Video games don’t have to be a solitary experience. Some of the most fun you can have in the game is with your friends or partners. The best co-op games bridge the gap between single-player experiences and multiplayer lobbies, bringing the best of both worlds. You can laugh, cry and get mad at each other without spending a dime on an expensive dinner out.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best co-op games to play with your friends or partner. These games require the cooperation of two or more players, so both people must pay attention. Some of them will test the limits of your relationship, while others will serve as a backdrop for a pleasant night with your loved one. Others are likely to break up decades-old friendships. Whichever game you choose to play, you’ll both have fun and hopefully come out stronger together.

Portal 2

If it ain’t broke, why fix it? But it can be improved. Portal 2 improves on almost every aspect of the original classic, but also adds a standalone co-op campaign as a bonus. The co-op story takes place after the events of the first game and you’ll be playing as robots instead of humans. It’s a different take on the gaming universe, backed by inventive co-op gameplay.

Portal 2 is available on PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch in the Portal: Companion Collection.

It takes two

Forget co-op, It Takes Two is one of the best games of the last decade. When it comes to storytelling in a co-op game, It Takes Two takes the cake with its heartfelt tale of a couple on the brink of divorce. You play as either Cody or May who, after being trapped in the bodies of their daughter’s toys, must figure out how to work together on a fantastic quest.

It Takes Two features mechanics borrowed from various genres with a focus on platforming and puzzle solving. Throughout the game, you’ll also take part in various mini-games scattered throughout the Toy Story-inspired maps. It’s the perfect game for new couples to bond over and can even bring you closer to your partner if you’re in a tight spot.

It Takes Two is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch consoles.

Overcooked! 2

If there is one word that describes Overcooked! 2, it’s “messy”. Have you ever watched an episode of The Bear? Yep, overcooked! 2 resembles it a bit. You will have to prepare the kitchens while trying not to spoil your partner’s cooking and the trip while meeting strict deadlines.

It’s a cooking game as much as a platformer, with the game constantly changing the look and feel of the kitchen to keep you on your toes. Play Overcooked! 2 when you’re waiting for your Uber Eats.

Overcooked! 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch.

The way out

A Way Out paved the way for It Takes Two with its impressive presentation and seamless blend of co-op mechanics. A Way Out is a split-screen co-op game where both players take on the role of Vincent and Leo, two inmates planning a prison break.

While it takes obvious cues from the films that inspired it, A Way Out is saved by its inventive co-op level design. The characters aren’t the most complex, but the story has plenty of twists and turns to keep you and your partner guessing.

A Way Out is available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and is backwards compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Bad West

Evil West is exactly what it seems. It’s a third-person, gunslinging, vampire-shooting Spaghetti Western homage in video game form that harkens back to the days of the Xbox 360. It’s campy, and the developers know it, and that’s exactly how its co-op works.

In the Evil West co-op mode, both players take on the role of Jesse Rentier, a hunter of cowboys and monsters. Its story is linear and progression is only transferred to the host in a co-op session, although it is not a fully replayable game. That’s why it’s a good idea to get a friend to join you and shoot demons and vampires. The co-op mode also changes some encounters slightly, so returning to single player mode will be a different experience.

Evil West is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

We were here

We Were Here relies on clear communication between players to solve its puzzles. Unlike most of the co-op games on this list, We Were Here keeps the two players separate for most of the game time. One player is stuck in the library reading puzzles while the other player can explore the castle and solve them.

Both players use their walkie-talkies to stay in touch, adding to the old-school exploration vibe we were creating for We Were Here. Each game in the series explores a different location, but the first one remains iconic and is free (at least on PC)!

We Were Here is available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and is backwards compatible on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Is it the healthiest game on this list and are you really surprised that it’s a Mario game? The Italian plumber has always brought joy to many homes with his adventures, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder delivers the same. While the levels don’t fundamentally change in design, you never know what craziness a Wonder peck will add.

Players can choose to play as any of the 12 characters in the game, collect power-ups, turn into elephant versions of themselves, and generally jump on goombas. Super Mario Bros. Wonder lives up to its name in every conceivable way.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is available on Nintendo Switch.

Cuphead

Cuphead is a tough game, so spare your friend if he doesn’t manage to jump and dodge the projectiles at the right moment. If you think adding a second player to Cuphead will make things easier, then you’re in for a rude awakening. It’s also a great prank. You start the game and your partner thinks it’s a cute 1930s inspired cartoon and then the horror begins.

Cuphead is a brilliant run-and-gun shooter that tests your patience and will at every turn. Be prepared to break out the remote your partner gifted you with, apologize, and take them out to dinner. And then go back to playing Cuphead and exact your revenge on the devil himself for ruining your date.

Cuphead can be played on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. It can be played on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S thanks to backwards compatibility.