Regarding console upgrades, it was easy to describe how one system was better than the other. The NES was 8-bit which was upgraded to 16-bit during the SNES era. After that the next era used a lot of 32-bit technology and the Sega Saturn and PS1 were at the top of the console food chain.
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The 32-bit era was sandwiched between two legendary console generations, but even so, it featured some of the greatest JRPGs of all time.
Things got a bit more complicated after that than describing consoles with bits but interestingly, those two systems weren’t the last 32-bit consoles. Technically, the GBA and DS both ran using similar technology. So, 32-bit history aside, let’s look at some good co-op games that run the gamut from platformers to RPGs.
8 Diablo
A Lesser But Still Enjoyable Co-Op Experience
Diablo
- Released
- January 3, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Blizzard Entertainment, Ubisoft
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation (Original)
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
The original Diablo was released on PC in 1997 but soon after it got a PS1 port in 1998. The PC version offered four-player co-op while the PS1 edition only offered two-player couch co-op which was a downgrade but still a fun looter RPG to get into. Players had the same classes to play with and directly controlled their character instead of pointing and clicking on things like the PC version which had its ups and downs. There were plans to port it to the Sega Saturn as well but plans for that were scrapped along with a Game Boy version floating around online which is a bit wild to behold.
7 Die Hard Arcade
AKA Dynamite Deka
Die Hard Arcade
- Released
- January 1, 1996
- Platform(s)
- Sega Saturn
There are a lot of good multiplayer brawlers between the PS1 and Sega Saturn like the various Capcom arcade ports. Die Hard Arcade has to be one of the wildest releases though and it’s one that all brawler fans should experience. It was released in arcades in 1996 as a tie-in to the movie loosely but in Japan, it was called Dynamite Deka and took out the movie references. Its sequel also took out the movie references and was just called Dynamite Cop in the West. The history rabbit hole on this one is fascinating but just know Die Hard Arcade is a fun co-op game no matter the region.
6 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Become One With Organization 13
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
- Released
- May 30, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, h.a.n.d.
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- The Infernal Engine
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kingdom Hearts
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Fighting, Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- How Long To Beat
- 27 hours
Kingdom Hearts 2 was the first introduction of Roxas, a Nobody of Sora who once worked with Organization 13. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is a prequel to that, showcasing Roxas’ origins through a multiplayer RPG on the DS.
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From Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night to the original Diablo, the late 90s delivered many action RPGs that defined the 32-bit generation.
It could be enjoyed alone on the DS but the four-player co-op mode offered a unique opportunity to play other Organization 13 members besides Roxas like Axel and Larxene. Technically, it did get a re-release but only as a CG movie via Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix which is a shame.
5 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes Of Time
The Final Co-Op Entry
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes Of Time
- Released
- March 24, 2009
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was a solid multiplayer game on the GameCube but one that was hard to set up thanks to the cable and GBA requirements. The two DS sequels, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, made things easier thanks to the portable’s internal settings. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time is the last co-op RPG in the franchise which is uniquely connected to the Wii version as well for crossplay. Like other entries, players could create their character and then venture into various dungeons with friends in four-player co-op.
4 Soma Bringer
Before Xenoblade Chronicles X
- Developer: Monolith Soft
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Released: February 28, 2008 (Japan)
- Platform: DS
Xenoblade fans are enjoying Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch which is the only co-op game in the series. It is not, however, Monolith Soft’s only co-op RPG as there was a better one on the DS called Soma Bringer which unfortunately never released outside of Japan. Players could choose a class, weapon, and customize their character from a few different options. In single-player, players were assisted by two AI-based allies, but two others could join for co-op for action-based RPG adventures.
3 NBA Jam Tournament Edition
A Simpler Basketball Game
NBA Jam
- Released
- March 4, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Midway Games
- Publisher(s)
- Midway Games
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- NBA Jam
- Genre(s)
- Sports
- Platform(s)
- SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Nintendo Game Boy, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, PS1
NBA Jam was a huge hit in arcades when it was released in 1993 in arcades at a time when basketball was doing well on TV. It was marketed as a simpler basketball game with 2v2 matches on a smaller court.
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It became even more popular with home releases on consoles like the SNES in 1994 along with the expanded version, NBA Jam Tournament Edition, in 1995 on PS1 and Sega Saturn. It still is a legendary basketball game that anyone can get into no matter what system players engage it on between the AI, versus, and co-op matches.
2 The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past And Four Swords
Zelda’s First Multiplayer Game
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
- Released
- December 2, 2002
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo R&D2, Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- How Long To Beat
- 17 Hours
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords was a GBA port of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past from the SNES but with a new separate four-player co-op mode. It was re-released on the DSi via The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition and a sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, hit the GameCube. The gameplay was straightforward with the GBA and DSi versions wherein each player controlled a specific colored version of Link and went through a more linear progression of dungeons with typical action and puzzle gameplay. If players were able to set up a full four-player party, it was pure bliss.
1 Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky
Turn-Based Perfection
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
- Released
- July 15, 2009
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Level 5, Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- unity
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Dragon Quest
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- How Long To Beat
- 48 hours
Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky was the first mainline game in the series to be fully playable with three other players and also the first mainline game released on a portable system first. Players could create their character and go through the story alone with three other AI-based party members that they could also create or recruit. Once players reached a certain point, they could team up with others in co-op too. Each player could dictate their actions in turn-based battles but was free to roam around the world alone. The best part of the multiplayer experience was the sharing of dungeons, a feature that seemingly would later influence SpotPass/StreetPass games on the 3DS.
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