My husband and I met playing video games.
Okay, not completely. We worked together. But we happened to work at a company in the games industry. I wrote video game instruction manuals and mock reviews. He engineered software for PlayStation. After working together on a project—and running into each other at the corner coffee shop every morning—we started dating and fell in love playing co-op games together.
Some of our early favorites were Halo, Destiny, and Gears of War. (That last one unexpectedly became my favorite shooter series ever.)
Fast forward 12 years, and we’re married with a three-year-old son. We still game together… but these days our co-op choices are a little more chill. Recent favorites include Overcooked 2 (if you don’t mind shouting at each other while the kitchen catches fire) and Split Fiction, which is probably my favorite co-op game ever.
Gaming is not as easy as it used to be. We don’t have the luxury of all-day gaming sessions over takeout, and we’re usually too exhausted to stay up late bingeing new releases. But coming together to play a good game is still one of our favorite ways to connect. It’s a chance to let go of the day’s stress, have some fun, and remember that life isn’t just about work and parenting—it’s about play, too.
And after 12 years of gaming together, we’ve played a lot of co-op games. So whether you’re looking for something cozy, challenging, chaotic, or story-driven, here are some of our favorites—the best couch co-op games for couples.
It Takes Two
IF YOU WANT A TRUE ADVENTURE
If you want to laugh with your partner through a creative, heartfelt story, It Takes Two is your game. You play as a couple on the brink of divorce who are turned into their daughter’s dolls. Every level is unique, with puzzles, platforming, and action. The game also has witty dialogue and plenty of silly laughs. If you can only pick up one game from this list, I truly believe this is the best.
Hot Tip: Hazelight Studios makes the best couch co-op games, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. Personally, I’m most fond of Split Fiction, which has similar vibes in terms of level variety, storytelling, humor, and sheer creativity. I’m recommending It Takes Two for couples because it’s about a couple, but if you like it, definitely pick up Split Fiction next!
Overcooked 2
IF YOU WANT COZY CHAOS
After hearing all the jokes about Overcooked ruining relationships, I was hesitant to try it. But recently, my husband and I fired up Overcooked 2 and started running our own little restaurants. We chopped vegetables, cooked rice, assembled meals, delivered them to demanding customers—and it was fun! There’s instant bonding as you coordinate with your partner; you’ll need lots of communication and a healthy give-and-take. As the levels get faster and more stressful, the chaos becomes part of the fun. If you’re looking for a quick co-op game that’s easy to pick up and play, Overcooked 2 has become a favorite for my husband and me.
Hot Tip: You can play any Overcooked game and get pretty much the same experience. I just happened to pick up the newest one, so that’s my recommendation!
The Quarry
IF YOU WANT AN INTERACTIVE HORROR MOVIE NIGHT
If you and your partner love horror movies, The Quarry is basically an interactive slasher film. You play as a group of camp counselors trying to survive one very long, very terrifying night, with your choices determining who lives and who dies. The game supports co-op, so you can each control different characters and experience the chaos together. It’s perfect for a spooky game night when you want something a little different.
Hot Tip: There are many other narrative games like this my husband and I enjoy, including Until Dawn (another scary one) and Detroit Become Human (a classic story about androids that’s more relevant than ever in this age of AI). Even if the games don’t support co-op, we just pick characters and pass the controller back and forth as the story unfolds, debating all the in-game decisions along the way.
Borderlands 2
IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT THINGS
If you want to play a shooter with your partner, you can’t do much better than Borderlands 2. The gold standard for looter-shooters, it’s addictive good fun just running around, shooting enemies, and collecting gear and goodies. I find the sci-fi world surprisingly cozy. The game is also hilarious with a great story—perfect when you just want to relax and have a laugh.
Hot Tip: There are newer Borderlands games, if you want something a little more recent. All of the games are hilariously good fun. I only recommend Borderlands 2 because it’s a fan favorite with the iconic villain Handsome Jack!
Stardew Valley
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING RELAXING
Stardew Valley is arguably the most iconic and beloved cozy game of all time. There, I said it. I’m actually not the biggest cozy gamer myself, but Stardew Valley is a fantastic game if you something slow-paced with your SO. The core gameplay? Build an adorable pixelated farm together. Along the way, you’ll explore the valley, befriend villagers, go fishing, go mining, attend local festivals, and slowly build a life in this fictional community—the perfect way to unwind with your partner.
Diablo IV
IF YOU WANT TO BLOW OFF STEAM
If your idea of unwinding before bed is tearing through hordes of demons, Diablo IV brings the action. One of the best parts of playing together is choosing complementary character classes and building your characters around different skills, turning you into a pretty formidable team. There’s some RPG fun along the way—like customizing cool armor and chatting with NPCs—but at its heart, Diablo IV is fast-paced, action-packed fun. Best of all, if you’re already tired, you can drop in and slaughter demons as quick as you like—even a short 30-minute session—and call it a night!
Portal 2
IF YOU WANT TO WORK OUT PUZZLES TOGETHER
You can pick up either of the Portal games and have a great time, but Portal 2 is the one with co-op—and it’s a fan favorite for a reason. You’re a test patient trying to escape a crumbling facility. The gameplay? Just pick up a portal gun and shoot portals in walls to solve puzzles and escape each room. It’s fun to coordinate with your partner on how to get out, and the game’s dry sense of humor will have you both laughing the whole time. It’s also easy for anyone to play, even non-gamers!
LEGO
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SILLY & EASY
Okay, I don’t even know which LEGO game to recommend here, because there are so many and every one is excellent. The LEGO series takes beloved IPs and turns them into hilarious couch co-op adventures that are perfect for a cozy date night. Just pick your favorite world—maybe Star Wars or Harry Potter, Jurassic Park or Marvel—and dive into the silly action with your SO.
Hot Tip: If you want to see all the games to choose from, here’s the LEGO games page to browse!
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