Best Xbox Co-Op Games: 25 Picks For Xbox Series X And Xbox One

Supports: 2-player local and online multiplayer

Hazelight Studios is the rare developer that wholly embraces co-op in game design. Its debut title, A Way Out, can only be played cooperatively, either split-screen or online. A Way Out puts players in the roles of two convicts who plan and execute a prison escape. In addition to compelling puzzle, stealth, and shooting gameplay, A Way Out is bolstered by solid writing and performances that attach you to the plight of these troubled men.

Though each player is often performing different tasks, the objectives you complete inevitably help your partner make progress, and vice versa. It’s a beautiful experience that emphasizes teamwork, and because the two roles are different, you can run through it a second time and swap characters. A Way Out is an EA Play title, so Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play it without buying. It also has a buddy pass that allows a friend to play with you online without buying their game copy.

Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is one of the best picks for first-person shooter fans who want to play with friends or family. While many shooters don’t offer co-op campaigns (offline or online), the Borderlands franchise is ideal for co-op, and it even supports a four-player split-screen. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection comes with Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, two excellent loot shooters, filled with intense gunfights, a dizzying amount of loot, and off-the-wall humor that keeps things lighthearted. You could also opt for Borderlands 3, but we picked the Handsome Collection due to the variety of content offered in the package.

Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer

Castle Crashers is an Xbox Live Arcade classic and one of the first indie games that took off on the service for Xbox 360. While it held up pretty well, the remastered version is even better, thanks to better textures and frame rate. In Castle Crashers, you and up to three friends play as knights on a journey to save princesses from an evil wizard. The story isn’t what stands out (it’s rather generic); Castle Crashers has excellent hack-and-slash gameplay and a leveling system that improves your abilities further through the enemy-packed stages. It has incredible cartoon visuals, a lighthearted tone, and a wide variety of enemies and bosses to slay. If you like action games that feel like they belong in an arcade, Castle Crashers is a solid pick.

Supports: 2-player local multiplayer

StudioMDHR’s Cuphead is essentially a playable 1930s cartoon filled with authentic animations, colorful characters, and a jazzy soundtrack that sizzles and pops to transport you back in time. In addition to being gorgeous, Cuphead has tremendously designed boss battles, tight controls, and a varied assortment of weapons and perks that change the way you approach each fight. Cuphead and his brother Mugman need to procure soul contracts to give the devil after gambling away their lives. Playing Cuphead cooperatively can get chaotic, but tackling the bosses and run-and-gun levels with a friend can be extremely rewarding. The only downside with Cuphead is that the two-player co-op is limited to local multiplayer.

Supports: 6-player online multiplayer

As a live service game with a vibrant community, it’s no surprise that Destiny 2 has found its way onto this list. Bungie’s much-improved sequel has a massive amount of content, mostly tailored toward online co-op with friends and random Guardians roaming the universe. Teaming up with friends makes Destiny 2’s later game challenges much more doable and, most importantly, more fun. Although Destiny 2 is a few years old, it still receives consistent updates and new content, including the recently released Witch Queen expansion.

With numerous meaty increases available already and multiple more in the next couple of years, Destiny 2 will remain one of the best live service co-op games for a while. A solid chunk of the game is free-to-play, and most of the Destiny 2 experience is currently included with a Game Pass subscription. However, the excellent new Witch Queen expansion is not available via Game Pass; you’ll have to buy that separately.

Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer

One of the best modern action RPGs, Diablo 3, has withstood the test of time. Though traditionally thought of as a PC game, Diablo 3 plays extraordinarily well with a controller, giving it a different, more active feel while mowing down and dodging demons with class-specific abilities. The class system makes Diablo 3 even better as a co-op game, as you and your trio of teammates can balance each other out with a range of unique abilities. The entirety of Diablo 3, including its wealth of endgame content, can be played cooperatively. Everything from the expansive loot and class systems to the combat and lore makes Diablo 3 a must-play for action-RPG fans looking for something that is constantly engaging but not too mechanically intensive.

