On this page
- Quick comparison: couch, online, and crossplay
- Best co-op games for couples (two players)
- Split Fiction
- It Takes Two
- LEGO Voyagers
- Reanimal
- Unravel Two
- Stardew Valley
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Best couch co-op games for a group
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Moving Out 2
- Minecraft
- Rocket League
- Borderlands 4
- Diablo IV
- Best online co-op games to play with friends
- Helldivers 2
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Sea of Thieves
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Grounded 2
- Valheim
- Phasmophobia
- Best split-screen and 2 player PS5 games
- Best two player PS5 games on one console
- Best split-screen PS5 games for three or four players
- Best online multiplayer PS5 games with friends
- Best co-op games on Xbox Game Pass
- How to pick the right co-op game
Most "best co-op games" lists skip the one thing you actually need to know: can you play it on the same couch, or does your friend need their own console, their own copy, and the same platform as you?
This list answers that for every game. It covers PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, and it is split three ways: games built for two (great for couples), couch games for a room full of people, and online games for a friend group spread across different homes.
Quick comparison: couch, online, and crossplay
Search the table for a game, or scan the columns for what matters to you. "One copy" means a second player can join without buying the game.
| Game | Players | Couch co-op | Online co-op | PS5 and Xbox crossplay | One copy for two | PS5 price | Xbox price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split Fiction | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Friend's Pass) | $49.99 | $49.99 |
| It Takes Two | 2 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (same console family) | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| LEGO Voyagers | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Friend's Pass) | $14.99 | $24.99 |
| Reanimal | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (check your platform) | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Unravel Two | 2 | Yes | No | No | Couch only | $19.99 | $19.99 |
| Stardew Valley | Up to 4 local, 8 online | Yes (4) | Yes | No | Couch only | $14.99 | $14.99 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | Up to 4 | Yes (2) | Yes | Yes | Couch only | $48.99 | $69.99 |
| Overcooked! All You Can Eat | Up to 4 | Yes (4) | Yes | Yes | Couch only | $39.99 | $11.99 |
| Moving Out 2 | Up to 4 | Yes (4) | Yes | Yes | Couch only | $29.99 | $7.49 |
| Minecraft | Up to 4 local, more online | Yes (4) | Yes | Yes | Couch only | $19.99 | $19.99 |
| Rocket League | Up to 4 local, 8 online | Yes (4) | Yes | Yes | Free to play | Free | Free |
| Borderlands 4 | Up to 4 | Yes (2) | Yes | Yes | Couch only | $69.99 | $69.99 |
| Diablo IV | Up to 4 | Yes (2) | Yes | Yes | Couch only | $29.99 | $49.99 |
| Helldivers 2 | Up to 4 | No | Yes | Yes | No | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Deep Rock Galactic | Up to 4 | No | Yes | No | No | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Sea of Thieves | Up to 4 | No | Yes | Yes | No | $39.99 | $13.99 |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | Up to 4 | No | Yes | Yes | No | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Elden Ring Nightreign | Up to 3 | No | Yes | No | No | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Grounded 2 | Up to 4 | No | Yes | Yes | No | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Valheim | Up to 10 | No | Yes | Yes | No | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Phasmophobia | Up to 4 | No | Yes | Yes | No | $19.99 | $19.99 |
Prices are the current US store prices on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, checked September 25, 2026, and include any public sale running that day (subscriber-only discounts are left out). Sales change weekly, so check the store before you buy.
"Couch only" in the one-copy column means one copy covers everyone on the same console, but online play needs a second copy.
Best co-op games for couples (two players)
These are built around two people working together. Most have a story, a clear ending, and puzzles that only work when both of you pull your weight.
1. Split Fiction
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
2 players, couch + online

Image: Hazelight Studios / EA
From the studio behind It Takes Two, Split Fiction follows two writers trapped inside their own stories, one science fiction and one fantasy. Every level throws a new idea at you, so it never settles into a routine.
It is the easiest co-op game on this list to share. It runs split-screen on one console, and online the Friend's Pass lets your partner play the whole game free, even across PS5, Xbox, and PC.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- One of you hates platformers
- Price
- PS5 $49.99, Xbox $49.99
2. It Takes Two
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
2 players, couch + online

