There’s something deeply satisfying about sitting on the couch next to your mate, controllers in hand, yelling at each other because someone just threw you into a pit of lava. Online multiplayer is fine. But couch co-op hits different.

The problem is finding games that actually support local multiplayer in 2026. Developers have been slowly killing split-screen and shared-screen gaming for years, prioritising online modes and live-service nonsense. But there are still brilliant couch co-op experiences out there if you know where to look.

Here are the best ones worth your money right now, with Australian prices because we’re tired of converting USD in our heads.

The Must-Plays

It Takes Two (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC) — ~$29 AUD

If you haven’t played this yet, stop reading and go buy it. It Takes Two is the gold standard for co-op gaming. Every level introduces completely new mechanics, from magnet powers to time manipulation. It’s creative, funny, and occasionally emotionally devastating.

The co-op is mandatory — there’s literally no single-player mode. And it comes with a free Friend’s Pass, so only one person needs to buy it. At under thirty bucks, it’s an absolute steal.

Baldur’s Gate 3 (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC) — ~$79 AUD

Yes, BG3 has split-screen co-op, and yes, it’s magnificent. Playing through a 100-hour RPG on the couch with a mate is a commitment, but it’s one of the most rewarding co-op experiences I’ve had. You’ll argue about dialogue choices, accidentally trigger combat when your friend pickpockets the wrong NPC, and spend forty-five minutes debating whether to side with the druids or the goblins.

Fair warning: it runs best on PS5 and high-end PCs. The split-screen can get a bit cramped during inventory management. But it works.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat (PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) — ~$45 AUD

Want to test a friendship? Play Overcooked. This frantic cooking game has you and up to three friends chopping, frying, and plating meals in increasingly absurd kitchen layouts. Kitchens on moving trucks. Kitchens in space. Kitchens where the floor is lava (literally).

The All You Can Eat version bundles both games with all DLC. It’s the complete package and perfect for parties.

Hidden Gems Worth Grabbing

Unravel Two (PS5, Xbox, PC) — ~$25 AUD

Criminally underrated. Two tiny yarn characters connected by a single thread, solving physics-based puzzles across gorgeous Swedish landscapes. It’s gentle, clever, and perfect for playing with someone who doesn’t usually game. The tethering mechanic creates genuine cooperation — you physically can’t go too far from your partner.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (Switch, Xbox, PC) — ~$20 AUD

Up to four players pilot a circular spaceship, scrambling between gun turrets, shields, engines, and the map station. It’s chaos in the best possible way. Communication is essential. When someone’s manning the shield on the wrong side while asteroids pummel the hull, you will shout. A lot.

Nobody Saves the World (PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) — ~$35 AUD

From the Guacamelee developers, this action RPG has you transforming between forms — a slug, a horse, a robot, a ghost — each with unique abilities. The co-op mode lets both players transform independently, creating ridiculous ability combos. It’s weird, addictive, and the Australian eShop price is reasonable for the amount of content.

Cuphead (PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) — ~$30 AUD

Beautiful 1930s cartoon art style. Punishing boss-rush gameplay. Two-player co-op that will make you appreciate (or resent) your gaming partner’s skill level. The Delicious Last Course DLC adds even more content and is well worth the extra $12 AUD.

Be warned: this game is hard. Genuinely hard. Playing co-op makes some fights easier and some significantly harder because you’re sharing screen space and dodging twice as many projectiles.

Best for Parties (4+ Players)

Moving Out 2 (PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) — ~$40 AUD

The spiritual successor to Overcooked, but with furniture removal instead of cooking. Four players carry sofas through obstacle courses, throw boxes through windows, and argue about the most efficient route. The assist mode is great for mixed-skill groups.

Boomerang Fu (Switch, PC) — ~$22 AUD

Adorable food characters throwing boomerangs at each other in top-down arenas. Rounds are quick, power-ups are wild, and it’s one of the best party games that nobody talks about. Supports up to six players locally.

TowerFall Ascension (PS5, Switch, PC) — ~$20 AUD

One of the all-time great local multiplayer games. Archery combat in single-screen arenas. Each player gets a limited number of arrows, so you have to retrieve them from walls and fallen opponents. Simple to learn, incredibly deep to master.

Where to Find the Best Prices

If you’re buying digital in Australia, keep an eye on a few things. PlayStation Store sales happen roughly every month, and the co-op titles listed here regularly drop 30-50%. The Nintendo eShop is less generous with discounts but does run seasonal sales.

For physical copies, JB Hi-Fi and EB Games still offer competitive pricing, and you can often find pre-owned copies of older titles for half the digital price.

Steam sales remain the best value for PC gamers. Most of these games have hit historical lows of $10-15 AUD during major sale events.

The Bottom Line

Couch co-op isn’t dead. It’s just harder to find. The games on this list represent genuine quality — titles that are designed around shared experiences rather than tacking on local multiplayer as an afterthought.

My top recommendation for newcomers? Start with It Takes Two. It’s cheap, it’s brilliant, and it includes the Friend’s Pass. If you already own it, grab Baldur’s Gate 3 for the long haul or Overcooked for pure party chaos.

Now stop reading and go invite someone over. Gaming’s better together.