How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Cross-platform here means games available across consoles and PC, with cross-play status noted per game, since not every game lets all platforms play together.
- It Takes Two leads for two-player co-op storytelling, while Overcooked 2 leads for chaotic couch and online cooking.
- Minecraft and Stardew Valley suit relaxed, long-term co-op worlds that friends can build together over months.
- Deep Rock Galactic and Sea of Thieves suit team-based action, with missions and crews that reward coordination.
- Check cross-play support before buying, since some games support play only within the same console family.
Quick comparison
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#1
It Takes Two
Best for: Two-player story co-op
Visit ea.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
It Takes Two is the best two-player co-op game ever made for many critics, telling the story of a couple turned into dolls who must cooperate through inventive levels that change mechanics in every chapter. One player owns the game while a friend joins free through Friend's Pass, and the game supports split-screen and online play. Each level introduces a new ability pair, from gravity boots to time control, so the game never repeats itself.
The trade-offs are structure and cross-play. It Takes Two requires two players with no solo mode, and cross-play is limited: players on PlayStation can play with PlayStation, and Xbox with Xbox, but cross-brand console play is not supported. Even so, It Takes Two suits pairs of players on the same platform family who want the finest co-op story game available.
What we like- Brilliant two-player story and mechanics
- Friend's Pass lets a friend play free
- Split-screen and online co-op
Watch out for- Two players required, no solo mode
- Cross-play is limited across console brands
- Needs coordination
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Overcooked 2 is a chaotic cooking game where up to four players chop, cook, plate, and serve orders in kitchens that move, split, and catch fire. It supports couch co-op and online play, with cross-play across many platforms in later updates, and its recipe and kitchen variety keeps sessions fresh. The game is famous for turning friendships into shouting matches in the best possible way.
The limits are chaos and cost. The pace frustrates players who prefer calm games, online play needs voice coordination to work well, and DLC kitchens add cost beyond the base game. Even so, Overcooked 2 suits groups who want a funny, fast, party-style co-op game that works across platforms.
What we like- Hilarious couch and online co-op
- Many kitchens and recipes
- Cross-play on many platforms
Watch out for- Chaos frustrates some players
- Online play needs coordination
- DLC adds cost
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Stardew Valley lets up to four players share a farm, growing crops, raising animals, mining, fishing, and building relationships with villagers together. Its relaxed pace and deep systems make it ideal for long-term co-op, since friends can drop in and out of a shared farm over months. The game is cheap for the hundreds of hours it offers, and its pixel art and music are widely loved.
The trade-offs are cross-play and pace. Cross-play is limited across platforms, multiplayer needs a host player, and the slow pace does not suit action fans. Even so, Stardew Valley suits friends who want a calm, long-term co-op world to build together at their own speed.
What we like- Relaxed farm building together
- Deep crafting and relationships
- Cheap for the hours it gives
Watch out for- Cross-play is limited
- Multiplayer needs a host
- Pace is slow for action fans
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Minecraft is the biggest sandbox co-op game in the world, letting players build, mine, farm, and survive together in endless procedurally generated worlds. Bedrock Edition supports full cross-play across consoles, PC, and mobile, so friends on different devices can share a world, while Realms servers make hosting easy. The mod and server community adds endless new modes and maps.
The limits are edition splits and cost. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition do not cross-play with each other, Realms subscriptions cost extra, and younger players need supervision on public servers. Even so, Minecraft suits groups of all ages who want creative, open-ended co-op across devices.
What we like- Full cross-play on Bedrock
- Endless building and survival
- Huge mod and server community
Watch out for- Java and Bedrock do not cross-play
- Realms cost extra
- Younger players need supervision
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Deep Rock Galactic is a four-player co-op shooter where teams of space dwarves mine caves, fight alien swarms, and complete missions in procedurally generated caverns. Four classes, gunner, scout, engineer, and driller, each fill a distinct role, so teamwork matters more than aim alone. The game is funny, polished, and endlessly replayable thanks to random caves and weekly missions.
The trade-offs are cross-play and repetition. Cross-play is limited across platforms, missions can feel repetitive over long sessions, and harder difficulties need voice coordination. Even so, Deep Rock Galactic suits teams of four who want a funny, team-based shooter with real cooperation.
