There's nothing better than finding a good multiplayer game you can return to time and again, whether that's for some great co-op fun with friends or to challenge yourself against others. There are a lot of multiplayer staples that have been around for a long time, but 2022 launched some stiff competition.
Here are the nominees for TechRaptor's Best Multiplayer Award for exceptional multiplayer gameplay and design.
- Grounded
- Marvel Snap
- Multiversus
- Splatoon 3 (Our Review)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (Our Review)
Check out here for our other award categories and nominees.
Readers' Choice Winner - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Developer: Tribute Games | Release Date: June 16th, 2022
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge is a classic genre done masterfully. The team at Tribute Games made us all feel like we were playing the classic TMNT games from the SNES era exactly as we remember them, with a bunch of new additions and improvements. The gameplay is nostalgic, the soundtrack is amazing, and it's a visual delight.
Third Place - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Developer: Tribute Games | Release Date: June 16th, 2022
Written by Keenan McCall
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge isn’t the most complex multiplayer experience out there, and it’s all the better for it.
Most anyone can hop into the game and beat down some baddies with ease, thanks largely to its easy to grasp controls and gameplay. Mashing buttons works just as well as carefully timing one’s strikes and jumps in most cases, meaning even someone who doesn’t usually play games can join in on the fun and contribute toward a cooperative experience.
There aren’t any competitive modes or intricate gameplay mechanics to speak of either. All one needs to do is attack enemies, jump over obstacles, and move forward toward the final boss alongside the other players. This makes the game that much easier to grasp and ensures those who play it don’t need to learn complicated rules or metas before the fun can begin.
It’s the epitome of a game just about anyone can enjoy, and when one factors in how it supports both online and offline multiplayer, it becomes plain to see why the game stood out as one of the better multiplayer games around in 2022.
Second Place - Splatoon 3
Developer: Nintendo | Release Date: September 9th, 2022
Written by Dan Rockwood
Splatoon 3 largely iterates on the 4 vs. 4 fun of the previous two titles in the series but does so in a way that makes it absolutely delightful for those who have been looking for a reason to return to the world of Inklings and Octolings. The multiplayer components are largely unchanged, though there are new stages and weapons for players to enjoy. Salmon Run is now available 24/7, a mode that used to be locked to specific times in Splatoon 2, and the ability to skip through the opening broadcast to get to gameplay faster is a welcome improvement for Splatoon 3.
Where Nintendo has dominated couch co-op and competition for decades, it has never really found its footing when it comes to online gaming. Splatoon 3 is the exception, delivering an exceptional online play experience that makes every match worth looking forward to. Disconnects and server issues made the Splatoon 3 launch a bit rocky, but overall this kid/squid competition performs well and looks gorgeous on the Nintendo Switch. Whether players are logging on for a weekend Splatfest, tackling the battlefield in Turf War or trying their tentacles at the various competitive modes, Splatoon 3 is one of the most successful multiplayer titles to come to the Switch in 2022.
Winner - Marvel Snap
Developer: Second Dinner | Release Date: October 18th, 2022
Written by Don Parsons
Snappy, innovative gameplay is Marvel Snap's stock in trade, as the first game from Second Dinner has been a super hit. While many card games can take a while to play, Marvel Snap condenses the game down to 6 short and sweet turns.
The innovative core of the game is moving what winning in a collectible card game entails. By creating a focus on the amount of cubes, or points, a player wins (or loses) per match, while allowing players to essentially wager those points with strategic decisions in retreating or snapping (betting more), Marvel Snap becomes a different experience. One well suited to its short, highly variable gameplay.
Marvel Snap has room to grow, but its unique twist on gameplay combined with good fundamental design make it a joy to play.
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