Supports: 2-player local and 4-player online multiplayer

Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Definitive Edition has made its way onto practically every game best list we’ve published. It’s not surprising since we awarded it a rare 10/10 in our Divinity: Original Sin 2 review, but it’s a testament to just how breathtaking and original a game it truly is. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an old-school CRPG for a new age, complete with an extensive and detailed open world, a meticulously crafted turn-based combat system with near-endless layers, and colorful characters that draw you into its winding story. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is brimming with dozens of hours of excellent content, and it’s even more satisfying when you play with friends. Online co-op supports up to four players, while local co-op is two-player only.

Supports: 2-player local and 6-player online multiplayer

Don’t Starve Together takes the well-designed action-survival foundation of the original game and adds the ability to play it cooperatively, either online or split-screen. In Don’t Starve Together, your job is to survive. By day, you gather resources and fortify your base, but you have to defend yourself against waves of enemies at night. It’s a fulfilling loop, and each run feels special thanks to randomly generated environments. Don’t Starve Together has two other methods that offer less demanding takes on the gameplay outside of the primary survival mode.

Supports: 2-player local and online multiplayer

Even though two mainline Gears of War games launched on Xbox One, we recommend Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. A beautiful remaster of the first entry in the series, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition’s campaign holds up remarkably well all these years later. It features the best, most grounded story in the series. Each of the lengthy levels has intricately designed setpieces that help show off the finely tuned third-person shooter gameplay. It’s also pretty cool to return to the game that popularized the “cover” shooter. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition supports two-player local and online co-op and is available to play for free for Game Pass subscribers.

Supports: 8-player online multiplayer

Grand Theft Auto Online is one of the most popular online multiplayer games. Grand Theft Auto Online lets you create a character and complete objectives, and get into random shenanigans across San Andreas. While you can make your fun, there are dedicated missions and a story before the events of Grand Theft Auto 5 that’s designed to be played cooperatively with friends. Whether you want to complete elaborate and tricky heists with friends or see what kind of trouble you can stir up, Grand Theft Auto Online is an extensive cooperative experience that can be your hangout spot to unwind at night. It comes free with Grand Theft Auto 5, available on Xbox Game Pass. A standalone version of Grand Theft Auto Online is in the works, too.

Supports: 2-player local and 4-player online multiplayer

Halo: The Master Chief Collection could be described as the ultimate cooperative first-person shooter for Xbox. You can’t go wrong here, as several of the best FPS games ever made are featured in this collection. The compilation comes with the first four mainline Halo games and Halo 3: ODST and Halo Reach. All six games feature campaigns that can be played cooperatively, either online or split-screen. In addition to the movements, you can join up with friends to try to survive in a Firefight. A horde mode featured in ODST and Reach. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available to play for free if you’re a Game Pass subscriber.

Supports: 2-player local and online multiplayer

Developed by the team behind A Way Out, It Takes Two is also exclusively a cooperative game. As you can probably guess by the title, you and a partner work together to solve puzzles and complete platforming sequences across an intricately designed world filled with creativity and wonder. When Rose learns her parents are splitting up, she consults her book about relationships while holding dolls resembling her parents. Her tears hit the dolls, her parents’ minds transplanted into the toys. Playing as either Cody or May, you and your partner travel in and around the house–which now seems quite large–searching for Rose.

It Takes Two has some seriously great platforming sequences, boss battles, and puzzles, and they often require teamwork to make progress. Though It Takes Two deals with a heavy subject matter, it has a lot of heart and humor baked into the narrative. You can play it split-screen either locally or online; if you’re playing online, you and your partner only need one copy of the game.

Lego Marvel Collection

Lego Marvel Collection is an excellent pick for families looking for a lighthearted and breezy cooperative experience. It contains three Lego Marvel games: Lego Marvel’s Avengers, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2. Each game supports local co-op for two players and lets you take control of a massive variety of Marvel heroes. Traveller’s Tales’ Lego games have an excellent pick-up-and-play vibe, with simple mechanics that are great for young children learning the ropes.

