Best Co-Op Games on PS5 in 2025: Ultimate Guide for Shared Adventures

There’s nothing quite like teaming up with friends or family for a gaming session, and the PlayStation 5 offers an impressive array of cooperative experiences across multiple genres. Whether you’re looking to share your couch or connect online, we’ve curated the definitive list of must-play co-op titles that showcase the best of what PS5 has to offer in 2025.

Top Tier Co-Op Experiences

It Takes Two

Players: 2 (mandatory)
Co-op Type: Local/Online

If there’s one co-op game that stands as the undisputed champion on PS5, it’s Hazelight Studios’ masterpiece. This award-winning adventure isn’t just co-op friendly—it’s exclusively designed for two players, with no solo option available. Following the journey of Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce who find themselves transformed into dolls, It Takes Two delivers constantly evolving gameplay mechanics that require genuine teamwork.

What makes this game exceptional is how the narrative and gameplay are perfectly intertwined, with each level introducing fresh mechanics that never overstay their welcome. From controlling halves of the same vehicle to wielding complementary abilities like time manipulation and replication, players must communicate and coordinate to progress. The emotional storyline adds meaningful depth to what is already a mechanical marvel.

Helldivers 2

Players: 4
Co-op Type: Online

Arrowhead Game Studios shocked the industry with Helldivers 2, delivering one of 2025’s breakout hits. This third-person shooter drops you and three friends into a satirical war against alien bugs and robots as part of Super Earth’s elite military force.

The genius of Helldivers 2 lies in its organized chaos. Friendly fire is always on, orbital strikes might obliterate teammates instead of enemies, and extraction missions often devolve into desperate last stands. The game demands coordination as you balance completing objectives, managing ammunition, and calling in support without accidentally vaporizing your squad. Its blend of tactical depth and unpredictable moments makes each mission memorable, whether you’re successfully extracting with seconds to spare or watching in horror as a stray bullet ignites a chain reaction that dooms your entire team.

Deep Rock Galactic

Players: 4
Co-op Type: Local/Online

“Rock and Stone!” This battle cry will become second nature as you delve into the procedurally generated caves of Deep Rock Galactic. Playing as space dwarves with distinct class abilities, you’ll mine precious minerals while fending off swarms of alien insects.

The class synergy forms the backbone of the experience—Engineers create platforms for Scouts to reach high areas, Drillers forge shortcuts through solid rock, and Gunners provide covering fire and ziplines for team mobility. Every mission requires adaptability as cave systems may flood with magma, become infested with explosive plants, or plunge into complete darkness. The procedural generation ensures no two expeditions feel identical, while the robust progression system keeps your team returning to the asteroid belt for “just one more mission.”

Role-Playing Adventures

Baldur’s Gate 3

Players: 2-4
Co-op Type: Local/Online

Larian Studios’ epic RPG masterpiece brings Dungeons & Dragons to life in the most comprehensive way possible. While the 100+ hour campaign is engaging solo, experiencing it with friends adds new dimensions to both combat and storytelling.

In co-op mode, each player controls their own character, making decisions that can dramatically alter the course of events. Disagreements might arise over ethical choices, romance options, or tactical approaches to combat, creating genuinely unpredictable outcomes. The turn-based combat system shines with multiple players coordinating abilities, with one setting up environmental hazards while another pushes enemies into them. The PS5 version impressively supports local split-screen for two players, maintaining visual fidelity while allowing friends to share the couch for their adventures through Faerûn.

Diablo IV

Players: 2-4
Co-op Type: Local/Online

Blizzard’s dark fantasy action RPG brings its signature loot-hunting gameplay to PS5 with full co-op support. The eternal battle against demonic forces is always better with friends by your side.

Unlike previous entries, Diablo IV supports couch co-op on PS5, allowing two players to battle through Sanctuary on the same screen without compromising performance. The five distinct classes—Barbarian, Sorcerer, Rogue, Druid, and Necromancer—complement each other perfectly in combat, encouraging diverse team compositions. The shared world elements introduce opportunities to team up for world bosses and events, while the competitive aspects let friends compare their progress in leaderboards and PvP zones. With Blizzard’s commitment to seasonal content, Diablo IV offers potentially endless co-op replayability.

