Yes, you can play 2 player on Need for Speed switch

As an avid Need for Speed fan, the first question I had when the latest entry Unbound was announced for Nintendo Switch was – can I play local, split-screen multiplayer with a friend? After all, racing head-to-head on the couch is where some of my fondest memories with the franchise lie.

Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. Allow me to explain…

Online Multiplayer? Check. Local Wireless Play? Check. Split-Screen? Unavailable.

Need for Speed Unbound on the Nintendo Switch does offer online multiplayer supporting up to 8 players as well as local wireless play. However, it does not allow for split-screen multiplayer on one Switch console like previous entries in the series.

So you can play 2-player with a friend in Unbound, but only through the online multiplayer mode or by using two Switch consoles in local wireless play. Each player will need their own Switch and copy of the game to race locally.

Let‘s analyze the Switch version‘s multiplayer options in more detail:

Online Multiplayer

• Supports up to 8 players online
• Accessible from the main menu under Multiplayer section
• Features both co-op and competitive race modes
• Includes custom lobbies for racing friends
• Cross-play enabled with PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC

This offers the core Need for Speed multiplayer experience many look for. You can still take the rivalry online and race 7 other drifters simultaneously with the Switch version.

Local Wireless Play

• Two or more Switch consoles can connect wirelessly for local multiplayer sessions
• Each player needs their own Switch and game copy
• Enables racing friends on different Switch devices locally
• Does not require an internet connection

By leveraging each Switch‘s local wireless capabilities, you can setup races with multiple consoles in close proximity. It‘s the next best thing to split-screen, if you and your friends all have the game.

Split-Screen Unavailable

Unfortunately, there is no option for same-screen local multiplayer. Based on the technical demands of rendering modern graphics simultaneously for two views, Criterion Games likely decided not to pursue it.

However, throughout Need for Speed‘s history, split-screen racing has created memorable gaming moments. I have fond memories of crowding the couch with friends, trash talking each other as we jostle for position. With the Switch supporting same-screen multiplayer in other racing titles like Mario Kart, it‘s disappointing not to see it as an option here.

How Switch Compares to Other Platforms

The Nintendo Switch version has feature parity with other platforms for online multiplayer, a critical component. But the absence of split-screen does stand out compared to Xbox and PlayStation:

As shown above, no version of Need for Speed Unbound has split-screen functionality. However Xbox and PlayStation platforms have historically had more local co-op support in racing titles relative to Nintendo. So the absence stings more for Switch.

Why No Split-Screen?

With the technical capabilities and processing power unlocked by current generation consoles and gaming PCs, why does Need for Speed Unbound omit split-screen when couch competition serves the racing genre so well? There are a few contributing factors:

Graphics Processing Limitations

Rendering visually impressive graphics at a smooth 60 FPS is demanding enough for one viewpoint. Doing so for two player views simultaneously could diminish visual quality or frame rate.

Development Time and Resources

Building in split-screen support with vertically-split views would have added complexity to multiplayer infrastructure and UX design. It may have been deprioritized to focus resources on other features.

Limited Precedent in Recent Titles

The last major Need for Speed release with split-screen was Hot Pursuit 2 in 2002. Recent entries have focused innovation on areas like open world freedom and visual customization. For Criterion, local multiplayer many not have made the cut for Unbound‘s feature roadmap.

Regardless of the rationale, no option for same-screen competition is a missed opportunity in my opinion as an avid gamer. Couch multiplayer shouldn‘t be lost as graphical fidelity continues improving.

The Case for Split-Screen in Racing Games

Here‘s why I believe split-screen or local co-op should still have a place in racing titles, including Need for Speed, despite surging online connectivity:

• Social Interaction – Playing side-by-side fuels friendly competition and camaraderie
• Strategy – Adjusting driving tactics based on opponent actions in your periphery
• Ease – Convenience of instantly racing friends without syncing devices

Implementing it technically is certainly more challenging with current generation graphics. However, with clever engineering solutions – like dynamically lowering environmental details or resolution in split-screen mode only – it can be achieved without sacrificing performance.

As an industry leader, I would love to see Need for Speed pioneer a thoughtful split-screen framework for modern racing titles moving forward. Having this option alongside stellar online connectivity would give players the best of both worlds.

The Bottom Line – Good Multiplayer, But No Split-Screen

At the end of day, while Need for Speed Unbound does allow for 2-player competition on Nintendo Switch through online races or local wireless play between consoles, split-screen is unfortunately not enabled.

For the majority eyeing online multiplayer, this omission may not significantly detract from the experience. But for nostalgic local co-op fans like myself, it stings as a missed opportunity to continue advancing a beloved gameplay format.

Here‘s hoping we may eventually see this cherished feature return down the road, not just in Need for Speed but across modern racing titles, as gaming hardware and engines continue progressing.

In the meantime, the racing must go on for Need for Speed Unbound – catch me online pursuing multiplayer thrills on the streets of Lakeshore City! Just be prepared for me to reminisce fondly about couch co-op days gone by in between drift battles.