Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games & Local Multiplayer Games (2025)

As good as online connectivity is, it’s frustrating that it has largely come at the cost of sacrificing split-screen cooperative play in many games. If you ask us, nothing beats good ol’ couch co-op! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best PS4 couch co-op games to play with friends so you won’t run out of fun times to spend with your pals anytime soon.

It Takes Two

• Release Date: March 26, 2021
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

One of Hazelight Studios’ more recent offerings, It Takes Two, is easily one of the best couch co-op games to come to the PS4 in a long time. You and your gaming pal of choice can dive into an imaginative world together, solving puzzles and engaging in hijinks as you do.

Not only does the game offer creative platformer puzzle gameplay, but the story connects the two players in a way that has rarely been seen in the genre. You’ll have to work together, while the two protagonists work out their differences and rekindle their affection for one another. It’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys local multiplayer, so give it a shot ASAP.

Overcooked 1 & 2

• Release Date: August 3, 2016 / August 7, 2018
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes (the first)

Overcooked is frantic. Overcooked is mad. Quite simply, Overcooked is one of the most entertaining couch co-op games ever made. This endearing indie title is like a digital Hell’s Kitchen where players will have to work together to cook up a storm while navigating some of the most poorly designed kitchens ever conceived.

Of course, it’s all fun and games until your teammate goes all Gordon Ramsay over your sloppy culinary skills! Overcooked 2 adds even more insane stages and new recipes for you and your friends to learn.

Rocket League

• Release Date: February 17, 2016
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Nobody could have possibly predicted that Rocket League, a game in which you play soccer with rocket-powered cars, would become such a phenomenon, but here we are. On paper, it all sounds rather silly, but in practice, it’s utterly brilliant.

Regardless if you think that is a good idea or not, it’s hard to deny that Rocket League really shines in cooperative mode. You can play with your mate together online or in classic couch co-op mode, via single match or entire tournaments. It’s up to you how serious you want to take it, but either way, the game is so easy to pick up and play that even your friend who is not great at video games will have a blast.

Helldivers

Couch co-op is where Helldivers’ twin stick shooting gameplay really stands out. Up to four players are dropped on the game’s varied maps, tasked with completing objectives and surviving enemy encounters. There’s plenty of diversity in its missions, requiring teammates to coordinate different roles, and each mission features lots of different vehicles and weapons – some designed specifically for cooperative play.

Although the game does have a sequel, the developers of Helldivers 2 decided to remove support for local co-op, so you can only play the game online with random people. Perhaps we are in an age where we are witnessing the death of split screen, but luckily, you can still play the original and have fun with your mates.

Minecraft

• Release Date: September 4, 2014 
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

It’s an oldie at this point, but still a goodie. Minecraft provides endless hours of fun and creativity for you and your family and friends who have time to sit down for a quick game. Build a farm together, go spelunking, or defend your homestead from the evil zombies and creepers.

Minecraft is the perfect opportunity for you to introduce your friends to video games and let them flex their creative muscles while they’re at it. In fact, you can check out our guide on the best creative building challenges to stir up some more competition.

Deep Rock Galactic

• Release Date: May 13, 2020
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Looking for one of the best co-op first-person shooters of the last few years? Then Deep Rock Galactic is for you. Together with four friends, you’ll be mining resources, repairing abandoned equipment, and exploring mysterious caves.

But hostile aliens abound, so you better be careful cause ammo is scarce and the cave that you’re mining seems to go on forever. You can pick between classes such as Scout, Engineer, Gunner, and Driller, each one with unique weapons and tools. Easy to pick up but hard to put down, this is already a classic co-op shooter.

The Ascent

• Release Date: July 29, 2021
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Looking to show off your skills as a twin-sick shooter fan? Then The Ascent will do the trick, with its cyberpunk theme while you fight your way through levels filled with enemies to try and win back your freedom. 

Despite being quite a bit repetitive in single-player, we think that its co-op mode is where the game shines. Fight hordes of enemies with a friend by your side, help each other, and keep the morale up, the exit is not that far away.

Towerfall Ascension

• Release Date: July 7, 2016
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Towerfall Ascension is a real indie gem featuring 2D arena-style combat that echoes Smash Bros’ awesome gameplay formula. Although its PVP play is arguably Towerfall’s better multiplayer mode, there’s plenty of fun to be had in cooperative mode, too. Players can look forward to hours of entertaining and downright hilarious action defending against waves of enemies.

The new Quest mode, exclusive to the Ascension version of Towerfall, brings a two-player co-op experience where, together with your friend, you fight a variety of monsters and enemy archers across the land of TowerFall. It’s a new adventure to explore when you don’t have more friends handy to square off against.

