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
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. It’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys local multiplayer, so give it a shot ASAP.
But if you need some more convincing, you can just look at its achievement for the Game of the Year TGA award back in 2021.
Overcooked 1 & 2
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
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.
In cooperative mode, especially, Rocket League is a total hoot; a game that succeeds because it is both easy to pick up and difficult to master. But even when the giggles are replaced by competitiveness, the title still measures up as an accomplished sports game, making it a must-play.
Helldivers
Couch co-op is where Helldivers’ twin stick shooting gameplay really stands out. Up to four players are landed on the game’s varied maps, tasked with completing objectives and surviving enemy encounters. Helldivers 2
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 it has a sequel, Helldivers 2 does not support local co-op at the moment, but this could change later. Regardless, the sequel has made this original version even more appealing.
Minecraft
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.
Towerfall Ascension
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.
Related: Best Written Video Game Stories on The Mary Sue
Diablo III & IV
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 want to take it a step further with the latest entry in Diablo can tune into the fourth installment. The game more or less showcases the same couch co-op mechanics, continuing the saga with an all-new storyline. If you happen to own an Xbox, you can even get Diablo IV on Game Pass.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
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.
It’s another great entry that lets you battle in the suburbs with your friends on the couch. There are tons of new beautiful levels to check out, along with unique classes and abilities to experiment with.
Alienation
When it comes to pure gameplay, developer Housemarque is a master class in the art. There are few who boast such an accomplished resume, and Alienation is one of its best triumphant.
The game’s combat moves at lightning speed, with some of the more frantic scenes featuring dozens of onrushing enemies in a vibrant splatter of gorgeous color. But never once does Alienation feel out of control, thanks to delicate controls and responsive gameplay. It’s easily one of the best cooperative experiences on PS4.
Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition
Before Alienation came around, we had Dead Nation: another Housemarque special. Dead Nation is a twin-stick shooter that boasts the same accomplished design, pretty graphics, and engaging gameplay. It offers cooperatively play through its entire eerie campaign, as well as complete multiplayer specific content.
EA Sports FC 24
EA has been tweaking the EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) formula for decades, but the couch co-op gameplay remains the same. Each year brings new features and changes to the game’s physics, pushing it further toward simulation than the more arcadey-feeling entries of yesteryear. While this has sometimes spoiled the fluidity of gameplay in the past, EA Sports FC 24 is absolutely one of the best versions ever made.
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
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. There’s even a whole stack of remastered levels from the originals for those day-one fans.
Never Alone
Never Alone is an adorable puzzle platformer about an Alaskan girl and her pet fox. It shines most when you navigate the arctic tundra of the game’s main campaign with the help of a friend. Taking control of the girl and the fox, there’s a satisfying amount of teamwork required to navigate puzzles.
The game’s story touches on the Alaskan culture, adding a bit of educational value. This is a calming and somewhat peaceful multiplayer experience that offers a change of pace from the norm.
Minecraft Dungeons
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. Even if you haven’t played Minecraft, Dungeon Crawler lovers will certainly enjoy this title as they power up with each battle.
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
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.
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.
Choosing your skater will be a challenge since all the pro skaters are available in this game. But you can ease the process by deciding with a friend through its local co-op features.
Puyo Puyo Tetris
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.
Badland
On paper, Badland looks and sounds a bit basic, but don’t be fooled; it’s a lot harder than it may appear. Everything will depend on your skill and precision, and it will only get more challenging with advanced levels. In brief, this side scroller has you tapping a single button to avoid enemies, using power-ups that grant certain abilities along the way.
The clone mechanic is its standout feature, though, suddenly multiplying your character dozens of times over. There’s plenty of innovation in its design, and adding another player for cooperative action doubles the fun.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
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.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
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
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 four playable characters each start with different weapons, featuring over 190 variations through its progression. Cooperative gameplay isn’t quite as tight as solo, with some levels feeling a bit cramped, but Enter The Gungeon’s explosive action is still a blast with a pal.
Lara Croft: The Temple Of Osiris
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.
