Best Local Co-Op & Split-screen SNES Games

The Super Nintendo is one of the greatest consoles of all time, housing some of the most iconic video games of all time that fans still adore to this day. The retro palette featured in these games has become the stuff of legends, with many players having a soft spot for the SNES and its many amazing offerings.

There are many games on this console that players can enjoy with their friends, with some offerings being better than others. Regardless, players who want to enjoy some retro goodness with their friends will be more than pleased by the wide array of amazing games that players can check out on the legendary SNES.

Updated on November 27, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: For most veteran players, the SNES was likely the first console they ever owned, which makes it have a very special place in their hearts and a ton of feelings of nostalgia revolving around it. While it’s true that most of the console’s titles looked better on CRT monitors than they do on modern TVs, the colors and the art style used still stand out and look amazing.

The SNES was somewhat limited by the hardware available at the time, so its titles are clearly not as complex as what players can expect to see today; however, developers knew this and made up for it by creating wonderful experiences, designing great game mechanics, and presenting interesting topics.

14 NBA Jam

The Ultimate Basketball Experience For The SNES

• Platform(s): Arcade, SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Atari Jaguar
• Released: April, 1993
• Developer(s): Midway
• Genre(s): Sports

Back in the day of the SNES, sports games were already becoming very popular. And even though there were some considerable limitations regarding what the graphics could look like and how game mechanics worked, it was still possible to deliver an amazing experience, and NBA Jam proves that.

This title not only offered players fun basketball matches, but it also allowed up to two players to cooperate during competitions to plan strategies and keep control of the ball for as long as possible. Many veteran players will likely remember this title fondly as part of their childhood memories.

13 Tetris Attack

A Fun Take On A Stacking Classic

• Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, Game Boy, SNES, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U
• Released: October 27, 1995
• Developer(s): Intelligent Systems, Nintendo Research $ Development 1
• Genre(s): Puzzle Video Game

Tetris has been around for more than four decades at the time of writing this article, so it’s only natural that some alternate and more modern versions have been released since it first came out. Tetris Attack presents players with a new and improved version of the stacking classic, adding more colors, vibrant characters, and a more entertaining way to stack the incoming blocks.

By matching the different shapes, players can eliminate different blocks and complete the various levels available. It’s also possible for two players to collaborate to make the game more fun and the challenge less daunting.

12 Ghoul Patrol

An Amazing Concept With A Great Art Style

• Release Date: November 1994
• Developer: LucasArts
• Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

After the underappreciated success of Zombies Ate My Neighbors, it was only a matter of time before a sequel to this charming action title would make its way on the Super Nintendo. Unfortunately, this game didn’t capture the same magic in a bottle that its predecessor achieved.

That being said, fans of Zombies Ate My Neighbors would still love what Ghoul Patrol brings to the table. The controls can be a bit finicky compared to its predecessor, and Ghoul Patrol doesn’t try to expand on what made the first game such a blast to play through, but it’s still a safe recommendation for fans of Zombies Ate My Neighbors.

11 Goof Troop

A Disney Classic From The SNES Era

• Release Date: November 25, 1993
• Developer: Capcom
• Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System

No one expected a game based on a popular animated series to feature some of the most engaging co-op gameplay on the SNES, but that’s precisely what Goof Troop manages to accomplish. The game is as simple as they come, but fans of these characters will find something to enjoy about this title.

The puzzles are engaging enough without being too hard, and having to fight an enemy using indirect methods of damage makes every combat encounter pretty frenetic in multiplayer. It’s a great gem that fans of charming and fun experiences on the SNES should check out.

10 Knights Of The Round

Fun Combat And Character Variety

• Release Date: November 27, 1991
• Developer: Capcom
• Platform(s): Arcade, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Capcom Power System Changer

An arcade beat-’em-up loosely based on the Knights of the Round Table, this underrated action game never really got the love and adoration it deserved despite being a fun title by Capcom. The kings of arcade gaming at the time let players enjoy a fun experience where players control King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, or Sir Perceval.

Players can team up in this game as they take out a wealth of enemies and surpass numerous tough stages in the process. It’s a simple and fun co-op game players can check out on the SNES, with the artwork being pretty engaging to boot.

9 Battletoads In Battlemaniacs

Outstanding Level Design And A Nice Platforming Experience

• Release Date: June 1993
• Developer: Rare
• Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System

Battletoads is one of the hardest video game series of all time, and it’s only a given that this title is no slouch in this department. Twitch reflexes and a lot of trial and error are required to get through these titles’ engaging levels.

Battletoads in Battlemaniacs features many unique takes on the levels from the original Battletoads, making this game perfect for fans of this title if they haven’t played through it already. Once players conquer the initial difficulty curve, the result is bound to be a blast!

