Local multiplayer—where players share the same screen or console—remains a beloved way to play together in the same room. Below are ten standout games that showcase how varied and entertaining couch co-op and competitive sessions can be, from frantic party chaos to tactical two-player shooters.
1. Overcooked! 2 — chaotic cooperative cooking
Overcooked! 2 throws players into absurd kitchens—on hot-air balloons, moving rivers and castle kitchens—tasking up to four chefs with coordinating meal prep under intense time pressure.
The game emphasizes quick communication and precise timing, turning cooperation into riotous fun. Available on PC, Switch, PS4 and Xbox One, it’s designed for groups who want hilarity and frantic teamwork.
2. Cuphead — challenging boss runs with two-player support
Cuphead combines a 1930s cartoon aesthetic with punishing difficulty. In local co-op, two players take the roles of Cuphead and Mugman as they face inventive bosses and demanding platforming sections.
The title rewards patience and coordination, offering a unique cooperative experience for players willing to tackle its steep learning curve together.
3. It Takes Two — story-driven cooperative design
Designed specifically for cooperative play, It Takes Two puts two local players in control of a couple magically transformed into dolls who must work together to overcome relationship-themed challenges.
Each level introduces new mechanics that require collaboration, making the game both emotionally resonant and mechanically inventive.
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — family-friendly racing chaos
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a staple of local multiplayer, allowing up to four players to race or battle on a single Nintendo Switch screen. Its mix of iconic characters, wild tracks and accessible controls makes it a go-to choice for groups of all ages.
Whether competing in races or party-style battles, sessions tend to generate laughter—and the occasional competitive dispute—among friends and family.
5. Streets of Rage 4 — modern beat ’em up for up to four players
Streets of Rage 4 revives classic arcade brawling with updated visuals and a pulse-pounding soundtrack. Local co-op supports up to four players tackling waves of enemies with combos and unlockable characters.
Its fast pace and cooperative combat make it ideal for players who want a nostalgic yet polished beat ’em up experience on couch co-op sessions.
6. TowerFall Ascension — tight arena combat
TowerFall Ascension is a simple but addictive 2D arena shooter where up to four players duel with bows and arrows across compact, hazard-filled stages.
Matches are short, intense and full of surprising reversals, making the game perfect for competitive gatherings where quick reflexes and map knowledge decide the winner.
7. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime — coordinated spaceship co-op
In Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, up to four players manage different stations aboard a colorful spaceship—handling weapons, shields and engines to survive waves of enemies and rescue creatures.
The title emphasizes role coordination and real-time communication, blending chaotic moments with satisfying teamwork as players balance duties to keep the ship functional.
8. Moving Out — physics-based moving mayhem
Moving Out turns mundane moving tasks into a cooperative farce. Up to four players carry furniture out of eccentric houses, contending with obstacles like runaway appliances and awkward doorways.
Its exaggerated physics and escalating level designs deliver laugh-out-loud moments and accessible cooperative gameplay for casual groups.
9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — large-scale local brawls
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers sprawling local multiplayer battles with up to eight players on the same screen, featuring a vast roster of crossover characters and numerous stages and modes.
The game accommodates both newcomers and competitive players, making it an essential title for social gatherings on Nintendo Switch.
10. Army of Two — two-player tactical third-person shooter
Army of Two was built around two-player cooperation, originally released for Xbox 360 and PS3. It casts two mercenaries into coordinated missions that require covering fire, aggro management and synchronized actions like operating towers or opening doors.
The design centers on partnership: players support each other through healing, drawing enemy focus and executing tactics that affect both combat outcomes and story choices, delivering a cooperative shooter experience tuned for two players.
