10 Best Video Games for Couples to Play Together
If you and your partner have ever spent forty minutes scrolling through a games store and then gone to bed without playing anything, this list is for you. Picking a video game for two people is harder than picking one for yourself, because the game has to make both of you feel involved, challenged and included, not just the person holding the controller.
This guide gives you ten games that work well for two players, counted down from No. 10 to No. 1 so the strongest pick arrives last.
Some of these games are built entirely around co-operation, where you cannot finish a single level without the other person. Others are more competitive, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where the friendly rivalry is half the fun. A few are gentler, letting you build a farm or a world at your own pace while you chat about what to do next, and the list covers all three moods.
Each entry explains how the game works for two people. Some offer local split-screen, where you share one screen in the same room. Others offer online play, so you can team up from different houses, and a few offer a versus mode where the two of you compete. Each entry also lists the platforms the game is currently available on, so you can check that your systems match before you buy.
A quick word on buying. Several of these games need only one copy in the household. It Takes Two and Split Fiction both offer a free Friend’s Pass, so the second player can join without buying the game. For other titles, check the store page first, because the rules for a second copy can differ from one game to the next.
Each entry opens with a short premise, so you know what you are signing up for. The stories are set up without spoilers, and the analysis explains why each game sits where it does. If you prefer a different style of play, the ranking should make it easy to find your match.
If you have never played a game with a partner before, do not worry about being good at it. The best co-op games teach you as you go, and the early levels in most of these titles are designed to be forgiving. The real skill is talking, and that is something most couples can practise over a controller as much as at the dinner table.
Fair warning: at least one of these games will probably lead to a raised voice in the living room, usually over who knocked the pan off the counter. That is part of the charm, and a good co-op game is one that makes you laugh about it afterwards.
Some couples want cosy and slow, some want chaos, and some want to win every race. The list covers all three, and the ranking explains where each game fits.
Let’s get into it 👇
If you love this, check out: 11 Fun At-Home Hobbies for Couples to Do Together
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10. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Players pilot a spaceship with several onboard stations, including weapons, engine, shield, the Yamato cannon and a map. Each station has a job, so the ship only runs well when both players keep an eye on their own part. The regular levels ask you to find and rescue captured creatures, including bunnies, frogs, foxes and ducks. The tension comes from splitting attention between flying and rescuing, which is exactly where a couple can either sync up or start shouting. Each station needs attention at the same time.
The charm is in the crew feeling. One partner can steer while the other handles the cannon and shields, and the rhythm feels like a small team rather than a solo shooter. Two-player co-op was the original mode, and four-player co-op was added later.
Why it ranks here: It sits last because its co-op is local only, with no online play, and it has the lightest story on the list. Unravel Two sits just above it with a stronger emotional hook. Lovers is still a fun pick if you want a shooter with a silly streak for one night on one screen.
Who should play it: Couples who like space shooters and short sessions on a single screen.
Where to play: PC (Windows, Linux and macOS), Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The Windows release was on 9 September 2015, PS4 followed on 9 February 2016, and Switch on 3 October 2017. Local co-op for up to four players. Wikipedia
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9. Unravel Two
A red Yarny is washed ashore after a storm at sea, his length of yarn cut to a dead end. Among the wreckage he meets a blue Yarny, also stranded, and the two tie their dead ends together. A spark appears from the connection, and the goal is to chase it. The setup is gentle and sweet, with two strangers who start with nothing in common except the thread between them. Their bond grows slowly, one puzzle at a time.
Unravel Two is a puzzle-platformer built on a single thread. Each of you controls one Yarny, and the puzzles depend on swinging, stretching and timing your moves together. The art is warm and handmade, so it is easy to slow down and enjoy the scenery with your partner.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime because its story and visuals are stronger and the emotional pull is more direct. It sits below Portal 2 because it asks less of your brain and offers fewer ways to play together. It is the calmer choice when you both want something gentle.
Who should play it: Couples who want a relaxed puzzle game and do not mind sharing one screen.
Where to play: PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One from 9 June 2018, and Nintendo Switch from 22 March 2019. Local co-op for two players only, with no online play. Split-screen is on PC and Steam Deck, while consoles share one screen. Wikipedia
8. Portal 2
Chell wakes in a stasis chamber in the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, which has decayed over a very long time. Wheatley, a personality core, guides her through old test chambers as they try to escape. Their attempt accidentally reactivates GLaDOS, who separates them and begins rebuilding the facility. The co-op campaign follows two robots, Atlas and P-Body, built by GLaDOS and sent into the facility on their own missions. Each chamber is a fresh test of how well the two of you can work together.
