with others. However, Super Mario Bros. Wonder online multiplayer mode requires each player to be on a separate console, meaning, that two players on the same console cannot be used in online gameplay.

4. Can I play New Super Mario Bros. online with friends?

The online multiplayer mode for New Super Mario Bros. is limited. There is no traditional online co-op available.

5. What controller options are available for local 2-player?

You can use a single Joy-Con, a pair of Joy-Cons, or a Pro Controller for each player in local multiplayer.

6. Is Super Mario Bros. a two-player game?

Many Super Mario Bros. games support two-player modes, especially in local co-op. However, not all games will provide the same format for two-player, whether playing locally or online.

7. Can you play Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe online?

While New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe features local co-op, it does not have a traditional online co-op multiplayer mode.

8. How do I add friends on Nintendo Switch?

Go to your user profile on the HOME Menu and select “Add Friend”. Follow the on-screen prompts, choosing from the various methods, such as “Search for users you have played with,” or “Search for users with a friend code,” among others.

9. Is Nintendo Switch Online only for one person?

You can choose from individual or family memberships. A family membership can support up to 8 Nintendo Accounts.

10. Do you need Nintendo Switch Online for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate online?

Yes, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate online.

11. Can two players on the same switch play online in Mario Party?

Yes, Mario Party allows for various online configurations, including 2 players on the same console playing with others online.

12. Can you play New Super Mario Bros. 2 co-op?

Yes, New Super Mario Bros. 2 features local co-op, but it may require each player to have their own copy of the game.

13. Is Super Mario Bros. on Nintendo Switch Online?

Classic Super Mario Bros. games from the NES and SNES libraries are available to play on the Nintendo Switch Online service. However, the games available on the online membership don’t typically provide for direct multiplayer interaction.

14. Can you play two-player on Super Mario Bros. Deluxe?

Yes, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe supports 1-2 players and is easily accessible since each player only needs a single Joy-Con controller.

15. How does 2-player co-op work in Super Mario Odyssey?

In Super Mario Odyssey, two-player co-op allows the second player to control Cappy. To initiate two player, press the + button to open the menu, then select the option for “Two-Players”.

By following the guidelines in this article and addressing these common questions, you should be well on your way to enjoying seamless multiplayer experiences in your favorite Super Mario Bros. games on the Nintendo Switch. Always remember to check the specific requirements and online capabilities of each game to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.