Image: Hazelight Studios / EA
A couple on the edge of divorce gets shrunk into dolls and has to fix things together. It sounds heavy, but it is mostly a joyful, funny platformer where every chapter plays like a different game.
If you play online, the Friend's Pass lets your partner join free, but only within the same console family (PlayStation with PlayStation, Xbox with Xbox). There is no crossplay between PS5 and Xbox.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Skip if
- You want crossplay between PS5 and Xbox
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $39.99
3. LEGO Voyagers
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
2 players, couch + online

Image: Light Brick Studio / Annapurna Interactive
A short, gentle puzzle adventure about two LEGO bricks building their way through the world. It is cheap, calm, and easy to pick up, which makes it the best pick if your partner does not usually play games.
It supports couch and online co-op, crossplay, and the Friend's Pass, so only one of you needs to buy it.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You want a long game
- Price
- PS5 $14.99 (sale, usually $24.99), Xbox $24.99
4. Reanimal
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
2 players, horror

Image: Tarsier Studios / THQ Nordic
A dark co-op horror adventure from the team behind Little Nightmares. Two siblings explore a nightmare island on a shared screen, and the tension works best when you are sitting next to each other in a dark room.
It supports couch and online co-op with crossplay. A Friend's Pass is available, but check its status on your platform before you buy.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- Horror is not your thing
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $39.99
5. Unravel Two
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
2 players, couch only

Image: Coldwood Interactive / EA
Two little yarn creatures tied together by a single thread. You swing, climb, and pull each other through gorgeous outdoor levels. It is short, sweet, and relaxing.
Unravel Two is couch co-op only. There is no online play, so it only works if you are in the same room.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S (via PS4 and Xbox One versions), PC
- Skip if
- You live in different homes
- Price
- PS5 $19.99, Xbox $19.99
6. Stardew Valley
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4 local, 8 online

Image: ConcernedApe
Run a farm together, one season at a time. Stardew is the co-op game couples keep coming back to for months, because there is no pressure and always one more thing to do.
It runs split-screen for up to four people on console. Online works too, but PS5 and Xbox players cannot play together.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, mobile
- Skip if
- You want action
- Price
- PS5 $14.99, Xbox $14.99
7. Baldur's Gate 3
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, RPG

Image: Larian Studios
A huge fantasy role-playing game where every choice matters. Playing it with a partner turns every conversation into a debate about who you save, who you trust, and who you romance.
It runs two-player split-screen on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and on Series S since the game's final major patch. Online, up to four players can join, with crossplay across PS5, Xbox, and PC.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac
- Skip if
- You want something quick
- Price
- PS5 $48.99 (sale, usually $69.99), Xbox $69.99
Best couch co-op games for a group
Two to four people, one screen, and plenty of shouting. Every game here runs on a single console, so you only need one copy and a few controllers.
8. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, couch + online

Image: Team17 / Ghost Town Games
Run a restaurant kitchen while it catches fire, splits in half, or drifts down a river. Overcooked is simple to learn and quickly turns into a test of how well your group talks to each other.
All You Can Eat bundles both Overcooked games and their add-ons. It supports up to four players locally or online, with crossplay.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch
- Skip if
- Your group gets angry easily
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $11.99 (sale, usually $39.99)
9. Moving Out 2
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, couch + online

Image: SMG Studio / Team17
You are movers, and the goal is to get furniture into the truck by any means necessary, including through the window. The floppy physics make it hard to lose your temper.
Up to four players locally or online, with crossplay.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch
- Skip if
- You already burned out on Overcooked
- Price
- PS5 $29.99, Xbox $7.49 (sale, usually $29.99)
10. Minecraft
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
Up to 4 split-screen

Image: Mojang / Microsoft
Still the game that works for every group, from kids to couples to old friends. Build a base, explore caves, or just survive the first night together.
Minecraft runs split-screen for up to four players on console, and crossplay works between PS5, Xbox, PC, and mobile. Looking for a good starting world? Try our lists of the best Bedrock seeds and the best Java Edition seeds.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, mobile, Switch
- Skip if
- Nobody in the group likes open-ended games
- Price
- PS5 $19.99, Xbox $19.99
11. Rocket League
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
Free, up to 4 split-screen