Related: Best Written Video Game Stories on The Mary Sue

Diablo III & IV

• Release Date: August 19, 2014 / June 5, 2023
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

The devilishly popular Diablo III made its way to PS4 in 2014, and aside from stunning us with its awesome campaign and online modes, it also features a sweet two-player local cooperative mode. But it gets even better: both of you can simultaneously join an online session from the same console.

Those who can’t get enough can also check out Diablo 4. The game more or less showcases the same couch co-op mechanics, continuing the saga with an all-new storyline. Tons of hack-and-slash fun to be had for you and your friend!

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville

• Release Date: October 18, 2019
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

The Plants vs Zombies franchise has become a couch co-op staple on almost every platform. One prime example of this is Battle for Neighborville, which can only be played split-screen on consoles.

You can play in split-screen in basically every mode available in the game, such as the objective-based Turf Takeover mode and the team deathmatch variant Team Vanquish and more. The game also features several player-versus-environment open zones which allow players to explore levels while finding collectibles and completing quests.

Fortnite

• Release Date: October 18, 2019
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

While everyone knows about Fortnite at this point, one thing that people often don’t realize is it also features split-screen multiplayer in its Battle Royale and LEGO Fortnite modes. There’s plenty of fun for everyone.

You don’t need to always have a second console spare. Just sign in with a guest account and have your friend drop out of the Battle Bus, or build out a blocky paradise alongside you.

Stardew Valley

• Release Date: February 16, 2016
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

How do you feel about working on a farm… for free? It might not sound appealing, but trust me when I tell you Stardew Valley is one of the most moreish games you can play on PS4. And even better, you can enjoy all those agricultural activities with a friend by your side.

You can split chores on your farm, go your separate ways exploring the world, or take on the mines together. With so many quests to take on, crops to grow, animals to tend to, and villagers to befriend, there’s more than enough to be doing for you and all your friends.

EA Sports FC 25

• Release Date: September 27, 2024
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

With the latest EA Sports FC entry in the series, there have been several new interesting additions that further enhance the classic couch co-op gameplay. One big new mode is 5v5 Rush, which replaces VOLTA from the previous few years. You can play with friends all across Ultimate Team, Clubs, and Kick-Off modes with smaller squads to build and quicker and faster gameplay.

Of course, all the other modes remain intact and offer the usual robust football gameplay that the FC series has been known for. You can’t go wrong with some classic football co-op, playing in the same team against the AI or against one another.

Hyper Light Drifter

The pixelated indie action RPG was a massive hit when it first launched, marrying an iconic 16-bit style with modern mechanics. In cooperative mode, two players can take on Hyper Light Drifter’s main campaign, though the second player cannot upgrade their drifter or acquire new weapons.

Instead, upgrades, new weapons, and abilities are determined by the progress made by the first player. While that is somewhat frustrating, the competence of its gameplay and the sleekness of its design still make for a great couch co-op experience on PS4.

Rayman Legends

• Release Date: February 18, 2014
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Rayman Legends is the total cooperative package; a hugely entertaining platformer with an endearing aesthetic. Legends support up to four players locally, with each player being able to select from the many colorful variations of Rayman and his companions.

Legends supports up to four players locally, with each player being able to select from the many colorful variations of Rayman and his companions. There’s even a whole stack of remastered levels from the originals for those day-one fans.

Minecraft Dungeons

• Release Date: May 26, 2020
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

If you want to switch things up from Minecraft’s classic mechanics, you can tune into Dungeons, Mojang Studios hit action-adventure game. You’ll be able to play it online or locally with up to four players, eliminating formidable beasts on various levels.

Explore procedurally generated dungeons together with your friends and work together to dispose of enemies, find rewards, and triumph. Even if you haven’t played Minecraft, Dungeons offers accessible hack’n’slash gameplay that players of all ages and skills can drop in and appreciate.

The Dark Pictures Anthology games

• Release Date: 2019-2022
• How many players: Up to five players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Have you ever wished to be in control of a classic teen horror movie, perhaps so you could suggest characters do things slightly less silly than usual? The series of narrative-driven games by Supermassive Games will do the trick. First, there was Man of Medan, where you had to survive a spooky ghost ship.

Each of your friends can control a different character, but you can also decide to take turns simply making decisions to see where they lead you. After Medan, there was the creepy, haunted town of Little Hope, and if you’re not satisfied, you can get your spook on in an ancient tomb in House of Ashes or a murder house in The Devil in Me!

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

• Release Date: July 19, 2022
• How many players?: Up to eight players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Remember the good ol’ days of racing in kart games such as Mario Kart 64 or Crash Team Racing? Then you’re ready to relive the same excitement in Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, a well-made remaster of the classic 1999 PS1 kart racer. 

