So, you’ve purchased the new PS5, and you’re ready to show it off to your friends by inviting them over and playing some couch co-op games. But with so many options to choose from, it can get overwhelming. We’ve got you covered.
Whether online or local multiplayer, we’ve rounded up the very best 2 player PS5 games that are fun to play with friends of all ages.
18 Reviews of the Best Two-Player PS5 Games
1. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
What is the game about?
- Great level designs
- Four-player co-op
- Challenging gameplay that appeals to all ages
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a family-friendly co-op game that appeals to all ages. It has a cute character design, vibrant visuals, and fun light puzzles reminiscent of old Super Mario games. If you’re thinking about playing this online, you might be disappointed. The game is currently playable for up to four players in couch co-op mode, with an online multiplayer mode coming later this year.
2. Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition
What is the game about?
- Hack and slash
- Action RPG
Are you a fan of games similar to Blizzard’s Diablo? Then Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition is for you. It is an upgraded version of the game for PS5, offering better visuals, 4K resolution, and all DLCs.
You will be playing as one of the several character classes with unique abilities. There’s a tank, mage, slayer, and elf, matching a wide variety of play styles to suit your preference. Weapons also range greatly from axes, wands, and guns.
This game can accommodate up to four players, qualifying it as one of the best 2 player ps5 games you can play. Note that the environments in the game are relatively static. Moreover, the PS5 version has been reported to suffer from occasional screen tears, but it is so subtle and will barely affect your overall gaming experience.
3. Borderlands 3
What is the game about?
- Action RPG
- First-person shooter
- Split-screen co-op
Another game that’s fun to play with friends is Borderlands 3. Since it’s been optimized for the PS5, it looks significantly better than ever. If you haven’t played this game yet, it might be your next favorite.
In Borderlands 3, you will be slaughtering creatures in split-screen functionality. The game features multiple planets, each inhabited by unique lifeforms.
While it’s true that Borderlands 3 has a fun single-player mode, playing with friends makes the experience even better. It may be a first-person shooter game, but you’ll still have enough space for two. You’ll even be afforded better peripheral vision when playing in split-screen mode.
Unfortunately, Borderlands 3 can only support up to two players. That means you’ll have to take turns if you’re playing with more friends, or you could just read on to find what other couch co-op games are suitable for your group!
4. DIRT 5
What is the game about?
- Racing game
- Multiplayer
- Four-player co-op
If you’re not a fan of RPGs or first-person shooters, racing simulation might be the right genre for you and your friends. DIRT 5 lets you play with up to four players at a time. This game is optimized for the PS5, so expect stunning visuals and smooth frame rates.
DIRT 5 lets you race in various scenic locations. From Norway, China, Arizona, Brazil, Italy, New York, Morocco– each area looks fantastic. If you own a television or a monitor that supports 120 Hz, then your experience will be even more phenomenal.
Overall, DIRT 5 is an excellent game and one that’s even better with a friend or three!
5. Streets of Rage 4
What is the game about?
- Fighting
- Co-op
- Arcade
So, you’re not a fan of first-person shooters, RPGs, or even racing games. What else is left for you and your friends to enjoy? Streets of Rage 4 is an arcade fighting game you and your friends can play on the PS5.
You can invite three other players in Streets of Rage 4, which makes it even better. The game is intended to be played together as a team, but you can enable friendly fire. When things heat up, you can settle the score via Battle mode. This game mode allows you to go against each other to prove who’s the better fighter.
Streets of Rage 4 is entertaining enough when played solo, but with a friend, the game becomes one of the best 2 player ps5 games.
Whether you’re a new or a long-time fan of the franchise, Streets of Rage 4 is one of the best games to play with friends on the PS5.
6. Diablo III: Eternal Collection
What is the game about?
- Demon-slaying and looting
- Action RPG
- Fantasy
Are you longing for the ultimate couch co-op experience? Diablo III: Eternal Collection might just be the game for you. The game involves plenty of looting and demon-slaying, making it great if you wish to have friends over for a chill evening. The display won’t be separated four ways since all your characters appear together on one screen.
It should be noted that the game’s difficulty scales with the number of players. The more friends you play with, the more grinding the game demands. Unfortunately, a huge downside when doing co-op on one screen with friends is when a player needs something from their inventory, the rest will have to wait until they’re done.
While the game is quite dated, it’s still fun and playable on PS5 with enhanced visuals thanks to the backward compatibility feature.
7. A Way Out
What is the game about?
- Co-op game
- Story-driven game
A Way Out is a game that can only be played in a co-op setting. There is no single-player option as the game requires two players to take on the roles of Vincent and Leo, characters who wound up in prison for different reasons.
