2023 has often been called one of the best year's in gaming history when it comes to high quality new releases. Practically every genre saw the release of a critically-acclaimed game, giving gamers of all tastes something exciting and new to play. The same can be said for co-op games, with 2023 proving to be one of the absolute best years for co-op gamers, whether they want to play with their friends online or prefer local co-op.

This year has seen the release of truly incredible co-op games of all kinds. From fantasy RPGs to horror games to platformers, co-op gamers have plenty of options when it comes to new 2023 games.

Best Switch Games 2023
The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2023

Although it's nearly seven years old, the Nintendo Switch has just had one of its best years ever, and these 10 excellent titles prove that.

Co-op gamers looking for the absolute best co-op experiences 2023 has to offer need look no further. Please keep in mind that this list is not ranked and is instead presented in alphabetical order.

Baldur's Gate 3

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Larian's Baldur's Gate 3 has earned universal acclaim, taking home multiple Game of the Year awards and being hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made. While there are many who choose to experience Baldur's Gate 3 as a single-player adventure, the game also has robust co-op support. Baldur's Gate 3 has online co-op for up to four players, and it also has 2-player split-screen on all platforms minus Xbox Series S. In an age where many developers have abandoned local co-op entirely, it's great to see Larian make the effort to include split-screen co-op as a key feature in its massive RPG.

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Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
August 3, 2023
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Publisher(s)
Larian Studios
Engine
Divinity 4.0
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
Full cross-platform play.
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DIGITAL
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Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.

THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.

A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.

Franchise
Baldur's Gate
Number of Players
1-4
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical Only
Genre(s)
RPG
How Long To Beat
100+ Hours
Metascore
96
Local Co-Op Support
1-2 Players

Bang-On Balls: Chronicles

There were all kinds of co-op games released in 2023, but few as unhinged as the bizarrely-titled Bang-On Balls: Chronicles. Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a wild 3D platformer where up to four players online and two players in split-screen are let loose to roam themed worlds that are stuffed full of hilarious pop culture references. There are goals to accomplish and things to collect, but much of the fun in Bang-On Balls: Chronicles comes from the absolute mayhem players can wreak on the game world thanks to its destructible environments. It may have flown under the radar for many, but Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a great deal of fun, and may especially appeal to fans of the Goat Simulator games. Those interested can check out Bang-On Balls: Chronicles on PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox.

Cassette Beasts

Pokemon fans wanting a proper co-op twist on the franchise's monster-catching formula should definitely not let Cassette Beasts pass them by. One of the best Pokemon-style games in years, even when compared to Pokemon itself, Cassette Beasts sees a custom player character and their companions explore a strange world filled with bizarre monsters to catch, train, level up, and evolve. Cassette Beasts lets a second player take control of the currently active companion, giving them free rein to explore the game world and participate in battles.

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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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Released
April 26, 2023
ESRB
E10+ For Everybody 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
Developer(s)
Bytten Studio
Publisher(s)
Raw Fury
Engine
Godot
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
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Welcome to New Wirral, a remote island inhabited by strange creatures you’ve only dreamed of, nightmares you hopefully haven’t, and a cast of brave folks who use cassette tapes to transform for battle. To find a way home you’ll need to explore every inch of the island, and record monsters to your trusty cassette tapes to gain their abilities! Transform into monsters using… retro cassette tapes? Faced with the constant threat of monster attacks, the residents of Harbourtown, New Wirral choose to fight fire with fire. Record a monster to tape, then play it back to take on its form for battle! Fuse monster forms. Getting close to your companion has benefits–while transformed you can combine your strengths to gain the upper hand in battle! Any two monster forms can be fused to produce unique, fully-animated new fusion forms. Explore a rich open world. Certain monster abilities can be used in human form. You’ll need these to help you get around, solve puzzles, and locate dungeons. Glide, fly, swim, climb, dash, go invisible, or turn magnetic! Travel alongside a diverse cast of human companions. Never fight alone! Form bonds, spend time together, and help your selected partner complete personal goals to become a better team. Master a deep battle system. Take advantage of elemental chemistry to apply extra buffs or debuffs alongside your attack, or even alter your opponent’s elemental type!

Genre(s)
RPG
How Long To Beat
18 Hours

Dead Island 2

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Dead Island 2 was a long time coming, but for many co-op gamers, it was worth the wait. Dead Island 2 lets up to three friends team up to complete quests and massacre zombies together in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Killing undead hordes with friends never gets old, and Dead Island 2 gives players a huge arsenal of weapons to play around with. While it is disappointing that Dead Island 2 lowered the number of players from four to three, the game is still one of the meatiest co-op experiences of the year with even more content on the way.

