Best couch co-op (local multiplayer) PC games in 2026
Couch co-op is having its best years in a long time thanks to Hazelight. This selection covers the best local co-op on PC: for couples, friends and family. All played.
The essentials
1. Split Fiction (~$50 → $30 on sale) — the current king
Hazelight’s latest (the It Takes Two studio). Two writers trapped inside their own stories: half sci-fi, half fantasy. Perfect split-screen, new ideas every 10 minutes. The best couch co-op ever made.
2. It Takes Two (~$40 → $10 on sale)
The 2021 GOTY remains mandatory. Friend’s Pass: only one of you buys it, the other plays free. Perfect for couples.
3. A Way Out (~$30 → $6 on sale)
Hazelight’s first. A split-screen prison break. More narrative, more adult, 6-8h. Also has Friend’s Pass.
Chaos and laughs (2-4 players)
4. Overcooked! All You Can Eat (~$40 → $12 on sale)
Chaotic cooking. The funniest relationship-destroyer on PC. 1+2 remastered with all DLC.
5. Moving Out 1 & 2 (~$30 → $8 on sale)
Impossible removals with absurd physics. Same spirit as Overcooked.
6. PlateUp! (~$20 → $10 on sale)
Overcooked + roguelite + management. Deeper than it looks; 100+ hours if it hooks you.
7. Cuphead (~$20 → $12 on sale)
1930s-cartoon run & gun. 2-player local co-op. Hard but fair.
For kids / family
8. LEGO (any) — Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (~$50 → $12 on sale)
The LEGO formula is still the best gateway to family gaming.
9. Unravel Two (~$20 → $4 on sale)
Gorgeous platforming with two yarn dolls tied by a thread. Genuinely cooperative.
10. Portal 2 (co-op campaign) (~$10 → $1.50 on sale)
Portal 2’s co-op campaign remains genre-best. At this price, mandatory.
Couch + controllers: what you need
- 2 controllers — any Xbox/PS/8BitDo pad works on PC via Bluetooth or cable
- Steam Remote Play Together: if your friend isn’t at your place, “share the couch” online — one copy of the game, the other connects free from their PC
- Steam Deck + TV: a dock + 2 controllers turns the Deck into a couch console for all of these
Buying strategy
| Game | Normal | Typical sale |
|---|---|---|
| Split Fiction | $50 | $30 |
| It Takes Two | $40 | $10 |
| Overcooked AYCE | $40 | $12 |
| A Way Out | $30 | $6 |
| Portal 2 | $10 | $1.50 |
| Unravel Two | $20 | $4 |
Starter couch pack: It Takes Two ($10) + Overcooked AYCE ($12) + Portal 2 ($1.50) = ~$24 for months of co-op. And remember: It Takes Two, Split Fiction and A Way Out have Friend’s Pass — one buys, two play.
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