Best Couch Co-Op Games On PS Plus Extra & Premium

There are a lot of fantastic games to play on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, with many of them offering engaging single-player storylines and experiences. Sometimes, though, it’s more fun to enjoy a PS Plus game with friends, and it’s even better if that title can be played locally. Online games have made massive strides in recent years, but it’s hard to deny how entertaining it is to play through a riveting cooperative adventure with friends in the same room.

Although they might not be the standard anymore, local co-op games are still fairly common, and Sony’s subscription service has quite a few projects that support the feature. These titles cover a wide range of genres and gameplay styles, so there should be something for most players. Here are the best local co-op PS Plus games.

Updated November 2, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Sony has announced the PS Plus Essential lineup for November 2024, and couch co-op is not a selling point. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 supports split-screen co-op, but it shines primarily as a single-player or PVP option. The game is worth a download if someone is craving a racer, but they should keep their expectations for cooperative play low. Ghostwire: Tokyo is solely a single-player experience and does not support co-op or multiplayer in any form.

Finally, there is Death Note Killer Within, a social deduction game that challenges 10 players to figure out who among them has the iconic notebook. As a Day One release, this project is still shrouded by quite a bit of mystery, and it is difficult to fully predict its content or longevity. It is built around online multiplayer, and the format does allow for teamwork and cooperation to an extent. That said, it is not a traditional co-op.

To fill the void, a PS3 local co-op game has been added as a recommendation. Click below to jump to this entry.

While all of these
PS Plus local co-op games
are on Premium, some of them are not available with an Extra subscription. Each entry specifies whether the title can be played on both tiers.

Also, the ranks are not based solely on quality. For example, newer PS Plus additions will be mentioned first.

Finally, the following local co-op games are leaving PS Plus on November 19, 2024:

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory
,
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
,
Moving Out
, and
Overcooked! 2
.

1 Cult Of The Lamb

The Lamb Builds A Cult With The Help of The Goat

Cult of the Lamb was always great, but it used to be kind of lonely. However, in 2024, Massive Monster released a free update that, among other things, introduced a 2-player co-op for the campaign. Now, everyone’s favorite cult-leading lamb does not have to take on the responsibilities of guiding followers and clearing dungeons on their own. It can be a team effort, with the lamb being able to summon a goat.

Narratively, Cult of the Lamb does not directly reference the co-op element, so the feature does not add much from that perspective. However, a second player should help extend the replay value of the dungeon runs, which might have started to feel old for people who have been leading a cult since 2022. Cult of the Lamb‘s local co-op is easy to access, and it even includes a few unique tarot cards and relics.

2 TimeSplitters Trilogy

A Great FPS Series That Is A Trip Through Time

• 	TimeSplitters	TimeSplitters 2	TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
  PS Plus Availability	Premium	Premium	Premium
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 2	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2
  Released	2000-10-23	2002-10-08	2005-03-21
  Developer(s)	Free Radical Design	Free Radical Design	Free Radical Design
  Genre(s)	FPS	FPS	First-Person Shooter

PS Plus Premium exclusives tend to be overshadowed by their Extra counterparts, which makes sense since the latter are usually fairly modern. For example, August 2024’s Extra lineup included The Witcher 3 and Cult of the Lamb, two fantastic “recent-ish” games that can consume someone’s life for a good while. However, the month’s Premium classics were arguably just as exciting, solely for one franchise: TimeSplitters. Too many years have passed since Free Radical’s trilogy was last spotlighted, and all three entries are now readily available on the PS4 and PS5.

All three titles support 2-player local co-op, allowing their campaigns to be experienced alongside a friend. Generally speaking, TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect are considered to be far superior to their predecessor, to the point of the original game being relegated to something of a footnote in the IP’s legacy. Honestly, players can just jump into the sequel and skip the first; however, TimeSplitters is a charming time capsule of its era. Its gameplay also feels quite different from its sequels since levels emphasize speed above everything else. So, while not perfect, it is worth a try.

TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect hold up as two of the greatest FPS games of all time, and they are still an absolute blast to play through. Their campaigns are great in single-player, but they do shine slightly brighter in co-op. The gunplay’s chaotic nature is amplified by having a second user along for the ride, and the maps are consistently fantastic in both games. Future Perfect has the superior story mode, but TimeSplitters 2 arguably has the better gameplay.

3 Tales Of Symphonia Remastered Or Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Arguably The Definitive Co-Op JRPG Franchise

• 	Tales Of Symphonia Remastered	Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
  PS Plus Availability	Premium	Premium
  Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One	Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2023-02-17	2019-01-11
  Developer(s)	Bandai Namco Entertainment	Namco Tales Studio
  Genre(s)	Action RPG	JRPG
  System	Nintendo, Xbox, PlayStation	Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  OpenCritic Page	https://opencritic.com/game/14298/tales-of-symphonia-remastered	https://opencritic.com/game/6860/tales-of-vesperia-definitive-edition
  Top Critic Rating	65	83
  Critics Recommend %	28	88%

While not supported by every entry, Bandai Namco’s Tales franchise is generally a reliable pick for co-op. PS Plus Premium subscribers have access to two of the most beloved games in the series: Symphonia and Vesperia. The former is rightfully hailed as a classic of the genre, and the PS2 release cemented the IP as an all-time great. PS Plus has the 2023 remaster, which does not offer much more than a boost to the visuals and a few minor tweaks. As this iteration is largely the same as the 2003 version (or, more accurately, the PS3 HD rerelease), the game can feel antiquated by today’s standards, and a complete newcomer might struggle to get through the campaign’s fairly slow opening few hours. Nevertheless, Symphonia offers a great story and even better characters, along with a real-time combat system that supports a plethora of playstyles. Co-op also fixes one of the title’s biggest shortcomings: fairly dumb partner AI.

Alternatively, players can try Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, which has arguably aged better as a complete package than Symphonia. Although the games do not have extremely different battle systems, Vesperia is notably faster and more responsive, creating an overall superior experience. Its cel-shaded visuals have also aged like fine wine, allowing both the 2008 original and its 2019 iteration to be pleasing to the eye. The story is also top-notch, and it is led by perhaps the best protagonist in the entire Tales franchise.

Regardless of which game people pick, they can look forward to a lengthy action JRPG with a well-implemented co-op. That said, co-op is limited to combat.

4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Co-Op Beat ‘Em Up That Is Accessible & Fun

Beat ’em ups really are made for co-op, and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge exemplifies that. Inspired by the franchise’s classic entries in the genre, the 2022 release is a colorful and challenging throwback that should satisfy fans of Turtles in Time along with newcomers who never stepped into arcades. For the most part, the campaign follows a fairly standard structure for a beat ’em up, including offering a myriad of playable characters: the Turtles themselves, Splinter, April, and Casey Jones. More importantly, each character has a unique moveset and strengths that set them apart from their peers. This versatility significantly enhances the project’s replayability since a single playthrough probably won’t take somebody longer than a couple of hours.

In co-op, friends can team up to take on the Foot Clan, and they will do more than just share a screen. Shredder’s Revenge incorporates a couple of multiplayer-focused mechanics that reward co-op play, including special 2-player attacks. Along with local co-op, the game also supports online multiplayer for up to 6 participants, and it is possible to mix and match the two versions to fully stack a lineup.

5 Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Co-Op Required To Get The Full Experience

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a delightful 3D platformer, a genre that is not overrepresented on the PS5. As the LittleBigPlanet spin-off can largely be experienced in single-player, any solo runners will have generally a good time; however, the game not only supports local and online co-op but occasionally emphasizes it. While most of the campaign’s levels are designed for solitary players, there are a few stages specifically created for co-op. These do not have to be completed to get to the end of the campaign, but they do make the process a lot easier.

