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Hazelight Studios’ A Way Out was designed to be played cooperatively. In fact, you can only play it cooperatively, and it’s most enjoyable when you’re sitting on the couch next to a friend or loved one. A Way Out stars Leo and Vincent, two convicts who work together to break out of prison and elude authorities. A Way Out has a really interesting approach to both gameplay and story. You and your partner are often separated and perform different tasks to help each other make progress. The mix of puzzle-based, stealth, and action gameplay offers a constantly dynamic experience that funnels into the well-written story that has a surprising amount of heart. Though you’re working together, you’ll also come across fun competitive minigames throughout the adventure.

The Borderlands franchise is one of the rare first-person shooters that still offers split-screen co-op. While all of the games in the series have co-op on one screen, we’re recommending Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, which contains Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, two awesome games with lengthy campaigns. Both games offer split-screen multiplayer for up to four players. Though the loot-focused shooter can be played solo, Borderlands really hits its stride when you team up with friends, especially as you progress further and the action becomes more chaotic.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the latest entry in the long-running first-person shooter franchise, offers split-screen multiplayer for its Zombies and competitive modes. We’re mainly recommending it here for Zombies, which is specifically built with co-op in mind. Black Ops Cold War’s Zombies mode currently has three maps, though it will evolve throughout the year as new seasons drop. Teaming up with a friend to go toe-to-toe with waves of flesh-hungry undead enemies is a ton of fun.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is one of the best RPGs you can play on PS4, whether you’re running solo or with a friend. It’s an old-school role-playing game with a layered turn-based combat system and a captivating open world. Divinity: Original Sin 2 features two-player split-screen co-op, which allows you to explore the massive world and make critical decisions on how to approach combat alongside a friend. It should be noted that Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a lengthy experience that can take well over 50 hours to complete, so it’s quite the time investment. We’d recommend it for those who have experience with tactical RPGs; it’s not really a game for newcomers to the genre to learn the ropes.

Following in the tradition of A Way Out, Hazelight Studios’ sophomore game It Takes Two is also co-op only. When Rose learns that her parents are divorcing, she consults a book about love and winds up transporting her parents’ minds into the dolls she made of them. The premise is both humorous and rather sad, and It Takes Two manages to tread this line carefully to deliver a charming tale. It Takes Two is also significantly more involved than its predecessor when it comes to gameplay. Playing as the small dolls, you and your partner work together to traverse the larger-than-life environments around the house. It Takes Two has some truly wonderful platforming sequences that require teamwork and ingenuity to complete. It’s one of the best games of 2021 so far and shouldn’t be missed by platforming fans. Though checkpoints are forgiving, It Takes Two does necessitate some platforming skills, so it’s not as approachable for a newcomer as a game like A Way Out.

Not much needs to be said about Minecraft, which holds the title as the best-selling video game of all time. On PS4, split-screen multiplayer supports up to four users who work together to craft their own Minecraft worlds. If you’re looking to find games to play with your kids, Minecraft is a superb pick, as it lets their imaginations run wild.

Rocket League has been one of the most popular online multiplayer games around for years, but you can also play it offline with up to four players on one screen. Rocket League is a ridiculously fun sports game that is essentially soccer with a giant ball that’s played in vehicles instead of on foot. Rocket League also happens to be the only free-to-play game on this list, so you should absolutely check it out during your next game night.

Sega celebrated Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary in style by releasing Sonic Mania, an adventure that fondly nods back to the iconic mascot’s heyday. Sonic Mania looks and feels like a Sega Genesis game, and it even remixes some of the best levels in franchise history. Like the early games, you can play two-player split-screen co-op, with one player controlling Sonic and the other playing as Tails. Sonic Mania also has a competition mode reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that lets you race your friends across a variety of levels. For those on the hunt for a nostalgic co-op game, Sonic Mania is an excellent choice.

The Wipeout Omega Collection compiles three great anti-gravity racing experiences in one package: Wipeout HD, Wipeout HD Fury, and Wipeout 2048, which was previously a PlayStation Vita exclusive. All three games run beautifully on PS4, and each brings something different to the table. Wipeout Fury focuses on combat, Wipeout HD offers a solid representation of the series’ fast-paced gameplay, and Wipeout 2048 shows off a different side of the series with normal nature environments serving as the tracks. With a wealth of game modes, tracks, and unique ships, Wipeout Omega Collection offers one of the most robust racing experiences on PS4. It’s also a complete joy to play with friends thanks to its casual arcade format that oozes with style.

The rest of the games on this list have local multiplayer, but they aren’t split-screen. We’re kicking things off with an action-RPG that has remained relevant for almost nine years.

Though Diablo 3 has been available on consoles for many years now, it’s still surprising how well it translates to being played with a controller rather than a mouse and keyboard. Diablo 3 is a modern classic with a loop that remains fun even after you’ve run through the campaign dozens of times (really). Up to four players can join in on the action on one screen. With an emphasis on acquiring better and better gear and a battle system that’s approachable for newcomers, Diablo 3 is easily one of the most entertaining action-RPGs that you can play via local co-op.

Nearly every popular fighting game supports local multiplayer, and there are no shortage of great options on PS4. We’re going with Dragon Ball FighterZ as our top recommendation thanks to its stylish visuals, fast-paced battle system, and dedication to being both approachable and layered in its combat. Of course, Dragon Ball fans will be far more interested in this one than those who don’t care about the anime. That said, it’s such a finely crafted fighting game that it wouldn’t be surprising if you convinced those who know nothing about the franchise to tag along. It’s chaotic and over-the-top and features a wealth of unique playable characters, including a bunch of DLC fighters that are worth paying for.

