In a gaming world dominated by online multiplayer experiences, the charm of classic couch co-op games remains timeless. Whether you’re teaming up for intense battles or embarking on puzzle-solving adventures, playing side-by-side with friends offers a unique kind of fun. If you’re searching for the perfect game to enjoy with a friend on your couch, this guide highlights some of the top co-op titles across different genres and platforms. From platformers to RPGs, these games are designed for collaboration and shared enjoyment.
1. Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo Switch)
With its inventive levels and classic Mario charm, Super Mario 3D World is perfect for chaotic co-op fun. This game allows up to four players to team up and explore vibrant worlds filled with hidden secrets. Although teamwork is essential, the game cleverly adds a competitive twist by scoring each player’s performance, awarding a crown to the top player at the end of each level. Whether you’re cooperating or engaging in friendly rivalry, this game brings endless laughs.
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo Switch)
Known for its beautifully designed levels and challenging platforming, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is ideal for players who crave precise gameplay. The co-op mode lets you team up with a partner to navigate intricate stages filled with obstacles. Despite its difficulty, the game’s unique design and stunning visuals keep it exciting from start to finish. For those seeking a slightly easier experience, the Switch version offers a “Funky Mode” with more accessible mechanics.
3. Rayman Legends (PS4, Switch, Xbox, PC)
Rayman Legends brings a colorful, fast-paced platforming experience that’s both wacky and entertaining. The game’s art style and humor add an eccentric twist to traditional platformers, while its tight controls and creative level design make it a joy to play. With multiple characters and local co-op, this game becomes even more enjoyable when you’re exploring its whimsical worlds with friends.
4. Baldur’s Gate 3 (PC, PS5, Xbox)
For those who prefer deep, story-driven experiences, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers an expansive RPG adventure that can be enjoyed in co-op. The game is a digital reimagining of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, with a focus on decision-making and strategic combat. In co-op mode, the dynamic changes as your partner’s choices can impact the story, leading to unpredictable outcomes. If you’re in it for the long haul, this game is a treasure trove of epic quests, character development, and cooperative storytelling.
5. Vampire Survivors (Xbox, Switch, PC)
Vampire Survivors mixes retro visuals with modern gameplay for a highly addictive shoot-em-up experience. The auto-firing mechanics shift the focus away from aiming, allowing players to concentrate on strategy and movement as they face waves of enemies. Co-op mode introduces an extra layer of teamwork, requiring players to coordinate their attacks and upgrades. The gameplay is simple yet compelling, making it a perfect pick for quick but thrilling sessions.
6. Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Nintendo Switch)
Luigi’s Mansion 3 takes players on a spooky, lighthearted adventure in a haunted hotel. As Luigi, players must rescue friends while solving puzzles and capturing ghosts. Co-op introduces “Gooigi,” a gooey clone of Luigi, allowing a second player to join in. The game’s playful atmosphere and clever level design make it a standout for families and friends looking for a fun, accessible co-op game.
7. BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! (Nintendo Switch)
For puzzle enthusiasts, BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! offers minimalist yet satisfying gameplay. You and your co-op partner control two characters who can create boxes to solve increasingly complex puzzles. The simplicity of the game is balanced by its creative level design, making it a great choice for those who enjoy clever problem-solving.
8. It Takes Two (Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC)
One of the most celebrated co-op games in recent years, It Takes Two is a must-play for duos seeking a narrative-driven experience. The game’s mechanics constantly evolve, with each level introducing new gameplay concepts tailored for cooperative play. While the story centers around an emotional journey, the diverse gameplay keeps the adventure engaging and fresh.
9. Overcooked! All You Can Eat (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
When it comes to chaotic and hilarious couch co-op experiences, Overcooked! All You Can Eat is at the top of the list. This collection includes both Overcooked! and Overcooked! 2, remastered and bundled together with all DLC. In this fast-paced cooking simulator, you and your friends must work together to prepare and serve dishes in increasingly bizarre kitchens. Communication is key as the game throws obstacles like moving platforms, fires, and even earthquakes into the mix. The frantic gameplay and escalating challenges make this a perfect game for group play, although it may test your friendships!
10. Cuphead (PS4, Switch, Xbox, PC)
For those who love a tough challenge with a retro twist, Cuphead is a beautiful yet brutally difficult run-and-gun game inspired by 1930s animation. In local co-op, you and a friend control Cuphead and Mugman, battling a series of imaginative and often tricky bosses. The hand-drawn art style and jazzy soundtrack are mesmerizing, but the game’s unforgiving difficulty demands precision and cooperation. If you’re up for a challenge and love vintage aesthetics, Cuphead is an unforgettable co-op experience.
