In the age of online multiplayer, it may seem that the golden age of offline cooperative games on a single PC or console is a distant past. Many people nostalgically recall the times when friends gathered in the same room, curled up on the same couch, to complete a difficult level together, compete, or just have fun. There are objective reasons for this shift in gaming preferences, because modern consoles and even PCs can find it difficult to display not one image with all the modern graphic effects, but two or even four at once. However, this does not mean that local cooperative has disappeared completely.
This selection is dedicated to such games – the best representatives of the cooperative genre, which can and should be played on one screen. Here are projects for every taste: from touching story adventures and chaotic arcades to large-scale role-playing games and intense shooters. All of them clearly demonstrate that nothing can replace the joy of victory or cheerful defeat, shared with the person sitting next to you.
Disclaimer: some games only offer local co-op modes on console versions, but fans have managed to restore them to PC using mods.
A Way Out
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre: action/adventure
Number of players: 2
Year: 2018
Even before the phenomenal success of It Takes Two, director Youssef Fares and his studio Hazelight Studios released A Way Out – a cinematic adventure that is built entirely on cooperative play. The game tells the story of two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, who are forced to team up to escape from prison and take revenge on a common enemy. This is a unique project that cannot be played alone, which was quite a provocative move in 2018. However, it found a response in the hearts of many players.
The gameplay constantly uses split-screen, even when the characters are in different locations, allowing players to always see what their partner is doing. A Way Out skillfully combines different genres: there are stealth, and shootouts, and chases, and QTE-scenes, and puzzles that require synchronous actions. It is a tense, emotional and beautifully written story of trust and betrayal, which, despite the emphasis on cooperative mechanics, does not sacrifice the plot.
BattleBlock Theater
Platforms: Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox 360
Genre: comedy platformer
Number of players: 2
Year: 2013
The Behemoth studio, known for the game Castle Crashers, which, by the way, can also be recommended to all fans of local co-op, has created one of the most fun and chaotic co-op platformers of all time. According to the plot, your ship crashes near a mysterious island ruled by giant cats that force prisoners to participate in deadly theatrical performances. Sounds absurd? It is, and that's the whole beauty of the game.
Each BattleBlock Theater level is a set of tricky traps and obstacles that are much easier and more fun to overcome with a friend. The cooperative mode encourages both cooperation and friendly betrayals. So no one will forbid you to push a friend into the spikes to be the first to reach the final level. All this is accompanied by the brand's humor, a great visual style and an incredibly catchy soundtrack.
Borderlands 2
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3/4, PS Vita, Xbox 360/One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: looter-shooter, action/RPG
Number of players: 2
Year: 2012
The Borderlands series is a pillar of the looter shooter genre, and its second installment is still considered by many to be the best. The game offers a billion weapon variations, charismatic characters, and a unique and, in a good way, silly humor. And while it can be played alone, Borderlands 2 is truly revealed in co-op.
Split-screen mode on consoles lets you explore the world, complete quests, and battle bosses with a friend. The character classes complement each other perfectly, encouraging tactical interaction. There's even a duel mode if you feel like competing. Hunting for legendary weapons together, engaging in crazy shootouts, and defeating challenging bosses is an experience that makes Borderlands 2 the perfect game for long-term co-op sessions.
Local split screen is supported by all subsequent games in the series, including the latest Borderlands 4, and all games in the series feature online co-op for 4 players.
Cuphead
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: run-and-gun, platformer
Number of players: 2
Year: 2017
Cuphead is a game that has conquered the world with its unique visual style, inspired by 1930s animation, and extremely high difficulty. Every frame is hand-drawn, and the jazzy soundtrack only enhances the atmosphere of the old cartoon. The game tells the story of two cup brothers, Cuphead and Mugman, who lost their souls to the devil and are now forced to collect debts from other inhabitants of a fairy-tale world.
Although the game is known for its difficulty, the two-player co-op mode makes it a little easier and a lot more fun. It's easier to control the battlefield with two people, and the ability to "save" the soul of a fallen partner adds tactical depth. Defeating another incredibly difficult boss together gives an unforgettable sense of triumph, which is nice to share with a friend.
