Games are definitely fun to sink the hours into by yourself. However, there’s more fun to be had when playing co-operatively with someone else. If that someone else just so happens to be a family member or partner, that’s often even better. Or worse, depending on your teamwork skills. This post will explore some of the best couch co-op games for couples to try out.
Couch co-op is a term used for locally-played games, whereby two or more people use the same console and same screen. This can either be via split-screen or both on the same camera. There’s a wide variety of genres in cooperative gameplay, so there’s bound to be one here that suits both partners. All of the games mentioned in this list have a couch co-op capability, so if you’re looking for a new hobby to get stuck into with your other half, then why not give one a try?
Let’s jump in and take a look at some of the best couch co-op games for couples. You might also enjoy this post on the best life sim games to play, if you’re looking for a title to relax with.
A Way Out (2018)
Perhaps one of, if not the best couch co-op games for couples has to be A Way Out. In this intense 2018 adventure, you and your other half step into the shoes of two incarcerated inmates. The ultimate goal is to find a way out of prison, and then survive the manhunt that ensues if you succeed.
A game that’s packed with emotive storytelling, incredible cinematic action and plenty of teamwork-focused problem-solving, A Way Out is a unique co-op experience. You’ll need to really work with your partner to keep each other alive and out of the clutches of the law. Highly recommended for couples who want to recreate that Bonnie and Clyde vibe.
It Takes Two (2021)
It Takes Two is another unique co-op game from the same developers as A Way Out. It’s a game that demands teamwork and coordination to make progress. Winner of last year’s Game of The Year Award, It Takes Two tells the story of two feuding parents who have decided to get a divorce. Unbeknownst to them, their young daughter overhears this and somehow makes a wish that transforms them into two small toys.
It’s then down to the warring couple to find a way to work together to make it back to their house and solve the mystery that’ll make them human again. This is a great couch co-op game for couples as it combines an engaging narrative with puzzles and challenges that require carefully coordinated teamwork. A game to try out rather than arguing over what to watch on Netflix.
Unravel Two (2018)
In Unravel Two, you’ll need to work together to work your way through several challenging levels. Couples will play together as two small bundles of yarn, connected by a thread. It’ll be down to you to coordinate your skills to navigate obstacles and solve the puzzling elements of each environment. Unravel Two is a gorgeous game but it’s tricky in places, so make sure you’re able to fail a few times without getting frustrated with one another about it! For the overall atmosphere and the beautiful soundtrack, this is another highly recommended game to play with your other half.
Human: Fall Flat (2016)
This game, for me, is simply a must-play. Imagine confused toddlers trying to navigate a fun house and you’re somewhere along the lines of Human Fall: Flat. This is a chaotic platform puzzler which can be played in a split-screen mode co-operatively to navigate each different level.
The difficulty (or hilarity, depending on your point of view), comes when trying to manoeuvre your playable character, which is heavily reminiscent of a ragdoll and has pretty poor coordination or motor skills. For a gaming session packed with laughter, couples should definitely try out Human: Fall Flat.
Rocket League (2015)
A game about playing football in rocket-powered cars, Rocket League can be played either cooperatively or competitively. For couples who enjoy facing off against one another, this is a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Rocket League features several fairly short matches, during which players must score goals using their cars, either by working together or by facing off on opposing sides. Good fun, if somewhat more challenging than it first appears!
Gears 5 (2019)
Gears 5 is an action-adventure title which features local co-op gameplay. Couples can play through the game’s main campaign together on the couch using its split-screen mode. Set in a futuristic world known as Sera, the action takes place as a third-person shooter.
This is one of the better couch co-op games for couples who want to work together but also want to explore a sci-fi-inspired story at the same time. On top of the main campaign, couples can team up to take on other players or hordes of the game’s AI monsters in one of its competitive multiplayer modes.
Fortnite (2017)
Fortnite is probably thought of as being a mainstay title for younger players, but actually, it can be quite fun when played co-operatively. The game introduced a couch co-op mode with split-screen a little while back. It’s an easy game to drop into and work together with your other half to become the last duo or squad standing.
