Most Anticipated Co-Op Games Releasing In 2026

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10 Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026

Published Jan 26, 2026, 11:30 AM EST

Covering the video games industry since 2017, with experience in news, articles, lists, and reviews (and I blame The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask for that).

If you are a fan of RPGs and want a third-person version: Tayná Garcia is a Brazilian journalist (but you can call her Tay) who ended up working with video games after finishing Zelda: Majora's Mask when she was a kid. With more than eight years of experience in the segment, she has been an assistant editor at Jovem Nerd in the past and is currently a contributor at DualShockers and a writer for gaming magazines for Editora Europa. Oh, and she may like Hideo Kojima a bit too much.

Created in the 1950s, Tennis for Two is widely considered the first electronic game in history, simulating tennis matches for two players. Whether competing against a friend or a computer, the goal was simple: use a single button to hit the ball back and forth.

As the title suggests, the very first gaming experience ever designed was built from the ground up as a multiplayer experience, and, curiously, that social spark has remained intrinsic to video games to this day.

Of course, the physical act of playing is individual (just you and the controller), but it is practically impossible not to share that experience with someone else. Whether it is through word-of-mouth, debating theories, lending a physical cartridge, or literally playing with (or against) a partner, gaming always finds a way to step outside the screen. In one way or another, video games always end up being a "multiplayer experience" in the real world.

Best Co-Op Games From Every Console Generation, Ranked

From 1970 to the present day, non-competitive multiplayer games have given us countless memorable experiences.

Some titles, however, take this idea literally. They make cooperation and the dynamic between players a core mechanic, honoring the very roots of electronic gaming. And, as you may have guessed already (well, it's in the title, after all), we are talking about co-op games.

I have built this short historical bridge for you, dear reader, because today we are looking at the cooperative titles that are still on the horizon but definitely deserve a spot on your radar – and I want you to hype all of them with me!

So I have put together a diverse list with options for both local couch co-op and online play, bringing different genres to please every type of gamer (even the casual ones). Whether you are looking for a deep tactical journey or something fun to play with friends or your valentine, you will find something interesting here. So, shall we begin?

This isn't a ranked list! They all deserve love and attention in the same amount.

10 Pokémon Pokopia

Pokémon Meets Animal Crossing

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 Pokemon Pokopia

Pokémon Pokopia is an upcoming spin-off that is unlike anything the franchise has ever attempted before. In a bizarre and charming twist, you play as a Ditto that has transformed into a human. Yes, you did not read that wrong!

After stumbling upon a desolate landscape where a wise Tangrowth lives, you are tasked with transforming this empty land into a shiny, new Pokémon paradise. It is basically a cozy crossover between Pokémon and Animal Crossing that fans did not know they needed.

As expected, its gameplay loop focuses on exploration, crafting, and a clever use of Pokémon abilities – since you are a Ditto and can borrow their abilities. By using all of that, you must face a peaceful, creative cycle, making Pokopia literally have everything it takes to be one of the most relaxing titles arriving this year.

Oh, and the best part is that you can build your utopia with friends! You and three friends (all playing as human-form Dittos) can collaborate on your construction projects and decorate environments together. It is launching on March 5, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2, so it is definitely time to start inviting your squad.

9 Hela

Heartwarming Adventures of Tiny Heroes

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 Hela

What if we were just two cute mice exploring a magical world together? Because that is the exact premise of Hela, a charming open-world adventure that looks to be one of the most wholesome experiences of the year.

Developed by the creators of the beloved Unravel series, this game tasks you and your partner with playing as the pets of a kind old witch who has suddenly fallen ill. Your mission is to venture into a stunning Scandinavian-inspired scenario (that is just as stunning as it sounds) to find a cure while also keeping her "witch business" running in her absence.

Exploring around means that you will feel very, very small in comparison to common items and find a bunch of puzzles, secrets, and missions to do, while also having time to freely have fun with random activities, such as skateboarding together (that’s right!).

And whether you prefer the classic couch co-op experience or want to squad up remotely, Hela has you completely covered. It features two-player local split-screen for those side-by-side sessions, but you can also jump into online co-op with up to four players. It is set to launch in 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch 2.

8 John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

For Cinephiles and FPS Fans

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a cooperative first-person shooter from the talented folks at Saber Interactive (the studio behind World War Z and Evil Dead: The Game) that has a story that was created by the horror legend John Carpenter, the iconic director of Halloween and The Thing.

By that alone, we can already expect a campy, over-the-top energy of the 1980s for this one, with a lot of straightforward action. And its premise is as “B-movie” as it gets: a failed scientific experiment to harness the Earth's core has accidentally released an abomination that turns soil into sludge and humans into monsters.

You can play it with up to four players, and I think I don’t need to say anything else, right? This is literally the quintessential Saturday-night co-op game. Those nights were pizza, beer, and saving the world through adrenaline-fueled gameplay means everything!

And you should definitely mark in your calendar that this baby is launching on March 12, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

7 Ikuma: The Frozen Compass

Grab Your Coat For This One

IKUMA - The Frozen Compass

If you are a history nerd like me, you have likely heard of the Franklin Expedition, the ill-fated British voyage of 1845 that saw two ships vanish into the Arctic ice, leaving behind a mystery that endured for over a century.

I’m telling you this because Ikuma: The Frozen Compass, the latest title from Mooneye Studios (the team behind the beautiful Lost Ember), takes direct inspiration from this tragic event, but it reframes the history through an intimate coming-of-age story about a boy who finds himself stranded in the frozen wilderness alongside his dog.

