The best couch co-op video games for families
Playing video games together on the same couch is a very different experience from everyone on their own screen. You laugh at the same moments, help each other, and you know exactly what your kids are playing.
Every game here supports at least two players on the same screen working together.
We pick games on their merits. Links go to Amazon, and we may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
1.Luigi's Mansion 3
Explore a haunted hotel and catch ghosts with a vacuum. A second player controls the gooey Gooigi.
Parent tip: Spooky but silly. Gooigi is a great role for a younger sibling.
Check price on Amazon2.Overcooked! 2
Run a chaotic kitchen together: chop, cook and serve orders while the kitchen moves under your feet.
Parent tip: Expect lots of shouting. Use the assist mode to give younger kids more time.
Check price on Amazon3.Snipperclips
Cut paper characters into new shapes to solve physics puzzles together.
Parent tip: Encourages talking and teamwork. One of the best parent-and-child games.
Check price on Amazon4.Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Colourful 3D platforming built for up to four players at once, plus a bonus open-world adventure.
Parent tip: Co-op can get chaotic. Agree on a "leader" for each level.
Check price on Amazon5.Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Classic side-scrolling Mario with surprising "wonder" effects that transform each level. Four can play together.
Parent tip: Younger players can pick Yoshi or Nabbit, who don’t take damage from enemies.
Check price on Amazon6.Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby’s first full 3D adventure, with a forgiving difficulty and a second player as Bandana Waddle Dee.
Parent tip: Choose "Spring-Breeze Mode" for an easier game with extra health.
Check price on Amazon7.LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Play through all nine Star Wars films in LEGO form, with drop-in co-op and plenty of slapstick humour.
Parent tip: There’s no real fail state, so frustration stays low for younger players.
Check price on Amazon8.Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Crew a neon spaceship together: run between the guns, shields and engine stations to survive.
Parent tip: Communication is everything. Great for practising teamwork.
Check price on Amazon9.Stardew Valley
Restore an old farm, grow crops, make friends in town and explore the mines, alone or together.
Parent tip: Some reading required. A cosy game parents often end up playing on their own, too.
Check price on Amazon10.Unravel Two
Two little yarn creatures tied together swing, climb and solve puzzles side by side.
Parent tip: One player can carry the other through tricky jumps, so skill gaps matter less.
Check price on Amazon11.It Takes Two
A brilliant two-player adventure about a couple turned into dolls who must work together to get home.
Parent tip: Rated T and deals with divorce. Best for teens playing with a parent.
Check price on AmazonTips
- Many games have an assist or easy mode. Turn it on for younger players without making a big deal of it.
- Give the younger player the "support" character when there is one. It keeps them involved without the pressure.
- Set a stopping point before you start ("two more levels"), not when it’s already time for bed.
Looking for something else? Try the game picker to filter by age, players and time.