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Action RPG
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Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 57%
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Released
April 21, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
Developer(s)
Dambuster Studios
Publisher(s)
Deep Silver
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Franchise
Dead Island
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The open-world zombie slaying action RPG makes its long-awaited return. Dead Island is back, and with it comes a host of enhancements to its winning combination of creative first-person zombie slaying, pitch-black humor and open-world exploration. Welcome to HELL-A. The City of Angels has been transformed into a hellish sprawl, its populace now mutated into disgusting zombies with an insatiable appetite for humans. In this extensive, visceral RPG experience you’ll journey to iconic LA locations, taking on quests, meeting eccentric survivors and enjoying a joyously pulpy narrative along the way. The game’s brutal melee combat gives you access to an expansive array of inventive zombie-slaying weaponry that lets you slice, smash and tear through the hordes before they get the chance to do the same to you. Can you survive HELL-A?

Number of Players
1-3
Genre(s)
Action RPG
Metascore
73

Diablo 4

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Co-op has been part of Diablo's DNA since the first game released in 1997, and so it's no surprise that it's one of Diablo 4's major selling points. Diablo 4 supports 2-player local co-op, but its co-op experience really shines when taking the game online. While exploring Diablo 4's huge world, it's possible to run into others that are playing the game and party up with them to complete quests and tackle dungeons together. While there are those who have been disappointed by Diablo 4's post-launch support, the game does continue to receive new content and has a sizable expansion on the way for 2024, ensuring that there will be plenty more Diablo 4 co-op adventures to come.

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Action RPG
Hack and Slash
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Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
June 5, 2023
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Publisher(s)
Blizzard
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DIGITAL
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Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.

Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.

Welcome to Hell

Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.

Expansive Open World

Forge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.

Immersive Character Development

Create and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.

Legendary Gear, Epic Battles

Discover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.

Seasons & Events

The tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.

End Game Undertakings

There’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.

Franchise
Diablo
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Metascore
88
Platforms That Support Crossplay
PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
Local Co-Op Support
1-2 players (console only)

Disney Illusion Island

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Metroidvania platformers are a dime a dozen, but Disney Illusion Island stands out from the pack thanks to its vibrant art style inspired by classic Disney cartoons and, of course, its 4-player co-op support. On a single Switch console, four players can play as iconic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they explore the game world, and in typical Metroidvania fashion, obtain new abilities that in turn allow them to reach previously unreachable areas. While some co-op platformers struggle with the actual "cooperation" part of the equation, Disney Illusion Island encourages players to work together by incorporating special co-op moves like Rope Drop and Leap Frog.

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Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 51%
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Released
July 28, 2023
ESRB
e
Developer(s)
Dlala Studios
Publisher(s)
Disney Interactive
Engine
unity
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Franchise
Disney
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Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy embark on a new adventure to find three magical books and save the mysterious island of Monoth. You’ll meet unusual allies and dangerous foes as you play solo or with up to three friends as the Fab Four in local co-op*. Work together as you run, jump, swim, and swing your way to victory!

Experience a brand-new Mickey & Friends adventure with hand-drawn animation, a fully orchestrated original score, and featuring performances from the authentic voice talents.

Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
Platformer

Lethal Company

Lethal Company came out of absolutely nowhere to become one of the most popular Steam games of the entire year, with the early access co-op horror game proving to be a viral hit with serious staying power. For those unfamiliar with the game, Lethal Company is a sci-fi horror game where players work together to explore abandoned facilities, often encountering horrifying creatures in the process. It has found incredible success in early access, and so it will be exciting to see how the developers expand on the game in future updates and if they bring it to more platforms.

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Released
October 23, 2023
ESRB
t
Developer(s)
Zeekerss
Publisher(s)
Zeekerss
Engine
Unity
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Number of Players
1-4
Steam Deck Compatibility
Playable
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You are a contracted worker for the Company. Your job is to collect scrap from abandoned, industrialized moons to meet the Company's profit quota. You can use the cash you earn to travel to new moons with higher risks and rewards--or you can buy fancy suits and decorations for your ship. Experience nature, scanning any creature you find to add them to your bestiary. Explore the wondrous outdoors and rummage through their derelict, steel and concrete underbellies. Just never miss the quota.

These dangers prey upon the vulnerable and lonesome, and the protection of your crew may be your only hope. You can guide your crewmates from your ship, using the radar to call out traps and using the ship's terminal to access remotely locked doors--or you can all go in together. The Company store has many useful tools for the job, including lights, shovels, walkie talkies, stun grenades, or boomboxes.

