The best couch co-op games on PS5
As good as getting lost in an epic single-player game may be, there’s something to be said for sharing a game with a friend. The best couch co-op games on PS5 allow you to enjoy a grand adventure with a friend, challenge your loved one to a test of skills, or simply share your favourite pastime with your family and friends.
While couch co-op games might not be as common as they once were, there are plenty of them still out there. Companies like Hazelight are leading the charge with games such as Split Fiction and It Takes Two that can only be played as a pair. TT Games’ Lego games are still as good as ever when it comes to co-operative play for the whole family. And there’s a whole bunch in between. Below, we’ve rounded up our favourite couch co-op games you can play on PS5. Whether you’re playing with your kids, your friends or your significant other, we hope your find your next favourite game.
1. Split Fiction
- Number of local players: 2
- Genre: Story-driven action-adventure
Hazelight Studios has done it again with Split Fiction, their latest co-op only game that packs in quite the punch. This is the team behind It Takes Two and A Way Out, both of which you’ll find further down this list. And for how much we loved those, we think Split Fiction might just be the best game from the studio yet. That is quite a bold claim, but it’s just that good.
Split Fiction tells the story of Mio and Zoe, two authors who, when visiting their publisher to try out some new technology, end up being transported into their own storybook worlds. Things didn’t quite go to plan, however, and both their worlds have been combined — a bit of an issue when Zoe is a fantasy writer and Mio is all about sci-fi. Jumping from one world to another, you’ll need to conquer dragons, scale futuristic cyberpunk cities, jump into the hands of giants and speed along in flying cars, along with a lot more.
The moment-to-moment gameplay of Split Fiction is exhilarating, and you’re never quite sure what to expect from one scene to the next. Make sure you jump into the little side stories too, as these are absolutely joyous (and sometimes as mad as a box of frogs). Since this is a game made from the ground-up with co-op play in mind, both players get a full experience, one that’s utterly fantastic.
Read our full review of Split Fiction
2. Crossy Road Castle
- Number of local players: 1-4
- Genre: Arcade platforming party game
Crossy Road Castle is a very pleasant surprise. We expected mediocre Crossy Road gameplay, but what we’ve got is a madcap, fast-paced party game that we find it hard to pull ourselves away from. This is essentially a platforming game, one that presents you with lots of short levels. They’re randomised, but generally get harder as you go. With a set number of lives, it’s game over once they’re all gone, and you’ll need to start all over again.
The idea of a run in Crossy Road Castle is to just get as far as possible. After successfully completing 30 levels, you’ll get a boss, and these bosses present the toughest challenge in the game. You’ll need to be quick, co-ordinated and have speedy reactions to succeed, as you dash, run and jump over obstacles. You can play this one alone, but it’s way better with some co-op buddies in tow.
Read our review of Crossy Road Castle
3. Super Crazy Rhythm Castle
- Number of local players: 1-4
- Genre: Rhythm puzzle adventure (with bite-sized levels)
Chances are you’ve never played anything like Super Crazy Rhythm Castle before, but there’s one thing for certain: it’s one of the best couch co-op games on PS5.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle well and truly lives up to its name. It’s a rhythm game, it’s set in a castle, and it’s super crazy. It’s not simply a rhythm game, however. While it does often demand that players press buttons in time to music tracks, it also incorporates many other elements. As you explore the castle you’ll sometimes need to solve puzzles, for example. And in situations where rhythm is involved, you generally have to perform other tasks, too, whether it’s fighting off enemies or destroying objects with tools charged by hitting notes.
With support for up to four players, Super Crazy Rhythm Castle might actually be the best couch co-op game on PS5. To play it is to love it, thanks to its action-packed gameplay, colourful visuals and lashings of humour. Go on, give it a try.
Read our review of Super Crazy Rhythm Castle
4. Lego Horizon Adventures
- Number of local players: 1-2
- Genre: Family-friendly adventure
Have you ever played Horizon Zero Dawn and thought, “This game would be better if it was (1) made out of Lego and (2) supported co-op play”? Well, you’re in luck, because thanks to Guerrilla and Studio Gobo, that very specific wish has been granted. Lego Horizon Adventures is just that: a family-friendly Lego game set in the Horizon world. And it can be played in its entirety in co-op. What more could you want?
Lego Horizon Adventures is an easy game, but it’s seriously good fun — particularly if you’re a Lego fan. Exploring a brick-built version of Horizon’s fascinating world is incredible, and thanks to the power of PS5, it looks absolutely stunning. Not to mention there’s lots of fun to be had when it comes to customising buildings and dressing Aloy up in silly outfits (hotdog Aloy, anyone?). It’s one of the best couch co-op games on PS5, particularly if you want something to play with the kids.
Read our review of Lego Horizon Adventures
5. It Takes Two
- Number of local players: 2
- Genre: Story-driven adventure
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 comes 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.
Read our review of It Takes Two
6. Manic Mechanics
- Number of local players: 1-4
- Genre: Fast-paced party game
Taking control of a mechanic’s workshop doesn’t sound all that entertaining, but don’t write off Manic Mechanics as some sort of dry simulator. This zany party game is actually a lot of fun, especially when you have multiple players along for the ride. Your goal is to fix up as many cars as you can, working against the clock. And to begin with, it’s pretty simple: fix up an engine, paint a door, inflate a tyre.