Image: Psyonix
Soccer, but with rocket-powered cars. A match lasts five minutes, it is free to play, and four people can play split-screen on one console. It is the cheapest good night in on this list.
Crossplay works across all platforms.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch
- Skip if
- You want a story
- Price
- Free to play
12. Borderlands 4
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, 2 split-screen

Image: Gearbox / 2K
The looter shooter series that never dropped couch co-op. Two players can share the screen, and up to four can play online with crossplay. Shooting things and fighting over the best guns never gets old.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You dislike loot grinding
- Price
- PS5 $69.99, Xbox $69.99
13. Diablo IV
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, 2 split-screen

Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Hack through demons, collect loot, repeat. Diablo IV supports two-player couch co-op on one copy, and up to four players online with crossplay. On Xbox, it is also included with Game Pass.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- Dark fantasy grinding is not your thing
- Price
- PS5 $29.99 (sale, usually $49.99), Xbox $49.99
Best online co-op games to play with friends
For a group of friends playing from different homes. None of these support couch co-op, so everyone needs their own console and copy.
14. Helldivers 2
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, online

Image: Arrowhead / PlayStation
A squad of four space soldiers fighting bugs and robots for a very silly version of democracy. Friendly fire is always on, which is where most of the fun comes from.
It launched on Xbox in 2025 and has full crossplay with PS5 and PC. There is no couch co-op.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You want to play on one screen
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $39.99
15. Deep Rock Galactic
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, online

Image: Ghost Ship Games
Four space dwarves mining through alien caves. Every class has a clear job, so it rewards teamwork without feeling like homework. Rock and stone.
Crossplay works between Xbox and PC only. PS5 players can only play with other PS5 players.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Skip if
- Your group mixes PlayStation and Xbox
- Price
- PS5 $29.99, Xbox $29.99
16. Sea of Thieves
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, online

Image: Rare / Xbox Game Studios
Crew a pirate ship, hunt treasure, and get sunk by strangers. The best moments are the ones nobody planned. It is on Game Pass for Xbox players and has crossplay with PS5.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- Your group wants clear goals
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $13.99 (sale, usually $39.99)
17. Monster Hunter Wilds
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, online

Image: Capcom
Team up to track and take down giant monsters, then carve them up for better gear. Each hunt is a boss fight, and it gets much easier (and funnier) with friends. Crossplay works across PS5, Xbox, and PC.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You want to play on one screen
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $39.99
18. Elden Ring Nightreign
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 3, online

Image: FromSoftware / Bandai Namco
A co-op spin on Elden Ring built around short, intense runs. Three players drop onto a shrinking map and have to get strong fast before the final boss. A two-player mode was added after launch.
There is no crossplay, so your whole group needs to be on the same platform.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Skip if
- Your group mixes PlayStation and Xbox
- Price
- PS5 $39.99, Xbox $39.99
19. Grounded 2
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, online

Image: Obsidian / Xbox Game Studios
Shrunk to the size of an ant in a suburban park, you and your friends build bases, craft gear, and try not to get eaten by spiders. It started in early access on Xbox and PC, and it arrived on PS5 in August 2026. It is on Game Pass and supports crossplay.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You dislike survival crafting
- Price
- PS5 $29.99, Xbox $29.99
20. Valheim
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 10, online

Image: Iron Gate / Coffee Stain
A Viking survival game for bigger groups. You build longhouses, sail between islands, and take on bosses together. The full 1.0 release in September 2026 brought it to PS5, with crossplay across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You want quick sessions
- Price
- PS5 $29.99, Xbox $29.99
21. Phasmophobia
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
Up to 4, online

