Best Local Co-Op & Split-Screen Games On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium (December 2023)

There are a lot of fantastic games to play on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, with many of them offering engaging single-player storylines and experiences. Sometimes, though, it’s more fun to enjoy a game with friends, and it’s even better if that title can be played locally. Online games have made massive strides in recent years, but it’s hard to deny how entertaining it is to play through a riveting cooperative adventure with friends in the same room.

Thankfully, there are a lot of great local cooperative and split-screen projects for players to enjoy on PS Plus’ Extra and Premium tiers, with a slew of indie titles and triple-A releases to choose from. To help players get a better grasp on some of the best couch co-op games on PS Plus, here are some of the better offerings on Sony’s popular platform.

While all of these PS Plus co-op games are on Premium, some of them are not available with an Extra subscription. Each entry specifies whether the title can be played on both tiers.

In case someone prefers physical copies, links to a game’s Amazon page will be provided.

Lego 2K Drive (PS Plus Essential December 2023)

Metascore: 73

PS Plus Essential’s December 2023 lineup contains Lego 2K Drive, PowerWash Simulator, and Sable. The latter is exclusively a solo experience, while the sim game supports 6-player online co-op but not local. That leaves Lego 2K Drive, an open-world racer that has arcade-style controls and an impressive vehicle creation system. The game supports both online and local multiplayer, although the features are not carbon copies of each other. Online drops players in a shared world, which means they have access to the main maps and a lot of their content except the campaign’s missions. Although the latter’s absence removes a sense of progression, exploring the world with friends is still fun thanks to the game’s tight controls.

Local multiplayer allows two people to play through the story using split-screen. They will have access to all the campaign missions, along with the cups and standard races. Naturally, they will race against each other sometimes, but they are otherwise on the same side. The second player gets access to most of the base content, although progression is tied solely to their partner. Lego 2K Drive is a solid racing title with a decent implementation of local co-op. Along with great visuals and controls, the game has quite a bit of content as well.

It Takes Two

Metascore: 88

Personal preference aside, Hazelight’s It Takes Two is arguably the best co-op game of the 2020s, and something special will need to come out to dethrone it. Plenty of titles incorporate cooperative play alongside a single-player option, but the 2021 release commits itself to its concept by mandating the participation of two players. This requirement fits the game’s story and mechanics, both of which entirely center around co-op coordination. The narrative centers around a soon-to-be-divorced married couple who are accidentally transformed into dolls by their grieving daughter, sending them on an impressively wild adventure filled with unpredictable turns.

When it comes to gameplay, It Takes Two blends an array of genres and styles, taking hints from 3D platformers along with puzzle and action games. Hazelight went out of its way to diversify the campaign’s levels as much as possible to ensure players feel like they are in a constantly evolving adventure, and most of the ideas are well-implemented and complement the characters’ journeys.

Dragon’s Crown Pro

Metascore: 80

Vanillaware does not create bad games, and Dragon’s Crown ranks comfortably among the decorated developer’s greatest achievements. Originally released for the PS3 and Vita, the game eventually made its way to the PS4 in the form of a Pro edition, and this version is on PS Plus Premium. Featuring six playable classes, Dragon’s Crown blends side-scrolling beat ’em up action with RPG systems, crafting an experience that can be deeply addictive despite being ultimately quite repetitive. Players will find themselves playing through the same nine levels as they gradually level up their characters (and take on higher difficulty levels), and the combat system is more than good enough to keep things interesting for a long while.

In terms of co-op support, four friends can team up to take on the campaign’s challenges. When the full playable roster is used, the on-screen action can get a touch chaotic and overwhelming; nevertheless, co-op is a positive addition to Dragon’s Crown. The game is great solo, but bringing a friend along can make the grind less exhausting.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Metascore: 85

Beat ’em ups really are made for co-op, and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge exemplifies that. Inspired by the franchise’s classic entries in the genre, the 2022 release is a colorful and challenging throwback that should satisfy fans of Turtles in Time along with newcomers who never stepped into arcades. For the most part, the campaign follows a fairly standard structure for a beat ’em up, including offering a myriad of playable characters: the Turtles themselves, Splinter, April, and Casey Jones. More importantly, each character has a unique moveset and strengths that set them apart from their peers. This versatility significantly enhances the project’s replayability since a single playthrough probably won’t take somebody longer than a couple of hours.

