/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25627787/VRG_VST_0918_Site.jpg)
Key Takeaways
- Co-op gaming is thriving with the rise of indie titles, offering players a plethora of options.
- Local multiplayer games are not just limited to Xbox One, but the console offers full support for four players to enjoy hours of fun on the couch.
- Titles like Runbow, Vampire Survivors, and Minecraft Dungeons showcase the excitement and engagement that comes with playing in multiplayer co-op mode.
Gaming has always worked better when people are playing together. Experiencing what the game has to offer with someone else in person has a certain, special quality to it that’s hard to replicate online. There was a time when the option of playing with friends has been dwindling over the last few years, but the rise of indie gaming coupled with the massive success of an innovative console like the Switch has led to players being spoiled for choice when it comes to such titles.
Of course, local multiplayer games are common on other consoles as well, and the Xbox One is no exception to this rule. The console has a ton of options in terms of local play, so there’s no shortage of fun. The good thing about local play on the Xbox One is that it’s fully supported, so here are some of the best local games that can be played on the Xbox One (with a few even available on the next-gen Series X/S consoles). Gamers can easily pick up one of the many great multiplayer titles on this console and enjoy hours upon hours of fun with up to three other people from the comfort of their couch.
Updated on September 14, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Despite the Xbox One being from the previous console generation, that shouldn’t take away anything from the wealth of amazing titles on this system that makes it worth checking out in the eyes of many even now. Games from many genres grace this console, including local multiplayer games that support up to four players. Suffice it to say, these titles are a blast to play through and make it clear why anyone with an Xbox One who wants to enjoy a great time with their friends should make it a point to check out these titles that let three of their friends jump into the action, too.
31 Ultimate Chicken Horse
A Fun, Chaotic Game To Play With Friends
Ultimate Chicken Horse is chaotic and extremely entertaining. Players can build the levels they’ll play in and compete against one another. The game allows for the setting of traps, platforms, and a large variety of other obstacles designed to make other players have a hard time completing a course.
One of the strongest aspects of this game (if not the strongest) is its fun multiplayer that allows up to 4-player local co-op, ideal for playing with friends on the couch during a get-together. Players can both cooperate and sabotage each other depending on their needs by using simple, user-friendly controls.
30 Spelunky 2
A Fun Roguelike With Permadeath
Everyone loves a good roguelike, and when the concept is combined with cave exploration, masterpieces like Spelunky 2 are created. The game has procedurally generated caves that change with each playthrough and are filled with enemies, traps, and treasures. Multiplayer mode allows for up to 4 players to cooperate locally and work together to reach the cave’s treasures, while avoiding the many hidden dangers in the area.
The Permadeath feature that ends players’ journey if they die raises the stakes and makes everything feel more serious. However, the possibility to work with friends to advance through the game takes away from that, keeping things light and entertaining.
29 LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
A Family-Friendly LEGO Adventure
Set in the Marvel universe, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 features a wide roster of characters and gameplay focused on combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving across various famous locations in the franchise. Like in other LEGO games, cooperation with others is key to progressing through this title and overcoming the various obstacles that arise.
Players can take on this game’s challenges with up to another 3 friends locally, which allows for tons of fun and easy in-person communication. Similar to other entries on this list, the game is family-friendly and simple enough that even younger gamers can have a blast.
28 TowerFall Ascension
A Fun, Competitive Archer Game
- Released: March 11, 2014
- Developer: Maddy Makes Games Inc., Extremely OK Games, Ltd.
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, Ouya
Players who love the breakneck chaos in titles like Super Smash Bros. will love what TowerFall Ascension brings to the table. In this title, gamers control four archers with a limited number of arrows that can be resupplied from various corners of the map. Players can either shoot others or land on their heads to finish them off.
What follows is a chaotic affair, with four players scrambling to refill their arrows and avoid damage by any means necessary. Skilled players can catch arrows, while others can rely on the many skills scattered across the map to make things easier for themselves. Regardless of what a player’s familiarity with such titles can be, jumping into TowerFall Ascension is pretty simple and hooks players once they get into the competitive flow of things.
27 Overcooked
An Adrenaline-Rushing Culinary Game
Most people even remotely familiar with Overcooked know just how engaging this title really is. Players must band together and split tasks to fulfill as many customer orders as possible, but this is easier said than done. Even on the easiest levels, Overcooked can become chaotic in no time if players don’t prioritize teamwork over everything else.
The best part of Overcooked is that it only takes a few games for players to get into the flow of things, and there’s no stopping them once players reach this point. It’s easy to see why this title is perfect for players who want to check out four-player games that are entertaining and challenging at the same time.