Helldivers is another game that was specifically designed with a co-op focus. You can play with up to four players on one screen. Helldivers has an arcade vibe to it as a top-down shooter. The story sees you and your teammates explore alien planets and take down baddies to save the Super Earth. Though the combat is fast-paced and can get pretty hectic, Helldivers has a tactical bent to it, as you and your teammates must make critical decisions on how to approach each encounter. You also have to be on the same page as the rest of your squad, since Helldivers doesn’t protect you from friendly fire. The world is procedurally generated, so Helldivers remains interesting even after you think you’ve mastered the loop.

An ode to twin-stick arcade shooters, Nex Machina is a stylish and frenetic shoot-’em-up that excels in local multiplayer. In each level, you and a friend work together to defeat a series of enemy waves, each of which is more challenging than the last. Nex Machina demands your constant attention, as it’s easy to get tripped up by obstacles and formidable foes. Though it can also be played solo, Nex Machina truly shines in co-op, especially when you get to the really punishing stages or are attempting to complete secondary objectives and unlock secrets.

Team17’s Overcooked series offers frantic and hilarious co-op and competitive multiplayer that’s wrapped up in a cutesy package with lots of charm. You can get both games plus every piece of DLC in Overcooked: All You Can Eat. Each level tasks its cartoon chefs with preparing meals by gathering ingredients, cooking them properly, and then serving them on dishes. It’s a simple premise that requires few buttons. That said, the time restraints and wacky kitchen designs lead to some hilarious (and sometimes stressful) situations in the kitchen. Both Overcooked games are well worth playing, but Overcooked 2 also adds the ability to throw items, which is a game-changer. This mechanic combines with the wild, dynamic kitchens in a way that forces constant teamwork and communication. We can’t promise that shouting won’t be involved during meal prep, but Overcooked and its sequel are well worth the possible frustrations that come with its tricky scenarios. There always seems to be a proverbial fire in the kitchen while playing Overcooked, and this intensity is exactly what makes it such a solid party game.

Rayman may not get the same love as some other video game mascots, but the dude with floating body parts happens to lead one of the best modern side-scrolling platformers: Rayman Legends. As a direct sequel to Rayman Origins (also good), Rayman Legends is the biggest game in the series with more than 120 wonderfully designed levels featuring different styles and objectives. Rayman Legends can be played with up to four players on one console.

In Sackboy: A Big Adventure, the latest entry in the LittleBigPlanet series, you and up to three friends work to defeat an evil jester doll and save Craftverse. Sackboy is the closest thing to a modern Super Mario game you’ll find on PS4. The well-designed levels offer a staggering amount of variety to keep the platforming fun throughout. The game’s whimsical tone, catchy soundtrack, and bevy of cute outfits make it a great choice for families. While Sackboy doesn’t do anything we haven’t seen before in the platforming genre, it has an extremely sturdy foundation that makes it easy to recommend.

If you and your friends are up for a challenge, Spelunky and Spelunky 2 are both excellent side-scrolling roguelikes that work exceedingly well as cooperative adventures. Both games feature randomly generated levels filled with dangerous obstacles and enemies that can kill you in a flash. Spelunky’s loop constantly surprises you, as even when you start to get the hang of navigating its perilous trappings, you never know what kind of layout you’ll see next. Playing the games cooperatively has its benefits: You can bring your teammates back to life and work together to uncover treasures and defeat enemies. Both games also feature a competitive mode that drops you and up to three friends in an arena to battle it out to the death. While both entries can be frustrating due to their high degree of difficulty, they are incredibly rewarding for those who stick with them.

While primarily thought of as a single-player game, Stardew Valley also has an excellent multiplayer mode. The massive 1.5 update added the ability to play split-screen co-op, which lets you and up to three friends hang out in the country-life simulator together. Stardew Valley’s multiplayer mode plays very similarly to the traditional solo campaign, so you and your friends can tend to the land, converse with the colorful NPCs, and explore the mines just as you would in solo play. As an endless experience, you can get a lot of mileage out of Stardew Valley. This is definitely a great pick for those who want to unwind at night with some leisurely couch co-op. Stardew Valley is also a good choice to play with someone who may not have a lot of experience with games, as it’s not mechanically challenging, though it also offers plenty of depth and strategy for longtime gamers.

Side-scrolling beat-’em-ups were a staple of arcade and early console gaming, and Streets of Rage was one of the very best in the genre. After a lengthy hiatus, Streets of Rage 4 arrived in 2020, marking the first entry in the series in more than 25 years. Streets of Rage 4 may have modern visuals, but it’s an old-school beat-’em-up through and through. You can run through the 12 challenging levels with up to four players, and there are even some secret retro levels to uncover. Streets of Rage 4 succeeds because it sticks to its roots to offer a nostalgic and thoroughly engrossing couch co-op adventure.

TowerFall Ascension is a fast-paced and rather humorous action game that’s simple to get the hang of. Up to four players can play locally on one console, with each taking on the role of an archer and trying to be the last player standing. The small arena-style maps make each match go quickly, and a wide variety of power-ups help keep the gameplay fresh. TowerFall Ascension feels incredible in motion and remains one of the coolest party games on PS4 more than seven years after its release. Though primarily a competitive multiplayer game, there is a co-op quest mode that lets you and a friend take on AI-controlled archers and monsters.

Unravel was a fun platformer, but poor Yarny seemed lonely at times. Unravel 2 doubles the fun by letting you and a partner create your own Yarny characters and embark on a platforming adventure together. Just like the first game, Unravel 2 has a colorful world that is pleasant to explore as a creature made out of yarn. It makes great use of its two-player premise by requiring you and your partner to work together to solve puzzles. The strings at the end of your yarn are tied together, forcing you to work together as one. Unravel 2 is filled with clever puzzles that really emphasize both sound planning and execution. It’s a pleasant experience that we’d especially recommend for couples.