If you’ve ever grabbed your Switch after a long day and wanted to explore the prehistoric wilds of Ark with a friend sitting right next to you, you’ve probably asked: is Ark on Switch 2 player friendly? The short answer is yes, but there are a few caveats, setup steps, and performance quirks you need to know about before you load in and start taming your first T-Rex together. I’ve spent dozens of hours testing both local and online co-op on the Switch version, so I’m breaking down exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the most common headaches that pop up for new co-op pairs.
Is Ark on Switch 2 Player Capable? Breaking Down Supported Modes
First, let’s clear up the most common confusion right away. The Nintendo Switch port of Ark: Survival Evolved supports both 2 player local split-screen and 2 player online co-op, as long as you have the right setup. It also supports up to 4 player co-op in some modes, but most players looking for casual play stick to 2 player first, since performance holds up much better with fewer people on screen.
Local split-screen is the most popular option for people playing with friends or family in the same room, but you can also join a friend’s online world even if you’re in different locations. You don’t need a paid DLC to access either mode, but you will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription if you plan to play online, which is standard for most Switch multiplayer titles.
There are a few limits you should keep in mind, though. Split-screen only works when your Switch is docked to a TV – you can’t use split-screen in handheld mode, since the screen is too small to render two separate views smoothly. That’s a common pain point for people who mostly play their Switch on the go, but it’s a limitation that’s unlikely to change in future updates, given the console’s hardware constraints.
- Local split-screen co-op: 2 players on the same Switch, docked mode only, shared progression on the host’s save file
- Online private co-op: 2 players on separate Switch consoles, either joining a host’s private world or a dedicated server
- Public online co-op: 2 players teaming up on a public server with other players from around the world
All of these modes work reliably, though local split-screen is the most stable option for anyone who wants to enjoy 2 player Ark on Switch without worrying about internet connection issues.
How to Set Up Local 2 Player Split-Screen on Ark for Switch
Setting up local split-screen is pretty straightforward, but there are a few small steps people often miss that lead to error messages. I’ve run into the “failed to join session” pop-up way too many times when I was first testing this, so these steps will help you avoid that hassle entirely.
First, make sure your Switch is docked to your TV, and that you have two paired controllers ready. You can use any combination of Joy-Cons (paired as separate controllers) or Pro Controllers, but make sure both are connected to the console before you launch the game. You won’t be able to pair a second controller once the game is open, so do that first from the Switch home menu.
Next, launch Ark and load into your existing single-player save, or create a new one if you’re starting fresh. Once you’re fully loaded in and have control of your character, press the + button on the second controller to bring up the join prompt. The second player will need to select a Nintendo account to use, and then they’ll spawn right next to your character in the world.
Note that the second player’s progression is tied to the host’s save file, so if you’re the guest, you won’t be able to carry over your items, levels, or tames to your own single-player world later. That’s fine if you’re playing with the same friend regularly, but if you swap hosts often, you’ll have to start fresh each time you join someone else’s local game.
You can adjust the split-screen layout in the settings menu if you prefer a horizontal split instead of the default vertical one, but I’ve found vertical works better for most TV sizes, since it gives both players a wider field of view to spot predators or resources.
Common Performance Issues to Expect With 2 Player Ark on Switch
Let’s be real: the Switch port of Ark is never going to run as smoothly as the PC or PS5/Xbox versions, and that’s especially true when you’re running 2 player mode. I’ve tested this on both the original Switch and the Switch OLED, and there are a few consistent issues you should prepare for so you don’t get frustrated mid-playthrough.
The most common issue is frame rate drops, especially when you’re in areas with lots of dinosaurs, complex bases, or bad weather like rain or fog. It’s not unusual for the frame rate to drop to 20 FPS or lower during busy fights, which can make aiming or running away from predators a little tricky. It’s manageable for casual play, but if you’re used to the high frame rate of other versions, you’ll notice the difference right away.
Texture pop-in is also more noticeable in 2 player mode, since the console is splitting its power to render two separate views at once. You might see trees, rocks, or dinosaurs pop in out of nowhere when you’re exploring new areas, so keep that in mind if you’re heading into a part of the map you haven’t been to before. I always make sure to move a little slower when I’m exploring with a friend to avoid running straight into a T-Rex that just popped into view.
You’ll also notice longer load times when you’re playing 2 player, both when you first load into the world and when you fast travel between locations. It’s not a dealbreaker for most people, but it’s a good idea to give the game an extra 30 seconds to fully load after you fast travel before you start running around, to avoid glitching through the map or falling through terrain.
One easy fix for most performance issues is to turn down the view distance in the game settings. Dropping the view distance from high to medium will make distant objects pop in a little more, but it will drastically improve frame rate and reduce stuttering during busy moments. I always do this before I start a 2 player session, and it makes a huge difference in how playable the game feels. Most of these performance quirks are just par for the course when playing 2 player Ark on Switch, and they’re easy to adjust to after your first couple of sessions.
Tips for a Smooth 2 Player Ark Experience on Switch
After dozens of co-op sessions with my brother on our Switch, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make the whole experience way more fun and way less frustrating. These small adjustments will help you avoid most of the common glitches and performance hits that ruin casual playthroughs.
First, stick to smaller bases when you’re playing 2 player. Large, complex bases with lots of crafting stations, storage boxes, and tamed dinos parked nearby will put a lot of extra strain on the Switch’s hardware, leading to constant frame drops and even crashes. Keep your base simple early on, and only add extra structures when you really need them. We also keep most of our tamed dinos in a separate pen a few hundred meters away from our main base, so they don’t drag down performance when we’re crafting or organizing items.
Avoid fast traveling with both players at the same time if you can. Fast traveling one player at a time reduces the load on the console, and cuts down on the risk of a crash that can corrupt your save file. If you do need to fast travel together, make sure you save the game first, just in case something goes wrong. I’ve lost 2 hours of progress before because we both fast traveled at the same time and the game crashed, so trust me on this one.
If you’re playing online 2 player, make sure the host has a strong, stable internet connection. Lag is way more noticeable in Ark than in most other Switch games, since even a small delay can mean the difference between escaping a raptor pack and getting eaten. If you’re hosting, connect your Switch to your router with an ethernet adapter if you can, it will cut down on lag drastically compared to Wi-Fi.
Another good tip is to split up tasks when you’re playing with a friend. One player can focus on gathering resources and building, while the other focuses on taming dinos and scouting the area for threats. It makes progression way faster, and it means you don’t both end up doing the same boring task over and over. My brother and I have a system where I handle all the taming, and he handles base building, and we’ve gotten way further in our co-op save than I ever got in my single-player one. If you’re used to playing solo, 2 player Ark on Switch adds a whole new layer of fun to the game, since you can split up work and take on bigger challenges than you could alone.
Don’t forget to save manually every 30 to 60 minutes, especially if you’re playing a long session. The Switch version of Ark does auto-save, but the auto-save can be inconsistent, and a crash can wipe out a lot of progress if you haven’t saved recently. I keep a sticky note on my TV to remind me to save every hour, and it’s saved me from so much frustration over the years.
At the end of the day, if you’re wondering is Ark on Switch 2 player worth trying, the answer is a resounding yes, as long as you go in with realistic expectations about performance. It’s not the smoothest version of Ark out there, but it’s perfect for casual co-op sessions with friends or family, especially if you already play most of your games on the Switch. With the right setup and a few small adjustments to your settings and playstyle, you can easily sink dozens of hours into exploring, taming, and building with a friend without running into major issues. Just don’t forget to save often, and keep an eye out for those random T-Rex spawns.