However, the game’s couch co-op mode only works for duos and squads modes, so you won’t be able to jump into one of Fortnite’s many creative game experiences as a pair. Still, there’s plenty of teamwork to be had on the battle royale island, so try it out together regardless.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection (2015)
Another couch co-op game for couples to jump into is the chaotic and colourful looter shooter series of Borderlands. If you want to extend the co-op action, you can add a couple of friends to the game in Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, which supports split-screen gaming for up to four people on the same console. This is a great option if you’re having friends around for game night, but if you want to keep things just between the two of you, there’s plenty of teamwork and adventure to be had in this critically acclaimed collection.
Moving Out (2020)
A physics-based simulator that’s all about moving boxes out of houses, Moving Out asks you to team up with a partner as you set up your own removals business. This game requires some logical thinking as well as great teamwork skills, so make sure your other half is in the mood to do some legwork.
Moving Out is another couch co-op game that ends up providing plenty of laughs along with moments of frustration. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours if you and your partner are at a loose end. Either way, it’ll help you work out if you two should ever go into business together.
Phogs (2020)
This is a great couch co-op game to play with your kids! Phogs sees you playing as two adorable sausage-like dogs that happen to be conjoined. Each player controls one of the dogs at each end of their elongated body as you try to work through several platforming levels. Teamwork and cooperation are a must in this colourful caper.
The Phogs can navigate various obstacles thanks to their ability to grip things in their jaws and jump wildly from platform to platform. You just have to remember that wherever you go, your partner does too. Give this one a try with a younger member of the family for some creative co-op gameplay.
Cuphead (2017)
Cuphead features a drop-in system of local gameplay, meaning that you can add a partner to your game simply by adding and activating a second controller. Mugman, Cuphead’s brother, will then jump into the action and the two of you can play through the much-loved game’s colourful run-and-gun action together. There are plenty of boss battles for couples to get stuck into, so it’s a great game if you feel like taking on the world with your other half for a while.
Battletoads (2020)
This game is cartoon chaos at its finest and honestly, it’s quite the challenge at times. Battletoads operates a drop-in, drop-out style of couch co-op for up to four players. As a pair of the titular toads, you and your other half will need to bring your A-game to make it through the different fights, challenges and races that Battletoads brings to the table.
For a game that’s steeped in nostalgia and crackpot humour, there’s a somewhat surprising level of teamwork required to make progress. While at times this can be frustrating, it’s also pretty funny and especially rewarding when that cooperation pays off.
Death Squared (2017)
Death Squared is a puzzle game that’s heavily focused on communication and cooperation, making it a great choice if you’re looking for something to test your problem-solving abilities. Working together, each partner needs to guide a coloured robot to its corresponding goal. However, obstacles and hazards abound, so it’ll be up to the two of you to solve each puzzle without falling foul of the level’s traps.
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (2008)
An oldie-but-goodie, Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures lets players jump into the action together as iconic characters from the Indiana Jones movies. This is an older style of couch co-op game but still holds up well against some of the more modern titles in this list.
It’s a great adventure for couples who love a bit of movie nostalgia and enjoy helping each other through challenging puzzle-packed levels. Swap movie night for game night and you may find yourselves having a lot more fun in this Lego adventure.
Other couch co-op games to consider
While this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, these are some of the more enjoyable couch co-op games I’ve played with a partner. Other notable additions include Overcooked! 2, Destroy All Humans! 2 – Clone Carnage (a DLC for the base game) or Reprobed (for Xbox Series X/S and PS5). Also up for consideration are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (for major 90’s nostalgia), Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and The Quarry, which is a good choice if you want to experience some serious horror vibes with your other half.
Which games would you include in a list of couch co-op games for couples? Let me know in the comments. For more on gaming, check out this post on games to play while we’re waiting for Starfield and this post on how puzzle games can help boost your wellbeing.
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