Best Casual Couch Co-Op Games

Once a staple of video games, local co-op and split-screen play has become somewhat of a rarity in the modern era. This is a shame, given that many games designed with local co-op in mind tend to be more approachable to newcomers.

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With fewer of these experiences around, players wanting to enjoy games with friends or family will likely find themselves taking nostalgia trips in order to do so. However, thankfully, couch co-op isn’t entirely dead, and there are a variety of more casual experiences that can be enjoyed locally. Though these are mostly smaller experiences with lower budgets.

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Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime

Co-Op Space Battles That Emphasize Teamwork

Fans of sci-fi, vibrant graphics, and teamwork-focused play will more than likely get a kick out of Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. This neon-infused couch co-op action game tasks players with controlling their own battleship in real-time as they battle foes in outer space.

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The simple controls and easy-to-grasp structure allow this vibrant title to be tremendously accessible. However, despite its casual approach, Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime is able to offer challenge through its emphasis on teamwork.

7

Heave Ho

Chaotic Co-Op Facilitated By Unique Movement

Heave Ho

Systems

Released

March 29, 2019

Developer(s)

Le Cartel Studio

This colorful, bizarre adventure tasks players with working together to make their way through a variety of levels without falling to their deaths. This is made all the more difficult by asking players to traverse each environment using legless characters with clumsy hands.

To progress often, if not always, requires teamwork, and this frequently leads to chaotic trust-fall moments and close calls. This naturally makes Heave Ho perfect for couch co-op, bolstered further by tactile, intuitive controls.

6

Crawl

Semi-Cooperative PvP With A Unique Dynamic

Technically not wholly co-operative, Crawl is a classic dungeon-crawler that pits three players against one. With one player taking control of the hero and the others a variety of monsters, Crawl is centered around a truly unique dynamic that blends teamwork with PvP.

What makes this interesting is that, although each monster player is attempting to claim a kill on the current hero, they often have to work together in order to bring them down. Combined with simple controls and stripped-back mechanics, Crawl is a lightweight dungeon-crawler that’s approachable in a variety of ways and designed for chaotic couch co-op.

5

LEGO The Lord Of The Rings

Accessible Gameplay In A Familiar Setting

LEGO games are perfect for casual players thanks to accessible controls and an utter lack of stakes. There’s no challenge to be had in many if not all LEGO games, and LEGO The Lord Of The Rings is no exception. Instead, the fun comes from the joy of exploration and discovery, as well as the tactile controls.

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As a result, these titles are great for co-operative play, especially when playing with less experienced players. LEGO The Lord Of The Rings is particularly great for fans of the source material, and its open-world exploration provides an extra layer of discovery that’s most welcome.

4

Unrailed!

Frantic Co-Op With Accessible Controls

Fun, fast, and utterly frantic, Unrailed is a chaotic arcade-style game in which good teamwork is essential. In the game, players must work together to keep a runaway train on its tracks. The trick to this is that players must also build those tracks using resources they’ve gathered from the map, all while trying to keep the train from bursting into flames.

The multitasking and quick-thinking required in Unrailed creates constantly chaotic scenarios that are often hysterical in nature, making it a perfect game for couch co-op. Furthermore, while it’s certainly a challenge to succeed, Unrailed’s accessible controls keep it friendly to casual gamers.

3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Accessible Arcade Gameplay With Optional Challenge

Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and/or old arcade beat ’em ups will find plenty to love with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. This loving homage is both retro and modern in its design, featuring nostalgic pixel-art, frequent references, and an excellent soundtrack.

Despite its bare-bones narrative and admittedly formulaic gameplay, Shredder’s Revenge manages to feel fresh and engaging. This is thanks in large part to its stylish presentation and fluid controls, but most obvious is the passion its developers clearly have for the source material. In keeping with the spirit of TMNT, Shredder’s Revenge is an experience that’s friendly to even the most casual of players, and it can be played with up to six players.

2

Overcooked

Chaotic Co-Op Cooking

Overcooked’s accessible controls and cartoon graphics make it a tremendously approachable game that’s great for casual players. Furthermore, its emphasis on efficient teamwork and quick-thinking allows it to remain engaging to a wide audience.

There’s no doubt that Overcooked excels with its local co-op, especially with higher player counts. More players often results in more chaos, and managing a larger team in dynamic kitchen scenarios under constant time pressure often leads to hysterics.

1

Castle Crashers

A Beginner-Friendly Combination Of RPG & Beat ‘Em Up

Systems

Released

August 27, 2008

Developer(s)

The Behemoth

Castle Crashers is a wonderfully lightweight RPG with classic beat ’em up gameplay that champions simple controls and easy-to-learn mechanics over complex skill trees and build-crafting. The charming cartoon art-style and light difficulty also make Castle Crashers a widely accessible experience that’s great for casual players.

Best of all, Castle Crashers features online and local co-op that elevates the overall experience dramatically. For fans of cartoon humor, classic beat ’em up gameplay, and casual couch co-op, Castle Crashers is a safe bet.

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