While these stages are co-op driven, the rest of the campaign can also be tackled by four players. Sackboy uses a drop-in, drop-out multiplayer system, permitting friends to jump in whenever they feel like it. This method complements the game’s relaxed tone and makes it perfect for short sessions since players do not have to commit to completing a full playthrough.

6 Dragon’s Crown Pro

Beat ‘Em Up RPG With That Vanillaware Magic

Vanillaware does not create bad games, and Dragon’s Crown ranks comfortably among the decorated developer’s greatest achievements. Originally released for the PS3 and Vita, the game eventually made its way to the PS4 in the form of a Pro edition, and this version is on PS Plus Premium. Featuring six playable classes, Dragon’s Crown blends side-scrolling beat ’em up action with RPG systems, crafting an experience that can be deeply addictive despite being ultimately quite repetitive. Players will find themselves playing through the same nine levels as they gradually level up their characters (and take on higher difficulty levels), and the combat system is more than good enough to keep things interesting for a long while.

In terms of co-op support, four friends can team up to take on the campaign’s challenges. When the full playable roster is used, the on-screen action can get a touch chaotic and overwhelming; nevertheless, co-op is a positive addition to Dragon’s Crown. The game is great solo, but bringing a friend along can make the grind less exhausting.

7 Children Of Morta

Strong Narrative, Characters, & Co-Op Gameplay

An action-RPG roguelike, Children of Morta follows the Bergson family as they crawl their way through randomly-generated dungeons. Featuring seven playable characters that each feel unique, players have a wide range of duos they can try out, and they will need to experiment since swapping between family members is required.

Along with decent gameplay that blossoms nicely as the campaign progresses, Children of Morta also tells a surprisingly effective character-driven narrative, presenting the Bergsons as a unit with history rather than mere puppets. Friends looking for a more difficult co-op game should try out this title.

8 Lost Planet 2

A Cult Classic That Is Only Worth Playing With A Friend

Capcom’s Lost Planet is such a bizarre series. The franchise produced three main games and a spin-off, all of which are fairly distinct from each other. Even though the console Lost Planet trilogy was all released on basically the same hardware and within a span of about 7 years, they vary so greatly in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and tone that they cannot be recommended as a whole. If someone is seeking a single-player experience, they should check out the original Lost Planet; however, if co-op is someone’s poison, they should look no further than Lost Planet 2. Lost Planet 3 is also a game that exists.

Supporting local split-screen and 4-player online co-op, the sequel was clearly designed to be played with friends. The campaign is split into missions that contain a few basic objectives, although they are mainly there to give players something to kill while wearing awesome mech suits. Lost Planet 2 emphasizes teamwork to an extent, especially during its massive and awe-inspiring boss battles. Even all these years later, the latter encounters are still visually impressive.

9 Vikings: Wolves Of Midgard

A Viking Epic

Diablo‘s shadow looms far and wide over the isometric action RPG genre. While Blizzard’s franchise might not be on PS Plus, Vikings: Wolves of Midgard serves as a respectable alternative. Except for its Norse influences, a setting that was more unique in 2017 prior to the launch of God of War, Vikings doesn’t deviate too far from the beaten path for this type of game. The kill, loot, and recycle loop continues to be repeated for a reason – it works.

Vikings: Wolves of Midgard supports local and online co-op, and the journey is far more enjoyable with a few friends who are willing to synergize their builds.

10 Earth Defense Force 5

Cathartic Fun

PS Plus has a couple of Earth Defense Force projects, and they are all acquired tastes. Sandlot’s franchise translates monster b-movies into games, delivering a straightforward, silly, but highly enjoyable experience. While not completely devoid of variety, most missions boil down to “kill every insect” as hundreds of these big buggers crowd the streets and crawl over buildings. Even though the visuals are far from great, EDF is relentlessly charming, as long as somebody goes in with realistic expectations. These titles offer mindless fun, and that’s largely it. Do not go in expecting a great story, very deep gameplay, or a wide assortment of character customization options. Just pick a class, try out some different weapons, and shoot everything that moves. Also, mecha.