If you’re looking for something akin to Mario Kart on PS4, this is the closest you’re going to get. Weapons that can flip a race on its head? Check. Crazy shortcuts in courses? Check. Incredibly fun in multiplayer whether you’re doing standard races or duking it out in Battle Mode? Double check. This is a PS4 couch co-op all-timer.

Gran Turismo 7

• Release Date: March 4, 2022
• How many players: Up to two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Looking for a great racing game featuring split-screen co-op? Well, look no further than the seventh entry in the long-running series with some of the best graphics ever seen on a PlayStation console.

Again, if you’re just looking for a quick and easy game to pick up and play so you can play with your mate who is not a “gamer”, then this will be a great choice. You can jump in and get exciting racing action as you try to race one another for the best times.

Salt and Sacrifice

Salt and Sacrifice is a beautifully animated 2D Souls-like. And while, at times, it almost too closely resembles the Dark Souls series from which it is inspired, Salt and Sacrifice’s side-scrolling gameplay does enough to put a new spin on proceedings.

Its gameplay is brutally challenging, but not unfairly so, and the game is tied together by a haunting atmosphere. Best of all, you can enjoy the entirety of its 30-or-so-hour campaign cooperatively with a buddy.

This game is also a follow-up to Salt and Sanctuary, which is absolutely worth checking out as well if you enjoyed what you played of Sacrifice.

Madden NFL 25

• Release Date: August 16, 2024
• How many players: Up to two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

The sports title that started it all is still producing top-notch football simulations. Like EA Sports FC for soccer, Madden is the go-to sports franchise for football fans, and it’s a go-to couch cooperative game for many, too. Up to four players can enjoy local multiplayer, unleashing competitive fast-paced turns.

One mode we recommend is Head 2 Head. This allows you to jump straight into a Head 2 Head match with a friend, and it is the quickest way for friends who usually don’t play often and just want to drop in a match and play, without having to commit to a long season.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

If you are a skater or just a fan of skating, Tony Hawk’s legendary games come to PS4 in the form of an epic connection. You can take your sessions locally or online in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 and compete with players worldwide.

But, luckily, Pro Skater also brings a great split-screen mode that is perfect for playing with your friend. While you can’t play the story mode unfortunately, you can jump in and play any of the other modes such as High Score, Trick Attack, Combo Mombo, High Combo, Graffiti, Horse, and Free Skate.

Vampire Survivors

• Release Date: October 20, 2022
• How many players?: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Games Catalog?: No

Despite simple visuals and an almost automatic gameplay loop, Vampire Survivors has been one of the biggest hits of recent years. Because it brings a fun and quick gameplay loop that you can just jump in and enjoy. After an update, now you can play up to four players together and try to contain the hordes of enemies against you.

But it’s not all fun and vampires, since playing with others will limit how many weapon slots you have, depending on how many friends you have in-game with you. Level-up upgrades are also rotated through all players, meaning your characters will get stronger more slowly than they do when playing solo.

All these rules guarantee a fun co-op experience that you can enjoy while having to pay a very small access price too!

Puyo Puyo Tetris

• Release Date: April 25, 2017
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

An interesting mix of Puyo Puyo and Tetris, this is a puzzle game that works well as a couch co-op party title with friends. Alternatively, you can play on your own for hours on end and enjoy the pleasures of puzzle-solving on your own.

You’ll be all in a race against time, trying to stack as many colors as possible. This is a combination of two classic styles of gameplay that fit together well and will offer hours of fun. Just try not to fight too much with your friends!

Sonic Mania Plus

• Release Date: July 17, 2018
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Do you still look back nostalgically at the good ol’ days of 16-bit gaming on your Sega Mega Drive or Genesis? Then Sonic Mania Plus will bring back exactly that flavor, while also bringing you the option to play with a friend in local co-op

Choose from the basic line-up of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles and play together while collecting rings and trying to finish levels while attempting not to get hit by enemies or fall off the stage. Classic 2D platforming gameplay at its best!

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

• Release Date: October 5, 2015
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

A cult classic hit that keeps on giving. One person is tasked with disabling an explosive device, while the other has all the instructions and hints on how to solve the puzzles and riddles required to disable said explosive device. The key here is communication.

This is a great game for local co-op, but you will need a PS VR headset to get the most out of it. That way, you can’t just look over and see what the other person is doing. Your views will be entirely independent of one another. Plus, handling an explosive device in VR is just that little bit more intense!

