Video games were a more collective experience in the 80s and 90s in person. There were arcades where players gathered, and even if they were playing solo games, they often attracted watchers. Plus, there were co-op games from brawlers to shooters.
Couch co-op was big for home consoles too, and since then, multiplayer has evolved thanks to online support. It feels like it has grown even more over the past decade, with better internet connections, more powerful consoles, and innovative gameplay ideas. From 2015 to 2025, these co-op games have offered the best experiences online and offline, and it will be exciting to see where co-op gaming goes next.
Destiny 2
A Platform For Looter Shooters
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Co-Op Options: Three-Six Online
Destiny 2 has been going strong since 2017, with many shifts in its development, such as going free-to-play. There are various ways to play cooperatively with partners, the biggest of which happens with three-player Strike missions, but there are also bigger Raids and the ability to find partners while exploring planets. Shooting always feels good in a Bungie game, and the same is true for Destiny 2, whether players are enjoying co-op or going it alone.
Split Fiction
Moment To Moment Co-Op
Split Fiction
- Released
- March 6, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
- Co-Op Options: Two Local/Online
Hazelight Studios has been a big developer in the co-op scene, perpetuating the idea that playing together with friends is a magical experience. Their latest game, Split Fiction, is their wildest yet, as there is no consistency between levels, as mechanics and even themes change from fantasy to sci-fi. It will keep players on their toes, whether they are hatching dragons or cruising along Tron-inspired highways. Split Fiction is always going to delight and surprise its two co-op partners.
Diablo 4
A Great Co-Op Game For The Spooky Season
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- Co-Op Options: Two Local/Four Online
Diablo 4 is, unsurprisingly, a great co-op game, like every entry in the Diablo series that came before. Console players can team up on the couch, and online players can get a good group going as they explore an open-world from a top-down perspective. The perspective may look small, but the world is massive, as are the options given to players between classes and skill trees. It’s a great game to replay multiple times with different sets of friends with different class combinations.
Baldur's Gate 3
A Narrative Co-Op Experience
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Co-Op Options: Two Local/Four Online
Baldur's Gate 3 is a different co-op experience than most, as the game as a whole is focused on the narrative with many dynamic choices. If players progress with friends, they can experience the story together and communicate options, almost like a massive choose-your-own-adventure game.
5 Best Fighting Games For Co-Op
Fighting games are typically one-on-one affairs, but these entries in the historic genre open the floodgates for co-op gameplay oipportunities.
Gameplay is turn-based, meaning each player has to wait for their turn. There aren’t many turn-based co-op games out there, and Baldur's Gate 3 certainly sits at the top for those who want something different.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Mario Goes Weird
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- Co-Op Options: Four Local
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the latest 2D entry in the Mario series, and it's fun to play on either the Switch or Switch 2. Players can team up locally with a max party of four and explore wondrous levels, which show that Nintendo still hasn’t lost its edge. From singing flowers to turning characters into elephants or goo, Super Mario Bros. Wonder keeps things surprising, and it’s still fun to go back to, thanks to the short, almost bite-sized design of levels.
Tom Clancy's The Division
Money Problems
Tom Clancy’s The Division
- Released
- March 8, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
- Co-Op Options: Four Online
Tom Clancy's The Division was one of the first major games to follow Destiny’s looter shooter and live-service model. Instead of a first-person shooter, players could squad up for third-person shooting and cover-based tactics. It was a fun new idea for the Tom Clancy series, with one of the most bizarre setups for a post-apocalypse yet. The story involved Black Friday-tainted money that diseased the U.S., sending the nation into turmoil. Only an elite squadron of special forces could fight back, aka The Division.
Elden Ring
Prepare To Co-Op
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Co-Op Options: Three Online
Elden Ring, like many of FromSoftware’s Soulslike games, offers players co-op options. As one of the most brutally challenging games around, playing with friends can make exploring the world and fighting baddies and bosses that much easier. It also helps prevent the host player from getting absolutely owned by invaders online. It’s not impossible to beat the game alone, but friends certainly make the experience easier.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Danger Around Every Corner
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Co-Op Options: Four Online
Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the most inviting games in this series for new players, thanks to the NPC party options. As great as these AI-controlled party members are, the game still thrives as a four-player co-op experience.
10 Most Underrated Co-Op RPGS
Co-Op mechanics aren't very common in most RPGs. These titles incorporate them in interesting and unique ways.
It’s also one of the few games that let players truly showcase their creativity through their created characters and customized armor sets. The world is open with plenty of new monsters to slay, and each weapon class helps create dynamic setups for any given monster slaying party, from the easy-to-use bow to the strong but hard-to-master Insect Glaive.
Path Of Exile 2
A Proper Challenger To Diablo
Path of Exile II
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Nudity, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Language, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG
- Co-Op Options: Two Local/Six Online
Path of Exile 2 is still in early access, but it feels like a finished game. The world is expansive, but not open, with many classes to choose from and a spell system not unlike the Materia system from Final Fantasy 7. What sets Path of Exile 2 apart from other Diablo clones is that the world is randomly generated, making each playthrough unique in some respects. It’s another great reason to replay the game, along with testing new classes with friends.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Pizza Time!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
- Released
- June 16, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
- Co-Op Options: Six Local/Online
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a throwback to the good old days of 80s and 90s brawlers. Specifically, it’s a spiritual successor to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time as it picks up where that game left off. Similar to other modern brawlers, there are new features to make it feel new and not just another homage. Every character can level up and learn new skills, plus it features six-player co-op action. This can make screens look a bit hectic, but that’s par for the course for these turtle bros.
Exciting Upcoming Games With 4-Player Co-Op
From Borderlands 4 to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, 2025 has some amazing 4-player co-op games on the horizon.