Video games are an interactive medium. Even though more and more modern games have delved into heavy story-telling that mirrors big-budget Hollywood movies, games still have the liberty of being more personal and immersive because you as the player will actually get to control the main character, if not the entire outcome of the entire story. Most of these types of games are single-player only. However, some games actually do still allow players to co-op with a friend via split-screen or another player online.
Two-player games don’t come around much anymore, but they were the craze many years ago. Even though two-player games are a bit of a rarity these days, anyone who loves the co-op experience should seek them out. Not only do these games support a two-player playthrough, they actually make the overall experience better.
10 NBA 2K21
NBA 2K games aren’t exactly known for their innovation, yet players buy them year after year. This can be attributed to just how incredible the players’ time can when they’re playing this game with friends on their couches or with other players online.
These games are perfect for basketball and NBA fans from all around the world. The feeling that you get when playing as your favorite player in your favorite team is really cathartic. This experience is made even better when you’re playing with another friend who’s also a major fan of the franchise.
9 Rocket League
The idea of Rocket League is very simple, yet highly effective — it’s soccer with cars! Launched in 2015, the game was received positively for its highly fun and addicting gameplay. The player can either play against or with other players online, or play co-op with or against friends offline.
The gameplay of Rocket League is very fast-paced and requires precision. It’s engaging and competitive, and one can never stop with just one match. Most players will find themselves going back to this game over and over again, especially if they’re playing with friends.
8 Mortal Kombat 11
Almost every single soul on earth has at least heard of Mortal Kombat. The series as a whole is very famous, or infamous depending on who you ask, for its graphic fatalities and incredible fighting gameplay. Mortal Kombat 11 is the eleventh main installment in the series released in 2019 and is everything fans love and expect from this series.
Mortal Kombat games are also known for their co-op experiences. Players can sit down and play the Versus mode with a friend offline. They can also opt for online mode and battle other players from all around the world. There are also game modes for two players to do in Mortal Kombat 11 such as co-op Towers of Time and Team Raids.
7 Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled
Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled is a remaster of a 1999 Crash Team Racing title from the Crash Bandicoot series. This title is an astoundingly fun racing game that players can easily sink hours into. Like many of its contemporaries, this game is more than just about being the fastest racer — it’s also about paying attention to the environment and avoiding obstacles.
The game has an adventure mode that features cinematic cutscenes, or you can simply switch over to quick races, circuits, and battle modes. The game can be played co-op locally or online. It’s a fun game to play with friends while relaxing on the couch on a lazy day.
6 Broforce
Broforce is an intense, fast-paced, and adrenaline-inducing action side-scroller game that’s very reminiscent of classic retro titles. This game plays heavily around the “bro” culture and every single one of the playable characters is a parody of a popular protagonist in pop culture, with a spin that matches the game’s themes. This includes Rambro, Brominator, Brommando, Bro Lee, Indiana Brones, and more.
If that’s not interesting enough already, this game also supports up to four players at once. Due to the game’s explosive nature, though, having four different bros on the screen can make the experience very messy. Having two players go through the game, however, is a tad more comprehensive and enjoyable.
5 Cuphead
Cuphead is all about the adventure of the titular character and his brother Mugman. As the result of making a bet against the devil, the brothers must go through the game’s levels to collect debts to repay the devil in souls.
The art style of this run-and-gun game is majorly inspired by the golden age of animations, emulating early Disney Animation titles. Its gameplay can also be very challenging, which makes playing the game with someone else all the more preferable.
4 Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a very unique title. This 2D space shooter game can be played alone or with two to four players. However, due to the overwhelming multitasking nature of the game, if it is played alone, AI players control the other stations. The game is made more enjoyable and cathartic if it is played with a friend instead.
Each player can control a different station of the spaceship as they traverse through space and battle various enemies. Each station commands a different aspect of the gameplay, such as balancing the ship, attacking enemies, and controlling the ship’s shield system.
3 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
This game may be called Super Smash Bros Ultimate and hint at being part of the Mario series, but it’s not limited to just Super Mario characters alone. In fact, this game is more of a crossover event between various Nintendo properties. This fighting game houses an immense range of rosters including, but not limited to characters from Pokemon, Castlevania, Street Fighter, The Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the Hedgehog.
The game also occasionally brings in characters from other franchises such as Steve from Minecraft, Snake from Metal Gear, and Cloud and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy. It is impressive how massive this game is. Its gameplay is also incredibly addicting. Players can play the game with others locally or online.
2 Portal 2
Portal 2 isn’t mainly a co-op game, but it features a cooperative campaign that is incredibly engaging. The game’s co-op mode is all about teamwork with various puzzle-solving challenges. It’s the perfect game to play with a very close friend or a great way to garner a friendship with a stranger online.
Portal, of course, is a video game IP that’s no stranger to praise. Both Portal 1 and 2 are critically acclaimed for their innovative gameplay and incredible writing. Those who enjoy solving puzzles will really enjoy this game, and they’ll enjoy it even more if they play it with someone else who shares their fascination with the intricacies of brain-teasers.
1 Halo
The Halo series is one of the most recognizable names in the video game industry. Master Chief, the main protagonist of the franchise, is widely considered to be the official mascot for the Xbox brand. The games’ main campaigns are revered by players from all over the world.
However, the Halo games aren’t only known for their single-player campaigns, they’re also enjoyed by players because of their co-op gameplay on the Xbox. The players can do a couch co-op with their friends at home, or they can join online servers to face off with other players. The co-op experience of Halo makes the series so much more enjoyable than it already is.
NEXT: 10 Best Open-World Games That Have Couch Co-Op