In co-op, friends can team up to take on the Foot Clan, and they will do more than just share a screen. Shredder’s Revenge incorporates a couple of multiplayer-focused mechanics that reward co-op play, including special 2-player attacks. Along with local co-op, the game also supports online multiplayer for up to 6 participants, and it is possible to mix and match the two versions to fully stack a lineup.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Metascore: 79

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a delightful 3D platformer, a genre that is not overrepresented on the PS5. As the LittleBigPlanet spin-off can largely be experienced in single-player, any solo runners will have generally a good time; however, the game not only supports local and online co-op but occasionally emphasizes it. While most of the campaign’s levels are designed for solitary players, there are a few stages specifically created for co-op. These do not have to be completed to get to the end of the campaign, but they do make the process a lot easier.

While these stages are co-op driven, the rest of the campaign can also be tackled by four players. Sackboy uses a drop-in, drop-out multiplayer system, permitting friends to jump in whenever they feel like it. This method complements the game’s relaxed tone and makes it perfect for short sessions since players do not have to commit to completing a full playthrough.

Untitled Goose Game

Metascore: 80

Untitled Goose Game offers unbridled chaos. A quaint British town becomes subject to unspeakable horrors due to the arrival of a goose, one that plans to turn the citizens’ lives upside down. And, to make matters worse, the waterfowl can bring a friend.

House House’s Untitled Goose Game is a silly but charming game that puts players in charge of a goose (or two geese in local co-op) as they steadily try to complete tasks. More often than not, this process involves being a nuisance to the townsfolk, and the indie title is a lot of fun. Beyond the addition of a second goose, the game does not change too much since the campaign’s objectives remain the same. Players can have a blast working together as they annoy the furious NPCs.

Haven

Metascore (Switch Version): 78

Haven is tailor-made for co-op, even though the game supports single-player as well. The sci-fi RPG follows a space-traversing couple consisting of Kay and Yu. The pair decide to settle down on Source, an untamed planet with the potential to be the ideal home for the well-traveled protagonists. Once they set up shop, they must travel through this map to collect resources and eradicate rust, all the while engaging in the occasional turn-based battle.

If flying solo, players can swap between Kay and Yu at a moment’s notice; in co-op, each person takes charge of one protagonist. Along with showcasing a fair amount of individuality, both characters bring unique options in exploration and especially combat. Their growth is also tied to their relationship, as they improve depending on how well they get along. While the gameplay can be monotonous at times, Haven has great characters, beautiful visuals, and solid combat.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition

Metascore: 75

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game Complete Edition adapts Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel as it pits the titular character against a slew of his girlfriend’s ex-partners. Harboring back to traditional beat ’em ups, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game is a charming romp defined by retro visuals, simple but solid gameplay, and tough bosses.

The game comes with seven playable characters that have a few unique features, allowing friends to team up and work together to take on the roster of sinister exes. There are even a few co-op combos to spice things up.

Overcooked! 2

Metascore: 81

The best local co-op games often threaten to ruin friendships, and Overcooked! 2 will test even the sturdiest of bonds. Sure, losing to a friend in a game of Mario Kart 8 can be frustrating and might lead to the occasional outburst, but that is nothing compared to the high pressure of running a restaurant.

As orders roll in, players must work together to remain on top of everything. Poor communication will lead to wasted seconds and pointless actions, along with perhaps a touch of anger. However, when everyone syncs up and the kitchen begins to operate like a well-oiled machine, the outcome is pure magic.

Magicka 2

Metascore: 72

Magicka 2 is a power fantasy in the sense that it gives players the ammunition to create spells that could impress the likes of Gandalf, Shang Tsung, and Doctor Strange. While players are given all the tools they might need, executing them is hardly easy as it requires carefully pressing the right buttons to combine magic types, and these input sequences are long. Testing as the game’s learning curve can be, Magicka 2 rewards the committed with satisfying wizardry destruction.

Although possible solo, Magicka 2 is meant to be played with a few friends as enemies hit hard and without remorse. In a group of four, players can spread overwhelming and delightful mayhem across the land. It is a lot of fun.

Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition

Metascore: 83

Spiritfarer casts players as Stella, a woman who assumes Charon’s role of ferrying the dead to the afterlife. A management sim with some minor platforming, Spiritfarer follows the genre’s typical formula of resource collection to expand the protagonist’s business. A beautiful art style and unusual premise help set the game apart from its peers.

