The 15 Best Local CO-OP Action Games

Planning a gaming night with friends but unsure what to play? Don’t worry! Our list covers the best local co-op action games for Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

We’ve highlighted 15 games you can enjoy with two or even three players on the same screen – and most of them also offer online modes if your sofa isn’t big enough.

It’s not uncommon for friends or siblings to gather in front of the TV wanting to play together. Then comes the familiar, paralysing question: what should we play?

To save you from debating this on your next gaming night, we’ve compiled a list of the best action games for consoles and PC that you can enjoy in local co-op.

And if you’re looking for a change of pace between rounds, the Richard Casino offers a variety of quick, fun games where you can use Richard Casino no deposit bonus codes and you play solo or with friends in multiplayer mode.

Action co-op games with a story

It Takes Two

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 2

The king of two-player co-op games is It Takes Two. You play as a couple who have been shrunk to the size of dolls and must navigate a huge world while trying to reconcile after a marital crisis. The world feels suddenly vast, almost like Toy Story or Micro Machines brought to life.

In its creative levels, you must work together in split-screen to solve puzzles and defeat bosses like crazy toolboxes and vacuum cleaners. It’s a playful, inventive adventure, and our full review dives into all the details and how much fun it really is.

Split Fiction

System: PS5, Xbox Series, PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 2

In Split Fiction, you can even change your appearance during the action when playing as a pair.

Perfect for entertaining fun, this latest hit from the makers of It Takes Two is based on the same successful concept. You can play locally or online in split-screen mode – and here too, only one player needs to own the game. They can invite a second player to join for free via EA Friends Pass.

The story is just as crazy as before: you take on the roles of two authors navigating your own science fiction and fantasy worlds.

The game is fast-paced, straightforward, and not overly difficult. Generous checkpoints keep frustration to a minimum. The levels and their bosses are varied and creative, shining brightest when they demand close cooperation and interaction.

Some sections, however, feel more like a single-player experience that you simply race through as a pair. These could be a bit more challenging, but that’s really just nitpicking.

Baldur’s Gate 3

System: PS5, Xbox Series, PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 4

It’s been a long time since a role-playing game captured as much attention as Baldur’s Gate 3. This turn-based fantasy game is essentially a virtual version of Dungeons & Dragons, and its multiplayer mode is a key feature. What many people may not know is that you can even play with two players on the same screen.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, every decision and dice roll carries consequences. Players who immerse themselves in Larian Studios’ world can easily spend up to 100 hours exploring the game. If that isn’t enough, you should also check out the equally excellent predecessor, Divinity: Original Sin 2.

A Way Out

System: PS4, Xbox (Game Pass), PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 2

A Way Out demands teamwork from the very start. The third co-op hit from the makers of It Takes Two, it puts you and a friend in the shoes of two prisoners trying not just to escape, but to stay free.

Specially designed for couch co-op, the game focuses on the gripping story of Leo and Vincent. Together, they devise clever plans to break out and seek revenge on a common enemy.

Gameplay mainly consists of quick-time events and puzzles that require coordination and cooperation between players.

A nice bonus: if you play online, only one player needs to own the game – the other can join for free.

Haven

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox (Game Pass), PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 0

Haven lets you embark on a romantic and colourful adventure in the distant future as a pair. Playing as Yu and Kai, you work together to build a new life on a strange planet. Explore your surroundings, collect resources, and uncover signs of an ancient civilisation.

The game’s special appeal lies in the story of the couple stranded in space and their interactions. But the adventure isn’t all peaceful – their new home is more dangerous than it seems.

A mysterious substance called the Rust spreads across the planet, turning harmless creatures into aggressive monsters. You’ll battle these creatures while also cleansing the world of Rust as you travel across it.

Local co-op 2D hits

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

System: Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PC
Local players: 4
Online players: 6

Whether young or old, the Turtles are a cult favourite. That makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge perfect for a cross-generational co-op evening. This pixelated adventure playfully draws on the classic arcade Turtles games, while taking the action up a notch.

The controls are easy to pick up, so even beginners can jump straight into the action. Up to four players can join a round locally, while online play supports up to six.

If you still crave more after that, check out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, which includes all the predecessors to Shredder’s Revenge and other games based on the original animated series.

Trine 4

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox, PC
Local players: 4
Online players: 4

We can recommend almost the entire Trine series – you can safely skip the third instalment. With Trine 4, Frozenbyte has created one of the most modern versions of their magical 2.5D adventure.

Up to four players can battle through the fantasy levels of this action co-op game, solving puzzles to save their prince and kingdom.

The game features beautifully designed worlds, humorous dialogues, and tricky physics-based puzzles that are easiest to tackle together.

