There’s nothing better than settling in for a game night with a friend, and if you’re a fan of survival games, you’ve probably wondered if you can team up to tame dinos and build bases together on Nintendo’s portable console. A ton of players reach out every month asking is ark on switch 2 player supported, and the short answer is yes, but there are a few key limitations and steps you need to know before you jump in. This guide covers everything from setup to common fixes to tips for making your co-op playthrough as smooth as possible, no technical expertise required.
Is Ark on Switch 2 Player Supported?
First, let’s clear up the most common question straight away: official support for 2 player local split screen is available for Ark: Survival Evolved on Nintendo Switch, but it only works in specific circumstances. You won’t be able to play split screen in handheld mode, and there’s no support for online split screen, meaning both players have to be in the same room playing on the same console. Local 2 player split screen is only available in docked mode, so you’ll need to connect your Switch to a TV to play with a second person.
It’s also important to note that the Switch version of Ark only supports up to 2 players in local split screen, unlike PS5 or Xbox versions that can support up to 4. That’s due to the Switch’s lower processing power, which can’t handle rendering two separate player views at high enough frame rates for more than two people. You can still join online public servers with more players if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but those sessions require separate consoles and separate copies of the game for each player.
All game modes are compatible with 2 player split screen, including survival, creative, and even private PVP matches if you want to fight each other instead of teaming up against wild dinos. Player 2 gets full access to all the same features as the host, including their own skill tree, inventory, and ability to tame dinos and build structures, so you don’t have to worry about being limited to a sidekick role.
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up 2 Player Ark on Switch
Setting up 2 player play is pretty straightforward, but there are a few small steps that are easy to miss if you’re rushing to get into the game. Follow these steps to avoid common setup headaches:
- First, dock your Nintendo Switch and connect two compatible controllers to your console. Single Joy-Cons won’t work for Ark, so use either a Pro Controller or two paired Joy-Con sets per player to ensure you have full control over your survivor.
- Launch Ark: Survival Evolved from your Switch home menu, and load your existing save file or start a new single player world. You can’t set up split screen from the main menu, you have to be loaded into an active game first.
- Once you’re loaded into the game, pause the menu and navigate to the “Host/Local” tab, then toggle on the “Split Screen Player 2” option. If you don’t see this option, double check that your Switch is docked and both controllers are properly paired.
- Have the second player press any button on their controller to join the game, and customize their survivor before spawning into your world. You can adjust the split screen orientation from horizontal to vertical in the settings menu if you prefer that layout.
Make sure your Switch is running the latest version of Ark before you start, as older versions of the game had bugs that made the split screen option disappear entirely for some players. You can check for updates by highlighting the Ark icon on your home menu, pressing the + button, and selecting “Software Update” from the dropdown menu.
If you’re starting a new playthrough for 2 player mode, you can adjust your world settings to make the game easier or harder for both players before you load in. We recommend turning down the dino damage multiplier slightly if you’re new to the game, as dealing with aggressive dinos with two players can be overwhelming at first.
Common 2 Player Ark on Switch Issues & Fixes
The Switch port of Ark has come a long way since its original release, but there are still a few common issues that pop up when playing in split screen mode. Most of these are easy to fix with a few quick adjustments, no reset required.
First, the most common complaint is lag or frame rate drops in split screen mode. That’s totally normal, as the console is working twice as hard to render two separate views of the world at once. The easiest fix is to adjust your in-game graphics settings to reduce the load on your Switch. Turning off foliage density can boost split screen frame rates by up to 30% in most areas, and turning off dynamic shadows and lowering render distance will help even more. Avoid building huge bases with hundreds of structures or taming dozens of dinos if you want to keep frame rates smooth, as each additional object in the world adds more processing load.
Another common issue is player 2 progress not saving between sessions. Unlike single player mode, player 2’s data is tied directly to the host’s save file, so if the host doesn’t save before exiting the game, both players will lose any progress made since the last save. Never exit the game without saving first if you’re playing with a second player, as you could lose hours of progress taming high level dinos or building your base. We recommend manually saving every 30 minutes, especially after completing a big task like beating a boss or taming a rex.
The last common issue is the game not detecting the second controller. This almost always happens if you pair the controller after launching the game, so make sure both controllers are connected and assigned to separate user profiles before you open Ark. If you’re still having issues, restart your Switch and re-pair both controllers before launching the game again.
Top Tips for Enjoyable 2 Player Ark on Switch Gameplay
Once you’ve got your split screen set up and working smoothly, there are a few tips you can use to make your playthrough way more fun and less frustrating, especially if you’re new to Ark.
First, divide roles between you and your co-op partner early on. One player can focus on gathering resources, building structures, and managing your base, while the other can focus on taming dinos, scouting for new areas, and fighting off aggressive dinos that attack your base. Assigning roles cuts down on resource waste and speeds up your progression by almost 50% for new playthroughs, as you won’t both be wasting time gathering the same resources or running the same errands. You can swap roles whenever you want if you get bored of your current tasks.
Another tip is to set up separate storage chests for each player, plus shared chests for common resources like wood, stone, and fiber. Label each chest clearly so you don’t accidentally use your partner’s rare resources like polymer, black pearls, or element that they’ve been saving for high level gear. We also recommend setting up a shared taming pen near your base so you can both work on taming dinos without having to travel far.
Stick to lower risk areas for the first 10 to 15 levels of your playthrough, before you have good gear and tamed dinos to protect you. Avoid the snow biome, swamp, and volcano area at first, as those areas have high level aggressive dinos that can easily kill both of you if you’re not prepared. Start on the beach, build a small base, tame a few trikes or parasurs, and work your way up to more dangerous areas slowly.
Finally, don’t be afraid to adjust your world settings if you’re not having fun. If you’re tired of losing all your items when you die, turn on the keep inventory option. If taming dinos takes too long, turn up the taming speed multiplier. The point of playing co-op is to have fun with your friend, not to grind through the hardest settings possible if that’s not what you enjoy.
At the end of the day, if you’ve been asking is ark on switch 2 player supported, you can rest easy knowing that it’s a fully featured, fun way to experience one of the most popular survival games of all time with a friend. As long as you follow the setup steps, adjust your graphics settings to avoid lag, and divide tasks between you and your partner, you’ll have a great time taming dinos, building bases, and exploring the island together. It’s the perfect game for lazy game nights, rainy weekends, or any time you want to team up for a fun, challenging co-op experience.