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

• Release Date: March 25, 2015
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection bundles together Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel. Even better, there’s a feature that allows you to play with a friend in split-screen couch co-op, supporting two players. Together, you and a buddy can loot to your heart’s content, take down the biggest enemies together, and try to overtake the moon in a joint conquest.

Finally, you can traverse the borderlands, looting and killing enemies together, dividing up the bounty like the good friends you are. Right? Right?? If you like the gameplay loop of Borderlands, adding a split-screen functionality just brings the fun up to eleven.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

• Release Date: Nov. 10, 2023
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Call of Duty never disappoints when it comes to local co-op action. The latest entry, confusingly titled Modern Warfare 3, showcases fun-filled multiplayer modes and the MW’s first-ever Zombies challenge.

Using its split-screen features, you can jump into local co-op play with your friends. All the classic game modes are back as well, and this is an easy one to recommend if you’re looking for something entertaining for a game night.

Enter The Gungeon

• Release Date: April 5, 2016
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Enter the Gungeon is a mashup of roguelike-level design, twin-stick shooting, and mad bullet hell dodging. Action moves at lightning pace, and there’s a real intricacy to its combat that demands careful timing and precision.

The co-op gameplay is a bit of a bullet-hell experience since the levels can be quite cramped. But that just makes things all the more chaotic. Still, Enter The Gungeon’s explosive action is always a blast and, with a pal by your side, it can be even more entertaining.

Lara Croft: The Temple Of Osiris

• Release Date: April 5, 2016
• How many players: Up to 4 players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Lara Croft: Temple of Osiris follows on from Guardian of Light, a top-down twin-stick style shooter that portrays Lara more closely with the tropes of the original games. Cooperative gameplay works really well and is one of the game’s standout features. Up to four players can team up to navigate the tomb’s various puzzles and gun down enemy hordes, wrapped together in a fairly decent story.

Up to four players can team up to navigate the tomb’s various puzzles and gun down enemy hordes, wrapped together in a fairly decent story. Work together to solve puzzles, take down enemies, and complete levels. If you’ve gone back and played the recent HD remasters and now want some co-op Tomb Raider fun, you can’t go wrong with Temple of Osiris.

Guacamelee! 2

• Release Date: August 21, 2018
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Guacamelee! 2 is pretty much an awesome improvement and a step up in every way from its predecessor. As a Mexican-themed 2D Metroidvania brawler, you can team up with your friend to fight your way through a gauntlet of hilarious and colorful bosses and explore a wonderfully beautiful world together.

While there is no big selection of characters on offering to choose from, the fun is always up with so many enemies to dispose of, puzzles to solve, and upgrades to your character that have to be found. Preparade a la lucha!

Divinity: Original Sin 1 & 2

• Release Date: June 30, 2014 / September 14, 2017
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Divinity: Original Sin is an isometric turn-based RPG that allows gamers to complete their main campaign cooperatively. A hybrid camera setup means the screen only splits to allow gamers to explore different worlds independently – a superb design feature that we don’t see enough of. Divinity: Original Sin is a massive RPG with plenty of content to enjoy with a pal.

There are nearly endless character customization options and different abilities to shape your build preference, and its levels are brimming with that oh-so-sweet loot. Oh, and did I mention it’s from Larian Studios? You heard that right, the makers of the GOTY Baldur’s Gate 3 took part in this one. Trust me when I say this isn’t one you want to miss out on.

Broforce

• Release Date: August 21, 2018
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Broforce is a 2D co-op action platforming shooter with over-the-top action, violence, and destruction that Michael Bay would very much approve of. The game caters to local multiplayer, allowing up to 4-player co-op, and Broforce really excels in this mode.

The game seems basically tailor-made for local multiplayer, allowing up to 4-player co-op, and Broforce really excels in this mode. The more Bros you get to join you on your quest, the more chaos and mayhem are added to the mix, as is a hefty dose of belly laughing, too. Absolutely necessary for co-op mayhem!

Nex Machina

Finnish developer Housemarque knows shoot ’em ups. They’ve spent the past twenty years perfecting and honing the formula, and Nex Machina might just be the pinnacle of their portfolio. Like the awesome Dead Nation and Alienation, Nex Machina is an adrenaline-pumping twin-stick shooter that is an absolute joy. It’s also utterly beautiful to look at.

The entire campaign can be played in co-op mode, so both you and a friend can take part in this bullet hell experience, inspired by classics such as Robotron. It’s also utterly beautiful to look at. Each level is a dazzling 60fps neon light show amid frantic explosions that erupt in glorious detail. Try to survive with your pal, support each other, and mind the friendly fire!

