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It is a sad fact of life that couch co-op gaming just isn’t as common as it used to be. Many game developers have thrown local multiplayer out with the bathwater in favor of online-only content. That isn’t to say, however, that couch co-op is dead. In fact, some of the greatest examples of such games have come out in recent years! If you are searching for something to sink your teeth into with friends and family in person, look no further. Here are the 10 best couch co-op games to play in 2023.
Cuphead
2017 was a stacked year for gaming, gracing players with an abundance of fantastic titles. Even still, Cuphead managed to charm virtually everyone who played it – and for good reason too!
Cuphead is the epitome of a deceptively difficult game. Although it has the appearance of an early 1900s cartoon, the gameplay is ruthless. Boss patterns are difficult to learn, bullets litter the screen, and checkpoints are virtually non-existent! Still, Cuphead is insanely addicting, and the local co-op aspect of the game only increases its draw. Considering studio MDHR recently dropped an expansive DLC, now is as good a time as any to jump in.
Ultimate Chicken Horse
Ultimate Chicken Horse is the perfect party game for a group that is familiar with video games. Each match consists of multiple rounds where players place hazards along an obstacle course to eliminate their enemies. Madness ensues after you realize that your own obstacles can bite you in the butt.
Ultimate Chicken Horse offers nearly unrivaled replayability. No two matches will ever play out the same, especially when considering just how wild the game’s sandbox can be! UCH is easily one of the best couch co-op games to come out in recent years.
For The King
For The King is essentially a dumbed-down version of a tabletop RPG – and I mean that in the best way possible. The game simplifies many of the most confusing aspects of games such as Baldur’s Gate, in favor of a more streamlined approach.
For The King also caters to players of all skill levels. Whether you are looking for something to casually progress through or a legitimate nightmare, the game has something for you and your friends. The only real downside of For The King is its strange decision to only allow parties of 3, which is often not enough for many friend groups. Be warned, however, because this game is addicting!
Nidhogg 2
Nidhogg 2 takes the wildly addicting gameplay loop of the original and expands upon it in all the right ways. Added weapons, more map complexity, and an all-new art style work wonders to broaden Nidhogg’s appeal.
The game plays out essentially like a giant game of tug-of-war, where each player must successively eliminate their opponent to progress to the opposite side of the map. This sounds simple enough, but each map is huge, and it only takes one hit to die. The game is deceptively simple because it takes serious skill to come out on top.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
For the more casual friend group, Mario Kart 8 is a stellar choice. The game’s system of providing stronger items the worse you are doing means that even those with less experience can still compete!
There is no doubt that most people who dabble in games have picked up Mario Kart before, but 8 is worth a re-visit if it has been a while. The game is arguably the best in the series, and even has options to assist newer players! Start up Mario Kart 8 for a more friendly example of the best couch co-op games.
Diablo 4
The newest iteration in the Diablo franchise, Diablo 4, is also one of the best. Fans around the world breathed a sigh of relief when Blizzard confirmed that Diablo 4 would include local multiplayer, and boy did it pay off.
The game is vast, and the freedom to build your character however you’d like is outstanding. Plus, the large array of character classes to choose from means that there is a playstyle for everyone’s needs. Seasonal content is just getting started over in Diablo 4, so now is a fantastic time to jump in.
Spelunky 2
Spelunky 2 is brutally difficult in a way that no other game on this list is. Sure, the levels are littered with dangerous enemies and booby traps, but the most frequent source of death tends to be from your teammates! A single misclick from a friend standing too close can result in an unfortunate chain reaction because, yes – friendly fire is on.
The game plays similarly to the first in the series, only this time with a heap of new content. There are so many great things about Spelunky 2 that it is impossible to list them all here, but if you want to play one of the best roguelikes of all time, give this game a shot!
Stardew Valley
If you are looking for something a little more relaxing to play with friends and family, then Stardew Valley is for you. The game has been out for some time but only recently dropped split-screen support. The update was met with universal praise as one of the greatest life-sim RPGs was finally available to play with friends!
Stardew Valley follows the player as they integrate themselves into the local town. Building relationships, growing your farm, and fishing are just a few of the many tasks you have at hand!
Rounds
Rounds unfortunately never made it off of the PC platform, but the game is just downright fun. The objective is to eliminate your opponent over the course of 5 rounds, while the loser of each round receives a massive buff.
The buff comes via a set of randomized cards that the lose can choose from, and each card interacts with the others in some preposterous ways. Within just a few rounds the game will dissolve into complete madness, making for a ridiculously good time! Still, despite Rounds’ competitive nature, it always ends in a laugh.
Portal 2
People have been singing the praises of Portal 2 for 10 years now. Part of what has given it such a lasting impact was the decision to include a full-fledged co-op campaign.
The co-op campaign is lengthy, well-written, and fun in a way that few modern developers seem to be able to replicate. Plus, the twist ending is so surprising that it will catch anyone off guard! Many will even put Portal 2 in the running for the best game of all time! If you haven’t had the chance to give the game a try, grab a buddy and prepare for a treat because this is one of the best couch co-op games ever made