And yes, that means exactly what you are thinking, by the way: one player controls the young boy, while the other one plays as his furry friend. What’s pretty interesting about its trailers is that it seems that most mechanics are built around the idea of how harsh the cold can be, and you two must work together to survive.

I don’t know about you, but I’m already prepared to keep some tissues nearby for this one when it launches sometime in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

6 Out of Words

When Actions Mean More

I have a deep personal love for handcrafted projects, especially in video games, because you can actually feel the developer's passion in the smallest details. And Out of Words looks like it was built specifically to transmit that feeling!

That’s because it is an upcoming puzzle-platformer with a stunning stop-motion aesthetic, where every character, creature, and environment has been literally sculpted by hand. Oh, and the game even uses frame-by-frame animation for its cutscenes.

Co Op Games Reviewed Higher Than It Takes Two That Deserve Much More Attention

Not only that, but its story and gameplay also seem pretty unique, with environmental puzzles, gravity-defying mechanics, and a narrative that follows two young characters who have literally lost the ability to speak, forcing them to communicate through actions.

And it is completely designed as a two-player cooperative experience, so make sure to keep this one on your radar, as it’s set to launch later this year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2. I don't know about you, but this one gives serious It Takes Two vibes.

5 The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

Deep Space Paranoia in Two

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 Directive 8020

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

If you and your friends live for those fun horror nights, the next title from Supermassive Games is exactly what you have been waiting for. The studio behind hits like Until Dawn, The Quarry, and The Dark Pictures Anthology is heading to an alien planet with Directive 8020, and it promises to be their most terrifying social experiment yet.

It basically follows the classic Supermassive cooperative formula but adapts it for a sci-fi setting. You will all control five crew members on a mission to save humanity, only to find yourselves hunted by a shape-shifting alien threat.

In other words, these creatures can look like anyone, so expect much paranoia, lack of trust, and hard choices to make. According to the developers, we can even expect more sequences with stealth and combat-oriented elements.

You can play it online or stick to the classic "Movie Night" couch co-op, where you pass the controller as the perspective shifts between characters. It is the perfect game for a group that is feeling courageous, and it will launch in the first half of 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

4 Scott Pilgrim EX

Time to Get More XP

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 Scott Pilgrim EX

Scott Pilgrim EX is the upcoming beat ‘em up from the masters at Tribute Games – and, if that name sounds familiar, it is because they are the studio that absolutely smashed it out of the park with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, so they definitely know their way around a side-scroller.

This time, they have teamed up with franchise creator Bryan Lee O’Malley to craft an entirely new story where Scott and Ramona must face unexpected threats, like robots, demons, and (of course) vegans, after Scott’s band is suddenly kidnapped in Toronto.

However, the biggest plot twist here is the roster. For literally the first time, Scott and Ramona are getting help from some of the Evil Exes themselves, including Lucas Lee and Roxie Richter, and this brings the total to seven playable characters, meaning you can grab up to three friends for some chaotic four-player co-op.

It is the perfect blend of nostalgic pixels and fresh mechanics, making it a must-play for fans of the original graphic novels or the cult-classic film, so save your money for this chapter that is coming early 2026 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

3 Witchbrook

Stardew Valley Meets Harry Potter

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 Witchbrook

One of the most anticipated titles in the indie community is Witchbrook, which is best described as a charismatic mix of Stardew Valley and the Harry Potter franchise – which means it is time to become a wizard again, Harry!

Developed by Chucklefish (you probably know them as the publishers who helped bring Stardew Valley to the masses), the game casts you as a student at Witchbrook College, and you will need to attend magic classes and dive into extracurricular activities, such as broomstick racing, potion-making, and mastering ancient spells.

Don’t forget that no fun can make you a dull boy, so you also need to make time to build relationships and unravel the school’s mysteries in your spare time.

So yes, it indeed looks like the next cozy, heartwarming blend of "farm-life sim" and witchcraft that is ready to steal our hearts. Witchbrook will be casting its spell sometime in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (1 & 2), and PC. Sorry, PlayStation fans, it looks like you might have to sit this semester out.

2 Orbitals

A Love Letter to 90s Anime

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 Orbitals

I promise you that, when Orbitals was first announced at The Game Awards 2025, I literally jumped out of my seat and screamed "We're playing this!" to my girlfriend.

That’s because Orbitals isn’t just a cooperative adventure coming on the horizon, but also a stunning love letter to 1990s anime legends like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, and others. Or, at least, that is what the small Japanese studio Shapefarm is promising for us right now.

Designed for two players, the game puts you and a partner in the shoes of Maki and Omura, two explorers who need to brave the perils of deep space to save your crumbling space station from a supernatural cosmic storm.

The integration of high-stakes space exploration and intimate, character-driven storytelling looks incredible to me, and I’m already sold! Orbitals is set to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, which is honestly the best excuse I have heard yet to upgrade my console.

1 REANIMAL

Double the Horror, Double the Terror

Upcoming Co Op Titles to Keep on Your Radar in 2026 REANIMAL

After helping to define the 2.5D horror genre with the Little Nightmares franchise in the past decade, Tarsier Studios is ready to scare the living daylights out of us again with REANIMAL.

This new experience is built specifically for two-player co-op, following a brother and sister as they navigate a distorted world and dangerous islands by boat to rescue their lost friends. It is a survival story at its core, but one filled with grotesque monsters based on deep-seated traumas and dark secrets.

Oh, and the developers have promised that this will be the most terrifying experience they have ever created, so it is good news that we will be able to share the nightmare with a partner to help bolster our courage!

Whether you are playing locally or online, when the time comes, note that REANIMAL is scheduled to haunt our screens on February 13, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.