Guacamelee! 2
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.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
It might be a remaster of a fairly old game, but it still holds up pretty well on the PS4. Best of all, though, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition also features local co-op. It’s not the main focus of the game, but two players can still take control of two separate characters during combat encounters to shake things up a little.
Divinity: Original Sin 1 & 2
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, so you don’t want to miss out.
Broforce
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 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.
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. Each level is a dazzling 60fps neon light show amid frantic explosions that erupt in glorious detail. Best of all, the entire campaign is playable in co-op. You won’t find many games more intense and exhilarating.
We Are The Dwarves
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
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
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.
Things start easy but quickly get tricky, employing some very clever level design to keep you on your toes. Once things begin to click, though, the head-scratching gives way to high-fiving, and Death Squared is an absolute blast.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
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.
Child of Light
Not many people know Child of Light has a cooperative mode, but it is possible to play it through with one friend taking control of Igniculus, the firefly. Igniculus functions primarily as support during the game’s turn-based battles, though a second pair of eyes is also helpful in solving the game’s puzzle sections, too.
If you’re in the mood for a thought-provoking, story-driven co-op game with tactical combat and a jaw-droppingly gorgeous aesthetic, look no further.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth already had an unbelievable amount of content without the addition of cooperative play. The variety of monsters, maps, and items in this roguelike is astounding, and the gameplay is non-stop entertainment all the way through. Teaming up with a friend via drop-in or drop-out doubles that fun, blending challenging gameplay with almost endless discovery.
The off-the-wall premise – half-naked babies escaping a basement full of monsters by crying on them – is actually held together by a surprisingly deep and somewhat spiritual narrative. A must-play.
Rock Band 4
The ever-popular Rock Band series continues with its fourth iteration. Four-player co-op means you get a whole crew over and find out which one of you is the elite keyboardist of the group. There are 65 songs to choose from spanning 1960-2010, and if you’ve downloaded songs for previous Rock Band games, most are compatible with this version.
Musos will love the chance to nail guitar and drum solos across their favorite tracks, but the gameplay is entertaining and accessible enough for anyone to give it a go. For the best experience, a peripheral instrument kit is also available.
Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy
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.
Nuclear Throne
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
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.
As long as you’re down with the genre, you’ll find it entertaining, even if you’re not up to speed with the lore. Team up with a single buddy and use the characters’ quintessentially anime superpowers to cut down entire fleets of enemy pirates. The mad combinations and ragdoll physics engine have enemies flying around in spectacular carnage.
PixelJunk Nom Nom Galaxy
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.
Neon Chrome
Neon Chrome is a cyberpunk twin-stick shooter where you take control of a hacker trying to take down the Overseer of an evil corporation. You’ll battle enemies in a bid to reach the top floor, collecting coins to upgrade your equipment before taking on each end-of-level boss.
As a hacker, you’re not actually doing any dirty work yourself, taking control of droids that do all the shooting instead. These droids fall into different classes and can be upgraded with different attributes, from stealth to all-guns-blazing playstyles. You and four buddies can share the action.
Circuit Breakers
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
However, weaponry can be lost by aimlessly spraying bullets. You’ll need to stay accurate and mobile in the face of relentless enemy hordes to beat this challenging shooter.
Resident Evil Revelations 2
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
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.
You can spend dozens of hours getting lost in this enormous world, crafting and foraging for supplies to build your base. With a sequel likely to skip the PS4 entirely, the original ARK will remain your best option for couch co-op.
PixelJunk Shooter
This remastered-for-current-generation version of PixelJunk Shooter combines two games in one awesome package. Both games have been updated with better visuals and more polished gameplay.
For the unfamiliar, PixelJunk Shooter has players control a subterranean vehicle, navigating maze-like underground levels in search of humans to rescue. It’s part puzzle, part shooter. The game isn’t overly complicated, but it does require some brains to progress through each stage.
Moving Out
Moving Out is one of the best PS4 couch co-op games you can play, especially since you can literally move a couch together with other players. With up to four players, you must strategize together to remove everything out of the house efficiently, proving your worth in the town of Packmore.
It can be chaotic at times with the workload, but it shouldn’t take too long for your team to get the right rhythm.
Cat Quest II
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.
