10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (PS5)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a brilliant remake of two incredibly impactful games. The skateboarding series might have been scraping its knees for a while, but this new version puts it right on track, updating the PS1 classics to modern standards while keeping that old-school, arcadey magic alive. The PS5 version is a great update, too, enhancing the title with super smooth performance, 4K resolution, reduced loading, and some subtle usage of DualSense's features. If you're a long-time fan, this is pure joy.
9. Guilty Gear Strive (PS5)
The PS5's first native fighting game has set the bar very, very high. Guilty Gear Strive is a superb brawler, bolstered by jaw-dropping visuals and the best online netcode that we've ever experienced in a fighting game. A relatively small but brilliantly diverse character roster allows for a deep and hugely rewarding experience, while accessible gameplay mechanics on a base level pave the way for new players. A stunning beat-'em-up backed by an incredible heavy rock soundtrack.
8. Street Fighter 6 (PS5)
Street Fighter 6 puts the series back on the map. Following the comparably dismal launch of Street Fighter V, this iteration of Capcom's fighter is the most robust package yet, catering to both competitive and casual players brilliantly. New mechanics add more strategy to fights, different control schemes level the playing field for newcomers, and the online play is seriously smooth. Add to that the incredibly high-effort single-player World Tour mode, in-depth tutorials, a multitude of fun ways to fight, and a vibrant roster of familiar and new characters, and you have one of the best fighting games in recent memory.
7. Vampire Survivors (PS5)
Probably one of the most moreish games on the market, Vampire Survivors is a fascinatingly fun roguelite. With attacks firing off automatically, all you have to do is avoid enemies and survive each 30-minute round, gathering XP and leveling up your abilities as you go. While it doesn't look like much in static screens, it'll surprise you just how chaotic things can get, and building your character to become a literally unstoppable force is satisfying every time. The sheer amount of unlocks and secrets to discover means practically every run gets you something, too. We can't recommend this one enough, but be warned — you might never play anything else again.
6. Helldivers 2 (PS5)
Live service executed effortlessly, Helldivers 2’s success can be attributed to Arrowhead putting gameplay ahead of business models. The game’s systemic approach means cinematic moments unfold emergently, as part of the co-operative action and physics at play. Doing your part has never felt quite so good.
5. Tetris Effect (PS5)
Tetris Effect was great on PS4, but its PS5 version just takes things up a notch. Merging that classic falling block game with mesmerising visuals and entrancing music, it's an amazing experience that truly sings in 4K and HDR. We'd highly recommend playing it on your TV, but it's also brilliant in PSVR2. There's little sacrifice to picture quality, and the extra immersion you feel with the special effects swirling all around you is awesome. With so many modes to enjoy, this is the ultimate Tetris experience on PlayStation.
4. Tekken 8 (PS5)
Arguably the most explosive Tekken game yet, Tekken 8 is a truly bombastic fighter. Fundamentally, it builds on the already fantastic foundations of Tekken 7, but the new Heat system brings so much aggression to the series' trademark 3D gameplay. Featuring a healthy list of modes — both online and offline — a rock solid character roster, and the promise of many memorable battles, Tekken 8 is probably the franchise at its peak.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (PS5)
Inspired by the many beloved TMNT games of yesteryear, Shredder's Revenge is a wonderful beat-'em-up that blends old and new for a turtle-y refreshing experience. You can of course play as the reptilian quartet, but Splinter, April O'Neil, and an unlockable Casey Jones all join the fight too, each with unique stats. The game features gorgeous pixel art with superb animations, as well as an excellent soundtrack and varied, enjoyable stages to fight through. With co-op either locally or online, this is an incredibly enjoyable game to play with some pals and pizza.
2. It Takes Two (PS5)
When you think of co-op games, one should spring to mind immediately: It Takes Two. This action adventure is from the makers of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, and sees you and a partner take on the role of an estranged couple. Turned into dolls by their daughter's tears, you and a friend must go on a wildly imaginative, endlessly varied, adventure to return to normal. Constantly presenting you with new puzzles and ideas, each as good as the last, you'll never grow weary of this brilliant game, playable locally or online.
1. Gran Turismo 7 (PS5)
After Gran Turismo Sport’s esports centric approach, Gran Turismo 7 returns to the revered RPG format of developer Polyphony Digital’s long-running simulation racing series. With a slick driving model and hundreds of cars to collect, it’s the addictive Pokémon-esque GT Café that will keep franchise faithfuls occupied for hours on end. And for competitive players, the online approach innovated by GT Sport remains intact, making for the most complete Gran Turismo in a generation. The cherry on top is that the entire thing is playable in PSVR2, with minimal loss in picture quality; it's incredibly immersive, and among the best games you can play with Sony's headset.
There we go: our list of the best local multiplayer games on PS5. What do you think? Again, this list has been determined by the Push Square community's user scores. If you don't like what you see, remember that it's up to you to influence what the list looks like. You can rate games by either returning to the search bar at the top of this article, or by clicking the star next to any game name. Additionally, if you spot a PS5 game that's totally absent from our PlayStation Games Database, please let us know. All that out of the way, tell us what your favourite local multiplayer games on PS5 are in the comments section below.
