
Best Local Co-Op & Split-Screen Games On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium (January 2025)
Although they might not be the standard anymore, local co-op games are still fairly common, and Sony’s subscription service has quite a few projects that support the feature. These titles cover a wide range of genres and gameplay styles, so there should be something for most players. Here are the best local co-op PS Plus games.
Note: While all of these PS Plus local co-op games are on Premium, some of them are not available with an Extra subscription. Each entry specifies whether the title can be played on both tiers. Also, the ranks are not based solely on quality. For example, newer PS Plus additions will be mentioned first.
Updated January 26, 2025, by Mark Sammut: The PS Plus Extra and Premium games for January 2025 include several co-op options, but they are online only. Still, Orcs Must Die! 3, SD Gundam Battle Alliance, and Atlas Fallen all support cooperative play, so players who are fine with either local or online should consider them. As the month was lacking in local co-op PS Plus games, a family-friendly puzzle platform has been added as a recommendation. Click below to jump to this new entry.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat!
A Full Course
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
November 10, 2020
Developer(s)
Ghost Town Games
Overcooked! 2 is one of the best local co-op games of the last few years, so the announcement that it would leave PS Plus Extra in November 2024 was disappointing. However, Sony had a plan and revealed that Overcooked! All You Can Eat! would essentially replace it. This release contains Overcooked!, its sequel, and their DLC, making it by far the most complete option. Basically, Overcooked! 2 was upgraded.
- 4-Player Local Co-Op
So, what is this franchise about? Well, it is about cooking. Putting aside fantastical stories that add an element of silliness and drive to the campaigns of both titles, Overcooked! is ultimately a restaurant party game where players have to complete orders and keep customers satisfied. That might sound straightforward, but like a real restaurant, things get complicated quickly. Before long, chefs will be drowning in requests as they try to navigate a bizarre kitchen while hopefully keeping their cool. Most co-op games bring people together, but some can break them apart. Overcooked! can inspire both.
Note: Overcooked! 2 is generally better than its predecessor, and its gameplay loop is very similar (but not identical). Newcomers can just start with the sequel if they want, although both entries are really fun local co-op experiences.
2. TimeSplitters Trilogy
A Great FPS Series That Is A Trip Through Time
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TimeSplitters TimeSplitters 2 TimeSplitters: Future Perfect PS Plus Availability Premium Premium Premium Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 2 PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2 PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2 Released 2000-10-23 2002-10-08 2005-03-21 Developer(s) Free Radical Design Free Radical Design Free Radical Design Genre(s) FPS FPS First-Person Shooter
PS Plus Premium exclusives tend to be overshadowed by their Extra counterparts, which makes sense since the latter are usually fairly modern. For example, August 2024’s Extra lineup included The Witcher 3 and Cult of the Lamb, two fantastic “recent-ish” games that can consume someone’s life for a good while. However, the month’s Premium classics were arguably just as exciting, solely for one franchise: TimeSplitters. Too many years have passed since Free Radical’s trilogy was last spotlighted, and all three entries are now readily available on the PS4 and PS5.
All three titles support 2-player local co-op, allowing their campaigns to be experienced alongside a friend. Generally speaking, TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect are considered to be far superior to their predecessor, to the point of the original game being relegated to something of a footnote in the IP’s legacy. Honestly, players can just jump into the sequel and skip the first; however, TimeSplitters is a charming time capsule of its era. Its gameplay also feels quite different from its sequels since levels emphasize speed above everything else. So, while not perfect, it is worth a try.
TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect hold up as two of the greatest FPS games of all time, and they are still an absolute blast to play through. Their campaigns are great in single-player, but they do shine slightly brighter in co-op. The gunplay’s chaotic nature is amplified by having a second user along for the ride, and the maps are consistently fantastic in both games. Future Perfect has the superior story mode, but TimeSplitters 2 arguably has the better gameplay.