You could choose to play the game with a friend or someone online. Either way, you and your partner will have to work together to break out of prison. The adventure starts when Vincent and Leo are on the run after finding a way to break out of jail. To avoid being captured, you’ll be taking part in epic firefights and other encounters.
A Way Out is story-driven, unlike most of the two-player PS5 games on our list, making it one of the best 2 player ps5 games to enjoy with company.
Because the game is backward compatible, you should have plenty of opportunities to play with other people online if your friends are unavailable.
8. The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
What is the game about?
- Horror co-op game
- Story-driven game
- Interactive
Another way to spend a sleepover with friends is to play horror games. With The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope, you and your friends can immerse yourselves in the terrifying game via the Movie Night mode. This mode requires you to pass the controller around as you take control of different characters in the game. The story tells how four students and their professor wound up stranded in an eerie town called Little Hope after their bus crashed.
The place is located in a remote area where rescue isn’t an option. All five characters are left with no other choice but to travel on foot into the nearest town to get help. Strangely, their venture is flooded with flashbacks to the witch trials of the 17th century.
The game offers choices as you play, leading to different endings. The game is playable on the PS5 via backward compatibility, so the visuals should look stunning.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is a great way to break the ice when you’re with your friends. Since it only takes about four hours to complete, it should keep you awake for most of the night before playing other games featured on this roundup.
9. Resogun
What is the game about?
- Space shooter
- Side-scroller
Even though Resogun is a relatively dated game, it is still one of the games you should consider playing with friends. Even though the game was a launch title for the PS4, it is still playable on the PS5 via its backward compatibility feature.
Because the PS5 uses much more powerful hardware than the PS4, Resogun looks sharper and smoother on the PS5. The game didn’t launch with local co-op, but it has been added as a patch update.
You and your friends will take control of a spaceship and shoot down enemies while rescuing stranded humans. There will be plenty of things going on, and you must evade everything that’s moving.
The game doesn’t have a critical storyline that you should follow, but it offers you hours of playtime, chasing high scores. If you’re looking for a game you could break the ice with, Resogun is a fun game to try out.
10. NBA 2K21
What is the game about?
- Basketball game
- Online co-op
NBA 2K21 was one of the launch titles of the PS5 as it features stunning visuals and utilizes the DualSense’s enhanced haptic feedback.
In NBA 2K21, you can play with up to nine other players online. The graphics in this game take the franchise on another level, taking full advantage of the new hardware and features, including ray-tracing technology.
The game is playable in 4K resolution at a steady 60 frames per second. NBA 2K21 also offers a ton of game modes to sink your teeth into. Specifically, City mode serves as a social setting loaded with things you can do.
2K games have always been about competition, and NBA 2K21 allows you to play with or against your friends online or locally. If you are looking for a game you can play with fellow basketball fans, look no further than NBA 2K21.
11. Godfall
What is the game about?
- Action RPG
- Looter-slasher
Godfallis a PS5 exclusive that you can play with friends via co-op, and it’s a fun game to play despite its flaws.
You may think the game is similar to Diablo III, but it’s actually looter-slasher. The loot-based mechanics may be similar to Diablo, but the gameplay is more comparable to Warframe. It’s a third-person shooter with fluid melee combat. The game can be played in groups of three, letting you and your friends take down bosses and gather loot after you settle the score.
Combat mechanics are a healthy mix of light and heavy attacks with an effective parry system. After a few hours in, some of the actions may feel repetitive, but it is still satisfying to see your damage output go up as you equip new gear and weapons.
The story isn’t as intriguing as other action RPGs, and it does feel like another typical RPG with the mission structure and level designs. However, the new visuals and combat animation make the experience worthwhile.
12. Minecraft
What is the game about?
- Sandbox game
- Promotes creativity
- Allows you to build a custom world
Will Minecraft be on the PS5? Absolutely! The game can be played on the PS5, thanks to the backward compatibility.
Minecraft doesn’t have any storyline you could follow as it’s a sandbox game that promotes creativity, giving you the freedom to create the world around you. And because the PS5 utilizes new hardware, visuals are noticeably better compared when compared to the PS4 version of the game.
You can create just about anything with your friends. You can even play on opposite sides and try to destroy each other’s base– or create an arena where both of you could fight, following strict rules to show who’s the better player.
Mojang is still actively adding more content to the game for variety. With so many blocks available, you can craft virtually anything. Minecraft still has a huge community, so you and your friends can also meet new acquaintances.
13. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2
What is the game about?
