You’re the proud owner of a PS5, you lucky thing. And now you want some couch co-op games to play with friends. Hopefully we can help.
If you’ve made the leap from PS4 to PS5, good news: the vast majority of your PS4 games are playable on your new console thanks to backwards compatibility. So, chances are you may already own some of the best couch co-op games on PS5. If a game is compatible, you’ll simply be able to download it from your library. If it isn’t, a small ‘no entry’ sign will appear in the corner of the game’s icon.
But along with backwards-compatible titles, there are some brand new PS5 titles that play excellently in co-op too. We’ve included some of both in the list, and we’ll keep updating it as more PS5 games are released.
So read on to see our picks of the best local multiplayer games on PS5 that you can play right now. If you have friends over, you really need to play one or more of these games. You won’t regret it.
Looking for more local multiplayer joy? Check out our picks of the best couch co-op games on PC, Xbox Series X and Switch.
Want to support GameSpew? If you decide to buy any of the games on this list of the best couch co-op games on PS5, please consider using our affiliate links, included below each entry. It won’t cost you anything extra, but we’ll get a small slice of the purchase. Thank you.
1. The Quarry
If you and your friends are lovers of horror, then The Quarry is one of the best PS5 couch co-op games you can play. Made by Supermassive Games, of Until Dawn fame, this is a phenomenal-looking game; the character models are out of this world, and it’s easy to believe you’re simply playing through an interactive movie at times.
Telling the story of a group of camp counsellors stuck at camp for one extra night, it’s up to you to try and have them all survive through the night. You see, something terrible is lurking in the woods. There are two main multiplayer modes available: there’s an online multiplayer option, but the one you should be most interested in is a pass-the-controller style mode available where up to eight people can play together. Each player will take the fate of a specific character, or characters into their hands. Gory, scary and thrilling, The Quarry isn’t for the faint of heart. But we love it.
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2. It Takes Two
Remember Honey, I Shrunk the Kids? This time it’s Honey, I shrunk the parents. In It Takes Two, players take on the role of Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of divorce. Some weird and wonderful magic turns them into a pair of dolls – and as tiny versions of themselves, a wonderfully kooky adventure is afoot, seeing the pair tackle all manner of puzzles, action and adventure.
It Takes Two is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, the team behind A Way Out (which you’ll also find further down this list). It Takes Two is actually the perfect co-op game, not least because you can only play it in co-op. That’s right – there’s not a single-player mode in sight.
Making a game strictly co-op is a risky move, but it’s one that Hazelight Studios has whole-heartedly embraced. And so far, it’s working out pretty well for it. The joy of a game designed solely to be played in co-op is that it can really nail the mechanics; there’s never any feel of a player simply tagging along for the ride. It’s one of the best couch co-op games on PS5 for many reasons: it looks fantastic, it’s heart-warming and hilarious, and it truly embraces co-operative play.
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3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Remember the LittleBigPlanet games, and the adorable protagonist Sackboy? Well, he’s back – but this time he has an adventure all of his own. A launch title for PS5, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an adorable 3D platformer filled with imagination, adventure and so much cuteness.
While it’s playable in single player, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is much more fun in local co-op. In fact, there are a handful of levels that can only be played in co-op, requiring two or more players to help each other pass through obstacles or reach new heights. Every single level in the game can be played with up to four players though, and it’s great for kids and adults alike. You’ll work together to reach the end of the level, but there’s a bit of competition involved; whoever collects the most orbs on a level will be crowned the winner.
It’s one of the most fun platform games we’ve played in a long time, and the fact that friends can play together only makes it more enjoyable. If you’re looking for the best couch co-op games on PS5, then Sackboy: A Big Adventure absolutely needs to be on your list.
Read our Sackboy: A Big Adventure review
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4. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
This latest entry in the Borderlands series might just be the best yet. And, thanks to it being a spin-off, you can enjoy it without having played previous Borderlands games. The fact that it looks great and plays well is a bonus.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands finds you creating a character and choosing a starting class for them before engaging in a game of Tiny Tina’s favourite: Bunkers and Badasses. With the story being created in Tiny Tina’s head on the fly, you’re treated to some over-the-top set-pieces as well as a wide variety of enemies and locations. And the fantasy angle means that its guns are a bit more out of the ordinary. You have access to melee weapons and spells, too. Oh, and there are plenty of dragons.
While Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is fun to play alone, it’s better when played with others. Online co-op is possible, but there’s also support for up to four-player split-screen on PS5. That means you and up to three friends or family members can all play on one screen. Granted, managing your inventory can be a pain when you have limited screen space, but the hilarity that results from multiple players working together in the same room makes up for it. That’s why Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is one of the best couch co-op games on PS5.
Read our Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands review
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5. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a new LEGO Star Wars was announced. And finally, it’s here. Covering the complete Skywalker saga – that’s nine films – this is a sizeable game, and one that’s best enjoyed with a friend or family member on the couch.
You’re free to jump in at the start of any of the three trilogies included in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. So, you can start with the prequel trilogy if you wish, or jump straight to the more recent one. And while each film has numerous levels for you to play through, it’s the open world of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga that proves to be the biggest draw. You’re free to travel to planets as you unlock them, and discover the secrets they have in store. You can even fly through space in a range of ships if you like. Add in hundreds of characters to unlock and play as, and you have a game that will keep you occupied for tens of hours.
Needless to say, if you’re a fan of Star Wars you’ll love LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. And as one of the best couch co-op games on PS5, you’ll love it even more if you enjoy playing games locally with others.
Read our LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga review
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6. DIRT 5
A racing game as one of the best couch co-op games on PS5? Yes – hear us out! DIRT 5, Codemasters’ latest game in the long-running rally franchise, brings back the classic split screen mode that many modern racing games have left behind. But rather than being a separate mode, DIRT 5 allows you and a friend to play through the entire campaign together in split screen. Now that’s a real treat.
If you’re a racing game fan, they don’t come much better than DIRT 5. With events spread across multiple locations from all around the world, you’ll be in Norway one minute and China the next. Each location looks fantastic, too, thanks to PS5 optimisations including better textures and 4K resolutions. And if your TV supports it, you can even play DIRT 5 at a blistering 120fps. Phew. Even without the bells and whistles though, this is an excellent racing game, and one that’s made even better by being able to play with a friend.
7. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
You might have already played either of Overcooked! or Overcooked! 2, but now the series has got bigger and better. Overcooked! All You Can Eat bundles both games together along with all their DLC in a made-for-PS5 edition. That means it looks and plays better than ever, too, thanks to enhanced visuals and native 4K.
If you’re new to the Overcooked! series, you’re in for a treat. A manic, crazy treat, but a treat all the same. Playable with up to four players, you’re all working together in a kitchen, trying to fulfil as many orders as possible. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it would be, if your kitchen wasn’t split into two across a main road. Or built on the top of an erupting volcano. Or on the back of a sinking ship. You get the picture. Succeeding at Overcooked! means working together quickly and effectively, and navigating all kinds of crazy obstacles.
If you thrive under pressure, Overcooked! All You Can Eat is an absolute blast to play with friends, and that’s why it’s one of the best couch co-op games on PS5. It also might cause arguments to break out… but that’s all part of the experience.
Read our Overcooked! All You Can Eat review
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8. The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Here’s another co-op horror game if you’re up for more scares. Essentially an interactive movie, House of Ashes is the third entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology. If you haven’t played the previous entries, however, don’t let it put you off. Each tells its own story with a unique setting and characters. House of Ashes follows a team of soldiers searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But after a conducting a raid, they find themselves trapped underground, in an ancient Akkadian temple.
Play House of Ashes in Movie Night mode, and each of its cast of characters can be controlled by a different player. But be careful, as no one is safe. As you pass the controller around between scenes, the choices and actions players make will determine if they survive the ordeal, or end up dead. And there are plenty of scares along the way.
If you like local co-op games and horror, definitely consider adding House of Ashes to your library of PS5 games. It’s easily the best entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology to date, and so far it’s the only one to make use of the power of the PS5.
