Xbox offers a wide variety of games that support co-op gameplay, including both local and online hits. Co-op is a great way for families, couples, and friends to bond. Even if some titles can feel like a relationship stress test at times, it’s ultimately all in good fun.
This list will consider the context for a range of co-op preferences. You may want to complete a tense campaign together, find something for younger players, or just unwind after a long day. Here’s our rundown of Xbox co-op games for all occasions, from easygoing epics to seemingly insurmountable indies.
10. Forza Horizon 5
Racing games are traditionally competitive, but the genre’s recent wave of open worlds has introduced more options. Forza Horizon 5 surprisingly offers online co-op for up to 6 players. There are enough activities here to keep a convoy of racing fans entertained for quite a while.
The open worlds are finely detailed representations of Mexico, with lots of personality and plenty of exciting areas to discover and roam. The roster of vehicles is expansive, and the controls are fairly smooth. This is also an Xbox Game Studios title, so it’s available on the Game Pass and an excellent way to make the most of your console exclusivity.
9. Fall Guys
This may not be an Xbox exclusive, and it’s normally competitive as a party game, but it still has many fun co-op features. Players can team up before matchmaking, or host Custom Shows. The game supports unusually large lobbies, which is great for silly chaos.
With the addition of Creative mode, players can also design and plan out their own levels together, then share them among friends. With frequent IP collaborations and updates, this is a reliable title for casual minigames and platforming. However, there are still some technical hiccups the devs need to work out.
8. Stardew Valley
This classic farming sim is perfect for indie fans, even so many years after launch. It has a charming art design and rich, relaxing world that continues to influence many comparable titles. Building a farm together is a very rewarding experience. Players can gather resources, tend animals, explore, and participate in community events.
Stardew Valley evolves so gradually that you are compelled to return often. It has gentle gameplay, some fantasy elements, and adorable animals, with more freedom and depth than you might expect. Players of all ages will also enjoy the retro visuals and music. It’s a cozy game that’s great if you want to simply relax together.
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7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
This surprise hit is one of the best games on the Xbox Game Pass period, and recently renewed interest among co-op fans with the highly rated Dimension Shellshock DLC. TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge successfully reinvigorates the beat ‘em up genre thanks to splashy, inventive levels and a clear understanding of arcade appeal.
The gameplay is simple, but it also captures the characterization of the beloved titular turtles. They’re fun to play, and their outlandish world offers many interesting obstacles and enemies. Fans who grew up with the turtles and 80’s arcade hits will appreciate the fan service, but the intuitive button mashing will please anyone. It also has couch co-op, which remains a prized rarity.
6. Vampire Survivors
This indie hit took over the entire scene, and by now, it’s been imitated to the point of oversaturation. So, you may have left this one aside. But the devs just recently patched in a co-op mode last August, and it’s also playable on the Xbox Game Pass.
The new co-op gameplay doesn’t actually reinvent the core run formula. But there are some nice tweaks that shake up the meta enough to justify revisiting this bullet hell classic. The adjusted pacing and strategies are great for new players to discover why it accumulated so much hype in the first place.
5. Overcooked 2
This remains one of the most challenging co-op games on any system, let alone Xbox. It may look tremendously cute, but later levels will require extensive communication and a lot of trial and error. So, it’s important to be sure you and your friends are feeling patient when you fire up the grill.
However, the sheer chaos itself is also a big part of Overcooked 2’s entertainment. The level design is very creative, with even more elaborate tasks and obstacles than the game’s predecessor. Besides spending your time trying to actually progress, there’s a lot of content and replay value that keeps this a co-op staple.
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4. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo games may have become more divisive over time, but it remains the flagship Xbox franchise, and the original trilogy is an essential co-op experience. The MCC contains multiple games in one, offering a sprawling series of campaigns. It can be tough to find full campaigns that support co-op, and certainly without a complicated process.
The MCC is a sci-fi spectacle that offers a variety of memorable enemies, characters, and set pieces. The mythology is terrific, and although you won’t feel like a one-man army in co-op, the levels do reward teamwork. Naturally, this collection is one of the highlights on Xbox Game Pass.
3. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
This kid-friendly Star Wars extravaganza is rightfully praised for its massive amount of content. Besides revisiting iconic moments from all of the films with smart and silly humor, there are countless collectibles and characters to uncover.
As a result, the game is even more enjoyable if you play alongside someone else. All of the LEGO video games encourage friends and families to play together with co-op, but this title is easily the most ambitious installment of the series.
2. Portal 2
This may be an older Xbox game, but it remains a masterpiece of the industry and great for co-op. The puzzles are challenging, but not unreasonable, which is an important balance to strike. All of the new mechanics it introduces are imaginative and satisfying.
Unfortunately, the co-op content is a bit limited, and you can’t play the campaign together. Instead, the co-op experience is treated as a separate little narrative. But you still get the trademark comedy, creative physics-based puzzles, and a few emotes to interact with. Most importantly, you will rely on each other completely throughout every puzzle.
1. It Takes Two
This swift platformer is sort of an obligatory choice, but it certainly earns its position. The story is immediately relatable, with themes that actually resonate with you and directly regard cooperation. You can play through the entire campaign together, which evolves and indulges more fantasy than you think it will.
The platforming can be pretty difficult at times, and you will end up losing a lot of lives. However, the results are usually amusing, which makes it easier to stay determined. So, although the action can feel a little overwhelming, it’s still balanced and not as punishing as the likes of Cuphead.
Xbox offers quite a few exclusive co-op games, and the Game Pass is one of the stronger subscription services. It has a solid catalog of titles, making it easy to try out new co-op games together. Tell us what your favorite co-op memory is, and what Xbox titles deserve to join the list!