What we like- Excellent four-player team play
- Procedurally generated caves
- Class roles that reward teamwork
Watch out for- Cross-play is limited
- Mission repetition over time
- Needs voice coordination for harder missions
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Sea of Thieves lets crews of up to four players sail pirate ships, hunt treasure, fight skeletons and other crews, and explore a shared open sea. It supports full cross-play between Xbox and PC, with regular content updates adding stories, events, and cosmetics. The best moments come from crew coordination: one player steers, another manages sails, and others repair, bail, and fight.
The limits are griefing and pace. Other player crews can attack and steal loot, progression is slow, and solo play is far weaker than crew play. Even so, Sea of Thieves suits crews who want a shared pirate adventure with full Xbox and PC cross-play.
What we like- Full cross-play on Xbox and PC
- Crew-based pirate adventures
- Regular content updates
Watch out for- Griefing from other crews
- Progression is slow
- Needs a crew for the best experience
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Borderlands 3 is a looter shooter where up to four players fight through a sci-fi story, collecting billions of procedurally generated guns and building character skills. Co-op supports shared loot options and level scaling, so friends at different levels can play together. The humor, characters, and gun variety make it a long, replayable co-op campaign.
The trade-offs are cross-play and cost. Cross-play is limited across platforms, the humor divides some players, and DLC campaigns add cost beyond the base game. Even so, Borderlands 3 suits groups who want a long, loot-filled co-op shooter with distinct character classes.
What we like- Huge loot and gun variety
- Four-player co-op
- Funny story and characters
Watch out for- Cross-play is limited
- Story humor divides players
- DLC adds cost
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Diablo IV is a dark action RPG where players build characters, fight demons, and loot gear together across an open world, with full cross-play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Co-op supports parties of up to four, with shared world events, dungeons, and boss fights, and seasonal content adds new stories and rewards several times a year. The combat is fast, gory, and satisfying.
The limits are online requirements and grind. Diablo IV needs a constant internet connection, the endgame involves heavy grinding, and expansions cost extra. Even so, Diablo IV suits action RPG fans who want full cross-play co-op with friends on any platform.
What we like- Cross-play across consoles and PC
- Dark action RPG combat
- Seasonal content
Watch out for- Always-online requirement
- Endgame grind
- Expansions cost extra
How we chose
We compared co-op games on co-op quality, cross-platform availability, cross-play support, replay value, and community size, favoring games with proven multiplayer communities. We noted cross-play status honestly for each title, since availability across platforms does not guarantee shared play. Prices vary by platform and sale, so we wrote See website rather than publishing figures that change often.
Buying guide
Start by checking cross-play for your exact group. If friends play on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Switch, pick games with full cross-play such as Minecraft Bedrock, Sea of Thieves, or Diablo IV, rather than games limited to one console family. Next, match the game to your group's taste: story pairs need It Takes Two, relaxed groups need Stardew Valley, and action teams need Deep Rock Galactic or Diablo IV.
Then check extra costs before buying. DLC, season passes, and server subscriptions add up, so compare the full cost for your group, not only the base price. Finally, consider session length: Overcooked sessions run under an hour, while Stardew Valley and Diablo IV reward months of play, so pick a game that fits how often your group actually meets.
Frequently asked questions
What does cross-platform mean for co-op games?
It can mean two things: a game available on many platforms, or a game that lets players on different platforms play together. This list covers availability and notes cross-play support per game, since the two are not the same.
Which co-op games have full cross-play?
Minecraft Bedrock, Sea of Thieves, and Diablo IV support cross-play across consoles and PC. It Takes Two, Stardew Valley, and Borderlands 3 have more limited cross-play, so check before buying.
What is the best two-player co-op game?
It Takes Two is widely regarded as the best two-player co-op game, with a story and mechanics built entirely around cooperation. It needs two players and works best within the same console family.
Can I play co-op games on different consoles with friends?
Only if the game supports cross-play between those consoles. Check the game's cross-play status for your exact platforms before buying, since many games limit play to the same console family.
Do co-op games need an internet connection?
Online co-op needs internet and usually a platform subscription on consoles, while couch co-op on one screen does not. Diablo IV needs a constant connection even for solo play.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Overcooked 2
Stardew Valley
Minecraft
Deep Rock Galactic
Sea of Thieves
Borderlands 3
Diablo IV