Best Co-Op Games From Every Console Generation

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Best Co-Op Games From Every Console Generation

While it might not be talked about as often as it should be, I think it's undeniable that video games have a profound social and communal dimension, even when they're single-player.

The experience of living the same adventure is inherently shared, especially given the rise of the internet, where we all intercommunicate our opinions and feelings to engage in conversations about the games we enjoy.

However, I believe no type of game embodies this description better than cooperative ones, whose very existence depends entirely on the presence of a second, third, or even fourth player who gives full meaning to the experience.

Since the origins of the video game industry, we've seen countless installments that have taken an approach opposite to that of single-player titles, as you'll see in this list I've compiled of the nine best co-op games from every console generation, ranked.

9 Pong Doubles

Modest Beginnings

Generation

Console(s)

First generation

Arcade

Although every console generation has been marked by profound experimentation, I believe none compares to the very first, given that absolutely every creation, like Pong Doubles, was innovative by nature.

After the success of the original Pong, Atari decided to expand its reach with Pong Doubles, a game that simply doubles the number of available players, thus doubling the fun.

Of course, comparing the cooperative complexity of this entry to what quickly followed in the years to come is unfair, so I think it's more appropriate to evaluate it in light of its impact on a barren landscape where the possibilities were endless.

We all primarily remember its predecessor, though Pong Doubles demonstrates how many video games can be improved simply by the presence of more people, something we've seen confirmed time and again, even today.

8 Wizard of Wor

A Considerable Leap

Generation

Console(s)

Second generation

Bally Astrocade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, and Commodore Max

The second generation of consoles brought with it a considerable increase in complexity compared to the previous generation's gameplay and audiovisual elements, and I don't think there's a better example of this than Wizard of Wor.

With maze-like levels reminiscent of Pac-Man, more elaborate sound design and aesthetics, a scoring system that rewards skill and consistency, and even additional challenges to double your score, it's simply a complete leap in quality.

Regarding Pong Doubles, it wasn't quite as pronounced, but with Wizard of Wor, there was a frenzy for cooperative play that feels practically impossible today, with people skipping school to play it.

And I'd like to say I'm mentioning it because I read about it online, but no: it was my own dear father who told me he neglected his schoolwork back in the day because of Wizard of Wor, which explains why he so insistently shoved it in my face as soon as I developed cognitive and motor skills.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Generational Icon

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Generation

Console(s)

Third generation

Nintendo Entertainment System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MS-DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum, and PlayChoice-10

While I admit I've completely distanced myself from the franchise, I fondly remember my experiences with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and my friends, as we were all huge fans back then.

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Feeling like each of us embodied one of the turtles, being able to throw enemies into the air with grabs and dodge all kinds of attacks and environmental hazards, saving innocent bystanders, and defeating incredibly difficult bosses, was nothing short of pure fantasy.

I still remember how impressed I was by the depth of the animations, how every hit felt real, and the ability to display so many characters, effects, and sounds on screen without my NES simply falling apart.

The third generation of consoles began to show glimpses of an evolution that would have an impact even today, because we still see games trying to emulate its aesthetic and feel, and games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles demonstrate why.

6 Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

The Best Galactic Fantasy

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

Generation

Console(s)

Sixth generation

PlayStation, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance

I lost count of the number of times my brother and I tried to beat Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles in one sitting because we didn't know how to save, and it's important to clarify I never managed to achieve it… at least not when I was younger.

However, I didn't need to wait to finish the campaign to know I was playing one of the best co-op games I'd ever played, and specifically, one that would be among my most cherished Dreamcast memories.

Even without being a huge Star Wars fan, each level was a spectacle, with unique enemies and spectacular combat sequences where the movies paled in comparison to what you felt when you were the Jedi fighting instead of just watching.

The environments were deep and immersive, the bosses were challenging and unique, and the frustration of not being able to get past the giant worm was permanent, so I'm absolutely certain Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is the most extraordinary co-op game of the sixth generation (with all due respect to The House of the Dead 2).

5 Overcooked! 2

The Family Destroyer

overcooked-2-nintendo-switch-2-edition-press-image-3.jpg

Generation

Console(s)

Eighth generation

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One

Thinking about the best co-op game of the last generation was a difficult task because it's the console set on which I've probably played the most titles of this genre, but lately I've settled on Overcooked! 2.

