Co-op “for two” comes in different forms: in some games you can only get through the story together, in others a second player joins a single-player adventure, and still others are built for a team of two to four people. We picked 10 games that are already out and say plainly for each one how playing together works: how many people, one screen or a network. This information comes only from Wikipedia pages and the official Steam and Nintendo store pages, checked on October 19, 2026. We do not list ratings or prices, and the setups are spoiler-free. There are no age ratings either: they differ between countries and stores, so check them on the game’s page.
It Takes Two
Official trailer · “It Takes Two” (2021)It Takes Two is about a married couple, Cody and May, on the verge of divorce: their daughter, without realizing it, moves their minds into handmade dolls, and they have to act together to get back and repair their relationship. The game combines platforming, puzzles and action, and the characters have different abilities that must be used together. According to Wikipedia, it won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. How to play together: for exactly two players, locally on a split screen or online; the owner of the game can invite a friend for free through Friend’s Pass. Why play: every level is built around cooperation.
A Way Out
Official trailer · “A Way Out” (2018)A Way Out is the story of two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, who have to escape from prison and stay away from the authorities. The action unfolds for both characters at once, and in many situations the roles can be swapped on the next playthrough. How to play together: there is no single-player mode, and you play only on a split screen, locally or online; a friend can join an online session even if they did not buy the game. Why play: a crime movie that you play through together.
Split Fiction
Official trailer · “Split Fiction” (2025)Split Fiction is about two writers, Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster, who become trapped in their own stories when they are hooked up to a machine meant to steal creative ideas. Mio’s science fiction is interwoven with Zoe’s fantasy, and each heroine has her own abilities on every level. How to play together: the game was made for co-op only, locally on a split screen or online; under the Friend’s Pass system the owner can invite a friend for free. Why play: a new game from the same studio, where the genres change from level to level.
Portal 2
Official trailer · “Portal 2” (2011)Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle game in which you create portals and move between them. In addition to the single-player campaign, there is a separate co-op one: two players control the robots Atlas and P-Body and solve tasks together; you do not have to play it after the single-player one. How to play together: on one console with a split screen, or on separate computers or consoles; on Windows, macOS and PS3 you can play together regardless of platform, and online players can temporarily switch to a split screen. Why play: co-op built entirely on solving puzzles together.
Overcooked 2
Official trailer · “Overcooked 2” (2018)In Overcooked! 2, teams of several chefs prepare and serve orders in absurd restaurants. Some levels have moving floors, portals and impassable fires, and new in the second game is the ability to throw ingredients to each other; there is also a competitive mode: two teams of two. How to play together: up to four players; the Steam page mentions “classic couch co-op” or online play, and Wikipedia adds that online teams are formed over a local wireless network or through online matchmaking. Why play: cheerful chaos in which the chefs keep getting in each other’s way.
Unravel Two
Official trailer · “Unravel Two” (2018)Unravel Two is a puzzle platformer about two Yarnys, small creatures made of yarn that have to cooperate to solve puzzles and change the world around them. It is the sequel to Unravel from 2016; unlike the first game, it also has multiplayer. How to play together: local co-op only: two players can control the two Yarnys, while the single-player game is played by one person. Why play: an adventure for two, where puzzles and joint actions come first.
Cuphead
Official trailer · “Cuphead” (2017)Cuphead is a run-and-gun game about the brothers Cuphead and Mugman, who made a deal with the Devil and have to defeat enemies to save their souls. It is made in the style of 1930s cartoons: all the animation is hand-drawn, and the soundtrack was recorded by a full big band. Wikipedia also stresses the high difficulty. How to play together: local co-op for two players: one controls Cuphead and the other Mugman, and a fallen hero can come back if the partner parries their soul. Why play: a cartoon come to life that you can play through with a friend.
Super Mario Odyssey
Official trailer · “Super Mario Odyssey” (2017)Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platformer in which Mario and the hat Cappy travel through different kingdoms and collect Power Moons to power up the airship Odyssey. According to Wikipedia, unlike the earlier, more linear installments, the game returns to open 3D platforming in the spirit of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. How to play together: one player controls Mario and the second controls Cappy, who moves more independently; the Nintendo page lists play on a single system for 1–2 players, and it is enough to hand the second player a Joy-Con. Why play: a platformer that is easy to share between two players.
Streets of Rage 4
Official trailer · “Streets of Rage 4” (2020)Streets of Rage 4 is a sequel to the Sega series of the 1990s: street fights in the beat ’em up genre, where players move across the screen and punch waves of enemies, picking up weapons and items. There are Arcade and Boss Rush modes and a competitive Battle mode for two. How to play together: up to four players locally or up to two online (according to Wikipedia); the Steam page adds that for the first time you can team up four-player offline. Why play: arcade co-op that you can play as a pair or as a group.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Official trailer · “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” (2022)Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the first main Kirby game in full 3D: the hero heads to a forgotten land to rescue the Waddle Dees captured by the Beast Pack, and uses abilities copied from enemies. How to play together: the second player joins as Bandana Waddle Dee with a spear; the Nintendo page lists play on a single system for 1–2 players. Wikipedia notes that the local co-op was praised for its convenience and for being suitable for younger players. Why play: a gentle platformer that is easy to play with a child.
How to play together: at a glance
| Game | How many players | One screen / local | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two | 2 | yes | yes |
| A Way Out | 2 | yes | yes |
| Split Fiction | 2 | yes | yes |
| Portal 2 (co-op campaign) | 2 | yes | yes |
| Overcooked 2 | up to 4 | yes | yes |
| Unravel Two | 1–2 | yes | — |
| Cuphead | 1–2 | yes | — |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 1–2 | yes | via GameShare on Switch 2 (according to Nintendo) |
| Streets of Rage 4 | up to 4 locally, up to 2 online | yes | yes |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land | 1–2 | yes | — |
Where to start
If you are playing for the first time, pick a game that is easy to get into: Overcooked 2 is built for teams of up to four, in Kirby and the Forgotten Land the second player helps as Bandana Waddle Dee, and Super Mario Odyssey lets you split the game between Mario and Cappy. For an evening when you want a story, take It Takes Two, A Way Out or Split Fiction. You will find more games worth playing in our selection of the best games of 2025.
Tip. Three Hazelight games, It Takes Two, A Way Out and Split Fiction, have a “friend plays for free” system: according to Wikipedia, the owner of the game can invite a friend, and the friend does not need to buy it. For A Way Out it applies to online sessions. For the other games, check the terms on the store page.
Frequently asked questions
Which games in the selection are made for two players only?
It Takes Two was developed for exactly two; A Way Out has no single-player mode and is built for two; Wikipedia calls Split Fiction a co-op-only game.
Which games have both split screen and online play?
Both ways are available in It Takes Two, A Way Out, Split Fiction, the co-op campaign of Portal 2, Overcooked 2 and Streets of Rage 4.
Which games can be played together on one device?
Unravel Two and Cuphead have local co-op for two, and for Super Mario Odyssey and Kirby and the Forgotten Land the Nintendo pages list play on a single system for 1–2 players.
Do both players need to buy the game?
For It Takes Two, A Way Out and Split Fiction there is a “friend plays for free” system. For other games the terms depend on the platform, so check them in the store.
Are there games for a bigger group?
Overcooked 2 is built for teams of up to four players, and Streets of Rage 4 lets you play four-player locally.
Sources
- It Takes Two (video game) (Wikipedia)
- A Way Out (Wikipedia)
- Portal 2 (Wikipedia)
- Overcooked! 2 (Steam)
- Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo)
Data was checked against Wikipedia, the Steam page and the Nintendo page on October 19, 2026.
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