The PS4 has a lot of multiplayer games in its catalog. From raucous first-person shooters to colorful cartoony platformers, there’s a wide range of genres to choose from on the system. This includes titles that can be played physically alongside family and friends. Each of our picks for the best PS4 couch co-op games are guaranteed to entertain guests of all ages over the holidays. Just don’t let them distract you too much from your grandmother.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Overcooked 2
If anyone you know is a foodie, Overcooked 2 may be the perfect game for them. As adorable little chefs, players are tasked with cooking as many dishes as they possibly can before time runs out. They’ll be involved in all aspects of the process, including preparing the ingredients, serving the food, and cleaning all the plates once patrons are done eating. The challenge lies in the layouts of the kitchens, as each changes every level. Stations may be hard to find and obstacles like pedestrian crosswalks could get in the way of work. Both Overcooked 2 and its prequel support up to four players, which is great is you’re planning on having a large party over for the holidays. However, Overcooked 2 is more refined and isn’t quite as stringent.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a silly third-person shooter that’s perfect for co-op parties looking to play a variety of game modes. The title features unique twists on classic multiplayer options like Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, and King of the Hill and allows fans to choose from many different plant and zombie classes, each of which is outfitted with variants. Garden Warfare 2 is an addictive title that was practically designed to be played until the early morning hours of December 26.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
While you may have bought this year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 to play its new battle royale mode online, the game is also great to enjoy locally with friends or family this holiday. The title’s traditional multiplayer, zombies, and Blackout modes can all be played with a co-op partner right beside you as long as one of you has a PlayStation Plus subscription. If you don’t have access to a stable internet connection, the former two modes can be experienced offline with bots. No matter what you decide to do, you and your buddy’s first-person shooter skills will surely be tested.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Rocket League
Have you ever wanted to play soccer with rocket-powered cars? Rocket League makes this dream come true by pitting two teams of two against one another in an effort to see which pair can score the most goals within a time limit. Rules can be altered according to how you and a friend want to play. For instance, if the two of you prefer basketball or hockey, Rocket League allows players to change goalposts and terrain. It’s really no wonder why the title has attracted such a massive fanbase. It’s easy to learn but hard to master, making it very difficult to put down after your mom scolds you for not talking to your uncle more.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Rayman Legends
Rayman Legends is one of the best co-op platformers a group of four friends can play together on PS4, regardless of age. Fantastic level design, beautiful art, and a lovely soundtrack all work to completely immerse players in Rayman‘s eccentric 2D world. People who are little less familiar with the genre aren’t penalized for failure. Rather, they float around in the air as bubbles until a partner is able to restore them back to normal. Legends is designed for fans of all experience levels—though you can slap around your friend if he or she is getting hurt too often.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Rock Band 4
Does anyone else remember the Rock Band craze that shook the industry last console generation? If you and your friends are looking for an excuse to brush the dust off your plastic guitars and assemble your beat-up miniature drum set, Rock Band 4 has got you covered. Featuring backward compatibility with hardware from previous games in the franchise, all the fake instruments you invested in years ago are compatible with the game. Your crew’s favorite songs can be redownloaded quickly at no extra charge, too, making Rock Band 4 the perfect homage to the emo days we all wished we didn’t have.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – A Way Out
A Way Out is a title designed exclusively for co-op play. Released earlier this year, it depicts two men on a mission to escape from prison undetected and find new lives for themselves well beyond razor wire fences. Though the experience can be completed in around six hours, it’s probably best to take one’s time with the game. A Way Out may leave a strong emotional impact on you and your partner if you both give it time to sink in. Just be warned: this is a co-op game that’s definitely meant to be played by an older crowd.
Best PS4 Couch Co-Op Games – Unravel Two
Unravel Two released during this year’s E3 and builds on the adorable antics of Yarny from the first game. It can be played locally with another person, with each player controlling one of the two anthropomorphic stars of the title in order to navigate across stunningly realistic levels and solve puzzles together. Obstacles can get quite challenging at times, making the addition of a co-op partner essential if you want to get a lot of fun out of the title.
Be it your action-obsessed cousin, musical niece, or fun-loving kid, that titles above will put on smile on the faces of everyone you’ve invited over for the holidays. They may even convince those that don’t normally play video games to pick up a controller for the first time. After all, the medium has extraordinary potential to bring people together. There’s no better way to celebrate another great year of gaming than with family and friends this holiday season.