We Are The Dwarves

• Release Date: February 26, 2016
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Intergalactic Dwarven astronauts. Yep… that’s a thing. With We Are The Dwarves, the developers have boldly blasted dwarves where no dwarf has ever gone before. Each of the three playable dwarves handles very differently, each with their own special abilities. In its cooperative campaign mode, it’s all about working together to manage and execute those abilities tactically throughout your adventure.

Combat can be paused, allowing you and your buddy to plan out the best tactics. It’s far more measured than something like Diablo, but executing a carefully planned strategy makes for plenty of woohoo moments.

Viking Wolves of Midgard

• Release Date: March 24, 2017
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Vikings Wolves of Midgard didn’t launch with couch co-op, but a previous patch has finally added it in, and now the whole campaign can be played with a friend. The isometric RPG is heavily inspired by the iconic Diablo series, with gameplay centered around looting, leveling, and upgrading equipment. If you have ever played a game from this sort of genre, you’ll find the controls pretty smooth and intuitive, with special attacks all assigned to individual buttons.

Combat is a bit more measured, almost Souls-like, than something like Diablo. There’s far more emphasis on timing, striking, and evading enemies, as opposed to just going full bore. There aren’t many good Viking-themed games out there, but this one is certainly worth taking on with a pal.

Death Squared

• Release Date: March 14, 2017
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

If you’re looking for some mental stimulation, Death Squared might be the ultimate cooperative brain teaser. While single-player follows the story of an AI tester progressing through the ranks of a corporate robotic company, co-op abandons the story for 40 purpose-built local multiplayer levels.

If you enjoy having your brain tickled, rather than engaging in combat, Death Squared will offer quite a bit of head-scratching, through clever level design and devious puzzles. Once things begin to click, you and your pal can help each other and the emotion of solving puzzles together is where Death Squared really shines.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 1 & 2

Any of the LEGO games are deserving of a spot on this list, but Marvel Super Heroes is definitely one of our favorites. Packed with oodles of charm and humor, the entirety of the main campaign can be played cooperatively. You’ll get to visit loads of iconic locations from Marvel movies and play as all of your favorite Superheroes in adorable LEGO guise.

Outside of main missions, the game is essentially a full-scale open world that can be traversed and explored for collectibles. You can swap out and select different characters as you unlock them, too, so there’s loads of variety to gameplay. Any of the other LEGO games will do the trick, as well.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy

• Release Date: August 31, 2023
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

The beloved Trine series made a return last year with the release of Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy. The game features local co-op, allowing you to traverse its gorgeous 2D landscapes with a friend, fighting fantastical bosses and solving environmental puzzles along the way.

The game features local co-op, allowing you to traverse its gorgeous 2D landscapes with a friend, fighting fantastical bosses and solving environmental puzzles along the way. Each player can pick a character and you can work together to solve puzzles and take care of the enemies you meet along the way.

Nuclear Throne

• Release Date: December 5, 2015
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Nuclear Throne takes frantic bullet hell gameplay and marries it to roguelike game design. In doing so, the game should appeal both to players who love fast-paced gunplay and those who favor a more measured, tactical approach.

Whatever your play style, there’s a smorgasbord of devastating weaponry to use along the way, from low-tech garden appliances to futuristic laser miniguns. The campaign, which can be played with one friend cooperatively, is brought to life with a host of whimsical characters, each of which can be leveled with new skills as you progress.

One Piece Pirate Warriors 4

• Release Date: March 27, 2020
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Based on the longstanding anime series, One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 sticks faithfully to its source material and will be best enjoyed by those familiar with the franchise. That being said, this is a classic muso-style game, where players face off against massive waves of enemies in hack-and-slash action.

After the huge backlash Koei received for the lack of a split-screen functionality in previous games, looks like they finally listened. Now you can team up with a single buddy, by simply turning on a second controller, and use the characters’ quintessentially anime superpowers to cut down entire fleets of enemy pirates. The mad combinations and ragdoll physics engine will have everyone in stitches, especially if you are both fans of the original anime or manga.

PixelJunk Nom Nom Galaxy

• Release Date: March 27, 2015
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

In PixelJunk Nom Nom Galaxy, Soup is the currency of the cosmos, and you’re about to become a culinary mogul. Inspired by titles such as Terraria, Nom Nom Galaxy has players traversing environments and harvesting supplies to farm their commodities.

It might sound whimsical, but Nom Nom Galaxy takes soup production very seriously, and there is a ton of depth to its gameplay systems. Later on, players can use robots to automate the farming process, increasing production and giving them more time to build defenses. Playing with a friend, coordinating production, and reinforcing your stronghold is terrific fun.