26 Gang Beasts
The Ultimate Ragdoll Brawling Experience
Goofy multiplayer games are an easy sell, with players loving the sheer charm that oozes out of these titles. Such is the case with Gang Beasts, where players fight against each other in hilarious contests as they control unwieldy ragdoll bodies to secure victory at all costs. Players can either use their own physical moves or manipulate stage hazards to attain victory.
It may not be the most complex game around, but players seeking out a simple title to enjoy with their friends will be more than happy with what Gang Beasts has to offer. The sheer hilarity of watching the goofy character models trying to land a punch or kick without losing their marbles never ceases to be engaging.
25 Runbow
A Competitive Platformer That Pushes Friendships To The Limit
Runbow is a simple, fun party game to check out for those who want to enjoy a fast-paced platformer where players must compete against each other to reach the goal at the end of each level. Each round takes place at a breakneck pace, with players doing everything in their power to rack up as many victories as possible.
This is easier said than done, especially with the numerous powers and hazards that are present at every stage. Once players get into the zone in Runbow, it’s hard not to get competitive as friendships are pushed to their very limit.
24 Vampire Survivors
Attack Coordination Is Key To Survival
Vampire Survivors is a game that came out of nowhere and burst onto the scene as a title where players do very little yet still manage to stay engaged as they attain powerups and position themselves to take out as many enemies as possible. Death is something that players will almost welcome, with each playthrough helping them understand how this game works.
This game is already fun when played solo, so players can only wonder how much more engaging Vampire Survivors is when played with a group of friends. Coordinating attacks and making sure that everyone is evenly capable of taking out waves of foes on their own is what makes this auto-battler such a blast to play through.
23 Minecraft Dungeons
The Minecraft Franchise Rolls A Natural 20
Minecraft is one of the biggest IPs around right now. It’s only a given that Microsoft would want to capitalize on this IP as much as possible after spending a ton of money acquiring the rights to this popular video game.
One of the many Minecraft spin-off games to come out is Minecraft Dungeons, which is a pretty engaging dungeon crawler game that makes the most of Minecraft‘s IP. Just like the original game, players can enjoy this title in four-player co-op mode, which is a blast as gamers take out familiar foes with the wealth of techniques at their disposal.
22 Hunter: The Reckoning
An Old School Hack & Slash
The great thing about Xbox One’s backward compatibility feature is that a lot of old classics can be enjoyed on this console, and one such title is Hunter: The Reckoning. This title is set in the World of Darkness series and lets players engage in some old-school hack-and-slash action as they fight hordes of imposing enemies.
Playing this game in four-person co-op is a blast, with players doing everything in their power to take out enemies using the wealth of techniques at their disposal. Once players get over the dated nature of this title, a group of friends can find themselves enjoying a power fantasy for the ages as their hunters take out the trash in style.
21 EA Sports FC 24
The Ultimate Soccer Experience
EA always makes it a point to release their sports games on as many consoles as possible, and their latest soccer game is no exception. EA Sports FC 24 is available on both current and last-gen consoles, letting players check out the first soccer game made by EA to drop the FIFA moniker.
The game is pretty much what most people would expect from an EA soccer game, featuring marginal improvements and updated squads. Four players can easily have a great time as they control various players in a team and try to beat either AI or human opponents in scintillating and nerve-wracking matches.
20 Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime
A Cute Ship Defense Game
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is one of the more unique co-op titles that players can check out. Players have to coordinate their movements while steering a ship and taking care of any enemies along the way. Teamwork is essential in this game, with a single mistake leading to the spaceship either crashing or enemies getting too many hits in before any retaliation.
While this sounds somewhat stressful, the cute art style and charming gameplay of the title make it more relaxing than it has any right to be. Having up to four players on a ship makes for a chaotic time as players try to coordinate their movements and ensure that no base is left uncovered when going through the game’s many levels.
19 SpeedRunners
A Race To Outrun A Shrinking Screen
SpeedRunners is a fun and unique multiplayer game where players are tasked with running around a map and leaving their friends behind as they try to cover as much ground as possible. This is easier said than done, with many powers either switching positions, slowing players down, or performing a bevy of debilitating moves that keep the action constant and engaging.
Staying ahead of the pack is critical to succeeding in this game, especially with the game’s screen shrinking as players get eliminated. Trying to win becomes a challenging affair where a single misstep can lead to a player’s doom, making SpeedRunners a fun party game that four players can easily play on the Xbox One without too many issues.