But as you progress through Manic Mechanics, other obstacles are thrown your way, with things getting trickier from one level to the next. If you’ve played Overcooked! — which you’ll also find on this list of best couch co-op games on PS5 — you’ll have an idea of what to expect. But instead of working together in a chaotic kitchen, you’re in a workshop. It scratches the same chaotic co-op itch, and if you’re looking for something to entertain a group of you for an hour or two, this will do it just nicely.
Read our review of Manic Mechanics
7. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Number of local players: 2-4
- Genre: 3D platformer/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 review of Sackboy: A Big Adventure
8. Baldur’s Gate 3
- Number of local players: 1-2
- Genre: RPG
Baldur’s Gate 3 is absolutely great on PS5, and thanks to local co-op you don’t have to play it alone. This is a huge game, featuring an expansive world where your actions and choices really matter. Chances are you’ll agonise over the creation of your character, and then agonise even more over their development throughout the course of the game. Do you favour might or magic? Are you a force of good or evil? These are just some of the choices you’ll have to make, but sometimes not everything is so clear cut. And things get even more complicated if you play with a friend or family member in tow.
Baldur’s Gate 3 makes playing in couch co-op easy. But at the same time, it also adds another dynamic. Do you discuss major decisions with one another, or does one person take control? That’s for you to decide, but either way you’re in for an epic journey.
Read our review of Baldur’s Gate 3
9. Welcome to ParadiZe
- Number of local players: 1-2
- Genre: Adventure RPG
Fancy surviving in a zombie wasteland? Or, how about fighting your way through the undead but with your own pet zombies by your side? Sign us up! That’s essentially the premise of Welcome to ParadiZe, a fun take on the zombie apocalypse that lets you control your own zombie helpers thanks to a bespoke helmet.
Adventure is the main focus here, but there are some survival elements too. You’ll need to build a base, and you’ll need to keep an eye on your heat levels when you’re out in the desert, for example. For the most part, though, you’ll simply be kicking zombie butt with a variety of weapons, and talking to zany NPCs to help them out with their missions. The ultimate goal? To put together a rocket in order to help you escape the zombie-infested remains of Earth. All totally normal.
Read our review of Welcome to ParadiZe
10. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Number of local players: 1-4
- Genre: Party
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 review of Overcooked! All You Can Eat
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
- Number of local players: 1-6
- Genre: Side-scrolling beat ’em up
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aren’t strangers to chaotic side-scrolling action, but Shredder’s Revenge proves to be their most exciting outing yet. And like most beat ’em ups it’s best enjoyed in local co-op, with multiple friends or family members by your side.
Easy to pick up but hard to master, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge features a decently sized campaign as well as an arcade mode, letting players decide how they play. Whichever they choose, however, they’re in for an action-packed time, with stages absolutely crammed full of enemies. Playing as one of the four turtles or their friends, including April O’Neil, the gameplay here really shines, being fast, fluid and rewarding.
What really makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge one of the best couch co-op games on PS5 is the inclusion of team attacks, truly making it beneficial to play together. It’s another dynamic that simply adds to the fun.
Read our review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
12. Diablo 4
- Number of local players: 1-2
- Genre: Action RPG
The wait for Diablo 4 was long. But it was worth it. With the biggest, most engrossing campaign in the series yet, this is an absolute treat for dark action RPG fans. And just like Diablo 3 before it, it’s playable in couch co-op.
Set years after the events of Diablo 3, the world of Sanctuary finds itself threatened once more. Lilith, daughter of Mephisto, has been summoned via a dark ritual, and wherever she goes chaos follows. But you have the power to stop her. Choosing from one of five classes, you’ll create a character and explore a vast open world, completing quests and slaying a wide variety of foes. Even better, thanks to a live-service element, there’s always something new to do.
Diablo 4 is a huge amount of fun when played alone, but it’s even better when played in co-op. Travel the world together while sat on your couch, defeat fearsome bosses, and build a character that’s a force to be reckoned with. Just be aware that you’ll need to be connected to the internet to play.
13. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Number of local players: 1-4
- Genre: Platformer/adventure
Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away… a new LEGO Star Wars crash-landed onto our PS5s. 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 review of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
14. Directive 8020
- Number of local players: 1-5
- Genre: Horror
Here’s another co-op horror game if you’re up for more scares. Essentially an interactive movie, Directive 8020 is the latest entry in the Dark Pictures series from Supermassive Games. 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. This one, perhaps the most ambitious yet, throws you into the depths of space.
Think Dead Space, but with an emphasis on storytelling rather than action-focused gameplay. You and your friends will each take control of one or more characters, and the decisions you make while in control of them will determine whether they live or die. No pressure then. Directive 8020 is more game-focused than previous entries, so you’ll need to employ stealth, solve puzzles and more in order to successfully survive.
It’s a fantastic story, and has some genuinely scary moments. If you’re into horror games, then, this is one of the best couch co-op games you can play on PS5.
