One of the great joys of gaming is sharing it with a loved one. Especially as we approach winter and the nights draw in, a cozy evening on the couch gaming can be just the ticket. Here is our list of the best two-player PlayStation 5 games to enjoy with friends and family.
All these games have local two-player modes, where two players share the same screen – you just need two controllers. Some of them also have online multiplayer, which we’ll mention when relevant.
Best 2-player PlayStation 5 games
It Takes Two
- Type: Co-op
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Online: Yes – and only one of you needs to own the game
It Takes Two is truly the ultimate two-player experience. It was nominated for a swathe of awards in 2021 and walked away with the Game of the Year title from The Game Awards. It’s easy to see why – it combines a good, meaningful story with fun gameplay that has just the right amount of challenge.
Playing through the miniature avatars of a troubled couple headed for divorce, platform your way back to real life through an impressively broad range of mechanics. Each player will be able to do different things, from replicating themselves to rewinding time, in order to conquer the platforming challenges.
It Takes Two manages to be enjoyed by both gamers and non-gamers alike and coming in at around 13-15 hours means it doesn’t outstay its welcome while still providing a solid gaming experience.
Overcooked 2
- Type: Co-op
- Developer: Ghost Town Games
- Publisher: Team 17
- Online: Yes – but everyone needs to own the game
Overcooked 2 has provided some of the biggest belly laughs ever experienced while gaming. The concept is pretty simple – 2-4 people prepare and cook food and deliver the correct orders to waiting customers. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, though.
The workbenches never stay in one place. One person will inevitably get trapped with only lettuce and no chopping board. There might be cars driving through your kitchen. There will probably be a fire. You’ll definitely run out of clean plates and realize someone has to top making food and wash up. And of course, time makes fools of us all.
Overcooked 2 is chaotic, silly, ridiculous fun. Nothing ever goes how you expect it to go, there’s always a curve ball, and no other game will make you want to scream “Someone get me a tomato immediately” quite like Overcooked 2.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Type: Co-op
- Developer: Larian Studios
- Publisher: Larian Studios
- Online: Yes – but everyone needs to own the game
It’s going to be a long time before game enthusiasts stop recommending Baldur’s Gate 3 in basically every situation. It’s an exceptional game and a recent update added dynamic split screen making a good experience of couch co-op into a great one.
On top of that, with Baldur’s Gate 3’s 4-character party, you can combine local multiplayer with online multiplayer and play with three friends. Just make sure there’s not too much overlap in the characters, or prepare for fighting over the best gear.
It’s a fantastic game with a gripping story and fun, challenging gameplay. If you played it at release, a co-op game could be a great chance to try your hand at the notoriously difficult Honor Mode.
Lego: The Skywalker Saga
- Type: Co-op
- Developer: Traveller’s Tales
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
- Online: No
The Lego: Star Wars game to end all Lego: Star Wars games. The Skywalker Saga includes the trilogy of trilogies in Lego format, combining classic Lego gameplay with the world’s favorite Sci-Fi story.
Choose between hundreds of characters to puzzle and platform your way through the epic story of Star Wars. Combat in The Skywalker Saga has had a significant overhaul from previous Lego titles to make it more interesting and dynamic, but the game still features smashing, stud collecting, and tons of extras, bonuses, and hidden treasures.
The Lego games are classics of the multiplayer genre and this latest iteration has not dropped the ball (or should we say the Lightsaber?)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2
- Type: Competitive
- Developer: Vicarious Visions
- Publisher: Activision
- Online: Yes – you both need the game
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 expertly recaptures the joy of the original early 2000s skating games, right down to the absolutely iconic skater rock soundtrack.
Perform flips, grinds, grabs, and all kinds of other skateboarding tricks in the hopes of gaining more points than your opponent in this split-screen battle of skate. Perform special high-scoring tricks to pull ahead, but be careful not to bail (aka fall off) or you lose your special-meter.
Even if you don’t hold any nostalgia for the original games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is still a wonderfully enjoyable game and scooped up ‘Best Sports/Racing Game’ at The Game Awards in 2020.
Dirt 5
- Type: Competitive and co-operative
- Developer: Codemasters
- Publisher: Codemasters
- Online: Yes – you all need the game
It wouldn’t be a list of two-player games without at least one racing game, and Dirt 5 is the obvious choice. It’s a fun, fast-paced arcade-style racer with a brilliant soundtrack.
The game is bright and colorful and encourages muddy, sideways sliding around corners and drifting across the ice. There is a hint of a story with some surprisingly impressive voice acting (Nolan North and Troy Baker both feature).
Split-screen racing is the heart of Dirt 5’s local multiplayer, and you can play the campaign co-operatively and arcade mode races. It works great with two but you can play locally with up to four players if you want.
