As online gaming continues to grow bigger than ever, it is easy to feel like local multiplayer is dying. Luckily for us, there are tons of amazing developers who understand the fun that can be had in a local multiplayer setting! It just requires a bit of digging to find them.
For those who are desperately searching to find a game to boot up and play with their friends or significant other, this list will go in-depth on the absolute best local multiplayer games out there.
10/10 Cuphead
With the recent release of the Delicious Last Course DLC, Cuphead is once again back on everyone’s minds. The run-and-gun game is relentlessly challenging but also undeniably charming, which works wonders to make the game more palatable for those who prefer a more casual game experience.
Funnily enough, Cuphead is actually a bit easier in single-player! However, the experience of finally beating that soul-crushing boss as a team has the power to heal all relationships. Be aware though that this probably isn’t going to be the game to play with someone who is new to video games in general.
9/10 Kingdom Two Crowns
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One of the lesser-known games on this list, Kingdom Two Crowns is one of the most beautifully animated pixel art games out there. Players assume the role of two monarchs in charge of building their kingdoms while fighting off pesky creatures of the night.
Kingdom Two Crowns presents itself as more of a resource management game than a city-builder, especially as the seasons change to winter! Very little communication is needed between players as you and your teammate will take up roles and responsibilities automatically, making it a fantastic game to play late into the night.
8/10 Ultimate Chicken Horse
For a truly wild experience, Ultimate Chicken Horse forces players to tread carefully as they build an obstacle course for their opponents. The catch: they also have to get across the same course if they want the points!
Ultimate Chicken Horse is one of the most unique party games out there, and everything from its aesthetic to its gameplay make it wonderfully charming. Of course, just by virtue of being a game about building, the game has amazing replay value. At 15 dollars, Ultimate Chicken Horse is a steal for anybody looking for a good time with their friends.
7/10 Spelunky 2
If you value your relationships, don’t play Spelunky 2. That’s a joke, but for a game that is supposedly co-op, your deadliest enemy is quite often your own pal. Don’t expect to find any success playing this game in multiplayer without extremely thorough communication between you and your teammates.
Spelunky 2 is quite literally the most difficult game on the list, but it also offers one of the most satisfying gameplay loops available. Players will start each run in a procedurally generated cave, and as they progress to new areas and obtain new items, they will start to discover that there is much more to the game than originally meets the eye.
6/10 Castle Crashers
Originally released for the Xbox 360 in Xbox Arcade, Castle Crashers has stood the test of time and remains one of the most fun local co-op games available. A delightfully charming animation style is very reminiscent of the Newgrounds days, turning the game into a blast of nostalgia.
The game plays like a classic side-scrolling beat ’em up but is modernized to be much more engaging. And of course, we can’t forget that Castle Crashers also has some of the best music in any game ever. Grab three friends and sink your teeth into this because you’re going to be playing for a while.
5/10 Portal 2
When Portal 2 first launched, it was universally praised for its groundbreaking puzzle mechanics and an enthralling storyline. That sentiment still remains today! But perhaps what made it really stand out was its in-depth co-op mode.
The co-op campaign seems to have gotten just as much attention and love as the main story, and the twist ending is just as delightful as that of the single-player’s. Plus, double the portals means double the potential! For those looking to melt their brains with a buddy, there is really no better choice.
4/10 Rounds
As a 1v1 rogue-like, Rounds occupies an incredible area in gaming. This uniqueness makes it all the more delightful, and the game offers nearly unbeatable replay value.
Plug a couple of controllers into your PC and take turns battling it out on a huge selection of maps! Every time a player loses a battle, they are given a selection of randomly drawn cards to choose from, each offering unique buffs or abilities. The best part about this game is finding those objectively overpowered combinations, and driving your friends insane while doing it.
3/10 It Takes Two
This list wouldn’t be complete without It Takes Two, one of the very few triple-A games designed specifically for local co-op in recent years. The sheer variety of new areas and mechanics that players are constantly bombarded with makes for a truly exciting experience!
For those looking for something to introduce someone to gaming with, this is it. It Takes Two starts off incredibly easy, but becomes surprisingly difficult towards the end! The game ties everything off with a great story and message, which leaves players with both a fun time and that warm fuzzy feeling we are all looking for.
2/10 Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime
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Perhaps the most stressful entry on this list, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime immediately drops two to four players into a large, wonky spaceship. Each player is tasked with a different responsibility as you maneuver through each level, but the objective is the same: save the galaxy!
The game room is undoubtedly going to get a bit loud on this one, as players shout commands back and forth, desperately trying to survive! For anyone searching for a fantastic party game, this is it.
1/10 Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition
A cult classic, Diablo 3 is one of the single best dungeon crawlers to play with friends. A vast amount of ways to customize each character and a wide selection of starter classes means that there is a play style suitable for all types of players.
Make sure to spread out the roles to really succeed! Have one friend be the highly-focused damage dealer, while another player utilizes those large, far-reaching attacks. By doing so you are guaranteed to go far, and to have a blast while doing so.