A third installment has been announced to give you even more feline adventures, which will likely arrive in this year.
Super Mega Baseball
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.
Controls are intuitive, and it’s super accessible, even if you’re not totally up to speed with the rules of the sport. You’ll also have a hoot laughing at the game’s witty writing and goofy characters.
Viking Squad
This beautifully animated brawler 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 in this department too.
Tiny Brains
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.
Awesomenaughts Assemble
Awesomenaughts Assemble blends 2D platforming with MOBA gameplay in an awesome mashup. Players select from a wide range of different characters, each with their own unique abilities.
The ultimate goal is to destroy all the opposition’s Solar Collector: a standard tower-attack formula that you’ll have seen in other traditional MOBAs. Assemble is a revamped version for PS4, featuring twice as many characters, new maps and skins more characters, plus some overall improvements to the balance of gameplay.
A Way Out
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.
Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure
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).
At Sundown: Shot in the Dark
At Sundown’s another one of these awesome party games with a bit of a twist. You’re simply tasked with eliminating your opponents with the different weapons in the game. However, your character can only be seen when they step into the light.
Spots of light are few and far between in the arenas, and this makes for tons of sneaking and tactical eliminations on your friends. Team up with a friend and take on whoever dares challenge you.
Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana is a straight-up story-driven experience that you and your friends can take on together. This PS4 remake of the 1993 SNES classic gives the visuals much-needed work, adding some quality-of-life improvements for much better handling.
Due to the way you unlock more party characters in the game, your friends won’t be able to join in from the very beginning, but once you’ve unlocked them (these moments can’t be missed), you’re all set to couch co-op to your heart’s content.
Don’t Starve Together
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.
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 on a daily basis, and you’ll be okay.
Resident Evil 6
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. The mechanics are greatly improved upon from Resident Evil 5, and it’s great for a slow weekend with nothing to do.
Unravel Two
Announced as a surprise release during E3 2018, Unravel Two brings Yarny back with a blue friend, who can be controlled by a player next to you. The game can be played alone, but solving puzzles with someone else makes the experience much more fulfilling. Even to this day, Unravel Two continues to be talked about amongst the community as just an all-around fun game.
MLB The Show
If you’re a baseball fan, Sony’s exclusive MLB The Show is pretty nice for a couch co-op experience with two players. The latest entry exhibits co-op-ranked online play, providing seasonal content and exclusive rewards.
Beyond: Two Souls
The game is a little dated at this point, but Quantic Dream’s sci-fi game is a pretty fun one to play with a friend. One person can take control of Jodie while the other takes control of the spirit of Aidan as you go through this narrative adventure together. It still holds up as an impactful story-driven game, especially with the multiple endings you can unlock.
Team Sonic Racing
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.
Gauntlet
If you can’t get enough of Diablo III, Gauntlet could be a decent pick-up as well. It features a four-player couch co-op experience with a decent variety of characters and classes to choose from. You’ll be blasting your way through levels, picking up items and power-ups, and racking up tons of kills together.
Terraria
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, as you can venture out into the world and collect materials, fend off enemies, and build bases together.
SpeedRunners
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. You and three other friends are basically tasked with going through an obstacle course as a ton of rockets and explosives get flung in your direction. 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
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. It’s like Octodad, but with bikes. We think.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
This 3D multiplayer platforming adventure will bring fun both to you and your friends. Set off with your friends as you try to save Sackboy’s friends, who have been kidnapped by Vex. The other advantage of this exciting game is that you can play with several friends at a time for even more shenanigans.
Borderlands 3
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.
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
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.
House of Ashes
Like Man of Medan, this entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology is a great time so long as you have a friend along for the ride. Determining the fates of several individuals stuck in a horror scenario is good fun, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat as you attempt to save – or kill – your characters of choice.
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.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
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. 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
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, PixelJunk Monsters 2 is a terrific title to play with friends. It’ll have them biting their nails and wailing at the TV in no time. Surprisingly addictive stuff!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
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. 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
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. The primary goal is to defeat evil villains who seek ancient weapons for destruction. Though it may sound fairly destructive, it’s a family-friendly narrative that can be enjoyed for all ages.
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.