Circuit Breakers

• Release Date: February 27, 2017
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Another twin-stick shooter makes our list. Circuit Breakers brings all the madness of the 80s arcade to PS4, and it’s one of the best couch co-op experiences. The game employs a simple but innovative mechanic that puts a fresh spin on a familiar gameplay loop: crystals that drop from downed enemies facilitate upgrades to weapons

Together with a friend, this is a great throwback experience as each level is filled with so many enemies to dispose of and huge bosses to take down together. Just classic 80s couch gameplay as you will have to stay on your toes in this challenging shooter.

Resident Evil Revelations 2

• Release Date: February 24, 2015
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Resident Evil Revelations 2 is a four-part episodic adventure featuring old favorites Claire Redfield and Barry Burton. Players take control of Claire, paired with Barry’s daughter Moira, who acts as a supporting character. The dynamic between this pairing works well in co-op; one provides the muscle and Moira her puzzle-solving abilities.

It isn’t quite old-school survival horror, but its slightly more measured action will remind you of classic games in the franchise. If you’re in the mood for action, the run-and-gun Raid mode is also great fun with a pal, too.

Ark: Survival Evolved

• Release Date: August 29, 2017
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

ARK: Survival Evolved pits players against dinosaurs in a prehistoric world that has proven a winning formula among its substantial player base. The entire game can be played as a split-screen cooperative experience and offers a massive world to explore with a buddy.

Most interestingly, the entire game can be played as a split-screen cooperative experience and offers a massive world to explore with a buddy. Together you can explore this enormous world, crafting and foraging for supplies to build your base.

Moving Out

• Release Date: April 28, 2020
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Moving out is often part of the worst moments in your life. They say it is as stressful as a divorce, but in this game, you are just having fun with your mates trying to move out furniture for clients, while loading it all up in a van as fast as possible.

You will have to work together with your friends, since each one will have their job to do, but other times you have to collaborate to move heavier furniture such as fridges or couches. Be careful not to break anything though! There is even an Assist mode if you find things too difficult. Great fun in co-op, not as frantic as Overcooked but definitely relaxing since you won’t be breaking any of your precious cups and plates.

Cat Quest II

• Release Date: September 24, 2019
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Cat Quest II is an action RPG that’s easy to pick up, featuring cute little animals as playable characters in a fun-filled couch co-op. What’s not to love? Seriously, though, while the game may be simple, it’s also just entertaining, taking control of cats and dogs and using special skills to help each other out in combat.

And if you’re looking for even more sidequests to do with your mates, don’t sleep on Cat Quest III. Released in August 2024, but at the moment on in the PS Plus Catalog, it continues the story of the first two games while adding even more content to peruse together with your friends.

LittleBigPlanet 3

• Release Date: November 14, 2014
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

If you are looking for a cute and quirky platformer to play with your friends or perhaps even your small kids, then this is perfect. It’s also very easy to just pick up and play, just connect a second controller to the PlayStation 4 and you will be dropped in the level.

Once you are together in a level, you can work together on the puzzles and handle the enemies. The simple and direct gameplay of LittleBigPlanet shines in its third chapter and this will be a perfect one for those quieter evenings at home.

Unfortunately, the game has been delisted digitally, but if you find a physical copy or you had access to it via PS Plus back in 2017, you can still play it without issue.

Super Mega Baseball

• Release Date: December 16, 2014
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Super Mega Baseball is a whimsical sports game that really thrives in cooperative mode. There’s no simulation component here, nor are there any officially licensed players; it’s just an extremely entertaining package that nails its gameplay.

You can have a quick match and have fun with your specific roles. Thanks to intuitive controls, super accessible gameplay, this is great also for those who aren’t 100% familiar with the rules. You’ll also have a hoot laughing at the game’s witty writing and goofy characters.

Viking Squad

• Release Date: October 4, 2016
• How many players: Up to three players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Ready to brawl together with your friends in this beautifully animated fighting game? Viking Squad brings back classic beat ’em-up action that can be enjoyed with two other friends. The cardboard cut-out art style brings out the whimsical nature of this Viking-themed adventure, played out by a squad of endearing and well-written characters.

Of course, the gameplay is what makes or breaks a good brawler, and thankfully, Viking Squad delivers with each character having their own weapons and skills, you can work together with your friends to finish levels and defeat huge bosses. Classic beat em up gameplay at its best!

Tiny Brains

• Release Date: December 11, 2013
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Tiny Brains is a puzzle platform game where players take control of lab rats trying to evade crazy experiments. As a single-player experience, it isn’t anything to write home about, but it really comes alive in co-op mode.

The developers clearly understood all the right notes to build a solid multiplayer experience. The frantic gameplay demands teamwork and manages to find a good balance between being challenging and not too difficult to disrupt the flow of progress. With four different characters to play with, all with their quirks and skills, you’ll never be bored.