18 Boomerang Fu
An Action-Packed Game With A Boomerang As A Weapon
At a glance, Boomerang Fu looks like the cutest game in the world. The characters are all anthropomorphized food items who look downright adorable, and it’s hard to imagine this game being an action title where players have to slice and dice their opponents to bits. However, Boomerang Fu shows its true colors when players get into a match, with the frantic action leading to these characters being sliced up, chopped, and minced over and over again.
The game is pretty action-packed, with players having to either aim their boomerang properly or come up close and personal to dish out a melee attack that can take enemies out in no time flat. Along with this, there are several powerups that players can use to augment the attacks of their boomerang or change the dynamic of the battle arena itself. The sheer amount of depth in what seems like a simple game is astounding, and it’s a massive achievement that Boomerang Fu is easily one of the best couch multiplayer games anyone can check out for themselves.
17 MultiVersus
A Brawler Where Beloved Childhood Characters Fight
Borrowing the core gameplay from games like Smash Bros, but with its own spin. However, while MultiVersus, can be a local co-op game, it’s not fully local. What this means is that if players want to go online, they can’t play locally with their friends. However, with the expansive offline mode, four players can go up against each other. Even if players play offline, the game is still fun and competitive. Plus, with the expanding roster and levels, MultiVersus has made itself one of the best multiplayer games of 2022.
As mentioned before, it brings its own spin to the genre. If players and their friends do 2v2, they can equip many powerups, and each is different for the character they pick. So every fight will be different, and that’s when skills matter. Because of that, they won’t miss the online section of MultiVersus because the 4 player multiplayer is still jam-packed on its own.
16 TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
A Beat ‘Em Up Starring Everyone’s Favorite Turtles
This classic beat-em-up game has everything for 4 players. Each character can be any of the turtles, all with different playstyles, which makes gameplay rather fun for all involved. The reason why TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is a great game to play is that every player can feel like they’re the main character. This helps them fight more aggressively. On top of that, aall four turtles are available at the start, so all four players can pick their favorite right off the bat without feeling left out.
Also, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge has a six-player co-op, where things can even get more chaotic. However, a four-player local co-op feels right. The balance of each turtle is way more impactful, each player is doing something, and when everyone is in sync, all the characters’ strengths come out. This makes TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge incredibly immersive and fun to play.
15 Diablo 3
A Hellish Adventure To Experience With Friends
With Diablo 3, gamers can engage in a full 4-player co-op experience full of complete customizations. Already having a rich and fully fleshed-out story, game design, and combat mechanics, it has something for all that are involved.
On top of all that, being an RPG-based game, Diablo 3 offers a different experience for all. From the classes each character can pick to the upgrade points being spent, it offers a different feel for everyone. Also, while playing with 4 players, gamers can level up a lot quicker because of the bonuses they get. Diablo 3 also offers a PVP section if players want to play against each other and test their skills.
14 The Ascent
Basically Diablo With Guns
The Ascent plays a lot like Diablo 3 but with guns, and it’s a shooter rather than a hack-and-slash type of game. Both games share a handful of similarities, like the RPG mechanics, but both are still pretty different. The abilities give each player a sense of uniqueness, something not a lot of other games can do.
While The Ascent can be quite difficult, having the other players in the same room can make a big difference, especially when taking down the many bosses. Having players make something their own is quite rewarding, and The Ascent offers just that, from gameplay enhancements to cosmetic upgrades. Everything gives players a feeling that it’s their own game and adventure.
13 Overcooked 2
The Sequel To The Original Cooking Mayhem
Now, this is a pretty unique party game. The whole point of Overcooked 2 is to get ingredients, cook, and serve customers. It’s a pretty hard title when played solo, but it can get harder with more players because of the level of communication required.
Communication is kind of key in Overcooked 2 because players will need to get the ingredients, prep them, and send them to another player who will then need to work with them. It’s all about timing and being ready when other players need ingredients; otherwise, it becomes a yelling match. Overcooked 2 is a great couch co-op game that challenges players in a one-of-a-kind way.
12 Rare Replay
A Collection Of Vintage Treasures
Gaming compilations aren’t as in vogue as they once were, but Rare Replay is a collection worth buying. It comes packed in with a large handful of the developer’s greatest classic titles, from Banjo-Kazooie to Perfect Dark.
The latter, along with several other games, offers four-player support. Perfect Dark is an especially welcome addition since it is the spiritual successor to GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64. All-in-all, Rare Replay is a great bundle for Xbox One gamers who are looking to play together.