Although viable solo, EDF 5 can get repetitive very quickly when players are taking on the alien insectoid hordes as a one-soldier army; fortunately, the franchise tends to prioritize multiplayer. Along with 4-player online support, 2-player local co-op is available, and the introduction of a secondary user really elevates the overall experience. Co-op lets the class system shine and increases the difficulty slightly, requiring a slightly more tactical approach in the process. Not every name needs to be complex; sometimes, nothing hits the mark like blasting away an army of ants.

11 Untitled Goose Game

Double Trouble

Untitled Goose Game offers unbridled chaos. A quaint British town becomes subject to unspeakable horrors due to the arrival of a goose, one that plans to turn the citizens’ lives upside down. And, to make matters worse, the waterfowl can bring a friend.

House House’s Untitled Goose Game is a silly but charming game that puts players in charge of a goose (or two geese in local co-op) as they steadily try to complete tasks. More often than not, this process involves being a nuisance to the townsfolk, and the indie title is a lot of fun. Beyond the addition of a second goose, the game does not change too much since the campaign’s objectives remain the same. Players can have a blast working together as they annoy the furious NPCs.

12 Cat Quest 2

Adorable Action RPG Goodness

Cat Quest and its sequel are both relentlessly charming smaller-scale action RPGs, but only the latter supports 2-player co-op. More importantly, the campaign was likely designed to be played with a friend, to the point of both the story and cover image showcasing the dual protagonists (this time, the feline partners with a dog to create perhaps the most adorable pair of heroes in gaming). For the most part, the conventional good vs evil story plays things safe, mostly serving as an excuse to send players on a joyous adventure through towns, wastelands, and dungeons. En route, they will face off against an impressive range of monsters, engaging in combat that has more depth than might initially appear to be the case.

Now, Cat Quest 2 is a perfectly fine solo RPG that allows players to swap back and forth between the two protagonists; however, an AI partner is seldom as useful as another human, and that is mostly true for this game. In terms of difficulty, Cat Quest 2 delivers enough of a punch to not bore experienced players (at least when played in Normal Mode), while also being accessible to children who might be taking their first steps into the world of gaming.

13 Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition

Challenging Beat ‘Em Up For More Than Just Fans

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game Complete Edition adapts Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel as it pits the titular character against a slew of his girlfriend’s ex-partners. Harboring back to traditional beat ’em ups, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game is a charming romp defined by retro visuals, simple but solid gameplay, and tough bosses.

The game comes with seven playable characters that have a few unique features, allowing friends to team up and work together to take on the roster of sinister exes. There are even a few co-op combos to spice things up.

14 Overcooked! 2

Feel Like Testing A Few Relationships?

The best local co-op PS Plus games often threaten to ruin friendships, and Overcooked! 2 will test even the sturdiest of bonds. Sure, losing to a friend in a game of Mario Kart 8 can be frustrating and might lead to the occasional outburst, but that is nothing compared to the high pressure of running a restaurant.

As orders roll in, players must work together to remain on top of everything. Poor communication will lead to wasted seconds and pointless actions, along with perhaps a touch of anger. However, when everyone syncs up and the kitchen begins to operate like a well-oiled machine, the outcome is pure magic.

15 Magicka 2

Fun Magic System

Magicka 2 is a power fantasy in the sense that it gives players the ammunition to create spells that could impress the likes of Gandalf, Shang Tsung, and Doctor Strange. While players are given all the tools they might need, executing them is hardly easy as it requires carefully pressing the right buttons to combine magic types, and these input sequences are long. Testing as the game’s learning curve can be, Magicka 2 rewards the committed with satisfying wizardry destruction.

Although possible solo, Magicka 2 is meant to be played with a few friends as enemies hit hard and without remorse. In a group of four, players can spread overwhelming and delightful mayhem across the land. It is a lot of fun.