Something else Spiritfarer does exceptionally well is local co-op. A second player can step into the paws of Stella’s cat, Daffodil. Along with being adorable, the feline can complete many of their master’s actions, lessening the busy work synonymous with these games.

Alienation

Metascore: 79

A twin-stick shooter, Alienation was a blast when it came out in 2016 and time has done little to hurt the game’s appeal. Earth has fallen at the hands of an alien invasion, so it is up to the players to turn the tide by doing a lot of shooting and killing.

Alienation supports single-player and online co-op, both of which are quite fun, although the latter isn’t all that active nowadays. However, the shooter is arguably at its best when played in local co-op since this allows the team to coordinate better. There are four characters with individual classes, each of whom has unique strengths and weaknesses. Alienation is explosive, incorporates engaging RPG elements, and offers quite a steep challenge.

Moving Out 2

Metascore: 80

PS Plus Extra’s August 2023 line-up was special as it contained two day-one additions, something that had yet to happen with the subscription service. Sea of Stars is a retro RPG throwback from the same developer behind The Messenger, and it will eventually support 2-player co-op for those who want to play with a friend. PS Plus’ other launch-day inclusion was Moving Out 2, a sequel that has largely gotten very good reviews. Its predecessor is also on Sony’s subscription service, and while a perfectly enjoyable game in its own right, newcomers will probably want to start with the sequel since it expands on most of the same ideas.

While technically playable solo, Moving Out 2 is really designed with co-op in mind, to the point the game can be difficult to recommend solely as a single-player option. Essentially, it is all about moving furniture, which is one of those ideas that sounds like it cannot possibly be fun. However, unlike reality, Moving Out 2 turns the tedious task into an over-the-top adventure where each piece serves as its own puzzle. The game uses exaggerated physics to shake things up, and movers will need to work quickly (and wisely). The core gameplay loop is largely similar to the first game, but the sequel really goes for broke in its setting by incorporating a multidimensional element. Silly as that might sound, it works well in this instance.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody Of Memory

Metascore: 74

OK, this one is the definition of an acquired taste. While the main Kingdom Hearts entries have some widespread appeal due to their accessible and flashy combat, Melody of Memory is far more niche. Featuring a reasonably lengthy story and more than 20 playable characters, the rhythm game challenges players to lead a party of three through a series of stages that culminate in boss fights. Narratively, this entry is not that stark of a departure from the standard KH outing, and the gameplay does a pretty good job of adapting the franchise’s standard hack and slash combat to the rhythm genre.

Now, the campaign does not support co-op, and this mode will need to be completed to really fill in the multiplayer. Basically, once tracks are completed in the story, they become available to replay, and a number of them can be taken on with a friend. The co-op mode plays out identically to solo runs, just with an added competitive edge. While friends can play against each other or other people online, they can also work together to try and outscore the CPU. Melody of Memory is fun, but it is mainly for die-hard Kingdom Hearts fans; consequently, this recommendation only stands if both players love Square Enix’s series.

A Hat In Time

Metascore: 79

Even though split-screen is associated more with consoles than PC, there are exceptions to every rule. A Hat in Time is a weird case since, despite adding local co-op on all platforms, only the PC iteration features split-screen support. On consoles, players have to settle for a shared screen, which can be frustrating since it takes away control from the secondary user. Consequently, a duo’s mileage may vary with this project since it really depends on whether they can co-exist with a single camera.

Putting that aside, A Hat in Time is such a great 3D platformer that it still merits a recommendation. The game oozes charm out of every frame, and it matches an abundance of personality with tight controls and creative worlds. As long as players are willing to stick close to each other, the co-op can be a lot of fun as well.

Children Of Morta

Metascore: 80

An action-RPG roguelike, Children of Morta follows the Bergson family as they crawl their way through randomly-generated dungeons. Featuring seven playable characters that each feel unique, players have a wide range of duos they can try out, and they will need to experiment since swapping between family members is required.

Along with decent gameplay that blossoms nicely as the campaign progresses, Children of Morta also tells a surprisingly effective character-driven narrative, presenting the Bergsons as a unit with history rather than mere puppets. Friends looking for a more difficult co-op game should try out this title.

Lost Planet 2

Metascore: 68

Capcom’s Lost Planet is such a bizarre series. The franchise produced three main games and a spin-off, all of which are fairly distinct from each other. Even though the console Lost Planet trilogy was all released on basically the same hardware and within a span of about 7 years, they vary so greatly in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and tone that they cannot be recommended as a whole. If someone is seeking a single-player experience, they should check out the original Lost Planet; however, if co-op is someone’s poison, they should look no further than Lost Planet 2. Lost Planet 3 is also a game that exists.