Portal 2’s co-op campaign is one of the best puzzle experiences for two players. Each of you controls a robot, and the puzzles use portals, momentum and timing, so you must talk clearly without always seeing what the other sees. The writing is dry and funny, and the test chambers feel clever rather than fiddly.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Unravel Two because it gives you sharper shared brainpower and better jokes. It sits below Wonder because its puzzles ask more of you and it is less light-hearted. Its co-op is the most versatile here, with split-screen on consoles and online play on PC.
Who should play it: Couples who enjoy puzzles, dry humour and thinking out loud.
Where to play: PC (Windows, macOS and Linux), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Switch, the last through Portal: Companion Collection on 28 June 2022. The game was released by Valve in 2011. Wikipedia
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7. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Mario and his friends are invited to the Flower Kingdom by its ruler, Prince Florian, to see a Wonder Flower, a treasure that can warp reality. Each level holds Wonder Seeds to collect, and the flowers trigger strange effects like pipes coming to life and enemy hordes appearing. Then Bowser steals the Wonder Flower, merges with Florian’s castle into a flying fortress and imprisons the kingdom’s Poplins. The heroes set out to stop him. Their quest takes them through strange new worlds, each one stranger than the last.
Wonder is the most playful Mario game on this list. Its levels are full of surprises, and the Wonder Flowers can change a stage halfway through. In local co-op, two players can bump, carry and bounce off each other. Online play adds translucent versions of nearby players, which keeps things busy.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Portal 2 because it is easier to play together and more playful, though Portal 2 asks more of your brain. It sits below Mario Kart 8 Deluxe because its co-op is more forgiving, while the racing game is more competitive and replayable.
Who should play it: Couples who enjoy platformers, easy controls and a bit of playful competition over Wonder Seeds.
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, released on 20 October 2023, and Nintendo Switch 2 through the Switch 2 Edition, which launched on 26 March 2026. Local co-op lets up to four players be active in a level at once. Wikipedia
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe puts Nintendo characters into go-karts and sends them round themed tracks. Players collect item boxes for power-ups that slow rivals or give them a boost. The single-player Grand Prix runs cups of races at several speeds, and the battle mode throws players into arenas to pop balloons or grab coins. The conflict is simple: finish ahead of the other person while the track does its best to get in the way. Each race is short, which makes it easy to play another round.
Mario Kart is the most direct competitive pick on the list. Two players can share one Switch in local multiplayer, or join friends and strangers online. Races are quick to pick up, so skill gaps close fast, and the items keep the lead changing right up to the finish line. The revamped battle mode adds five rulesets.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Wonder because it is more replayable for a competitive couple and easier to pick up. It sits below Minecraft because Minecraft gives you more shared creative room and a longer story. It is the right pick for a rivalry night, though it offers less of a shared adventure.
Who should play it: Couples who enjoy friendly competition and a bit of table-flipping.
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, released worldwide on 28 April 2017. Up to four players can play on one system, up to eight through local wireless, and up to 12 online. Wikipedia
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5. Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox game set in a world made of blocks. You start with little more than your hands, gathering wood and stone, building shelters, and exploring caves and villages. Monsters come out after dark, so survival is part of the challenge. There is no fixed story to finish, so the conflict is whatever you choose to build, survive or discover, and a world can be shared with a partner. Each new night brings a fresh test, and there is always another corner to explore.
Minecraft is the most flexible game on the list. One partner can mine while the other designs the farm, and the two of you can argue happily over where a bridge should go. Local split-screen works on console editions only, while online play runs through servers, LAN or Realms, an invite-only space for friends.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Mario Kart 8 Deluxe because it lasts far longer on a single world and gives you more shared creative room. It sits below Overcooked! 2 because the kitchen gives you a sharper, shared goal. It is a strong pick for couples who enjoy building and planning more than racing.
Who should play it: Couples who like building, planning and playing at their own pace.
Where to play: PC (Windows, macOS and Linux), Android, iOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The PC version first released on 18 November 2011. Wikipedia
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4. Overcooked! 2
The chefs travel across the regions of the Onion Kingdom to stop the Unbread, a zombie toast that has been spreading across the land. Their route takes them through absurd restaurants with strange kitchen layouts, moving platforms and unstable floors. Each level asks them to cook the orders and keep the customers happy while the kitchen tries to fall apart around them. One mistake can burn the whole meal. The chefs must keep their nerve as the orders pile up and the kitchens grow stranger.
