Despite many complaints from people about how “couch co-op games are dead” there are tons of fantastic options available for your enjoyment. While some consoles feature more options, like the Nintendo Switch, for couch co-op games, there are tons of amazing games that come out on everything.
Games that are both co-op and competitive that you and your friends can gather around a single TV to play. Some of the most iconic couch games, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Party don’t make the list because they’re Nintendo exclusive, making way for some lesser-known titles.
10 Castle Crashers Remastered
Briefly exclusive to the Xbox 360, Castle Crashers (and the remastered version) has made its way to every platform imaginable, to the delight of everyone. This arcade-style beat-em-up features a team of knights trying to rescue princesses from the forces of evil. The game has a great art-style and some good humor, if not a bit outdated now. The best part is the game also pits you against your friends at the end of some levels, fighting for the opportunity to kiss the princess, assuming she also wants to kiss you.
9 Any LEGO Game
Every LEGO game ever made (at least the “main” series) are all two-player co-op and split-screen. The games feature some fairly simple puzzles and easy combat but they also feature a great sense of humor and usually an enjoyable version of whatever world they’re recreating in LEGO. While all of the games have pros and cons, the LEGO Batman games (especially 3) features tons of great characters and a good sense of humor to go with. Not every couch co-op experience needs to end with everyone hating each other.
8 Overcooked and Overcooked 2
If you do want everyone to hate each other, Overcooked and Overcooked 2 are the games to play. Both games are good enough to deserve their own separate list entries, but since they are very similar, they got lumped together. You and three friends are challenged to cook food in very busy restaurants with every level piling on more ridiculous obstacles and recipes.
The games are challenging without being impossible, but definitely can break some friendships if you’re not careful. You will at least have the opportunity to channel your best Gordan Ramsay “idiot sandwich” impression.
7 Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Another possible friendship destroyer, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime sees up to four people work together to use a spaceship to triumph over the evil forces of Anti-Love, rescuing captured space-bunnies. The game requires a high-level of coordination, really only working with everyone in the same room while playing it. Players can control the ship’s navigation, its guns, and other systems to work together and bring love back to the galaxy.
6 Jackbox
With six different collections available there are tons of options out there for great Jackbox games. While some of the games try way too hard to be funny, some of them make for a great time, especially among friends. They also can have up to eight players, and since they use smartphones instead of controllers, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on extra controllers unless you really want to. Some of the classics like Fibbage and Quiplash make for great fill-in-the-blank games, and newer titles like Fakin’ It tests your knowledge of your friends.
5 Borderlands 3
While it might not be considered the best in the series, Borderlands 3 has some of the best shooting and looting in the series, so why not do it with friends? Borderlands 3 features split-screen play so you and a friend can shoot through the galaxy.
While the game does not have a strong story or consistently funny jokes, it does have great FPS gameplay and a satisfying loot cycle to keep you coming back for more. It also has an option for each player to get their own loot, so no more fighting for the legendary drops.
4 Minecraft
It goes without saying that Minecraft is one of the greatest games of all time, so it makes sense that it’s also one of the best couch co-op games as well. All console versions feature split-screen, allowing you and some friends to join together to build and survive. Between creative mode and survival mode, the game can be molded to be whatever type of game you and your friends want to play. Having a world that is saved just for split-screen outings also makes it so nobody feels left behind.
3 Towerfall (Ascension)
Indie game Towerfall, later ported as Towerfall Ascension, lets players take each other on in platforming bow and arrow combat. The fast-paced chaotic action makes for an intense couch experience, almost rivaling games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The matches are fast and the controls are simple making it easy for people to pick up without taking away from the quality of the experience. Putting Towerfall Ascension into your couch co-op game list is a great decision.
2 Rocket League
Purists and Grand Champions might call playing Rocket League split-screen blasphemous, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great experience. Regardless of if you’re playing ranked or casual, Rocket League is as fun as it is intense.
Rocket League is soccer with small RC cars that have rocket boost, and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. The game requires some skill that won’t come easily, but it still makes for a great experience when just starting out.
1 Diablo III
While not considered a high point for the franchise, Diablo III is a fantastic dungeon crawler with a great couch experience on consoles. Four people can play with their own characters on a single console, making it one of the best AAA couch co-op games. Hack and slash through the many forces of hell, gaining loot and gold throughout the journey. With a great endgame and five acts to play through, Diablo III could be the couch co-op experience that takes over your life. The game even has great features, like dropping loot for specific people, thus helping avoid any unnecessary arguments over who gets the legendary items.
NEXT: 10 Co-Op Games That Will Ruin Friendships