11. Streets of Rage 4 (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
A modern revival of a classic beat ‘em up series, Streets of Rage 4 delivers punchy, satisfying action perfect for local co-op. The game stays true to the series’ roots with retro-inspired visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, and addictive brawling mechanics. Up to four players can team up to battle waves of enemies across vibrant stages, combining moves and creating combos. Whether you’re a fan of the original games or just enjoy classic side-scrolling action, this is a great choice for cooperative play.
12. Minecraft (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
Minecraft has been a staple of co-op gaming for years, offering endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. In split-screen mode, you and your friends can build, explore, and survive together in a world of your own making. Whether you’re constructing elaborate structures or simply surviving against waves of hostile mobs, Minecraft offers something for everyone. The sandbox nature of the game means you can create your own adventures, making it a go-to for imaginative and collaborative gameplay.
13. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
In Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, you and your teammates control a neon spaceship, navigating through space while battling enemies and rescuing cute creatures. The game is all about teamwork, as each player takes on specific roles like steering, shooting, or operating shields. The vibrant visuals, catchy music, and cooperative chaos make it a fantastic choice for groups who want a unique and challenging co-op experience.
14. Spelunky 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
For fans of challenging roguelike games, Spelunky 2 offers thrilling co-op action. This sequel to the critically acclaimed Spelunky adds new characters, stages, and items while retaining the brutal yet rewarding gameplay. You and your friends will need to work together (or sometimes compete) to navigate procedurally generated levels filled with traps, treasures, and deadly enemies. The game’s difficulty and unpredictable nature ensure that no two runs are the same, making it an exciting co-op game for seasoned players.
15. Castle Crashers Remastered (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
A beloved indie classic, Castle Crashers Remastered combines beat ‘em up gameplay with RPG elements and a quirky sense of humor. Up to four players can hack, slash, and spell-cast their way through colorful levels filled with enemies, bosses, and treasure. The simple yet satisfying combat, combined with the game’s cartoonish art style and memorable soundtrack, makes it a go-to for co-op sessions.
16. Moving Out (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
Moving Out is a quirky physics-based moving simulator that’s perfect for some lighthearted couch co-op fun. In this game, you and your friends play as furniture movers tasked with clearing out homes and loading up a moving truck as quickly as possible. The twist is that the houses are filled with obstacles, tight corners, and breakable objects that make the process hilariously chaotic. Whether you’re tossing couches out of windows or trying to fit oversized furniture into the truck, Moving Out offers endless laughter and teamwork challenges that will keep everyone entertained.
17. A Way Out (PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC)
A Way Out is a unique story-driven game that is designed specifically for co-op play. The game follows two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, as they work together to escape from prison and navigate life on the run. What makes A Way Out stand out is how it utilizes split-screen to tell its story: even in online co-op, both players can see each other’s screens at all times, allowing for more strategic and immersive gameplay. The game features a mix of stealth, action, puzzles, and emotional storytelling, making it an engaging experience for players who enjoy narrative-driven adventures.
18. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
A modern love letter to classic arcade beat ‘em ups, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge lets you and up to five friends jump into the shoes of your favorite heroes in a half shell. The game’s vibrant pixel art, energetic soundtrack, and fluid combat capture the essence of 90s arcade games while adding new moves and combos for more depth. Whether you’re battling waves of Foot Soldiers or taking on iconic villains like Shredder and Bebop, this co-op brawler is packed with nostalgic fun and frantic action.
19. Diablo III: Eternal Collection (PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
Diablo III: Eternal Collection offers a dungeon-crawling experience that’s both accessible and deep, making it a fantastic option for co-op gaming. The game’s local multiplayer lets you and your friends take on the role of demon-slaying heroes, battling through waves of enemies while collecting powerful loot and leveling up your characters. With a range of classes to choose from, you can mix and match abilities to complement each other’s playstyles. Whether you’re grinding for better gear or diving into the story campaign, Diablo III remains one of the best couch co-op RPGs available.
20. Portal 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC)
For puzzle game enthusiasts, Portal 2 offers one of the most satisfying co-op experiences out there. The game’s co-op campaign is entirely separate from its single-player story and features unique puzzles that require two players to solve. You and your partner control test robots Atlas and P-body, using your portal guns to navigate tricky rooms filled with hazards, switches, and mind-bending challenges. The need for precise coordination and communication makes Portal 2 a must-play for those who love clever puzzles and witty writing.