8 Wild Guns

A Wild West Tale With Tons Of Shooting

A shooting game with one of the wildest settings ever seen in a game on the SNES, Wild Guns combines the Western genre with sci-fi and steampunk elements to make for a fun game where the simple act of shooting enemies and avoiding damage is presented in an immaculate manner. The sheer strength of this setting alone makes the game worth the price of admission.

It helps that the shooting action is simple yet engaging, making it easy for two people to jump into the action in no time. It may not be the deepest title on the SNES, but that shouldn’t take away from the allure of Wild Guns in the slightest.

7 Sunset Riders

A Classic SNES Title Focused On Cowboys

Side-scrolling run-and-gun games are a rarity now, so it’s nice to see that players who want to check out the SNES and its wide range of offerings will love what Sunset Riders has to offer. This simple shoot-’em-up game lets players explore a colorful take on the Wild West as they shoot down wave after wave of outlaws.

Players must utilize every trick in their arsenal to ensure that they can take out most enemies without taking too much damage. Nintendo Hard is a term thrown around quite a bit for games on both the NES and SNES, with Sunset Riders being a great example of the challenge most games from this era had.

6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time

One Of The Best Installments In The Franchise

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has enjoyed a great string of retro titles, mainly in the form of engaging beat-em-ups where players control one of the Ninja Turtles to foil whatever evil plan Shredder may be concocting. As expected from Turtles in Time, the beat-’em-up action is top-notch and is enhanced even more with a friend!

The engrossing setting of this game leads to the turtles exploring many unique stages that Shredder has sent them to in a bid to prevent them from stopping him. The title can be pretty challenging at times, but players who keep a clear head and learn from their mistakes will be able to clear the game’s toughest stages in no time flat.

5 Zombies Ate My Neighbors

A Quiet Neighborhood Is Overrun By The Undead

A game on the SNES that didn’t get the love it deserved at launch, Zombies Ate My Neighbors has enjoyed a resurgence in modern times as more and more people have discovered why this game is such an overlooked gem. The unique art style, wacky setting, and engaging gameplay make it a great title to experience with a friend.

Despite all the attention this title has received in the modern era, there are still many gamers who are completely unaware of this game, which is a shame. It takes one playthrough with a friend to establish why Zombie Ate My Neighbors is such a gem of a title.

4 Kirby Super Star

A Fun Kirby Adventure

While the Kirby series may take more of a backseat to Nintendo’s other IPs, there’s no denying that this cute pink blob was a huge hit back in the day when he was the star of many great games on Nintendo’s old lineup of consoles, with Kirby Super Star being one of the many feathers in this mascot’s cap.

Kirby’s appeal to children and its simple yet fun gameplay manifested in this SNES gem with a rather unique take on co-op gameplay. Kirby can produce a Helper with the same copy ability as the last enemy ingested by this character, which is a unique way for players to help each other out.

3 Contra 3: The Alien Wars

A Title Reminiscent Of Metal Slug

• Release Date: February 28, 1992
• Developer: Konami
• Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance

The Contra series features some of the toughest shoot-em-ups in gaming history that players can check out. Seasoned gaming veterans who want to conquer a challenge will be more than pleased with what this series has to offer, with the third game being especially beloved by the masses.

The Alien Wars is about as descriptive a title as can be, with players controlling two commandos on a mission to save Earth. The game is tough as nails, and players will face many frustrating losses before managing to complete the game… provided they have the patience and skill required to do the same.

2 Secret Of Mana

One Of The Most Beloved SNES Titles

Secret of Mana is one of Squaresoft’s most beloved games, featuring a mix of co-op and real-time combat that is pretty engaging. There’s no denying that the title’s combat hasn’t aged all that well for its time, but it’s the charming nature of this title that will entice many fans to check it out.

The game’s combat is fun with two players, despite how simplistic it can feel. It’s one of the most revered SNES RPGs for a reason, with the music, story, characters, and art being exemplary.

1 Super Mario Kart

A Primitive, Yet Entertaining Version Of A Franchise That Is Still Going Strong

• Release Date: August 27, 1992
• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System

It was only a matter of time before Mario Kart would be mentioned, with many people considering this title to be one of the best arcade racing games of all time. There’s a lot to love about the simple yet engaging racing in this title, with multiplayer being as fun as most people would expect.

Super Mario Kart was a must-have on the SNES back when it was launched, and many people still consider it to be a worthwhile title to check out for fans of this arcade racing series. Mario Kart has a stellar reputation in the industry, and Super Mario Kart is another feather in its cap.