In the end, if we value co-op games based on their ability to offer hours of fun with loved ones, I'd venture to say none has felt more universal and accessible than this infuriating yet amazing cooking title.

I've played it with family, with friends, and even with strangers, and the ease with which it fosters connection and trust is greater than anything I've seen in any other interactive product, even those strictly belonging to the party game genre.

While I can imagine more elaborate or in-depth multiplayer games, I feel the co-op experience of the last generation finds a worthy and cohesive representative in Overcooked! 2, whose ability to both unite and divide families remains unmatched.

4 Streets of Rage 2

The King of Beat 'Em Up

Generation

Console(s)

Fourth generation

Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Master System

Although I don't consider myself the most devoted fan of beat 'em ups, I would never deny the importance Streets of Rage 2 had in my youth, which I have no problem calling the best in the history of its genre.

Basically, I feel it takes everything I admire about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and amplifies it exponentially, with a spectacular soundtrack, numerous easily identifiable characters, and a divine combat system with a virtually unmatched variety of maps, enemies, and moves.

I used to play many similar titles back then because that's what was available to me, but none ever came close to being a more memorable and entertaining cooperative (or even single-player) experience than Streets of Rage 2.

I moved away from the genre, and, except for games like Absolum, I'm not entirely sure of its current state, but even though more than 30 years have passed, I would be extremely surprised if such a masterpiece has finally been surpassed.

3 Perfect Dark

A One-of-a-Kind FPS

Generation

Console(s)

Fifth generation

Nintendo 64

I'm not one for saying “you had to be there” when trying to convey how incredible an experience was, but I simply can't think of any way to describe what it was like to experience Perfect Dark at launch.

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If you think about any aspect that characterizes the best FPS games in history, it's obvious you'll find them all here: a spectacular campaign that could be played with two players, top-tier graphics for its time, an absurd number of gameplay options, an enemy AI that felt compelling, unparalleled doses of action…

I could sit down and summarize each and every aspect that makes Perfect Dark one of the most immaculate and unique shooters in all of video games, but I don't have the time or the communication skills to even begin to cover it without writing ninety paragraphs.

All I know is that when I first got to play it on split-screen, I felt something inside me rejuvenate, even though I was still quite young. To say I was reborn when I played it is an exaggeration, but it is among the few times I have cried with joy.

2 Split Fiction

The Pinnacle of the Hazelight Formula

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Generation

Console(s)

Ninth generation

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2

Growing alongside Hazelight and all their games has been a wonderful experience because, just as the developers haven't been the same since they made Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, I'm not the same person I was when I started writing about video games.

As a result, my connection to Split Fiction might be greater than the game itself, but every fiber of my being understands it as the ultimate perfection of the formula that has characterized the studio for over a decade, managing to stay true to its values despite its great ambition and evolution.

Especially coming from It Takes Two, which I personally consider their least interesting game, the reality check that this worthy Game of the Year contender delivered was the reminder I needed to never again underestimate the talent of Josef Fares and his team.

From then on, I feel the game speaks for itself, and anyone who has played it perfectly understands why it's so highly regarded. Split Fiction is among the greatest cooperative marvels published since the origins of the interactive industry, and I doubt any further argument is necessary to justify its glory.

1 Left 4 Dead 2

Valve at its Finest

Generation

Console(s)

Seventh generation

PC, Xbox 360

It's difficult to believe that basically everything Valve has done (Artifact aside) is a strong contender for the best in its genre, and I think the same undoubtedly applies to Left 4 Dead 2 when it comes to multiplayer FPS games.

More than fifteen years have passed since this bombshell hit the video game market, and since then, it hasn't relinquished its position at the pinnacle of cooperative experiences, remaining completely unscathed on the throne regardless of what other games have been released.

Year after year, the title is among the most played games simply because its structure works perfectly, with gameplay, AI, and mechanical cooperation systems meticulously crafted to ensure that every second is better than the last, even after 2,000 hours of gameplay.

I don't know how many projects have tried to emulate what Left 4 Dead 2 seems to achieve effortlessly, but none have succeeded. There have been some very good attempts, undeniably, but fighting zombies with three friends in this post-apocalyptic United States stays the undisputed king of cooperative adventures.

I still believe the best multiplayer game Valve has ever made is Dota 2, but when it comes to collaboration, I simply can't think of anything better, either in the seventh generation or beyond. Left 4 Dead 2 set the standard and continues to influence thousands of multiplayer games year after year, so I think its legacy says it all.