Level Up Game Night: Best Co-op Video Games to Play with Together
With the colder weather of the last few months keeping kids inside, sometimes when you go to a friend’s house to hang out you want to do something together. You could play a board game, or do a puzzle, but let’s be honest, most of this generation are a bunch of iPad kids who would prefer staying home gaming than doing almost anything else. So, this article is all about games that you can play with family, friends, or anyone else to build teamwork and have fun.
- Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game is one of my personal favorites, and it entails simply being a goose and ruining the lives of everyone in the town. All joking aside, this is a short and simple chaotic game where you can work together with a partner to complete a to-do list that eventually circles around all the way to the beginning. It’s a short game, only taking about 5-6 hours for regular gameplay, but there are some post game tasks that can bump the time up to about 8 hours for perfectionists (like me). It is available for Nintendo Switch, Playstation, PC, and Xbox, ranging from $20-30. If you love geese and being annoying, this is the perfect game for you.
2. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is an adorable cozy game for anyone looking to relax (and maybe shed a few tears). You play as Stella, who works as an end-of-life nurse helping guide spirits into the afterlife. Each spirit you help takes the form of their spirit animal, and has their own storyline and quests, and after you complete all of them, one by one you lead the spirits to the gate into the afterlife. This game has gorgeous hand-drawn graphics and calm music, all adding to the themes of loss, grief, and acceptance within the game. It can take around 20-30 hours to get through the main storyline, but up to 40-60 for 100%. You can play it on Switch, Playstation, PC, and Xbox, and the price can range from $20-30, but if you get it on sale for less than $5. This bittersweet cozy game is worth every penny.
3. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a cozy life-sim where you inherit your late grandpa’s farm in Pelican Town. You can farm, explore, and create friendships with all of the NPCs in the game. You start the game in a stereotypical corporate job (that you hate), but discover a letter from your grandpa for the right to his farm, where you find many other characters that you can befriend and expand the storyline in this cozy sim with adorable graphics and calming music. While the game is technically endless, the main storyline takes around 60-100 hours based on how much of a completionist you are. You can buy the game for $15-20 on Nintendo Switch, PC, Playstation, Xbox, and mobile. If you are looking to unwind and relax, this is the perfect game for you.
4. It Takes Two
It Takes Two is a cooperative action-adventure game made specifically for two players. The plot follows a couple, Cody and May, on the verge of divorce, when their daughter magically turns them into dolls. You must navigate through the challenges and puzzles in levels that force constant cooperation while trying to get back to their human bodies. Its charming art style and interesting levels keep the game fun and exciting. The game time is usually around 15-20 hours and you can play it on Playstation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch for a price of around $30-40, though you can often get it on sale for $10-20. It may be a steep price, but many people say it is well worth it.
5. Lego Video Games
Okay, this one is more of a broad topic, but the Lego video games are great for cooperating with friends and family in the familiar bricks we’ve all stepped on at least once in our life. There are adaptations to a bunch of your favorite franchises such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Marvel, and the list goes on and on. These games are generally very kid friendly with simple controls and familiar storylines, so this is a great option for playing with any younger siblings or cousins you may have. Since this topic is so wide, I can’t give a playtime or price, but these games can be played on just about anything. Everyone has probably seen these games sometime in their lives, so I don’t need to tell you that they are very fun to play with just about anyone.
6. Mario Games
Like the last one, this is more of a broad topic, but almost any Super Mario game ever made has a great option for couch co-op. This absolutely iconic franchise is great for everyone, kids and adults alike. Some games are much harder than others, but generally they tend to be very kid friendly and fun. There are so many options, from the original Super Mario Bros. to Luigi’s Mansion, to Mario Kart, varying in price and playtime. They are consistently available on just about any console produced by Nintendo, though. I would say that the majority of people reading this have played a Mario game sometime in their lifetimes, and with so many lovable characters, there is something for everyone inside this franchise.
7. Overcooked!
Overcooked! is a chaotic cooking game where 1-4 players work as chefs to prepare, cook, and serve orders in bizarre, changing kitchens under a time limit, emphasizing frantic teamwork, communication, and coordination to satisfy demanding customers and save the Onion Kingdom from an edible evil. The gameplay involves chopping ingredients and cooking them, plating dishes, and washing dishes, all while navigating obstacles like moving trucks or pirate ships, making quick decisions and passing items essential to success. There are multiple Overcooked! games, all spanning from around 7-25 hours based on how dedicated you are. You can play on Playstation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The price is around $17 for the base game, but around $40 for the two games in the series combined, though they are frequently discounted. This is a frantic test of friendship and coordination in a fast-paced kitchen that will truly test your skills and your patience.
8. KeyWe
KeyWe is a charming, chaotic puzzle game where you control Jeff and Debra, two small kiwi birds managing a whimsical post office. You must work together—using jumping, flapping, and butt-slamming—to type telegrams, ship packages, and send mail while navigating seasonal hazards. There are so many mini-games and customization options, which add on to the cozy and cute art style of the game. It can take around 5-15 hours to complete the game in its entirety, and it can be played on Playstation, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch for a price of around $25 with additional DLCs to add on for around $5 each. The game is so adorable, you will almost forget about how chaotic it is. Almost.
There are so many games in the world that are amazing in all different kinds of ways. I hope you found this article helpful and have some fun playing some of these games. But let us know Bobcats, what are some of your favorite games?
