Couch co-op is not dead: these 23 games are perfect for fun sofa evenings with friends
26.4.2016
Translation: machine translated
Nowadays, people usually blow out their virtual lights on the internet. But there are still plenty of games for resourceful gamers to play on the sofa, where you can duel or win together.
One of the best moments is when you can steal victory from your friends with a red turtle just before the finish line, or when you breathe out your last life points with a perfectly executed combo - and they're sitting right next to you on the sofa. Suddenly appearing pain in the upper arms is something you gladly accept. While it used to be normal to play games with friends at home, most multiplayer games now take place online. That doesn't have to be the case: Here are my suggestions.
"Nuclear Throne"
Hectic, chaotic and colourful. In "Nuclear Throne" you try to survive as long as possible and reach the aforementioned Nuclear Throne. To do so, you use a huge arsenal of weapons to blast your way through hordes of outlandish enemies. Twice as many players, twice as much chaos, twice as much fun.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS Vita / Local players: 1-2
"Enter the Gungeon"
Like "Nuclear Throne", this is a so-called rogue-like, which means that if you die, you have to start all over again. As the name (Gungeon) suggests, the entire game is centred around the topic of weapons. All enemies are some form of cartridge, grenade or weapon. It's wonderfully unusual and the ever-changing shooters mean it never gets boring.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PS4 / Local players: 1-2
"Towerfall Ascension"
A game that guarantees bruises and loud roars. Up to four players duel each other in a small arena. You have a limited number of arrows at your disposal, but you can collect them again. Additional power-ups provide even more thrills. The first player to achieve ten kills is the winner. Simple but ingenious.
Platform: Windows, PS4 / Local players: 2-4
"Sportsfriends"
My highlights in this mini-game collection are Super Pole Riders and Hokra - if you don't care about your home decor, I also recommend Johann Sebastian Joust. In Super Pole Riders, you try to pole vault a ball attached to a rope into the opponent's goal. The movement is somewhat reminiscent of Qwop. You can even go one better and share a controller. In Hokra, the aim is to get a hockey-like disc into your own playing area and score points. And in Joust, which is best played with Move controllers, the aim is to shake the other players' controllers and protect your own at the same time.
Platform: Windows, Mac Linux, PS4, PS3 / Local players: 2-7
"The Jackbox Party Pack"
Another collection of mini-games with this party box for up to 100 (!!!) players. Simply log in with your mobile at Jackbox.tv, type in the code on the TV and everyone can play. My favourite was Fibbage. The aim is to answer various questions. Everyone types their answer into their mobile - usually you don't know the answer, so you try to write down an alternative that is as plausible as possible. All the players' answers and the correct answer are then displayed. You receive points if you answer correctly and if other players select your own incorrect answer. Drawful works in a similar way: A smartphone Picasso draws a picture for a term - which is usually barely recognisable. The other players write down what they have recognised in the picture. As soon as everyone has given an answer, they are shown together with the correct solution. This is when a murmur goes round the room. The more players, the better.
Platform: Windows, Mac Linux, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Android TV / Local players: 1-100
"Mario Kart 8"
The classic couch multiplayer game. Since the Super Nintendo version, best friends have become enemies in a matter of seconds when turtles and bananas are thrown at you. The Wii U version is hard to beat in terms of scope. Unfortunately, the maps for the balloon battles are complete rubbish.
Platform: Wii U / Local players: 1-4
"FIFA 16"
You can chase me with it. Apart from repeatedly straddling the goalie for red, I don't have many tricks up my sleeve. But I can tell from my mate's worn-out controller that "FIFA" is one of the best multiplayer games for most people. It can be replaced with ice hockey, basketball or whatever. God knows EA doesn't do anything else 😉
Platform: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS3 / Local players: 1-4
"Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris"
Up to four players can fight their way through tombs, ancient temples and mysterious ruins together. But it's not just good aiming skills and reactions that are required. Good teamwork is just as important when solving the tricky puzzles.
Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One / Local players: 1-4
"Rocket League"
The grid has since been expanded to include an ice hockey and basketball mode. However, the main attraction remains the car football mode in which two teams of 3 or 4 players each try to manoeuvre a giant football into the opponent's goal with their vehicles. Double jumps, pirouettes and turbos help - in theory. Especially those playing the game for the first time will be happy just to hit the ball.
Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One / Local players: 1-4
"Broforce"
You won't find more explosions per pixel in any game. And that's how it should be, because the cast of "Broforce" consists of a huge selection of veteran screen action heroes such as Rambro, Bronan, Brominator and Brobocop. Up to four players can wreak havoc in the levels with weapons that vary from Bro to Bro. The more players, the more chaos. Wonderfully stupid.
Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac, PS4/ Local players: 1-4
"Diablo 3"
I've never played "Diablo 3" with a controller myself, but I've been told that it's even better than with the mouse. Anyhow. What could be better than playing this ingenious hack-'n-slash game with a friend on the sofa? Lots of action, lots of loot and lots of monsters that want to be beaten up.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, PS4/ Local players: 1-4
"Lego Marvel Super Heroes"
Lego games can be criticised for not evolving, but there's rarely anything to complain about in terms of quality. The game becomes really funny when you work together to dismantle the opponents into their individual parts - literally. You can choose from Hulk, Iron Man or Captain America, among others. In addition to firepower and strong upper arms, teamwork is also required to clear obstacles out of the way and defeat bosses.
Platform: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3 / Local players: 1-4
"Rayman Legends"
Although the jumping passages don't necessarily get any easier with four characters scurrying across the screen, the fun factor definitely increases. Especially because you can throw each other around or beat each other up. The latter doesn't help, but it's still fun. There is also a mini football game called Kung Foot, which is also great fun.
Platform: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, Wii U / Local players: 1-4
"Helldivers"
In "Helldivers", you not only have to watch out for nasty aliens, but also for your fellow players. Because if you're not careful, you can end up taking aim at each other. Fortunately, you can throw yourself down flat. There are various tasks to fulfil on the different planets. Alien nests need to be destroyed and black boxes need to be extracted. The inhabitants will do everything they can to stop you. In return, you will receive a colourful arsenal of weapons, which even includes mechs.
Platform: Windows, PS4, PS3 / Local players: 1-4
"Disney Infinity 3.0"
The game with the collectible figures offers a wide range of expansions from "Star Wars" to "Avengers" and "Jungle Book". It can quickly run into money, but the game also offers enough variety and is perfect for two players.
Platform: Windows, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U / Local players: 1-2
"Star Wars Battlefront"
The star saga can also be played together with a friend from the cosy comfort of your sofa. It's a shame that the multiplayer mode is limited to local matches. Online matches with other players are not possible.
Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One / Local players: 1-2
"Octodad Dadliest Catch"
In "Octodad", you control an octopus with a human family who has to hide from a sushi chef. If you think the story is weird, wait until you get your hands on the controller. The controls for the four tentacles are even weirder than the plot. And the best thing about it is that you can control Octodad with four people, each controlling one tentacle. Simple tasks such as making coffee quickly become unsolvable endeavours.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Wii U / Local players: 1-4
"Borderlands the Handsome Collection"
You get two games in this collection and both can be played in split-screen mode. Countless weapons, constant crates with new loot and plenty of humour make "Borderlands" the perfect playground for a bit of co-op action.
Platform: PS4, Xbox One / Local players: 1-2
"Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2"
Another colourful shooter is "Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2". You can either fight on the side of the plants or the vegetarian zombies. Both sides have a wide variety of fighters with different special abilities in their ranks. Refreshingly different from standard shooter fare and ideal for heated sofa duels.
Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One / Local players: 1-2
"Halo: The Master Chief Collection"
The classic among co-operative shooters is certainly Halo. With the exception of the latest instalment, all the old games can be played in pairs. When the campaigns get boring, which is unlikely to be the case with four parts, you can let off steam in the more than 100 (!!!) multiplayer maps online.
Platform: Xbox One / Local players: 1-4
"Gears of War Ultimate Edition"
The Gears series is also famous for its multiplayer mode - especially the Horde mode. Like "Halo", it offers the option to play the campaign together. Bloody and action-packed.
Platform: Windows, Xbox One / Local players: 1-2
"Mortal Kombat X"
Did I say bloody? Compared to "Mortal Kombat X", "Gears of War" is very very well done. Countless characters with various abilities and brutal Finish Hims are just waiting to destroy friendships. Of course, you can also compete against the computer and share a pad, but things get more heated when you punch each other in the mouth - virtually, of course.
Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One / Local players: 1-2
Bonus: "Alienation"
This action role-playing game has just been released. Once again, the world is overrun by aliens and it's up to us to save it. To do so, we use conventional and alien weapons to decimate the alien horde abusing our guest rights. Super chic graphics and unusual enemies make this PS4-exclusive title highly recommendable. Unfortunately, the local co-op mode is not yet available at launch, so you still have to share the controller in "Alienation", at least offline for the time being. However, as the developer's last two games "Resogun" and especially "Dead Nation" also support sofa sessions, it should only be a matter of time here too.
Platform: PS4/ Local players: None so far, online up to 4
Of course there's also "Guitar Hero", "Castle Crashers" and whatnot. What are your favourite games for couch co-op?
Many of the games presented are only available in digital form via Steam or PSN. You can find the rest here.
Video games
Disney Interactive Studios Infinity 3.0 - Star Wars Starter Pack
Xbox Series X, Xbox One X
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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