Besides having an excellent title and adorable bunnies, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a deftly crafted space shooter with a tactical bent. This frantic couch co-op adventure demands communication with your teammates to find success. Together, you pilot a uniquely designed neon spaceship in an attempt to save bunnies from the Anti-Love–terrible beings who hate love for some reason. The ship is equipped with turrets, lasers, shields, and more; the challenge here is to think about both offense and defense and make fast decisions. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime’s vivid, eye-catching visuals and abundance of charm help bolster its solid gameplay loop.

Minecraft

Minecraft is ubiquitous at this point. If you’re reading this list, there’s probably a good chance you’ve already tried the sandbox sim over the past decade. Regardless, it’s worth mentioning Minecraft here, as it supports split-screen local or online multiplayer for up to four players. Creating Minecraft worlds alone is fun, but putting the pieces together alongside friends and family can be an even more exciting experience. Minecraft is an excellent pick for families, has pretty solid educational value, and is enjoyable. It’s also available on Game Pass.

Minecraft Dungeons

Minecraft Dungeons could aptly be described as Diablo without the blood and demonic atmosphere. Although it features the look and familiar trappings of Minecraft. You don’t need to be a big Minecraft fan to dive deep into Minecraft Dungeons. It’s an action RPG played from an isometric perspective and is filled with loot and hordes of baddies to chop down. The combat system is pretty straightforward but remains fresh throughout. Thanks to the wealth of customization features, excellent levels, and a wide variety of enemies. You can play Minecraft Dungeons with up to four players locally or online, and it’s available to play for free for Game Pass subscribers.

Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter World was a breakthrough game for Capcom. While the series has always been popular in Japan, it had a dedicated but relatively small fanbase in the US. Monster Hunter World changed that route to becoming one of the most popular games in 2018. Monster Hunter World follows the same basic formula seen in all games in the series. You play as a hunter tasked with tracking and slaying (or capturing) challenging monsters. World ushers in more detailed graphics, monster animations, and seamless environments that are a joy to explore. Monster Hunter World’s combat system is uniquely rigorous and forces players to get to know their abilities and prey.

The massive Iceborne expansion adds lengthy campaigns and heaps of excellent endgame content. It’s easy to sink hundreds of hours into Monster Hunter World. Though playable solo, Monster Hunter World is primarily an online co-op game for up to four hunters. Monster Hunter World is available on Game Pass, but you have to buy the Iceborne expansion separately.

Overcooked

Overcooked: All You Can Eat compiles two stellar cooking games (as well as a bunch of DLC) in one fantastic package. Although it’s accurate to call them cooking games, neither game offers a leisurely experience where you get to stop and admire your dishes. Played from a top-down perspective, Overcooked is a frantic cooking sim that demands quick wits and the ability to stay calm in the kitchen. Each level asks you and up to three friends to prepare dishes for hungry patrons. Sounds simple enough, right? Not quite. You only have a short amount of time to make your meals, and the kitchens themselves are dynamically designed to produce mayhem.

Thanks to a simplistic control scheme, anyone can jump into Overcooked’s fast-paced cooking action. But gathering ingredients and preparing dishes requires teamwork and solid communication skills. The All You Can Eat bundle is chock-full of hilarious fun whether you’re playing online or on the same couch with friends.

Rayman Legends

Rayman Legends is one of the best side-scrolling platformers on Xbox. Featuring more than 120 unique levels, a catchy soundtrack, and a gorgeous visual design. Rayman Legends offers a robust platforming experience that can be played alongside three friends. In addition to solid platforming sequences, Rayman Legends has a bevy of great puzzles and loads of secrets to uncover.