Diablo IV
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: action/RPG
Number of players: 2
Year: 2023
The return of the legendary Diablo series was a big deal, and Blizzard didn't forget about local co-op fans. On consoles, Diablo IV offers full two-player mode on one screen, a rarity for today's large-scale RPGs. Together with a friend, you can immerse yourself in the gloomy world of Sanctuary to fight demons, collect legendary gear, and explore a huge open world.
Cooperative mode is implemented very conveniently: players can freely explore locations, complete tasks together, and go through dungeons. Joint play allows you to create powerful combinations of classes and skills, which makes destroying crowds of enemies even more exciting. This is an ideal way to spend dozens, or even hundreds of hours in a gloomy fantasy world. All you need is separate Battle.net accounts.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: first-person shooter
Number of players: 2-4
Year: 2014
Co-op play has always been a staple of the Halo franchise, and The Master Chief Collection is a monumental collection that lets you relive the franchise's greatest moments in split-screen mode. The collection includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4.
Each of these games offers a unique co-op experience, from two-player play in the early installments to four-player co-op in the later installments. Fighting the Covenant together in legendary levels and epic battles is a classic that never gets old. The Master Chief Collection is a treasure trove for fans of shooters and local co-op.
Human: Fall Flat
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Genre: comedy platformer
Number of players: 2
Year: 2016
Human: Fall Flat is a physics-based comedy puzzler where you control shapeless little men who can barely stand on their feet. The main goal is to complete a series of surreal levels using the laws of physics and interacting with the environment. But the main "trick" of the game is its clumsy controls, which turn every action into a comic spectacle.
In two-player co-op, this chaos only multiplies. Trying to drag a heavy object together, toss a partner onto a high platform, or simply not fall into an abyss leads to unpredictable and incredibly funny situations. This is one of those games where the process is more important than the result, and failures cause more laughter than irritation.
It Takes Two
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre: action/adventure, platformer
Number of players: 2
Year: 2021
It Takes Two is a masterpiece of the cooperative genre, a game that has won multiple Game of the Year awards and is impossible to complete alone. It is what made Hazelight Studio famous all over the world. The game tells the story of a couple, Cody and May, who are about to divorce, but are turned into dolls by their daughter's spell. In order to regain their human form, they will have to learn to cooperate again.
Each level in the game is a unique world with its own rules and game mechanics that are constantly changing and require players to be perfectly synchronized. Whether you are controlling the laws of physics, fighting squirrels in a fighting game style, or flying on a dandelion, It Takes Two is an incredibly inventive, beautiful and touching story about relationships that proves that cooperative games can be a true art.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Genre: action/adventure
Number of players: 2
Year: 2010
It's a spin-off of the main Tomb Raider series, moving away from the usual third-person gameplay in favor of an isometric camera and a focus on co-op play. However, the essence and spirit of the original game is captured perfectly. Lara Croft teams up with a 2,000-year-old Mayan warrior named Totek to stop the evil spirit Xanxolt.
Guardian of Light is a great mix of fast-paced combat and challenging puzzles that require teamwork. Lara uses her pistols and grappling hook, while Totek uses her spear and shield. Their unique abilities must be constantly combined: Totek can throw spears at walls for Lara to climb, and Lara can use her grappling hook to create bridges for her partner. It's a compact, yet incredibly rich and intelligent co-op adventure.
The sequel Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is also worth a look, featuring four-player co-op, but the gameplay itself is more chaotic and less interesting. Both games are included in The Lara Croft Collection for Nintendo Switch.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre: simulator
Number of players: 2-4
Year: 2020
Prepare for chaos, screaming, and a test of your friendships. Overcooked! is a cooperative cooking simulator where teams of up to four players must prepare custom meals in the most unlikely of environments: on pirate ships, in ice fields, or even in space.
It sounds simple, but the game requires perfect coordination and communication. You have to chop ingredients, fry meat, wash dishes, serve orders - all this in conditions of constant lack of time and constantly changing levels. All You Can Eat is a collection that includes the first two parts and all additional content with improved graphics. It is the quintessence of "couch" co-op, which guarantees both tears of despair and tears of laughter. Try not to argue!
