Co-op games provide us with a delightful blend of shared victories and the exhilarating thrill of tackling challenges as a team. Whether it’s being immersed in intense battles or solving intricate puzzles with your friends, the shared adventures make for enduring memories and forge strong bonds. Today we are ranking numerous outstanding titles in the genre, so sit tight as we go through the best co-op games for you to play with those closest to you.
Best Co-op Games, Ranked
The essence of the journey, rather than the destination, encapsulates the co-op experience. The objective of this list of the best co-op games of all time is to place those entries a cut above the rest that captures that feeling perfectly.
Having said that, this list is purely based on personal experience and is therefore likely to differ from your opinion. However, you are more than welcome to switch up the rankings in the comments!
7. Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 2
Teaming up with your friends and taking down some of Marvel’s most iconic bad guys, including Doctor Doom and Galactus, is everyone’s childhood dream, and in Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 2, you get to do that and lots more. Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 2 offers an insane number of playable Marvel characters. However, it’s still the co-op capability and the snappy narrative that are standout features.
Joining forces with your friends and forming the ultimate superhero dream team has never been more fun, so it only makes sense to name Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 2 among the best co-op games ever made.
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6. Unravel Two
Unravel Two is a hidden indie gem that takes puzzles and platforming to the next level with its breathtaking world and joyful soundtrack.
Even though the game can technically be played alone, the co-op mode is where it truly shines. And because of that, Unravel Two is easily one of the top co-op games to relish with your friends. Solving puzzles together feels like a dance, and each player’s actions are so intricately tied with the other’s, that everything you do satisfyingly comes full circle.
5. Borderlands 3
Welcome to the world of mayhem, mercenaries, and Psychos. Borderlands 3 is the ultimate, vibrant, and most nuts co-op game you will lay eyes on in your lifetime – until Borderlands 4 comes out. It’s an addictive first-person shooter that throws at you everything it has got.
You journey through vast landscapes with a wide range of unique weapons and sick rides, killing plenty of Bandits and Bruisers in the process. Borderlands 3 is paradise for those with a taste of gunslinging, and the sheer amount of arsenal diversity and hordes of challenging enemies will keep you on your toes. It’s a must-play if open-worlds and big guns are your jam, since in both of those categories, Borderlands 3 takes the cake as the best co-op game to play with friends.
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4. A Way Out
A Way Out ingeniously intertwines action, stealth, and puzzle-solving elements, ensuring that both players are engaged at all times. Its thrilling action sequences and prison drama are sure to keep you and your partner hooked every second.
Hazelight Studios truly pushes the boundaries of how storytelling can work with collaborative gameplay in this one. It’s a stunning experience overall, and one that will stay with you long after you put down your controller.
3. Cuphead
Cuphead is a 2D masterpiece that seamlessly combines its nostalgic aesthetics with challenging boss fights. Its co-op feature elevates the experience to new heights as you embark on a whimsical journey with your friend.
Prepare to rage as you navigate tricky platforms and repeatedly die to its many one-sided – for the most part – boss fights. Its unique visuals and engrossing shooter design are easy reasons to consider it one of the best co-op games you can play right now.
2. It Takes Two
It Takes Two was one of gaming’s biggest surprises of 2021 and among the best co-op games ever released. Embark on an unforgettable journey as you assume the roles of two endearing characters who must conquer numerous hurdles together. The intensity of emotion and creativity poured into this game will certainly leave you wanting more.
Each level presents a unique set of abilities that you must combine to overcome mind-numbing conundrums and boss fights. Hazelight Studios was already a master in co-op games, but with It Takes Two, they cemented their name as the next big thing.
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1. Don’t Starve Together
Don’t Starve Together is a cult classic in co-op survival gaming that weaves a rich tapestry of challenge and creativity. The game captivates with its Tim Burton-esque art style, creating a visually distinct and atmospheric world where every decision matters.
It encourages adapting to the world around you and strategic thinking, as each player’s unique skills and roles contribute to the group’s overall survival. Don’t Starve Together is an adventure that will test your entire circle’s resilience. It’s simply a timeless title that will live on as the best co-op game ever, unless well, Klei finally gives us a sequel.