Family-Friendly Fun

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Players: 2-4
Co-op Type: Local/Online

Few games generate as much laughter and good-natured shouting as the Overcooked! series. This definitive collection brings together both games with all DLC, enhanced for PS5 with faster loading and improved visuals.

Preparing meals against the clock while navigating increasingly absurd kitchen layouts—from splitting restaurants that slide apart to cooking stations on moving trucks—creates a perfect pressure cooker of cooperative chaos. Communication is key as players must coordinate who chops vegetables, cooks meat, washes dishes, and serves completed orders. The PS5 version runs at a silky-smooth 60fps, ensuring the only thing breaking down is your team’s communication, not the game’s performance.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Players: 2
Co-op Type: Local

TT Games’ most ambitious LEGO adaptation covers all nine main Star Wars films with a level of detail and humor that appeals to fans of all ages. The drop-in, drop-out local co-op makes this perfect for casual gaming sessions with family members of varying skill levels.

With over 300 playable characters spanning the entire saga, players can mix and match their favorite heroes and villains across eras. The gentle difficulty curve and forgiving gameplay mechanics ensure younger players can contribute meaningfully without frustration. For Star Wars enthusiasts, the attention to detail and respectful parody of iconic moments provide a nostalgic journey through the galaxy far, far away that’s best shared with a copilot.

Unique Cooperative Experiences

A Way Out

Players: 2 (mandatory)
Co-op Type: Local/Online

From the creators of It Takes Two comes an earlier experiment in mandatory co-op storytelling. A Way Out follows Leo and Vincent, two prisoners who must work together to escape prison and subsequently evade authorities.

The split-screen presentation remains constant even during online play, allowing players to always see what their partner is doing. This creates unique gameplay opportunities where one player might be in a cutscene while the other maintains control of their character, or where one creates a distraction while the other sneaks past guards. The cinematic presentation and divergent paths make repeated playthroughs rewarding, with each player taking the alternate character to experience different dialogue and gameplay moments.

No Man’s Sky

Players: 2-4+
Co-op Type: Online

Hello Games’ redemption story continues with the PS5 version of No Man’s Sky, which has evolved from a controversial launch into one of gaming’s most impressive comeback stories. The procedurally generated universe with 18 quintillion planets becomes even more engaging when explored with friends.

Co-op play opens up possibilities beyond solo exploration—constructing massive shared bases across planets, forming convoys of exocraft vehicles, commanding fleet operations from your capital ships, or simply sharing the awe of discovering bizarre alien landscapes and creatures. The PS5 version takes advantage of the DualSense controller to enhance immersion, with haptic feedback responding differently to various planetary surfaces and adaptive triggers changing resistance based on your mining equipment.

Action-Packed Adventures

Back 4 Blood

Players: 4
Co-op Type: Online

From the developers behind the original Left 4 Dead comes this spiritual successor that captures the essence of cooperative zombie slaying. Back 4 Blood pits four “Cleaners” against the parasite-infected “Ridden” in intense first-person shooter action.

The card system adds strategic depth to the formula, allowing players to construct decks that enhance their preferred playstyle while the AI Director manipulates difficulty through its own corruption cards. Each of the eight playable Cleaners brings unique bonuses to the team, encouraging diverse squad compositions for optimal effectiveness. Voice communication becomes essential when facing special Ridden variants that can disable team members, making this an excellent choice for friends with headsets looking for tactical challenges.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Players: 2-4
Co-op Type: Local/Online

The LittleBigPlanet mascot breaks away from the create-your-own-game format for a more traditional platforming adventure that excels in cooperative play. Vibrant visuals and an infectious soundtrack make this a joy to experience together.

While most levels can be completed solo, the game includes specific co-op challenges that require genuine teamwork and coordination. The tactile nature of the gameplay—with characters that can grab, pull, and bounce off each other—creates opportunities for both helpful cooperation and mischievous sabotage among friends. The DualSense implementation adds texture to different surfaces and materials in the crafted world, enhancing the already charming aesthetic.