Resident Evil 5
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 3/4, Xbox 360/One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: action/adventure
Number of players: 2
Year: 2009
While Resident Evil 5 has been criticized for straying from survival horror canons in favor of pure action, its story-driven campaign, designed entirely for cooperative play, is one of the best in the genre. Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar fight a new biological threat in Africa, and their cooperation is the key to survival.
The game requires constant cooperation. Players must share ammunition and medical items, cover each other, solve puzzles together, and perform contextual actions. The shared inventory and the need to save a wounded partner create a constant sense of tension and dependence on each other. In addition, various situations will constantly test your ability to interact with your comrade. If you are looking for a rich and spectacular cooperative action game, Resident Evil 5 remains an excellent choice.
Split Fiction
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
Genre: action-adventure, platformer
Number of players: 2
Year: 2025
Split Fiction is the logical development of the ideas of It Takes Two. In this cooperative adventure, everything is bigger, almost everything is better. The game tells the story of two completely different writers: cynical science fiction author Mio and cheerful fantasy author Zoe. They fall into the trap of an experimental machine that immerses them in the world of their own stories, but due to a malfunction, their universes are chaotically mixed.
Split Fiction is the culmination of Hazelight's philosophy, where co-op is not just a mode, but the very essence of the game. As in It Takes Two, each level here is an explosion of creativity, offering unique game mechanics that are never repeated again. The heroines have different abilities, which forces players to constantly communicate and perfectly synchronize their actions. The fusion of science fiction and fantasy creates incredible visual and gameplay situations, and the story of two strangers who learn to trust each other in order to overcome their own psychological traumas turns out to be surprisingly touching.
However, in my opinion, it's clear that the developers were primarily focused on hardcore gamers. That's why the game has a lot of references to games like Elden Ring and Assassin's Creed, but emotionally it's not as impressive as It Takes Two.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Platforms: Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Genre: beat 'em up
Number of players: 2-6
Year: 2022
A real treat for anyone who grew up with the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons and games. Shredder's Revenge is a perfect rebirth of the beat 'em up genre, created with great love for the original source. The game offers vibrant pixel art, a fiery soundtrack, and classic "go and beat" gameplay.
But the main thing is the co-op. Up to six players can take part in the battle at the same time, controlling not only the turtles, but also April O'Neil, Splinter and Casey Jones. Joint attacks, the ability to "revive" a friend and general cheerful chaos on the screen make Shredder's Revenge one of the best games for parties and friendly gatherings.
Trine 2
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3/4, Xbox 360/One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Genre: platformer, puzzle
Number of players: 2-3
Year: 2011
The Trine series is one of the most beautiful fairy tales in the world of video games. The second part, considered by many to be the best, tells the adventures of three heroes: the knight Pontius, the thief Zoe, and the wizard Amadeus. Each of them has unique abilities that must be combined to solve puzzles and fight enemies.
In local co-op for three players, the game is fully revealed. Pontius protects the team with a shield, Zoya creates bridges using a rope, and Amadeus materializes boxes and platforms. And this is only a superficial use of the heroes' abilities. The combination of these skills creates an incredible space for creative solutions. And the fabulous graphics and enchanting music turn the game into a real visual delight.
Vampire Survivors
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Genre: roguelike
Number of players: 2-4
Year: 2022
Vampire Survivors is a game that created a whole subgenre of its own, and also made millions of people addicted to its gameplay. And it is actually brilliant in its simplicity and is a modification of the gameplay of the classic Crimsonland from 10tons Entertainment: you control a character who attacks automatically, and your task is only to move, dodging endless crowds of monsters, and collect experience to improve weapons. It sounds trivial, but it is an incredibly addictive formula.
Initially, the game was purely single-player, but later the developers added full-fledged local co-op for up to four players. And it radically changes the experience. Now the screen displays even more chaos from special effects, and players have to coordinate their actions to level up and survive together. This is a great example of how you can successfully add co-op to a game that, it would seem, is not designed for this.
What games with local co-op can you recommend? What is your general opinion about such modes in games? Share your thoughts in the comments!