Best Local Co-Op Games On Amazon Luna

Subscription services have taken the gaming world by storm over the last few years, and Amazon Luna is starting to pick up steam. Following a period of early access, Luna officially launched on March 1, 2022 in the United States, presenting customers with a wide range of games they can stream using cloud-based technology.

Amazon Luna's library is primarily split into the Luna+ and Ubisoft+ channels, which both have local co-op games. Along with just connecting two controllers to a PC and playing the old-fashioned way, subscribers can also use Luna Couch to take the local co-op experience national. That said, what are the best Amazon Luna co-op games that support Luna Couch?

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

An underappreciated gem that disappeared for a number of years, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game oozes love and appreciation for the beat 'em up genre. Similar to the graphic novels and live-action movie, the game follows Scott as he faces off against Ramona's seven evil exes; however, this time, Scott can bring a friend along for the ride.

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Along with simple but intuitive gameplay, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World gets its presentation absolutely spot on. The old-school visuals are vibrant and lively, while the soundtrack is absolutely top-notch. The combat sticks close to the beat 'em up formula, all the while adding enough flare to help the game stand out from the crowd. There are even a few unlockables to encourage repeat runs, so players who fall in love with Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World will not run out of stuff to do too quickly.

Moving Out

Moving Out takes one of life's most stressful activities – moving – and transforms it into a hilarious but still frustrating experience. While possible to play solo, this title shines far brighter when the load is shared among a few movers. The players have to coordinate and communicate as they attempt to get every piece of furniture into the truck before time runs out.

Straightforward as the gameplay loop might be, Moving Out knows how to keep things interesting for its short but sweet campaign. Each level has additional objectives to inject some variety into proceedings, and the most accomplished movers can even try their hands at the game's harder bonus levels.

Tetris Effect Connected

2018's Tetris Effect revamped the classic game by emphasizing music, challenging players to match their block placements with the beat. Tetris Effect Connected takes the base version and implements multiplayer, introducing both co-op and competitive modes. The latter supports online play as would be expected, while the former permits players to blend their separate Tetris Effect fields to create one massive puzzle.

Tetris Effect Connected is simply a great game regardless of whether someone is playing alone or with friends. The co-op feature is not the only reason to boot up this game on Amazon Luna, but it certainly adds value to the overall experience.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered

Originally released exclusively for the Wii U, The Wonderful 101 is a quirky beat 'em up action game that garnered positive reviews but struggled commercially. Eventually, PlatinumGames crowdfunded a remaster, allowing the superhero title to make its way to the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The Wonderful 101 puts players in charge of a group of superheroes who can combine to create unique objects. As the player's roster of heroes increases, so does their array of abilities.

For the most part, The Wonderful 101 is intended as a single-player package, and solo gamers who ignore the multiplayer will not miss out on too much. However, Amazon Luna users who wish to bring along a friend can use Luna Couch to assemble their superhero team. The campaign does not support co-op, but multiplayer can be experienced in the game's Mission Mode.

Overcooked!

"Working in a frantic kitchen sounds like fun" is a phrase that nobody has ever uttered. Yet, Overcooked! Manages to take that concept and actualize it. A party game that asks people to work together as they step into the shoes of busy chefs, Overcooked! Does a pretty decent job of capturing the overwhelming nature of operating in such an environment. Consequently, the game produces laughs and the occasional bursts of frustration; either way, it makes for a memorable session.

Overcooked! 2 is also available on the Luna+ channel, so those who love the original game can jump into its sequel by opting for a different channel. The two titles are pretty similar, so fans of one are likely to love the other.

The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf

Licensed games have rightfully earned a negative reputation, particularly ones based on properties for children. Consequently, it is not that shocking that The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf came and went without making much of a splash. However, against all odds, the 3D platformer is solid. First and foremost, the game does a stellar job of replicating Smurf Village and its surrounding areas. The vibrant visuals help create an immersive adventure that should hit home for fans of the license.

Although nothing special, Mission Vileaf's gameplay is serviceable, although the campaign's main selling point is its setting rather than the platforming. The co-op mode sees a second user take charge of an item that accompanies and assists the main player. The experience is not evenly split between the two players, but it is still a fun time.

River City Girls

Kunio-kun has been around since the early '90s, but it would not be until the 2010s that the franchise would start to consistently make its way to the west. Funnily enough, arguably the most well-known entry in North America is a spin-off, River City Girls, that switches things up by having the heroes' girlfriends be the ones in charge of saving their partners.

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A beat 'em up overflowing with humor, River City Girls controls like a dream, even if its gameplay does not do too much to differentiate itself from other modern releases in the genre. Although fun alone, this game really comes alive in co-op since that allows Misako and Kyoko to truly spread chaos across the streets. The game's visuals are also incredibly charming, having an almost Saturday Morning Cartoon look to them. Somehow, they come across as both retro and timeless.

The Adventure Pals

A charming action-platformer, The Adventure Pals follows a young boy as he sets out to protect the world from the nefarious Mr. B, a villain who is turning people into hot dogs. Joined by his two closest friends, a rock and a giraffe, the protagonist heads out on an imaginative adventure that takes the group to all sorts of wacky places.

The Adventure Pals gets most of its basics right. The controls are intuitive and precise, the environments are varied and gorgeous, and the story is effortlessly endearing. The game even supports co-op, allowing another player to drop in and accompany the protagonist on their adventure.

Metal Slug 3

Arcade regulars do not need to be introduced to Metal Slug, but there is never a bad time to sing the praises of one of the best co-op games ever. Building on the foundations of two very good entries, SNK's Metal Slug 3 is about as perfect of a run and gun experience as they come.

The game's straightforwardness is its greatest asset: destroy everything in your way and never stop firing. The campaign directs players from one action sequence to the next, delivering incredible visuals, animation, and bosses along the way. Amazon Luna's Retro channel is packed with arcade classics, including the Contra Anniversary Collection which is absolutely stuffed with great run and gun co-op shooters.

Rabbids: Party Of Legends

Rabbids: Party of Legends is a mini-game collection featuring Ubisoft's divisive mascots. Inspired by Journey to the West, the campaign finds the eponymous creatures causing mayhem as they find themselves stuck in the novel's story. To make their way back home, they must complete mini-games and collect books. Party of Legends does not offer anything too unusual for the party genre, and the majority of its mini-games share similarities with ones found in other franchises. That said, the title is a polished addition to the genre that has impressive visuals and a fair amount of humor, even if the latter is the definition of subjective.

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The co-op mode permits players to team up as they take on the mini-games and work their way through the story. Like the rest of the package, Party of Legends' co-op is not particularly innovative, but it is handled well.