Image: Kinetic Games
Ghost hunting with friends. You set up equipment, gather evidence, and work out what kind of ghost you are dealing with, usually while someone screams on voice chat. Crossplay works across console and PC.
- Runs on
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Skip if
- You scare easily
- Price
- PS5 $19.99, Xbox $19.99
Best split-screen and 2 player PS5 games
Split-screen is the feature PS5 owners ask about most, and it is getting rarer in big releases. Every game below runs on one PS5 with one copy, so all you need is a second DualSense.
Best two player PS5 games on one console
- Split Fiction: the best two-player game on PS5 right now. Built for exactly two people, with a Friend's Pass for online play.
- It Takes Two: the same studio's earlier hit, and still the best value two-player game at its regular price.
- LEGO Voyagers: short, calm, and cheap. The easiest pick if the second player rarely games.
- Reanimal: two-player horror that works best side by side in a dark room.
- Unravel Two: relaxing two-player platforming, couch only.
- Baldur's Gate 3, Borderlands 4 and Diablo IV: bigger games that cap split-screen at two players, with up to four online.
Best split-screen PS5 games for three or four players
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat: four cooks, one kitchen, one screen.
- Moving Out 2: the same chaos with furniture and floppy physics.
- Minecraft: four-player split-screen survival or building.
- Rocket League: free, with four-player split-screen.
- Stardew Valley: four farmers sharing one screen.
Best online multiplayer PS5 games with friends
If your friends play from their own homes, these are the strongest online co-op picks on PS5. All of them need a copy per player and PlayStation Plus.
- Helldivers 2: four-player squads, with crossplay to Xbox and PC.
- Monster Hunter Wilds: four-player hunts, with crossplay.
- Elden Ring Nightreign: three-player runs, PlayStation only.
- Valheim: up to 10 Vikings on one server, with crossplay.
- Phasmophobia: four-player ghost hunting, with crossplay.
Best co-op games on Xbox Game Pass
The cheapest way into the best Xbox co-op games is a Game Pass subscription, since several of the picks above are already included. Which ones you get depends on your tier: Premium covers most of Microsoft's own games, while Ultimate adds new Xbox releases on day one plus the EA Play library.
| Game | Couch co-op | Online co-op | Included in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gears of War: E-Day | Yes (2, console only) | Up to 4 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Diablo IV | Yes (2) | Up to 4 | Premium, Ultimate |
| Minecraft | Yes (4) | Yes | Premium, Ultimate |
| It Takes Two | Yes (2) | Yes | Ultimate (via EA Play) |
| Sea of Thieves | No | Up to 4 | Premium, Ultimate |
| Grounded 2 | No | Up to 4 | Premium, Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
Game Pass tiers checked on the Xbox Store and Xbox Wire, October 7, 2026. Games leave Game Pass over time, so check the Xbox app before you plan a night around one.
Gears of War: E-Day is the newest addition. It launched on October 6, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a campaign you can play in two-player split-screen on console or with up to four players online. There is no PS5 version.
Online co-op on Xbox needs Game Pass Essential or higher for every player, even in games you own outright. Couch co-op on one console does not.
How to pick the right co-op game
Answer these four questions before you buy, and you will not end up with a game half your group cannot play.
- Same room or different homes? Same room needs couch or split-screen support. Different homes need online co-op.
- Same platform? If your group mixes PS5 and Xbox, check the crossplay column in the table above.
- Who is paying? Friend's Pass games (Split Fiction, It Takes Two, LEGO Voyagers) let one copy cover two players online.
- Enough controllers? Couch co-op needs one controller per player. A second controller is often cheaper than a second copy of the game.
If you are also subscribed to a service, check what is already included before buying. Our monthly lists of new Xbox Game Pass games and new PlayStation Plus games are a quick way to find co-op games you already have access to.
What is the best co-op game to play with a partner on PS5 or Xbox?
Which co-op games need only one copy?
Can PS5 and Xbox players play co-op together?
Does Helldivers 2 have split-screen?
Do I need PlayStation Plus or Game Pass to play co-op?
What are the best split-screen games on PS5?
What are the best co-op games on Xbox Game Pass?
Which multiplayer PS5 games are best for a group of friends online?
What is a good free co-op game on PS5 and Xbox?

Sumit
ContributorHi, I'm Sumit, Being an introvert I have always been obsessed with technology-computers and reading dozens of posts to learn, find answers out of my curiosity. I love to write as I explore more.