Best PS5 Games
- Best PS5 Games
- Best Action Games on PS5
- Best Adventure Games on PS5
- Best Anime Games on PS5
- Best Arcade Games on PS5
- Best Co-Op Games on PS5
- Best PS5 Exclusive Games
- Best Fighting Games on PS5
- Best FPS Games on PS5
- Best Free Games on PS5
- Best Horror Games on PS5
- Best Indie Games on PS5
- Best Online Multiplayer Games on PS5
- Best Open World Games on PS5
- Best Platformers on PS5
- Best Puzzle Games on PS5
- Best Racing Games on PS5
- Best RPGs on PS5
- Best Single Player Games on PS5
- Best Sports Games on PS5
- Best Strategy Games on PS5
Comments 22
Sackboy is fantastic. It got me into the LBP franchise but literally 4 days after I started, the LBP 1, 2 and 3 servers were DDOSED. My god, the things people do to feel alive. At least the Vita version is okay.
Been thinking about getting Sackboy on PS4 since we have 2 controllers and not sure when I'll get a PS5, or a 2nd PS5 controller.
Is R&C: Drift Apart still 1 player only? I'd prefer it to be, but A4O had couch co-op and they seem to be pushing the female Lombax so I thought maybe.
Utterly redundant shortlist of a tiny handful of games that fit the criteria; just there for selling these games on Amazon and getting a percentage. Doesn't even mention Borderlands 3, presumerably because its too cheap.
This can go on the feedback article. Is anything happening with that?
I would agree with sackboy but now I wouldn't because the game locked me out of completing it on ps5. The second level on the fourth world just simply would not unlock and I couldn't continue. I've been on Reddit and lots of people are saying about it but I don't see it reported in the media.
@rjejr I had a chance to play Sackboy on PS4 once and while it lacks some cool little details and the haptic feedback of the PS5 version, it's still great
I still don't get how people enjoy Overcooked. I was more tense playing that split-screen than when I played at Smash tourneys (not boasting, totally didn't win btw) 😓
Does anyone know if you’re able to play Overcooked (the PS5 version, that is) with a PS4-controller? I hardly ever play local multiplayer and don’t really feel like buying another DualSense for a single game lol
@fingalf the dualshock does work on PS5 with most PS4 games. It doesn't work with PS5 exclusive games, however I don't know if Overcooked getting a PS5 update means it won't work on that game anymore. Do a Google search and see if someone's asked that about Overcooked on reddit or something.
@Voltan Yeah I can't imagine the PS4 and PS5 versions being all that different for a game like that on my 1080p tv.
I'm planning on buying a 4k tv in the next couple of weeks, ahead of a PS5 in June, but I'm nervous b/c all I can think about is how bad my PS4 and Switch games might look after all these years on the 1080p. My Wii (not U) was almost unwatchable on a 1080p screen after 5 or 6 years on my old 36" CRT. Zelda Twilight Princess in particular was harsh. I'm just hoping the fact that my 1080p tv is 12 years old means whatever pitfalls there may be about outputting 1080p to a 4k tv is made up for by the decade newer tech. I'm sure PS5 will look better on the 4k than the 1080p, and the few movies I stream. Recently upgraded from 100 to 300 just to make sure. (I know I only need 25 but we always have several devices going at once, we're a tech heavy household.)
Sorry 'bout the rant. 😁
Tried Overcooked with my girlfriend for the first time and as many times as reviewers shout from the rooftops how good it is, there needs to be more. I've never been blown away by co-op aspects of couch co-op games but I was amazed by how naturally it made us communicate and coordinate with each other. So so good
@Hyperluminal Overcooked All You Can Eat is the PS5 version - it contains levels from Overcooked 1 and 2 and a few new ones, as well as improved visuals, haptic feedback, online multiplayer for all levels (originally only available in O2) and so on. Interestingly enough, this version is coming to PS4 later this month.
@fingalf you can't use the DS4 for any native PS5 games but you could get the original PS4 game or wait for the PS4 version of All You Can Eat, which is coming soon, as I mentioned.
@Brydontk sounds like you're better at this game than most people. It's been known to cause a lot of screaming at each other in many households
I can't find it on "best ps4 local coop games", so I'll say this: don't forget river city girls on ps4, the local coop is really fun
As much as I love SM 3D World and think it's a better 1 player game than Sackboy, the latter has the better co-op mode imo.
@Voltan Bahaha really? Maybe we haven't gone far enough yet but it helps that she's not much of a gamer, she prefers watching when I play, so my expectations were tapered a bit. Made for chill experiences.
Shredder's revenge needs to get rated very highly on this list. Id personally put it at the top. So much fun to blast through with a few friends or the kids. Proper couch co-op fun with robust online.
Not gonna lie… this list makes me a little sad. 20 best couch multiplayer half of it is sports and racing and the other half is a lot of kind of meh games.
And still no Shredders revenge. Daft list that needs revising badly.
Agreed with number 1 wholeheartedly. The wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Wouldn’t say PS5 is a particularly solid couch co-op system thus far. Bought the console January 2021 and I have played a co-op game exactly 0% of my time with the system. I wish the co-op library was stronger. My family plays co-op all the time with the Switch.
To the author. Thank you for writing about "offline, local multiplayer" bc it's important and played more often than people realize. The suggestion I would like to make is it would be more interesting if this was "exclusive to Playstation (with the exception of PC), co-op, versus or both". And keep the sport sims out of it too. It's a challenge but or starters and consideration I can think of some to talk about: Alienation, Dead Nation, Dragon's Crown, Fat Princess, Helldivers, I Am The Hero, Viking Squad, GigaBash...
I am also a video game lover. Have you tried Terraria yet? Recently it is quite popular and is interested by a lot of young people.
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