Supporting local split-screen and 4-player online co-op, the sequel was clearly designed to be played with friends. The campaign is split into missions that contain a few basic objectives, although they are mainly there to give players something to kill while wearing awesome mech suits. Lost Planet 2 emphasizes teamwork to an extent, especially during its massive and awe-inspiring boss battles. Even all these years later, the latter encounters are still visually impressive.

Human: Fall Flat

Metascore: 67

If unpredictable physics and a sandbox that encourages experimentation are a recipe for endless giggles, then Human: Fall Flat turns players into master chefs. Each of the game’s thematic levels provides a few objectives that require completing platforming challenges and solving puzzles; however, Human: Fall Flat is at its most entertaining when any guidelines are ignored in favor of producing chaotic messes.

In split-screen, two people receive blank humans to direct, and the addition of another player opens up even further the already vast gameplay possibilities. The more creative and curious the users are, the more fun Human: Fall Flat becomes.

Kingdom Two Crowns

Metascore (Switch Version): 85

Strategy games are already niche, and Kingdom Two Crowns is a fairly unique entry in that genre. The side-scroller casts players as a ruler who must travel across islands to try and establish their kingdom. Naturally, this process involves investing a lot of money in infrastructure, all the while creating strongholds that can protect people from monsters. Being king or queen is not simple, easy, or predictable, and failure is part of the learning process in Kingdom Two Crowns.

If the weight of this responsibility is too much for one shoulder to take, then a second ruler can step in to help carry the burden. However, Kingdom Two Crowns‘ co-op involves little direct interaction between the players since the game casts them as monarchs who co-exist while still largely doing their own thing.

The Ascent

Metascore: 77

Debuting as an Xbox console exclusive, The Ascent eventually joined Sony’s ecosystem, and while not a masterpiece, the cyberpunk game has more than enough to offer to warrant a recommendation. Just to be clear, this action RPG works well as a solo experience, and an argument could be made that this option represents the game at its best. Nevertheless, the 4-play co-op support does not detract much from the overall package, even if it does not add a great deal to it. Furthermore, The Ascent can be a slog at times, so having a few friends along for the ride can help greatly during these moments.

Set in Veles, players step into the shoes of a mercenary, a role that is not exactly highly regarded. The beautifully designed urban jungle is arguably the game’s highlight, and exploring Veles leads to some of the campaign’s most memorable moments. The RPG utilizes a twin-stick shooter combat system that, while decent, might take a second to grow on someone since it is slower than the genre’s typical offerings.

LittleBigPlanet 3

Metascore: 79

Those looking for a fun and less stressful platforming game will find a lot to love with the charming release, LittleBigPlanet 3. The third mainline installment (8th installment overall) in the LittleBigPlanet series offered up some interesting new mechanics for local co-op players to enjoy. Three new characters were introduced alongside Sackboy, each with unique mechanics.

These gameplay elements helped to create a much better cooperative experience where players can “feel as if they’re important” to the progression in each level. With a lot of user-generated content to explore, LittleBigPlanet 3 is a great local co-op adventure with a ton of replayability.

Death Squared

Metascore: 72

SMG Studio’s Death Squared is an intriguing puzzle game that pushes cooperative play to the forefront. Split into levels (or tests), players have to direct their colored cubes toward their associated square. Each level comes packed with traps and challenges, and although the game can be played solo, Death Squared shines brighter in co-op.

Players need to coordinate to help each other reach their end goal, and communication is key. Puzzle games tend to be isolating, but Death Squared flips that completely on its head to create one of the genre’s more memorable modern releases. It is charming, difficult, and even tells a decent story for a puzzle game.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

Metascore: 80

The Trine series has always been known for its engaging cooperative gameplay but some players were disappointed with the third installment in the series, noting that it took away from a lot of the gameplay elements that made the series such a fun local-co-op romp. Trine 4 aimed to set things right by once again giving players the puzzle-solving, side-scrolling, action-heavy platforming content they’d come to know and love.

While some players still regard Trine 2 as the best in the series, there is so much to appreciate with the fourth installment, including its stunningly beautiful visuals and environments. The gameplay is also better than ever.