Players can choose from three characters: Zoya the thief, Amadeus the magician, or Pontius the knight. You can also switch between them during the game, so be prepared for some amusing moments – like seeing three Zoyas on screen at once.

Contra Anniversary Collection

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Local players: 2

Contra is the ultimate classic among 2D shooters. Konami’s Contra Anniversary Collection includes the most important spin-offs from Super Nintendo, SEGA Megadrive, and arcade machines – emulated near perfectly.

The alien-shooting action is tough, but thanks to intuitive controls, crazy boss battles, and pixel-perfect graphics, many of the spin-offs remain timeless hits, whether played solo or in co-op.

The collection also allows manual save points if needed, but keep in mind the games were designed to be mastered over multiple game overs. Countless indie games have drawn inspiration from Contra, which keeps the originals feeling surprisingly contemporary.

Streets of Rage 4

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Local players: 4
Online players: 2

Now that’s how you make a comeback! The classic beat ’em up from SEGA Megadrive has been revived and is better than ever: hits feel more powerful, characters move more fluidly, and the graphics are more dynamic.

In the ’90s, beat ’em ups were abundant, with players fighting through endless hordes of enemies in urban settings, often accompanied by catchy soundtracks.

Interestingly, the fourth instalment allows more players in couch co-op than online. Fans of the original can also enjoy Streets of Rage 2, which is included in SEGA’s Megadrive collections.

River City Girls

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox (Game Pass), PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 0

If you’re familiar with Streets of Rage, let us introduce River City Girls. Misako and Kyoko, quick-witted friends of the original heroes Kunio and Riki, take on wave after wave of enemies to protect their great love – and they mean business.

This beat ’em up is a spin-off of the cult classic River City Ransom (also known as Street Gangs). Played in local co-op for two, it features intense battles, challenging bosses, upbeat synth music, and detailed pixel-art backgrounds that bring the city to life.

Cuphead

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox, PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 0

What Dark Souls is to 3D games, Cuphead is to 2D. Don’t be fooled by the playful retro look of this shoot ’em up – it’s brutally difficult.

Yet, it’s so compelling that players can’t put it down, even after failing repeatedly. Each attempt teaches you something new, keeping the challenge addictive.

Another standout feature is the game’s surreal, hand-drawn style. Every scene is crafted by the developers and strongly evokes early Walt Disney cartoons.

Up to two players can team up locally to tackle the punishing levels, and a DLC with a third playable character is currently in development.

Rogue-likes playable in couch co-op

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox, PC, iOS
Local players: 2 (4 with the Afterbirth DLC on PC)
Online players: 0

If you enjoy dark humour, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (and its expansions) is a perfect choice. In local co-op, one player controls Isaac, fleeing to the basement to escape his murderous mother, while the other plays a flying baby who assists Isaac through the underground dungeons.

The dungeon rooms, filled with all kinds of monsters, are randomly generated. To descend to deeper floors, you must defeat challenging bosses. Along the way, you collect accessories that change Isaac’s appearance and grant special abilities.

This easy-to-understand yet complex game has built a devoted fanbase, with some players logging thousands of hours in the virtually endless dungeon crawler.

Children of Morta

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox (Game Pass), PC
Local players: 2
Online players: 0

In Children of Morta, up to two players fight to protect their family and the world. This rogue-lite puts you in the shoes of the Bergson clan, a family of skilled warriors.

Each session allows you to choose your characters: play as John, the swordsman father, with his daughter Lucy, a fire mage, or take on assassin Kevin and his cousin Joey, a fist fighter.

The game features a beautiful pixel-art world and a satisfying combat system that keeps the action engaging. It’s a perfect choice for a cooperative couch experience that combines strategy, story, and fast-paced battles.

Local co-op in the fight against the hordes

Minecraft Dungeons

System: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox (Game Pass), PC
Local players: 4
Online players: 4

We already shared how much we enjoy Minecraft Dungeons in our review, and it’s just as impressive in local couch co-op. Up to four players can explore randomly generated dungeons together, battling zombies, skeletons, and golems.

While larger loot drops are shared by everyone, consumables like arrows require careful coordination. The game’s multiple difficulty levels add extra challenge and give it virtually endless replay value.

Gears 5

System: Xbox (Game Pass), PC
Local players: 3
Online players: 3 (5 in Horde mode)

Yes, proper shooters also exist in the world of action couch co-op games. Gears 5 is one of the most recent entries in this genre. Up to three players can battle through hordes of lizard-like aliens in split-screen mode.

Tactical approaches and careful coordination are key, as the Locust – the formidable enemies in this third-person shooter – can take a lot of damage. Beyond the thrilling campaign, players can experiment with a wide range of powerful weapons.