It’s often said that couch co-op is dead these days, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Granted,split-screen multiplayer games are a lot less prevalent than they once were, but there are still plenty of great modern titles that offer local co-op modes, not to mention a rich back catalog of classic couch co-op titles that still hold up reasonably well today.
The very bestcouch co-op gameshad a lasting effect on the industry, either by refining existing ideas and mechanics or introducing brand-new ones that would forever change their respective genres. From first-person shooters to top-tier sports sims, those looking for the best local multiplayer games of all time have plenty of great titles to choose from.
Updated June 05, 2025, by Tom Bowen:Although there are still plenty of great local multiplayer games being released for current-gen consoles, many of the best couch co-op games of all time were products of a bygone era of gaming. In most cases, those looking to re-experience these timeless classics will therefore need to dig out their old discs or cartridges or hope that the game in question has been remastered or remade for modern platforms. Some of these titles were technically impressive for their eras while others made use of unique mechanics to provide players with an exciting and fun-filled experience that just couldn’t be found elsewhere. The very best split-screen games are therefore dripping with nostalgia, having provided many great memories to gamers of a certain age.
12Castle Crashers
Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS3)
Castle Crashersarrived at a time when online multiplayer was in the ascendancy, yet served as a perfect reminder of why couch co-op experiences were and still are important to this day. Sitting down with a few friends and burning through a few chapters was incredibly enjoyable, and remains so today thanks to the game’s timeless 2D art style.
The game has been ported to numerous systems over the years, with players still able to play it on current-gen consoles thanks to the Xbox One and PS4 versions. The Behemoth’s title has inspired countless other indie games in the years since its release and continues to be a firm favorite of many local multiplayer aficionados thanks toits unique and exciting take on the hack-and-slash genre.
11Perfect Dark
Metacritic Rating: 97 (N64)
It’s a little depressing to see what’s become of Rare since the iconic British developer was acquired by Microsoft in 2002. In the years leading up to the acquisition, though, the studio had been responsible for many ofthe best games released on the Nintendo 64, withPerfect Darkarguably being the team’s crowning achievement.
The fact that it was based on a brand-new IP rather than a licensed one or an existing video game franchise caused it to fly under many people’s radars, but on a technical level, it was easily one of the most impressive games of its era. For that reason alone, it would be impossible to talk about the best local multiplayer games of all time without at least mentioningPerfect Dark.
Metacritic Rating: 89 (Xbox 360)
Like Rockstar Games and id Software, Valve has a pretty impressive track record when it comes to its strong back catalog of games. It doesn’t release new titles all that often anymore, but when it does, they’re all but guaranteed to become verified classics, as was once again the case with 2009’sLeft 4 Dead 2.
Much like the previous game,Left 4 Dead 2is built around co-op gameplay, with players teaming up with three friends or strangers and then tasked with surviving in a zombie-infested world. It has inspired countless other titles in the years since its release but is still widely regarded as being one ofthe best co-op zombie gamesaround.
9WWF No Mercy
Metacritic Rating: 89 (N64)
With support for four controllers right out of the box, the N64 was clearly a console that was designed with couch co-op in mind. Many developers and publishers were quick to take advantage of those two extra controller ports, leading to plenty of fantastic titles like Asmik Ace Entertainment’sWWF No Mercy.
WhereasWWF AttitudeandtheWWF Smackdown!games on the original PlayStationgenerally sought to provide a realistic wrestling simulation,WWF No Mercyoffered up more of an arcade-style experience. This made the game a lot more fun to play with others and more than made up for the visuals being a little less polished.
8It Takes Two
Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS4)
With the turn of the century bringing with it a shift toward online gaming, it’s little surprise that most of the best couch co-op games of all time were released in the nineties and early two-thousands. However, despite fewer and fewer games supporting split-screen co-op these days, there are still some that do, including Hazelight Studios’It Takes Two.
Unlike a lot of other modern games that feature split-screen functionality as more of a throwback or an afterthought,It Takes Twois built with co-op gameplay firmly in mind. Its poignant story and fantastic gameplay saw the game awardedthe top prize at The Game Awards 2021and are a big part of what makes it a must-play title for any and all couch co-op enthusiasts.
7Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Metacritic Rating: 86 (Wii)
NeitherGuitar Heronor any of the series that it helped to inspire are all that impressive when it comes to innovation or game design, but to downplay their importance to the gaming industry would be doing these titles a massive disservice. Between them, they generated more than $1.8 billion in revenue, with the games' plastic instruments accounting for a significant proportion of that amount.
Although games likeRock Bandwere arguably a little more inclusive due to them allowing players to choose between several different instruments,Guitar Herohelped to popularize an entire genre and led the way in both single and multiplayer gameplay.Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rockexcelled when it came to the latter, with its co-op career mode contributing towardthe game’s hugely impressive $100 million week-one sales.
6Portal 2
Metacritic Rating: 95 (PC)
The firstPortalgame is a masterpiece, offering up a series of creative and thought-provoking puzzles and some of the best writing to ever grace a video game.Portal 2improved upon its predecessor in just about every conceivable way, while also bringing with it a top-drawer split-screen multiplayer experience that few - if anyone - saw coming.
Portal 2’s co-op modeis a great example of a developer providing players with something they had no idea they wanted. Just like the ones found in its predecessor and in its own single-player campaign, the puzzles typically require excellent timing and coordination. This time, however, these things will be needed from two players instead of only one.
5Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Metacritic Rating: 98 (PS1)
TheTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterseries used to be kind of a big deal. It helped to get countless disenfranchised kids into skating. It entertained many more with its memorable pop-punk soundtracks, creative game modes, and varied roster of skaters, which typically included a few unlockable characters such as Spider-Man, Doom Guy, and Shrek.
Like many of the best local co-op games of all time,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2offers up a more than serviceable single-player mode, but it’s at its best when two players are involved. Whether playing Trick Attack, Graffiti, Horse, or Tag, players are almost certain to have a great time. The original still holds up fairly well, but those looking for something a bit more polished can check outthe game’s 2020 remake.
4Halo: Combat Evolved
Metacritic Rating: 97 (Xbox)
When Microsoft decided to move into the home console space, the company’s higher-ups knew they’d need a killer app to compete with the likes of Sony and Nintendo. A lot of money was spent to secure console exclusives, but, ultimately, it was a first-party title from newly acquired Bungie that ended up being the real system seller. That game, of course, wasHalo: Combat Evolved.
Released alongside the original Xbox,Haloproved to be an instant hit with players. Its engrossing narrative and out-of-this-world combat were certainly contributing factors, but for many, it was the state-of-the-art multiplayer functionality that really made it a game worth playing. It not only paved the way for future online multiplayer titles but also offered up one of the best couch co-op experiences of all time.
3Borderlands 2
Metacritic Rating: 91 (PS3)
WhereasHalotypically demands a more strategic approach from its players,Borderlandsis more about having fun. To be clear, that’s not to say that it’s some mindless action game, nor that playing it is easy. However, for those looking to kick back and have a little fun with their friends,Borderlands 2arguably serves as the better option.
The loot system inBorderlands 2is perfectly balanced, with players constantly improving as they make their way through the main story without ever becoming too overpowered. There’s a ridiculous amount of content on offer too, with the game offering some ofthe best DLC expansions of all time. Unlike its 2019 sequel, it can also be pretty funny at times.