Things get dangerous at night. Communicate with your crewmates to carry all valuables to the ship before things get too dangerous, and try not to leave anyone behind.

Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
Horror
Steam User Rating
97%

Moving Out 2

The original Moving Out was a big hit with co-op gamers, utilizing a similar chaotic feel as the Overcooked games to create high pressure and hilarious situations. Moving Out 2 is bigger and better than the original game, throwing online co-op and all kinds of different gimmicks into the mix to keep players on their toes. Easily one of the most memorable co-op experiences in all of 2023, Moving Out 2 delivers hours of laugh-out-loud entertainment.

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Simulation
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Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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Released
August 15, 2023
ESRB
E For Everyone due to Crude Humor
Developer(s)
SMG Studio, Devm Games
Publisher(s)
Team17
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Moving Out 2 is the wacky sequel to the world-famous physics-based moving simulator. Working as a solo F.A.R.T, or with up to three friends, slip into your Smooth Moves uniform and help the residents of Packmore, and beyond, to pack up and ship out!

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LOCAL & ONLINE MULTIPLAYER
Friends who move together, groove together! Whether you fancy some local co-op action or a cross-play online multiplayer session, we’ve got you signed, sealed and delivered!

NEW ADVENTURE
We’re not in Packmore anymore… Via inter-dimensional portals you will explore new worlds filled with hilariously silly challenges and chaotic, rib-tickling action.

FRESH CHARACTERS & RETURNING FAVOURITES
Moving Out 2 features an entire new cast of extra lovable characters because Smooth Moves have signed up some new F.A.R.T recruits! Not to worry though, Rye Yu and Sidney are still on the payroll…

IT'S FOR EVERYONE!
Assist mode?! Check! A wide array of accessibility options?! Check! Loads of characters and countless finely tailored fits and skins for all you fashionistas?! Check! Check! Check!

Multiplayer
Local Co-Op, Online Co-Op
Number of Players
1-4
Genre(s)
Simulation
How Long To Beat
8 Hours
Metascore
80

Remnant 2

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Remnant: From the Ashes took the Soulslike genre in some interesting new directions thanks to having a greater emphasis on co-op play and ranged weaponry compared to its peers. Remnant 2 retains everything that made its predecessor great, but dials it up to 11. Remnant 2's procedural generation has been greatly enhanced so that players and their co-op companions are constantly dealing with fresh challenges. Soulslike fans will find a lot to love about Remnant 2, and its co-op support really helps put it over the top as one of the year's best games.

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Soulslike
Third-Person Shooter
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Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 86%
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Released
July 25, 2023
ESRB
M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Gunfire Games
Publisher(s)
Gearbox Publishing
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Number of Players
1-3
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REMNANT II® is the sequel to the best-selling game REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity’s extinction.

Intense Remnant Combat Experience: A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and try to obtain the biggest rewards

New Worlds to Explore: Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges

Genre(s)
Soulslike, Third-Person Shooter
How Long To Beat
20 Hours
Metascore
85

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Nintendo discovered a winning co-op formula with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which let four players simultaneously run and jump their way through Super Mario stages for the first time ever. Co-op has been a major focus of 2D Super Mario games ever since then, with 2023's Super Mario Bros. Wonder the latest game in the series to take a crack at it. While Super Mario Bros. Wonder could have rested on its laurels, the new game takes the Super Mario co-op experience to new heights.

While some fans initially weren't happy that Super Mario Bros. Wonder removed player collision, the choice actually resulted in a far less frustrating co-op experience, one that let players more easily experience the game's fast-paced platforming challenges with friends. Super Mario Bros. Wonder also introduces Dark Souls-style online features to the Super Mario franchise for the first time, letting players see others playing the game as they play, with ways to communicate with and aid strangers encountered online.

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Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
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Released
October 20, 2023
ESRB
E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence
Developer(s)
Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
ModuleSystem engine
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
Franchise
Super Mario
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The next evolution of Mario fun: Classic Mario gameplay is turned on its head with Wonder Flowers in the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game! These game-changing items can make some wonderfully weird stuff happen. Witness pipes coming alive, wreak havoc as a giant Spike-Ball, and lots more!

Loca: Up to 4 players can tackle courses together, share power-ups, and revive each other. Yoshis can also carry other players on their back to help each other overcome challenging courses!

Online: With a Nintendo Switch Online membership**, you can share your adventure with players from all over the world or play online with up to 12 friends in a Friend Room, with 4 players per course. Help each other out or see who can finish first! If you place a standee while you’re playing online, other players can use them to revive!

Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
Platformer