The best co-op games to play in 2023

Translate
Competition can be fun, but sometimes, it’s more satisfying to be a part of a team. The greatest co-op games give you and your teammates a common goal to work towards. Whether you win or lose, your fellow players are with you every step of the way.
One of the best things about co-op games is that there’s something out there for everyone. You can enjoy some local co-op with friends, dive into online multiplayer, or even play games as a couple! From intense multiplayer action to chill games that anyone can play these are some of the best co-op games in 2023.
The best co-op shooters
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The Payday series takes an innovative approach to co-op. Instead of having you team up to take on villains, you and your teammates play as criminals. This first-person co-op shooter lets you rob banks, steal nuclear weapons, and even rig elections!
Payday 3 is currently in closed beta, but the full game is set to release on September 21, 2023. While it doesn’t stray too far from the classic heist formula, it does have improved enemy AI and some awesome-looking new features, like buff mechanics, ridiculously powerful Overkill weapons, and difficulty modifiers. It’s the perfect way for you and your friends to live out your criminal fantasies.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world, Remnant II is the perfect co-op game for players in search of a real challenge. This third-person shooter is filled with brutally hard enemies and hostile environments, so it can be tough to stay alive. If you’ve ever wanted to play a sci-fi, co-op version of Dark Souls, this is the game for you!
What’s especially interesting about Remnant is that its levels are procedurally generated. While campaigns always follow the same basic structure, no two playthroughs will ever be exactly alike. The progression system is also randomized, so Remnant is filled with surprises no matter how many times you play.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
What’s better than shooting through hordes of enemies with your friends? What if you could do that while playing as a space dwarf? Deep Rock Galactic is a FPS game that has you dig and explore massive caves while fighting off terrifying alien monsters. Along the way, you’ll collect lots of rock and stone, along with other valuable resources.
Deep Rock Galactic has four different classes, so you and your teammates can choose roles that fit your playstyle. The Gunner is perfect for traditional FPS gameplay, but other classes let you support your team in different ways. Engineers can protect the team by setting up turrets, while Scouts can light your path and search for threats. No matter how you play, you and your friends will have tons of fun, which is why it’s one of the most addictive co-op games out there.
The best couch co-op games
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
There’s something nostalgic about playing through a classic beat ‘em up with a friend. Double Dragon Gaiden is filled to the brim with retro charm, but it also has modern features that make playthroughs more exciting, like randomized power-ups and dynamic structure that lets you tackle levels in any order.
While you can get through the game in an hour or two, there are plenty of ways to keep the fun going, including nine unlockable characters and multiple endings. If you have fond memories of classic Double Dragon, you’ll definitely want to grab a buddy and check out the newest addition to the franchise.
Platforms: iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Exploring a dark basement filled with monsters might not sound like a good time, but in Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, it’s a total blast. This top-down dungeon crawler might look bizarre, but it’s one of the greatest roguelikes of all time. The single-player mode already offers hundreds of hours of fun, but the local co-op mode dramatically changes the core experience.
When another player joins you in Binding of Isaac, they join as a randomly selected baby. While the second player can’t pick up items, both players will receive the same power-ups. The second player can even strategically drop in and out of the game to give their teammate extra health. It’s a terrific way to introduce new players to an amazing game.
Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation  5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
This might be a cutesy cooking game, but it isn’t for the faint of heart. Overcooked! 2 requires you and your teammates to cook in some truly chaotic kitchens. Every round is a pulse-pounder, whether you’re desperately throwing ingredients into pans or accidentally setting yourself on fire.
Overcooked! 2 offers local co-op for up to four players, making it a fantastic party game. Your kitchen might wind up in disarray, and your recipes may be a disaster, but that’s all part of the fun. It also offers online co-op, so you and a local friend can enjoy the game with pals that live further away.
The best co-op games for couples
Platforms: Android, iOS, Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
If you’re looking for a laid-back, beginner-friendly co-op game to play with a partner, you can’t go wrong with Stardew Valley. This cozy farming game is all about slowing things down and enjoying the peaceful side of life. You and your partner can work together to explore the mines or build a massive farm, but the co-op mode also allows for more independent play.
Stardew Valley offers split screen local co-op, but it also has online multiplayer, making it a fantastic game for long-distance couples. If you’re feeling stressed and could use a break, playing Stardew Valley is the perfect way for you and your partner to unwind.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
This adorable co-op adventure game isn’t just perfect for couples; it lets you play as a couple. You and your partner will control Cody and May, a husband and wife on the brink of divorce. When the pair finds themselves trapped inside tiny doll bodies, they go on an incredible journey that brings them closer together.
All of the puzzles in It Takes Two are designed to be collaborative, whether you’re pushing a giant pencil or fighting off an army of wasps. A playthrough of It Takes Two will take you around ten hours, but since the game is packed with collectibles, you may want to play through your favorite levels again and again.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Some games have high stakes, but Wobbly Life is designed to be as silly as possible. In this cute open-world sandbox, you and your partner will play as wobbly people venturing out into the wide world. The game has ragdoll physics, which can make for some hilarious scenarios.
Wobbly Life is packed with quests that you and your partner can complete together, but the two of you can also just relax and explore. You can earn cash and buy new clothes, hairstyles, and adorable pets, or hit up the shopping mall and shoplift everything in sight. Laughter brings people together, and when you and your partner play Wobbly Life, you won’t be able to stop chuckling.
The best cross-platform co-op games
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Outriders is a solid co-op looter shooter set in a fascinating sci-fi world. The story feels a little more like a B-movie than a space opera, but that’s all part of the fun. Over the course of the thirty-hour campaign, you and your friends will unlock some incredible superpowers, and those skills make shooting through alien monsters a ton of fun.
Not only does Outriders allow for crossplay between different platforms, like Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Game Pass, but you can enjoy seamless play between PC and console. You can even join up with strangers on other platforms! Outriders offers both single-player and co-op gameplay, so you can enjoy the game on your own or have fun with friends when they’re available.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Minecraft is an amazing co-op sandbox game, but if you’re looking for gameplay that’s a little more focused, check out Minecraft Dungeons. This action adventure game is set in the Minecraft universe, and true to its name, it’s filled with dungeons to explore. It offers local and online co-op and supports up to four players.
If you want to game with a friend that only has a Switch, Minecraft Dungeons is the perfect game to play together. While it’s possible to speed through the campaign in under ten hours, the side missions and bonus content should keep you busy for much longer than that.
Platforms: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Imagine playing a co-op version of Smash Bros., and you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like to play Brawlhalla! This co-op fighter lets you build a team of up to four fighters and smash your way through AI and human opponents. There are over fifty playable characters and tons of cosmetics, so everyone in your group can make their character feel unique.
Not only does Brawlhalla offer cross-platform play between mobile, PC, and console, but it’s completely free to play, which means your friends can join you without dropping any cash. The co-op gameplay is fantastic, but if you’re feeling competitive, you and your friends can also face off against each other on two teams of up to four players or fight one vs. one.
[Written by TapTap editor Ndi]
💬 What are some of your favorite co-op games? Share your favorites in the comments!
Mentioned games
View all
Comments
Latest
leafeon gaming
leafeon gaming
😏
08/20/2023
Skinny
Skinny
😏
04/12/2024
No more comments. Why not add one?
Say something...
51
0
2