Forgotten Local Co-Op & Split-Screen PS1 Games

The PS1's library steadily grew to incorporate a massive amount of games. There were plenty of versus multiplayer games on the system, including a nice selection of co-op experiences, though not every game in this department got its due. Other titles were bigger then but are more obscure now.

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There are several well-known PS1 games with co-op or split-screen support. These underrated titles brought something new and special to the table that made them pretty enjoyable, and it's a shame that not many people know about these hidden gems on the original PlayStation.

Updated October 15, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: It can be easy to look at gaming today and think there are so few local options. Some might yearn for a past where most games had local options. When it comes to local co-op, though, one could look at today as its golden age. Judging by the list below, that golden age was not on the PlayStation 1. The updated version of this list adds a few more games, but there were not a lot of games to choose from.

1 Loaded

Top-Down Shooting. Perfect For Cooperative Play

• Release Date: December 15th, 1995
• Developer: Gremlin Interactive
• Publisher: Interplay Productions
• Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn
• Genre: Top-down shooter

This top-down shooter separates itself from the pack with an art style that was handled by DC Comics artists. A short graphic novel based on it was also published after its release. Loaded is not on the list for that reason, though.

The genre lends itself perfectly to cooperative play, so it makes sense for Loaded to include it as an option. Anyone who has played Robotron 2084, Smash TV, or Total Carnage knows what to expect here. The simple gameplay holds up well, and the art still shines through even with the primitive visual fidelity.

2 Contra: Legacy Of War

The Classic Shoot 'Em Up Goes 3D

• Release: November 29th, 1996
• Developer: Appaloosa Entertainment
• Publisher: Konami of America
• Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn
• Genre: Shoot 'em up

Contra had a rough go of it on the PlayStation, like many series that started out in the 2D realm. Legacy of War does not have the greatest reviews, but there is something to be said about almost any game that lets two friends journey through it together. This is not a case of misery loves company either. Legacy of War is genuinely more fun in co-op.

As if Contra in 3D was not a big enough gimmick on its own, the game actually came with 3D glasses to let players experience the game in true 3D. This was the 90s, though, so it was the red and blue glasses and not the more advanced 3D effect ushered in by movies like Avatar.

3 Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012

It's Like Twisted Metal But With A Lot More Ska (Not Kidding)

• Release Date: October 6, 1998
• Developer: SingleTrac
• Publisher: GT Interactive
• Platforms: PlayStation
• Genre: Car Combat

Twisted Metal was THE combat car game for the PlayStation, but it was not the only one. Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012 might have a sillier name, but it feels so much like Twisted Metal. This makes perfect sense, considering it comes from the same developer of the first two games in that series.

Reviews were warm towards the game, but the lack of a recognizable name behind it makes it more obscure despite coming from SingleTrac. Players can battle each other in a classic fashion, or they can team up and go through the game's campaign cooperatively.

4 Crash Bash

A Party Game Featuring Beloved Characters From Crash Bandicoot

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: November 7, 2000
• Developer(s): Eurocom Entertainment Software, Cerny Games
• Genre: Party

The wild success of Mario Party prompted many developers to try and emulate this series' success with their own established franchises, and Sony was no exception. In a bid to make Crash Bandicoot a mascot with more pull, Sony released a party game featuring the many lovable characters from this beloved platforming series.

Crash Bash was a decent party experience with a bunch of minigames that are pretty fun to play, even if none of them are all that complicated or memorable. While this game may have eventually faded in popularity to the point where most players don't even know this title existed, long-time Crash Bandicoot fans would love it if this title received the same treatment as the kart racing spinoff.

5 Team Buddies

A Real-Time Strategy Game With Four-Player Split-Screen

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: September 18, 2000 (North America)
• Developer(s): Psygnosis
• Genre(s): Action, Strategy

The PlayStation was a great console, but long strides still needed to be made for real-time action gaming to become the norm, especially for multiplayer gameplay. So, it's easy why a lot of these games combined this form of gameplay with other genres to ensure that players are invested in a title that didn't necessarily need to be so complex from the get-go.

Despite its moniker as a strategy game, Team Buddies is a deceptively simple game to understand and play with multiple people. The endearing graphics and retro gameplay will make it a perfect pick for players who want to channel the good old days of couch multiplayer gaming.

6 Trap Gunner

An Arcade Strategy Game That Supports Up To Two Players

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: August 6, 1998
• Developer(s): Racdym
• Genre(s): Action, Strategy

The idea of running around and setting traps for other players to fall victim to was a core component of what made Bomberman such a fun video game to play. Another title with a unique spin on this gameplay that is more action-oriented is Trap Gunner. The short bursts of competitive gameplay in this title make it a blast to play.

Trap Gunner is a fun title where players set up unique traps that incapacitate their opposition. To make things more hectic, players can also shoot each other as they sneak around in the arena. It's chaotic in the best way and a great candidate for two players who want to enjoy something competitive and engaging without getting too serious.

7 The Firemen 2: Pete & Danny

Stop Deadly Fires With A Friend

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: December 22, 1995
• Developer(s): Media Entertainment
• Genre: Action-Adventure

A sequel to an SNES exclusive, The Firemen 2 lets players control Pete and Daniel, who must go through several levels and take out fires using a combination of teamwork and skill. Danny is invulnerable, making him a perfect pick for a player who may not be too skilled at video games.

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Players need to take out fires of varying shapes and sizes, saving civilians along the way to replenish Pete's health gauge. The game is pretty challenging but worth it for co-op partners who want to experience an underappreciated classic.

8 Panzer Bandit

A Side-Scrolling Beat-Em-Up With Co-op Support

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: August 7, 1997
• Developer(s): Fill-in-Cafe
• Genre: Beat'em Up

A great action-filled game with a lot of personality, it's a shame that Panzer Bandit is a forgotten gaming relic at this point. The gameplay is pretty engaging and co-op support elevates the quality of this title even more.

Panzer Bandit's stages are brief, well-designed, and pretty satisfying to boot. The chaos that unfolds on screen can be hard to manage at times, but players can beat up most enemies in no time flat after familiarizing themselves with the controls and gameplay loop in no time.

9 Captain Commando

A Fun Beat-Em-Up Game That Can Be Tackled In Co-op

Capcom was the king of fighting and beat-em-up games at one point, releasing a wealth of titles that did a great job of letting players vent their frustrations by mashing buttons on a controller and whooping enemies to kingdom come without breaking a sweat. Captain Commando is one of the many games released during this period, serving as a fun beat-em-up as players tackled waves of enemies.

Players could team up with their friends to take on the many baddies that came their way, unleashing a wealth of combos to decimate the opposition in no time flat. It's a shame that Captain Commando has become a forgotten relic of the past since players can very much enjoy this game even now if they get their hands on a copy.

10 The Lost Vikings 2

A Puzzle-Focused 2D Game That Can Be Played In Co-op

Most people would assume that a game featuring Vikings would be focused on action and combat, which is why The Lost Vikings 2 makes for such a unique game to check out. The title is puzzle-focused, with players switching between a wealth of characters and using their unique abilities to solve the many puzzles that come their way.

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In cooperative mode, players control two characters at one time while switching over to other unique personalities whenever the situation calls for it. This makes for a great time as players wrack their brains together to try and figure out a logical solution to the many puzzles that come their way, making for a simple yet fun time with friends. Solving a hard puzzle is always satisfying in any good video game, and The Lost Vikings 2 is no exception to this golden rule.