Enter The Gungeon

Metascore: 82

Dodge Roll’s Enter the Gungeon‘s co-op is not perfect, but it is unique. A fairly successful roguelike, the 2016 game has many of the genre’s standard tropes, including punishing difficulty and level-reset following a death. However, Enter the Gungeon does try to grant players a sense of progress by allowing them to purchase and unlock weapons for future runs, so it is not the most unforgiving roguelike on the market.

Rather than allowing friends to pick different starting characters, the co-op mode casts the second player as an in-game NPC who is not usable in solo runs. This firmly casts player two in a supportive role, although they still gain access to most of the same weapons as the main user. Furthermore, while Enter the Gungeon is tough in any state, co-op ramps up the challenge considerably.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

Metascore: 73

LEGO games are reliable picks for 2-player local co-op, and the third entry in the Batman franchise is no exception. Beyond Gotham is the biggest adventure in the Dark Knight-themed series, and as its title suggests, the game brings in a massive roster of characters from across the DC Universe.

Beyond Gotham is one of the more divisive entries in the series, mainly due to its celebrity cameos and uneven story, along with just plain old franchise fatigue. Still, DC fans should get a chuckle from messing around with the game’s characters and locations.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes

Metascore: 72

PS Plus Extra subscribers can play through the first three entries in The Dark Pictures Anthology, and they are all decent horror games in their own right. Along with specializing in the genre, Supermassive tends to provide co-op in their modern games, with The Quarry arguably representing the best implementation of the feature. The Dark Pictures Anthology set the foundation for that project’s multiplayer, and all the games shine the brightest when experienced as part of a group rather than solo.

House of Ashes has five playable protagonists, and if five players are participating, they will each get to control a single character. Obviously, they won’t get to play all at the same time since the campaign shifts between different points of view, so someone will be active while everyone else watches. The exciting factor is that one person’s decisions should impact the party.

Resistance 3

Metascore: 83

PS Plus only has the last entry in Insomniac’s Resistance franchise, which is a shame as all three PS3 games are solid first-person shooters. While those not familiar with the previous games might feel a touch lost at first, Resistance 3 does a respectable job of introducing newcomers to humanity’s war against the Chimera. The game also has a new protagonist and largely does its own thing removed from its predecessors.

The campaign supports co-op, with a second player taking on the role of the protagonist’s friend. While the story does not reference the arrival of a second hero, Resistance 3 still incorporates its split-screen co-op well, making it simple for players to jump in and take part in the campaign.

Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition

Metascore: 84

Capcom’s Resident Evil is primarily known for its single-player campaigns, but the franchise has dipped its toes into co-op on occasion. For the most part, the series has a solid track record when it comes to 2-player gameplay, and its co-op peak is undoubtedly Resident Evil 5. Marking a full shift into action territory, RE5 is a third-person shooter with a campaign that can be fully experienced with a partner, and the game is at its best when that is the case.

Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar have to make their way through a nation in West Africa infested with the Uroboros Virus. Teamwork is very important here, and players are expected to have each other’s backs. Ammo is relatively scarce too, so coordinating weapons to ensure both protagonists are armed and ready is crucial.

Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil Revelations 2, and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles also support couch co-op and are part of PS Plus Premium. They do not quite reach the same heights as RE5, but they are decent (particularly RE6).

Vikings: Wolves Of Midgard

Metascore: 67

Diablo‘s shadow looms far and wide over the isometric action RPG genre. While Blizzard’s franchise might not be on PS Plus, Vikings: Wolves of Midgard serves as a respectable alternative. Except for its Norse influences, a setting that was more unique in 2017 prior to the launch of God of War, Vikings doesn’t deviate too far from the beaten path for this type of game. The kill, loot, and recycle loop continues to be repeated for a reason – it works.

Vikings: Wolves of Midgard supports local and online co-op, and the journey is far more enjoyable with a few friends who are willing to synergize their builds.

Darksiders: Genesis

Metascore: 67

The Darksiders series was well-known for its Legend of Zelda-style gameplay, so it came as a surprise to many gamers to hear about the release of Darksiders: Genesis. The top-down helped to evolve the franchise by offering up some great hack-and-slash mechanics and blending them with some very welcome cooperative gameplay.

The finished product is a (roughly) 15-hour-long adventure that players can enjoy alone or with a friend, featuring a small variety of characters, some great puzzle design, fluid combat, and beautiful visuals. This is definitely one of the best co-op games on PS Plus.

MORE: The Best Games On PS Plus Premium