A Way Out

• Release Date: March 23, 2018
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

A Way Out is a narrative-driven game with mandatory co-op. You and another friend can play either locally or online to plan a prison break and solve puzzles together on a split-screen. The fate of these two characters will be entirely up to the players, using teamwork to the best of their abilities.

Simple to pick up and play, but with enough challenging puzzles to give you something to think about, this is perfect if you are looking for something to play with your friend that was built specifically to provide a more engaging experience.

Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure

• Release Date: December 11, 2013
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Have you ever played Dodgeball? Then you know it’s not fun to play alone. Stikbold may not be strictly just a co-op experience for you and your friends to check out, but it’s great fun when you’re all together, regardless of the mode you play. Stikbold tasks you with evading incoming dodgeballs thrown by opponents, returning fire, and knocking them out of the game.

It’s a simple premise with a fair bit of content to boot, but it’s at its best when you get 2v2 games on the go. Get your friend by your side and prepare to take on your arch nemeses (also known as your other friends).

Don’t Starve Together

• Release Date: April 21, 2016
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Don’t Starve Together is a beautiful survival game with a striking visual style. But don’t let the cute graphics fool you, though; this game is full of unspeakable horrors and unforgiving mechanics, especially during the early hours.

Luckily, you don’t need to play online. You can team up with a friend via couch co-op and gather materials together to build a home in a dangerous land to survive. Just make sure your basic survival needs are taken care of daily, and you’ll be okay. So basically, just… don’t starve.

Resident Evil 6

• Release Date: March 22, 2013
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Resident Evil 6 often gets a bad rep among fans, but it actually provides a really solid couch co-op experience that’s fun and action-packed from start to finish. You can play the entire campaign (not Ada Wong’s though) together and take care of the various monsters and huge bosses that come your way.

The mechanics are greatly improved upon from Resident Evil 5, and it’s great for a slow weekend with nothing to do. You can banter and laugh your way through the narrative together! Give it a try, especially since the game can often be picked up on sale.

Unravel Two

• Release Date: June 9, 2018
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

This great sequel to what was an already comfy experience, Unravel Two brings Yarny back with a blue friend, who can be controlled by your couch co-op partner. The game can be played alone, but solving puzzles with someone else makes the experience much more fulfilling.

You will be working together through every screen, supporting each other in puzzles that range quite a bit in difficulty, but will always engage you. This is one of the coziest experiences to have in co-op mode, so if both you and a friend are fans of puzzle-solving, don’t miss out on it.

MLB The Show 24

• Release Date: March 19, 2024
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

In the latest entry in the MLB The Show franchise, co-op options are luckily still readily available. If you’re an avid baseball fan, then this is perfect for you and your mates to hop into. Regs is the option to select if you’re just looking for a quick offline co-op match.

But that’s not all, you can also play Diamond Dynasty, where you play in a team together by covering a couple of positions, while the AI covers the rest. Winning matches and progressing through the season will also yield rewards if you’re good in your respective roles.

Team Sonic Racing

• Release Date: May 21, 2019 
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Team Sonic Racing has you covered on all things racing, with 21 tracks to play on and tons of vehicles that you can customize to your own liking. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a game to play on co-op night. Even more so, Sonic fans can take control of all their favorite characters, from Tails to Knuckles.

In this game, though, you will be working in teams, so it’s not as simple as just winning the race. You have to take care of what your teammates are doing, help them, and support each other through power-ups and wins. This is a great spin on the usual co-op racing gameplay and quite refreshing if you are looking for something different and, of course, you are a fan of Sonic.

Terraria

• Release Date: November 14, 2014
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Basically Minecraft, except in 2D, Terraria is one of the best couch co-op games to pick up if you’re just looking for something to play with your friends while chilling over a slow weekend. Creativity is key here.

Terraria remains one of the best couch co-op games to pick up if you’re just looking for something to play with your friends. You can venture together in the world, exploring and gathering resources to build your little shack (or even a full-on stronghold). Also, don’t forget to take care of enemies while you are down there

SpeedRunners

• Release Date: July 5, 2017
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Just from the name alone, SpeedRunners doesn’t exactly sound like a particularly compelling game to play, but you might be surprised at how insanely wacky it is.

Together with three other friends, you’ll be speeding through an obstacle course as a ton of rockets and explosives get flung in your direction. Try to survive and don’t think about pushing each other towards obstacles! Jump around, skip, or slide, it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are, you’re still gonna get pelted with insanity.

Trials Rising

• Release Date: February 26, 2019
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

The competitive Trials Rising brings back all of the biking goodness fans love from the series, along with two-player local co-op support. Working together with a friend, you’ll have to balance on a single bike and keep your momentum going.