Read our House of Ashes review
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9. Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition
If you and your couch co-op buddies enjoy hacking, slashing, shooting and looting, then Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition is undoubtedly the game for you. A souped-up version of 2019’s Warhammer: Chaosbane, the Slayer Edition has been specifically upgraded for PS5. Not only does it boast better visuals and a 4K resolution, it also bundles in all DLC and additional content. It’s the ultimate version of the game, then.
In Warhammer: Chaosbane, you’ll play as one of several character classes, each with their own abilities and skills. The Slayer, for example, dual-wields two axes for up-close-and-personal damage. And the Witch Hunter can switch between melee weapons and guns for truly varied combat. Whichever character you choose though, you’ll have a lot of fun making your way through various environments, killing hordes of enemies as you go. And of course, finding plenty of loot. Up to four players can play together, making this one of the best couch co-op games on PS5.
Read our Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition review
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10. Tesla Force
Twin-stick shooters are often a good choice for some couch co-op fun, and Tesla Force is the first to land on PS5.
In Tesla Force, Lovecraftian monstrosities are ravaging Earth, and so it’s up to Tesla and his friends to put a stop to them. That means engaging them in combat across multiple areas, while completing a range of objectives. In one mission you might need to close rifts, for example, while others might task you with taking down a boss or gathering information. But there are always hordes of monsters out to ruin your efforts.
With Rogue-like elements in play, you’ll certainly be glad to have someone fighting by your side. Though be careful of moving too far away from each other – the camera will zoom out to accommodate, making your characters even harder to see on a hectic screen. Still, if you’re after the best couch co-op games on PS5, you should definitely check it out. It’s fairly cheap, too.
11. Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage is back, and it still kicks ass. Featuring sumptuous graphics, a killer soundtrack, and addictive brawler gameplay, Streets of Rage 4 presents 12 stages in which to pummel enemies. Even better, there’s a whopping 17 playable characters to do it with if you include the 12 unlockable retro fighters. And you can play along to music from the original Streets of Rage and its sequel if you remember them fondly.
Playable on PS5 thanks to backwards compatibility, Streets of Rage 4 is immensely enjoyable when played alone. But it’s when played in local co-op that it really comes into its own. Up for four players can work together as a team, though watch out if friendly fire is turned on as you’ll no doubt end up hurting each other. If you do end up having a score to settle, you’ll be thankful there’s a versus battle mode, where players can go against each other to prove who’s the best.
Whether you’re a long-time Streets of Rage fan, or someone new to the series, Streets of Rage 4 is undoubtedly one of the best couch co-op games on PS5.
Read our Streets of Rage 4 review
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12. Diablo III: Eternal Collection
Without a doubt, Diablo III is the ultimate couch co-op experience. If you and your friends enjoy demon slaying and loot hunting, look no further. Moving from single player to co-op is seamless; up to four people can play on the same screen, dropping in and out at any point without ever distracting from the flow of the game.
The difficulty of Diablo III scales depending how many people are playing, so with a full roster of four, your enemies are going to be much tougher than if you were fighting them alone. The only downside to sharing a screen is when one player opens their inventory, everyone else is left twiddling their thumbs until they’re done. Even with this, it’s still our all-time favourite co-op game, so grab a pal and set off on an intrepid journey to the depths of hell.
Diablo III may be some years old now, but it’s playable on PS5 thanks to backwards compatibility. And thanks to being enhanced for PS4 Pro, it still looks fantastic, too. So, if looting dungeons and slaying hordes of monsters is your cup of tea, grab a friend and don’t miss out.
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13. A Way Out
Like It Takes Two, A Way Out is very much a rarity. It’s a game that can only be played in co-op, either with two people sat side-by-side, or across the internet.
With no single player option whatsoever, working with another player is integral to the A Way Out experience. One player takes on the role of Vincent while the other steps into the shoes of Leo. Both have wound up in prison for different reasons, but they’ve hatched a play to break out.
Both players will work together to carry out Vincent and Leo’s escape plan, but once they’re out of the prison’s walls, A Way Out is only just beginning. Then begins an epic adventure of being on the run, avoiding capture, taking part in epic firefights and more. The way the game has both players work together is truly unique, and the fact it’s so different is what makes A Way Out one of the best couch co-op games on PS5. It’s playable via backwards compatibility.
