When friends drop by unexpectedly, or you want to play Switch with your partner on the weekend, the easiest part to get stuck on isn't turning on the console—it's picking a game.

Many people scroll through their game library for ages, only to end up opening the same old games they've already played to death. You've read tons of Switch game recommendations, but when it's time to actually play, you still have no idea which game is suitable for two people to sit down and start playing right away.

Actually, there's a simple approach for this scenario. Today, I'll use my own experience as an example to walk you step by step through my complete process from "I don't know what to play" to "let's just start playing." All you need is a Switch, two sets of Joy‑Cons, and a reliable strategy for choosing games.

Step 1: First, clarify what kind of players you both are

Every time I pick a game, I first judge one thing: Is the other person someone who plays games often?

If the other person doesn't usually handle a controller much, then you can't go for games with a high skill floor. Trying to get them to play Donkey Kong or Splatoon right off the bat will likely result in an awkward silence before the first level is even over.

In that case, I prioritize two-player Switch games with intuitive rules and direct feedback. I open the Game Guide feature on Xingba and filter by the tags "local co-op" and "party." The results are usually titles like Snipperclips, Mario Party, or Just Dance.

When selecting, pay attention to ratings and short comments. You don't need to read long reviews—just look for one like "My girlfriend never plays games, but she had a blast with this"—that kind of real feedback is more useful than anything else.

Step 2: Sort by "time to start playing"

Many people overlook a key point: some games are fun, but they require going through tutorials, reading dialogue, or even building a character beforehand. Those games are fine for solo play, but they're not suitable when friends are over.

My personal rule is: from launching the game to entering the first round, it should take no more than two minutes.

So I usually focus on entries in the Nintendo game recommendation lists that say "jump right in" or "no tutorial needed." Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a classic example—pick your character and track, then race. Even if you fall off halfway, you can rejoin instantly. No one has to wait for you.

Another underrated choice is Just Dance. Use your phone as a controller and just dance. Perfect for when you've had a drink or need to warm up the atmosphere.

Step 3: Watch out for accessory requirements—don't get caught out

Sometimes you eagerly open a game, only to find it needs extra controllers or a membership for two-player mode. That's a real mood killer.

From my observation, many indie game recommendations for two players—like Unravel Two or Shift Happens—are indeed fun, but they assume you have at least two sets of Joy‑Cons. If you only have one pair of original controllers, the experience of two people sharing one pair is compromised.

So now, before picking a game, I go to the Game Rankings on Xingba, click into the details, and check the section "Number of players and required equipment." If it says "Extra controllers needed for two-player mode," I switch to another option—unless you already have two sets of Joy‑Cons or a Pro Controller.

One last tip: Don't be afraid to switch games

Sometimes a game seems reliable based on Switch game recommendations, but when you actually play it, you and the other person just don't click. That's totally normal.

My habit is: play a game for 15 minutes. If neither of you shows particular excitement, just switch to the next one. Don't force it. There are plenty of games on the Switch—maybe the next one will be just right.

If you don't want to scramble at the last minute, save a few games of different styles in advance on Xingba's Game Guide—for example, one party game, one co-op adventure, and one motion-control game. Keep them as backups. When a friend comes over, you can say, "Here, pick one you like first"—which is way better than standing there scrolling when they ask "What do you want to play?"