Overcooked! 2 is the loudest game on the list, and that is the fun. Two players in one kitchen must call out tasks, pass ingredients and move plates quickly, and the layouts punish anyone who wanders off. Co-op supports up to four players, so you can bring in friends for a bigger kitchen.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Minecraft because its teamwork is sharper and its goal is more immediate. It sits below Stardew Valley because the chaos burns out faster than a long farming project. It suits couples who enjoy friendly stress and laughing at each other’s mistakes.
Who should play it: Couples who like fast, playful teamwork and do not mind a few burnt dinners.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch from 7 August 2018, with Linux and macOS too. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are covered by Overcooked! All You Can Eat, released on 12 November 2020, which includes Overcooked! 2. Wikipedia
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3. Stardew Valley
The player leaves a corporate job to restore a run-down farm inherited from a late grandfather, just outside Pelican Town. Restoring the farm means planting crops, raising animals and mining for ore, while also helping revive the town. Progress is slow and personal, and the seasons keep moving whether or not you are ready. The conflict is quiet but real: the farm is in ruins, the town has lost its spark, and money is tight at the start. The town is waiting for you.
Stardew Valley is the most relaxed game on the list, and its pace suits couples who like routines. You can farm, fish, cook, attend festivals and get to know the villagers, and each season brings something new. Local split-screen supports up to four players on PC and consoles, and online co-op supports up to eight.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Overcooked! 2 because it lasts for months and builds a shared life rather than one loud night. It sits below Split Fiction because its shared experience is calmer and less action-led. For a couple who wants a long project, it is one of the strongest picks here.
Who should play it: Couples who enjoy slow, cosy games and building something together over time.
Where to play: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. A Nintendo Switch 2 edition launched on 25 December 2025 in North America and on 6 March 2026 in Europe. Wikipedia
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2. Split Fiction
Mio Hudson and Zoe Foster are writers trapped inside a simulation of their own stories. Mio’s world is sci-fi and Zoe’s is fantasy, and the game switches between them, each with its own mechanics and visual style. Together they have to work out how to escape the simulation, and both worlds are built from ideas they once wrote. The two of them have to communicate constantly, because neither can move forward alone and both need the other to understand the rules of each world.
Split Fiction is the most polished game on the list. Each world changes the rules, the combat and the look, so the game rarely repeats itself. The banter about two writers arguing over their characters is witty and warm.
Why it ranks here: It sits just below It Takes Two because its craft is sharper but its emotional story is lighter. Stardew Valley sits below it as the slower, longer project, while Split Fiction is the better pick for a single action-packed night. It is most fun in short, intense bursts.
Who should play it: Couples who enjoy sci-fi and fantasy, action-led co-op and creative stories about making things together.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. The game released on 6 March 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and on Switch 2 on 5 June 2025. PS4, Xbox One and the original Switch are not supported. Co-op only, with crossplay and a free Friend’s Pass. Nintendo Switch 2 listing
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1. It Takes Two
Cody and May are a married couple who have decided to divorce, and their daughter Rose is heartbroken. Hoping to fix things, she makes handmade dolls resembling her parents and leaves them in the family shed. When her tears fall on the dolls, Cody and May find themselves trapped inside them. A relationship self-help book called Dr. Hakim is tasked with repairing their marriage so they can get back to their human bodies and reach Rose. The setup is funny and tender, and it mixes slapstick with real family drama.
The game is built around co-op as the whole experience. There is no single-player option, so both of you are needed for every puzzle, chase and boss. The writing is warm and sharp.
Why it ranks here: This is the top pick because it is the most couple-focused game here. Split Fiction is more polished, but It Takes Two has the stronger emotional hook, asking you to repair a relationship as well as solve puzzles. Stardew Valley and Overcooked! 2 are excellent, but neither tells a story like this.
Who should play it: Couples who enjoy teamwork, banter and a story with heart.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. It released on 26 March 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and on Switch on 4 November 2022. Co-op only for two players, as local split-screen or online, with a free Friend’s Pass. Wikipedia
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Final Thoughts
Looking back over the ten picks, a clear pattern emerges. The best games here give both players something to decide, something to do and a reason to talk. It Takes Two and Split Fiction are the most couple-focused because they build their stories around two people working together. Stardew Valley and Minecraft suit couples who want to build something over months, while Overcooked! 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are the answer when you want noise, competition and a few laughs before bed.
Different couples want different things. If you are newer together, the story-led picks give you something to talk about. If you have been together for years, a long farming or building project can be more satisfying. If one of you is competitive and the other is relaxed, Mario Kart offers a fair fight without making the evening too serious. Wonder and Portal 2 sit in the middle, offering a good test of teamwork with less pressure.
