Remember the days when gaming meant huddling around the telly with your mates, controllers in hand, ready to take on the world? Well, those days aren’t gone – they’ve just evolved. Couch co-op games have come a long way since the pixelated adventures of yesteryear, but the joy of playing side-by-side remains unmatched. From puzzlers that’ll test your teamwork to button-mashers that’ll have you in stitches, there’s something magical about sharing the same screen. So, grab some snacks, settle in, and get ready to dive into our list of the 15 best couch co-op games that’ll have you and your friends glued to the sofa. It was hard to choose – there’ve been some astoundingly awesome couch co-op games on pretty much every console.
Overcooked
This chaotic kitchen simulator will have you and your mates scrambling to serve up dishes before the timer runs out. With levels that split, shake, and transform, communication is key. You’ll be shouting orders, passing ingredients, and laughing at your culinary disasters in no time. The sequel, Overcooked 2, adds online play and the ability to throw ingredients, ramping up the mayhem even further.
Castle Crashers
Hack, slash, and giggle your way through this cartoon beat ’em up. With its quirky humour and RPG elements, Castle Crashers is a riot from start to finish. Level up your knights, collect new weapons, and battle bizarre bosses in this four-player adventure. The game’s charming art style, created by The Behemoth, gives it a unique personality that sets it apart from other beat ’em ups.
Rocket League
Football meets rocket-powered cars in this high-octane sports game. Team up with a mate to score gravity-defying goals and pull off impossible saves. With its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay, Rocket League is perfect for both casual kickabouts and intense tournaments. The game’s cross-platform play ensures you’ll always find a match, whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
Portal 2
Put your problem-solving skills to the test in this mind-bending puzzle game. The co-op campaign offers unique challenges that require perfect teamwork and timing. You’ll be high-fiving and head-scratching in equal measure as you navigate through Aperture Science’s treacherous test chambers. The game’s dry humour, delivered by Stephen Merchant as the robot Wheatley, adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the brain-twisting puzzles.
Rayman Legends
This gorgeous platformer is a feast for the eyes and a treat for the fingers. With up to four players bouncing, sliding, and punching their way through whimsical worlds, it’s non-stop fun. The musical levels, where you platform in time to the music, are particularly brilliant. Rayman Legends also includes remastered levels from its predecessor, Rayman Origins, effectively giving you two games in one.
Cuphead
Don your best 1930s attire and dive into this brutally challenging run-and-gun game. The hand-drawn animation is stunning, and the boss battles are legendary. While it’s tough as nails, having a partner to revive you makes the journey a bit less daunting – and twice as fun. The game’s jazz-infused soundtrack perfectly complements the vintage cartoon aesthetic, creating a truly immersive experience.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
For those craving a meatier co-op experience, this deep RPG offers hundreds of hours of shared adventure. Create your characters, explore a rich fantasy world, and make choices that truly matter. The turn-based combat allows for creative strategies between you and your partner. The game’s Gamemaster Mode even lets one player create custom campaigns for others to play through, adding nearly endless replayability.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Pilot a neon spaceship through the cosmos in this frantic multi-tasking game. With stations to man, guns to fire, and shields to raise, you’ll need to communicate clearly to survive. It’s chaotic, colourful, and utterly charming. The game’s randomized galaxy ensures that each playthrough is unique, keeping the experience fresh even after multiple completions.
Gears 5
Take cover and prepare for intense firefights in this gritty third-person shooter. The campaign supports three-player local co-op, allowing you to tackle the Locust horde as a team. With its stunning visuals and satisfying combat, it’s a blockbuster experience best shared with friends. The game also features a Horde mode, where you and your mates can test your mettle against waves of increasingly difficult enemies.
A Way Out
This unique adventure game can only be played in co-op, and it’s all the better for it. You and your partner play as two convicts attempting a prison break. With split-screen action and intertwining stories, it’s like starring in your own buddy cop film. The game’s director, Josef Fares, is known for his innovative approach to co-op gameplay, and A Way Out showcases this brilliantly.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
No couch co-op list would be complete without Mario Kart. Race through gravity-defying tracks, chuck bananas at your mates, and try not to fall out over blue shells. With its colourful courses and perfectly balanced gameplay, it’s the ultimate party game. The Deluxe version for Nintendo Switch includes all DLC from the Wii U version, plus new characters and a revamped Battle Mode.
Diablo III
Slay demons and collect loot in this addictive action RPG. With different classes to choose from and mountains of gear to find, you and your mates can craft unique characters. The couch co-op mode is seamless, allowing players to drop in and out at will. The game’s seasonal content and regular updates ensure there’s always a reason to come back for more demon-slaying action.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Relive the entire Star Wars saga in brick form with this charming adventure. With its signature Lego humour and simple yet engaging gameplay, it’s perfect for players of all ages. Unlock characters, explore planets, and use the Force – all with a friend by your side. The game features voice acting and dialogue from the films, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the Lego-fied Star Wars universe.
Streets of Rage 4
Punch, kick, and special-move your way through this love letter to classic beat ’em ups. The hand-drawn art style is gorgeous, and the combat feels weighty and satisfying. Team up with up to three other players and clean up the mean streets in style. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Olivier Deriviere with contributions from original series composers Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima, perfectly captures the spirit of the 90s originals.
It Takes Two
This co-op only game is a masterclass in collaborative gameplay. As a bickering couple shrunk down to doll size, you’ll need to work together to navigate a now-giant world. With constantly changing gameplay mechanics and a heartfelt story, it’s a unique and unforgettable experience. The game won numerous Game of the Year awards in 2021, cementing its place as one of the best co-op experiences of recent years.
12 Worst Video Game Movie Adaptations of All Time
Make You Say “What??”
I used to get excited when my favorite games were turned into movies, but after a few really horrendous experiences, I just started to roll my eyes and shake my head in bemused despair each time I heard about another video game movie adaptation. I pretty much knew that I’d be disappointed.
For years, the silver screen has tried to capture the magic of video games, often missing the mark. From bad acting to cringe-worthy effects, video game movies have gained a reputation for being terrible. Gaming experts at Gamer Brain examined IMDb ratings for every video game movie adaptation to find the top 12 worst ones.
Read More: 12 Worst Video Game Movie Adaptations of All Time
Justin Hartman is a tech-savvy storyteller with a passion for gaming, movies, and all things automotive. Whether he's dissecting the latest gadgets, diving into cinematic classics, or geeking out over cars, trucks, and planes, Justin brings curiosity and expertise to every topic. When he's not writing, you’ll find him leveling up in his favorite games or cruising in search of his next automotive adventure.