Rising also introduces an exclusive and incredibly fun new co-op mode. In Tandem Bike, you and a friend control the same motorcycle. Each player will be responsible for controlling a part of the balance and power of the vehicle. It’ll test your teamwork in a classically chaotic way.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

• Release Date: November 12, 2020
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Sackboy was originally a strictly single-player adventure. However, multiplayer functionality was eventually added, and now you can set off with your friends as you try to save Sackboy’s pals, who have been kidnapped by Vex.

This 3D multiplayer platforming adventure will bring fun both to you and your friends. The game is fully playable in both local and online multiplayer allowing up to four players to experience the game together. Each world also presents exclusive multiplayer stages specifically designed so you and your friends can work together to solve puzzles and progress. 

Borderlands 3

• Release Date: September 13, 2019
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

The most recently released game on this list, Borderlands 3, turns the crazy action the series is known for up to 11. While you’ll likely want to hunt for loot on your own or online with friends, you can play split-screen if you want.

Just like the Handsome Collection does for the first two games, the third title is a ton of fun in co-op. There are some issues with things like frame rate stability in couch co-op, but it can still be a great place for some silly Borderlands fun if you’re not in the mood for completing missions and slowly improving your loadout.

Man of Medan

• Release Date: September 13, 2019
• How many players: Up to five players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: Yes

Starting Supermassive Games’ new horror anthology series and following the design introduced by Until Dawn, Man of Medan tells the story of a group of teens who are stranded at sea. While you can play on your own or in a big group online, it’s fun to play local co-op with each person controlling one character and you passing the controller around when it changes.

You’re able to discuss decisions a little, but choices are finalized by the person who’s in control, allowing you to change the story a lot.

Cuphead

Few run-and-gun platformers boast the same level of animation chops as Studio MDHR’s ’30s-inspired action title, Cuphead. That being said, it’s not only notable for how gosh darn pretty it is, but it’s also incredibly fun if you can stomach the hardcore kick-yourself-in-the-nads difficulty.

Thankfully, bringing a friend along for the ride does help mitigate this issue, which results in one of the best co-op experiences on PS4. Will you be able to work together in taking down unique cute (at first, at least) bosses or will you sadly perish and lose all your lives? Try not to get mad: challenge level impossible!

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

• Release Date: April 5, 2022
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Traveller’s Tales’ universe-spanning adventure is a genuine blast, especially if you’re a fan of that galaxy far, far away and have a fellow Padawan to join you on your epic journey.

With almost 400 different characters to choose from, you and your friend will have a blast fighting your way through levels packed with puzzles and enemies as your favorite characters. Packing in all nine core movies into one jumbo-sized video game package, this collection will likely keep you and a friend busy until the Nerfs come home.

PixelJunk Monsters 2

• Release Date: May 25, 2018
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

At first blush, Q Games’ tower-defense title is deceptively simple: build towers, collect coins, and protect your flock of Tiki-babies from being eaten by the titular monsters. Thanks to an assortment of offensive and defensive towers, multitude of maps, handful of different ground and flying enemies, as well as some well-designed couch co-op thrown in for good measure.

There’s a ton of content available, such as a multitude of maps, and a handful of different ground and flying enemies. The couch co-op is well-designed too, as Monsters 2 allows you to play specific multiplayer modes that will have you racing for time as you build towers and try not to get overwhelmed by enemies.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

• Release Date: June 16, 2022
• How many players: Up to four players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

If you’re hankering for an expertly crafted love letter to those classic arcade experiences of yore, then Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge may be the perfect remedy.  If you remember playing classics like Turtles in Time, this one is for you.

You can fight side by side, taking on classic bosses from the series while fighting over who gets to grab that health-restoring pizza. Blending side-scrolling brawl-’em-up action with the humor and ‘tude of your favorite fun-loving heroes in a half shell, and you’re left with an easy recommendation that won’t guzzle up all your hard-earned cash.

Knack 2

• Release Date: September 5, 2017
• How many players: Two players
• Is it on PS Plus Game Catalog?: No

Those who tuned in the first time around with the original Knack will undoubtedly enjoy its sequel. It includes a two-player co-op experience where you’ll take control of the transformative Knack. Your team has the power to grow in size, whether it be as large as a building or as small as a toy.

This is a great experience, since you can just have a friend drop in at any time and you can start playing the levels that have been designed specifically for co-op. Work together to build up Knack and defeat enemies in the most efficient way possible. A cult classic for sure.

There you have it. Those are our best PS4 couch co-op games to play with friends. If you’re looking for more, check out our feature on the best PS4 party games.

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