16 Alienation

Isometric Shooter Awesomeness

A twin-stick shooter, Alienation was a blast when it came out in 2016 and time has done little to hurt the game’s appeal. Earth has fallen at the hands of an alien invasion, so it is up to the players to turn the tide by doing a lot of shooting and killing.

Alienation supports single-player and online co-op, both of which are quite fun, although the latter isn’t all that active nowadays. However, the shooter is arguably at its best when played in local co-op since this allows the team to coordinate better. There are four characters with individual classes, each of whom has unique strengths and weaknesses. Alienation is explosive, incorporates engaging RPG elements, and offers quite a steep challenge.

17 For The King

For Tabletop RPG Fans

Depending on the player, For the King will either be a frustrating time-sink that is not worth the hassle or an addictive RPG that does an admirable job of replicating a tabletop campaign. Fondness for the latter is required to appreciate IronOak’s project as the developer clearly set out to recreate that type of experience, and that goes beyond the implementation of turn-based movement and fantasy tropes. For the King is driven by randomness, with nearly every action taken by players adhering to the discretion of the RNG gods. As such, there can be times when the game seems to be actively working against the player, which is not fun. However, randomness is a central part of many classic tabletop games, adding an element of unpredictability to playthroughs. Love or hate it, For the King knows what it wants to be and delivers on that promise.

Moving past that extended disclaimer, this RPG tells a fairly basic story about setting out on an adventure to protect the kingdom following the death of its ruler. Players create a party and are dropped into a grid-based map, with every action being turn-based. For the King utilizes roguelike elements to ensure each playthrough offers something different, and players will likely find themselves having to start over after their characters are wiped or they are just having a brutal campaign. The combat is also turn-based and generally enjoyable, opting to match accessible mechanics with a high difficulty ceiling (even on lower levels).

18 Moving Out

The Furniture Is Not Going To Move Itself

While Moving Out 2 is no longer part of PS Plus, its predecessor is available and continues to be a fun party local co-op option. For the uninitiated, these games revolve around carrying furniture, with players taking charge of a business dedicated to helping people move house. Simple and, on paper, dull; however, Moving Out nails its physics-based gameplay to turn scenarios into hilarious puzzles that require communication, strategy, and forward-thinking.

Although solo runs are possible, the game is intended to be played with a few friends. After all, who does not have fond memories of helping a buddy move in exchange for cheap pizza and beer? This rite of passage can now be accomplished without ever leaving the couch, although arguments are still likely to arise.

19 Human: Fall Flat

Physics Silliness

If unpredictable physics and a sandbox that encourages experimentation are a recipe for endless giggles, then Human: Fall Flat turns players into master chefs. Each of the game’s thematic levels provides a few objectives that require completing platforming challenges and solving puzzles; however, Human: Fall Flat is at its most entertaining when any guidelines are ignored in favor of producing chaotic messes.

In split-screen, two people receive blank humans to direct, and the addition of another player opens up even further the already vast gameplay possibilities. The more creative and curious the users are, the more fun Human: Fall Flat becomes.

20 The Ascent

Great Setting, Solid Gameplay

Debuting as an Xbox console exclusive, The Ascent eventually joined Sony’s ecosystem, and while not a masterpiece, the cyberpunk game has more than enough to offer to warrant a recommendation. Just to be clear, this action RPG works well as a solo experience, and an argument could be made that this option represents the game at its best. Nevertheless, the 4-play co-op support does not detract much from the overall package, even if it does not add a great deal to it. Furthermore, The Ascent can be a slog at times, so having a few friends along for the ride can help greatly during these moments.

Set in Veles, players step into the shoes of a mercenary, a role that is not exactly highly regarded. The beautifully designed urban jungle is arguably the game’s highlight, and exploring Veles leads to some of the campaign’s most memorable moments. The RPG utilizes a twin-stick shooter combat system that, while decent, might take a second to grow on someone since it is slower than the genre’s typical offerings.