So why did It Takes Two win the top spot? It is the only game here that makes the relationship part of the gameplay, not just the backdrop. Split Fiction is more polished and Stardew Valley is a better long-term project, but It Takes Two asks two people to co-operate in a way that feels personal from the first hour. For most couples, it is the best place to start.
Tell us what we missed. If your favourite couples’ game is not on the list, share it in the comments and tell us where it would sit in your own ranking. We would love to hear your picks, and the best suggestions could shape a future update.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people play It Takes Two with only one copy?
Yes, as long as one of you owns the game. It Takes Two is co-op only, with no single-player option, and the buyer can invite a partner for free using Friend’s Pass. The second player does not need their own copy. You can play together on one screen in the same room, or join online when you are apart. Check the platform list first, so that the console or PC you both use is on it, and you can start the same evening.
Which games here offer split-screen for two people in the same room?
It Takes Two supports local split-screen, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lets up to four people share one Switch. Stardew Valley offers local split-screen for up to four players on PC and consoles. Portal 2 has split-screen on consoles, and Minecraft offers local split-screen on console editions only. Unravel Two splits the screen on PC and Steam Deck, while on consoles you share one screen. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is local co-op for up to four players, so it also suits a shared room.
Can two players play Split Fiction online on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Nintendo’s listing for the Switch 2 version says it supports two players in single-system, local wireless and online modes. Online play requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Cross-platform co-op is available through a free Friend’s Pass, and the second player does not need their own copy. The original Switch, PS4 and Xbox One are not supported, so check the platform before you buy.
Can you play Stardew Valley together on a phone?
Not together. Stardew Valley supports multiplayer on PC and on consoles, but the mobile versions on iOS and Android do not offer multiplayer. You can still play solo on a phone, which is handy on the go. For shared play, you will need a PC, PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch, and everyone must be on the same platform and game version.
Can Minecraft be played split-screen on a PC?
No. Local split-screen is only available on console editions. On PC, players can join each other online or over a local network using LAN, which lets a world be joined without a dedicated server. Bedrock Realms gives you a private space for invited friends, with up to 3,000 invitees and 10 online at once. If you want to share a sofa, a console is the simplest choice.
Which Overcooked! 2 version works on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S?
The original game launched on 7 August 2018 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, the route is Overcooked! All You Can Eat, released on 12 November 2020, which includes Overcooked! 2. Co-op supports up to four players, so you can keep it as a two-person game or invite friends for a bigger kitchen. Check the store page for the exact edition before you buy.
Is Portal 2 still a good choice for couples on newer consoles?
It is a strong choice on PC, and the co-op campaign works well with two players. The platforms we could confirm are PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Switch, the last through Portal: Companion Collection, released on 28 June 2022. We have not confirmed PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S support, so check the store page for those systems before you buy. Online co-op on PC lets you play together from different homes.
Can two players play Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime online?
No. Online co-op is not supported, so the game is designed for local play. Local co-op allows up to four players, and the original mode was for two. The game is available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. If you want to play together from separate homes, choose Portal 2 or Overcooked! 2 instead, since both support online play.
Does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe support online races for two people?
Yes. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports online play for up to 12 players, so you can race friends or strangers from separate homes. Local play lets up to four players share one Switch, and local wireless play allows up to eight. For a couple on one sofa, the local mode is the simplest option, and you can use the same console for races and battle matches.
Which games here have Nintendo Switch 2 versions?
Several do. Split Fiction launched on Switch 2 on 5 June 2025. Overcooked! 2 has a Switch 2 edition released on 6 November 2025. Stardew Valley has a Switch 2 edition, released in North America on 25 December 2025 and in Europe on 6 March 2026. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has a Switch 2 Edition released on 26 March 2026, and Minecraft is also available on Switch 2. Check the listing for the exact edition before you buy.
More Places to Find Great Video Games
- IGN: video game news, reviews, previews and guides.
- GameSpot: game reviews, previews, news and buying guides.
- Metacritic: aggregated critic and user review scores for games and films.
- Wikipedia: encyclopaedia entries that list release dates, developers, publishers and platforms.
- Steam: the PC game store, with player reviews, system requirements and multiplayer tags.
- Eurogamer: games news, reviews and features from a UK-based team.
- PC Gamer: PC gaming news, reviews, guides and hardware advice.
- Rock Paper Shotgun: PC gaming news, reviews and long-form features.
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