Sea of Thieves lets you and your friends live out your pirate dreams. Sailing the high seas in search of treasure is an experience tailor-made for co-op. The shared universe of Sea of Thieves means that you and your friends are adventuring in murky waters; you never know when another group will attack and try to steal your loot. While Sea of Thieves has cartoonish visuals and a relatively humorous tone. It’s a deeply engaging experience filled with many activities.

Rare has made great strides with Sea of Thieves since it initially launched in 2018, and now it’s crammed with exciting missions and activities to complete. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play Sea of Thieves for free.

Supports: 4-player local multiplayer

Spelunky was initially released on Xbox 360, but backward compatibility has kept this modern roguelike classic alive. In Spelunky, you play as an adventurer navigating through hazardous tunnels searching for treasure. Sixteen mainline levels are split across four distinct worlds. While this doesn’t sound like a ton of content, Spelunky is brutally challenging. Each time you die, you have to start from the beginning. To keep things fresh, all of the levels are procedurally generated. So the layout of the tunnels and their dangerous obstacles and enemies changes with each run. The platforming mechanics have a unique feel that takes some time to master.

Spelunky’s loop is devilishly fun; before long, you’ll be scouring Spelunky’s mysterious levels to uncover its bounty of secrets. When you play cooperatively, you can bring your teammates back from the dead, which is quite handy in a game where you have to start over when everyone meets their bloody end. Spelunky is one of those games you have to play to appreciate it truly.

Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer

Stardew Valley’s recent 1.5 updates added split-screen co-op for up to four players. So now you can play the excellent farming sim with friends on the same couch and online. If you have played Stardew Valley before, the multiplayer mode is almost identical. You and your friends can tend to your farm, build relationships with NPCs, explore the mines, and enjoy each other’s company.

Though Stardew Valley started as a Harvest Moon clone, it became one of the best simulation games ever made. Oozing with charm and essentially infinite replay value, Stardew Valley is an ideal co-op game for those looking for a more tranquil experience.

Supports: 4-player local and 2-player online multiplayer

Streets of Rage 4, the first entry in the classic beat-’em-up franchise in more than 25 years, feels refreshing and nostalgic. It plays almost exactly like its old-school predecessors, giving it an authentic feel that takes you back to the genre’s glory days. But games like Streets of Rage 4 aren’t all too common nowadays, so it’s a joy to return to such a fun, straightforward style of action game. Streets of Rage 4 does have modern visuals and more elaborate animations, which helps give it a decidedly new vibe.

It doesn’t overstay. It’s welcome either. With just 12 primary levels and four secret retro levels. Streets of Rage 4 is the perfect game to play throughout the weekend. Like other games in the series, it’s better played with friends on the couch. Streets of Rage 4 supports four-player local co-op and two-player online co-op, and Game Pass subscribers can check it out for free.

Supports: 4-player online multiplayer

Much like Destiny 2, Division 2 is an always-online shooter designed to be played alongside friends. A third-person cover shooter at heart, Division 2 places you in the role of an agent attempting to quell civil unrest in Washington, DC. While the post-pandemic world is a tad disconcerting given recent events. Division 2 has a powerful loop that focuses on loot and improving your agent’s build. The lengthy mainline story is filled with engaging missions and many side contents.

You still have plenty to do when the credits roll, thanks to a severe amount of challenging endgame content. If you grab the Warlords of New York Edition, you’ll also get the excellent expansion set in New York City. Division 2 features an online co-op for up to four players for main missions, while some raids support eight players.

See our Division 2 review.

Supports: 2-player local multiplayer

Unravel 2 is a charming platformer starring two yarn creatures tied together. The premise itself signals that Unravel 2’s platforming challenges require teamwork. Thankfully this mechanic works incredibly well as you try to cross dangerous gaps or solve puzzles. Unravel 2’s peaceful world is gorgeous to behold, and the pleasant nature and tone of your journey make this a relaxing platforming experience. Unravel 2’s co-op is limited to local play, which makes this a great game to play with your partner or kids. You can play Unravel 2 for free as an EA Play title if you’re a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber.

See our Unravel 2 review.