Challenging Co-op Experiences

Cuphead

Players: 2
Co-op Type: Local

Studio MDHR’s love letter to 1930s animation doesn’t pull punches in the difficulty department, but sharing the challenge with a friend makes the journey more manageable and enjoyable. Playing as Cuphead and Mugman, players face off against imaginative bosses with punishing attack patterns.

The second player can revive their fallen partner by parrying their floating ghost—if they can reach it in time—adding a rescue mechanic that can save a run from disaster. Coordinating which player takes which special weapons and charms creates strategic depth beyond the precision platforming and shooting. The shared economy for purchasing upgrades also forces cooperation in resource management outside of the intense boss battles.

Human: Fall Flat

Players: 2-8
Co-op Type: Local/Online

Curve Digital’s physics-based puzzle platformer turns the simple act of movement into a hilarious challenge. Controlling wobbly, customizable characters with independent arm control leads to unpredictable results when attempting to navigate the floating dreamscapes.

Co-op play transforms the experience entirely, as players can help each other reach new heights by forming human ladders, creating makeshift seesaws, or simply dragging a friend who can’t quite master the controls. The open-ended puzzle design allows for creative solutions that developers may never have anticipated, especially when multiple players combine their physics-defying efforts. The PS5 version supports up to eight players online, creating delightful chaos across the numerous puzzle environments.

Old-School Co-op Classics

Streets of Rage 4

Players: 2-4
Co-op Type: Local/Online

Dotemu’s revival of the beloved beat ’em up franchise captures the essence of arcade co-op gaming while modernizing the formula for today’s players. The hand-drawn art style and punchy combat make this a feast for the senses.

With four players brawling simultaneously, the screen fills with spectacular special moves and combo opportunities. Different characters offer varying playstyles—from Axel’s balanced approach to Cherry’s agility and Floyd’s raw power—encouraging players to find their favorite or complement each other’s choices. The ability to call in powerful team attacks when coordinating with partners adds strategic depth to the otherwise straightforward action, rewarding friends who learn to sync their timing and positioning.

Resident Evil 5 & 6

Players: 2
Co-op Type: Local/Online

While purists may debate their place in the survival horror canon, there’s no denying that the action-oriented entries in the Resident Evil series offer compelling co-op experiences. Both titles feature campaigns designed around two characters working in tandem.

Resident Evil 5 pairs Chris Redfield with Sheva Alomar in an African setting plagued by parasitic infections, while Resident Evil 6 expands to four intertwining campaigns with different gameplay focuses. Both games implement inventory sharing, healing partnerships, and cooperative combat maneuvers that become essential on higher difficulty settings. The split-screen option for local play preserves the social experience of shared scares and triumphant boss defeats without requiring multiple consoles.

How to Get Started with Co-op on PS5

Setting up co-op on your PlayStation 5 is straightforward:

• For local co-op: Simply connect additional DualSense controllers and select the appropriate game mode. Most PS5 titles automatically recognize multiple controllers.
• For online co-op: Ensure you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription (required for most online multiplayer), add friends via PlayStation Network, and use in-game invites or the PS5’s Activity Cards to join sessions quickly.
• For cross-platform titles: Check if your game supports cross-play with other consoles or PC, which may require linking additional accounts through the game’s own systems.

Final Thoughts

The PlayStation 5’s powerful hardware and social features make it an ideal platform for cooperative gaming experiences. From the mandatory teamwork of It Takes Two to the chaotic battlefields of Helldivers 2 and the strategic depths of Baldur’s Gate 3, there’s something for every type of player and friendship group.

Co-op gaming often creates the most memorable moments in our gaming lives—the clutch revives, the perfectly executed strategies, and yes, even the hilarious failures. As the PS5 library continues to grow throughout 2025, we can expect even more innovative ways to play together in shared virtual worlds.

What’s your favorite PS5 co-op experience? Let us know in the comments below, and share your most memorable multiplayer moments with the community!