- Puzzle
- Action
- Online PvP
- Multiplayer
Are you and your friends the competitive type? Then you will fall in love with Sega’s sequel to Puyo Puyo Tetris. This December, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is slated for a global release, and fans of the game are thrilled.
One thing that’s new to Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is the Skill Battle mode that introduces character-specific skills and item cards. Similar to the prequel, there will be a story-based Adventure mode featuring new and familiar characters.
There are other interesting modes available for you to play as well, such as Versus, Fusion, Swap, Party, and Big Bang. There’s also a Tournament mode for those who are competitive enough. All of these are just the tip of the iceberg as Sega promises plenty of content beyond the launch date.
14. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
What is the game about?
- Action
- Multiplayer
- Single-player
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate lets you take control of Earthrealm’s protectors in the game’s time-bending story and try to stop Kronika from turning back time and changing history. You are forced to make new alliances to save all of existence.
If you get tired of the single-player story mode, you can always play against a friend. With a total of 37 character roster, you’ll have an endless array of matchups.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is an enhanced version of the game, meaning it contains all downloadable content up to Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate Edition. There are two veteran characters included in the game: Rain and Mileena. Additionally, Sylvester Stalone’s Rambo and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator will also be present in the game.
All of these new (or should I say returning) and guest characters will add variety to the game. If you and your friends have been lifelong fans of the franchise, this game should keep you awake for hours on end.
15. Cuphead
What is the game about?
- Action shoot ’em up
- Local co-op gameplay
- Retro
Cuphead may be relatively new, but it feels more retro than modern — at least graphics-wise.
Cuphead was developed and published by Studio MDHR. The game uses a style of animated cartoons from the 1930s, reminiscent of the works of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Fleischer Studios.
If you’re looking for the ultimate couch co-op game, Cuphead will surely fill your needs. There will be plenty of levels you and your friend can go through together, each featuring unique boss fights.
Even though the game looks cartoony, it is incredibly challenging. Having an exceptional mix of pleasing visuals and laborious difficulty, it was still a critical and commercial success, selling over six million copies within three years.
Unfortunately, Cuphead can only support up to two players at a time. But it does keep you entertained and on your toes every step of the way.
16. FIFA 21
What is the game about?
- Football simulator
- Strategy
FIFA 21 is a football simulation video game published by Electronic Arts. Even though the game was released on October 9, 2020, an enhanced version of the game is scheduled to launch on December 4, 2020.
The Ultimate Team mode is an addition to the co-op gameplay feature and features over 100 iconic football players. Unfortunately, the game features a loot box system, which was bombarded by controversy.
Despite that, the game still offers plenty of other interesting modes. There’s a Career mode with a revamped interactive match simulation that allows players to jump in and out of matches in real-time. There’s also a new and improved training system that provides weekly training schedules. Moreover, it allows you to train specific players in different positions to strengthen your lineup.
New stats such as fitness and growth, an improved youth academy system, enhanced opposition AI, and loan-to-buy deals are also among the features you’ll find new in the game.
Volta also makes a return in FIFA 21. Volta will have plenty of gameplay improvements and new game modes, including The Debut, a sequel to last year’s story. In all essence, Volta is an online mode that allows you to play with friends.
And if you’re a fan of football, you should have this game on your list.
17. Outriders
What is the game about?
- RPG
- Third-person shooter
An upcoming third-person shooter called Outriders is set to launch next year. Developed by People Can Fly and published by Square Enix, this game will be out on February 2, 2021.
Outriders has mixed elements from RPGs and third-person shooters. You will be able to choose from four different classes, all featuring unique abilities. There’s Trickster that allows you to manipulate time, Devastator that unleashes seismic attacks, Pyromancer that unleashes fire, and Technomancer.
Apart from the variety of classes, you can also choose from different weapon types. The firearms in Outriders can also be customized and modded. As far as gameplay is concerned, it looks similar to most third-person shooters, where you can hide behind objects to evade enemy attacks.
You’ll be traversing various locations in the game, and you can have a friend join you as you explore areas and complete side missions together. Even though it can be played solo, it would surely be fun to have a friend join you.
18. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
What is the game about?
- Lego-themed game
- Action-adventure
If you’re a fan of Star Wars, you will love this game. Developer TT Games has reinvented all nine movies from the sci-fi franchise and LEGO-fied it into one game, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
It is an action-adventure game that is set to be released in early 2021. It will be the sixth entry in TT Games’ LEGO Star Wars series of video games, following LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
You can play with a friend and finish the linear story together. You can also complete the nine saga episodes in any order you wish. There will be five story missions each episode or a total of 45 levels.
If you’re looking for a game infused with whimsical humor, The Skywalker Saga is one of the best 2 player ps5 games to have on your list.
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