3. Tales Of Symphonia Remastered Or Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Arguably The Definitive Co-Op JRPG Franchise
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Tales Of Symphonia Remastered Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition PS Plus Availability Premium Premium Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One Released 2023-02-17 2019-01-11 Developer(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment Namco Tales Studio Genre(s) Action RPG JRPG System Nintendo, Xbox, PlayStation Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation OpenCritic Page https://opencritic.com/game/14298/tales-of-symphonia-remastered https://opencritic.com/game/6860/tales-of-vesperia-definitive-edition Top Critic Rating 65 83 Critics Recommend % 27 88%
While not supported by every entry, Bandai Namco’s Tales franchise is generally a reliable pick for co-op. PS Plus Premium subscribers have access to two of the most beloved games in the series: Symphonia and Vesperia. The former is rightfully hailed as a classic of the genre, and the PS2 release cemented the IP as an all-time great. PS Plus has the 2023 remaster, which does not offer much more than a boost to the visuals and a few minor tweaks. As this iteration is largely the same as the 2003 version (or, more accurately, the PS3 HD rerelease), the game can feel antiquated by today’s standards, and a complete newcomer might struggle to get through the campaign’s fairly slow opening few hours. Nevertheless, Symphonia offers a great story and even better characters, along with a real-time combat system that supports a plethora of playstyles. Co-op also fixes one of the title’s biggest shortcomings: fairly dumb partner AI.
Alternatively, players can try Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, which has arguably aged better as a complete package than Symphonia. Although the games do not have extremely different battle systems, Vesperia is notably faster and more responsive, creating an overall superior experience. Its cel-shaded visuals have also aged like fine wine, allowing both the 2008 original and its 2019 iteration to be pleasing to the eye. The story is also top-notch, and it is led by perhaps the best protagonist in the entire Tales franchise.
Regardless of which game people pick, they can look forward to a lengthy action JRPG with a well-implemented co-op. That said, co-op is limited to combat.
4. Cult Of The Lamb
The Lamb Builds A Cult With The Help of The Goat
Roguelite
Indie Games
Simulation
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- August 11, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Massive Monster
- 2-Player Local Co-Op
- Co-Op Campaign
Cult of the Lamb was always great, but it used to be kind of lonely. However, in 2024, Massive Monster released a free update that, among other things, introduced a 2-player co-op for the campaign. Now, everyone’s favorite cult-leading lamb does not have to take on the responsibilities of guiding followers and clearing dungeons on their own. It can be a team effort, with the lamb being able to summon a goat.
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Narratively, Cult of the Lamb does not directly reference the co-op element, so the feature does not add much from that perspective. However, a second player should help extend the replay value of the dungeon runs, which might have started to feel old for people who have been leading a cult since 2022. Cult of the Lamb‘s local co-op is easy to access, and it even includes a few unique tarot cards and relics.
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Co-Op Beat ‘Em Up That Is Accessible & Fun
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
PS Plus AvailabilityExtra & Premium
Released
June 16, 2022
Developer(s)Tribute Games Inc.
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Beat ’em ups are made for co-op, and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge exemplifies that. Inspired by the franchise’s classic entries in the genre, the 2022 release is a colorful and challenging throwback that should satisfy fans of Turtles in Time along with newcomers who never stepped into arcades. For the most part, the campaign follows a fairly standard structure for a beat ’em up, including offering a myriad of playable characters: the Turtles themselves, Splinter, April, and Casey Jones. More importantly, each character has a unique mindset and strengths that set them apart from their peers. This versatility significantly enhances the project’s replayability since a single playthrough probably won’t take somebody longer than a couple of hours.
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In co-op, friends can team up to take on the Foot Clan, and they will do more than just share a screen. Shredder’s Revenge incorporates a couple of multiplayer-focused mechanics that reward co-op play, including special 2-player attacks. Along with local co-op, the game also supports online multiplayer for up to 6 participants, and it is possible to mix and match the two versions to fully stack a lineup.
6. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Co-Op Required To Get The Full Experience
3D Platformer
Action
Adventure
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- November 12, 2020
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
- Crossplay (PS5 & PS4)
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a delightful 3D platformer, a genre that is not overrepresented on the PS5. As the LittleBigPlanet spin-off can largely be experienced in single-player, any solo runners will have generally a good time; however, the game not only supports local and online co-op but occasionally emphasizes it. While most of the campaign’s levels are designed for solitary players, there are a few stages specifically created for co-op. These do not have to be completed to get to the end of the campaign, but they do make the process a lot easier.
While these stages are co-op driven, the rest of the campaign can also be tackled by four players. Sackboy uses a drop-in, drop-out multiplayer system, permitting friends to jump in whenever they feel like it. This method complements the game’s relaxed tone and makes it perfect for short sessions since players do not have to commit to completing a full playthrough.
7. Dragon’s Crown Pro
Beat ‘Em Up RPG With That Vanillaware Magic
Dragon’s Crown
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- August 6, 2013
- 4-Player Local Co-Op
- Co-Op Campaign
Vanillaware does not create bad games, and Dragon’s Crown ranks comfortably among the decorated developer’s greatest achievements. Originally released for the PS3 and Vita, the game eventually made its way to the PS4 in the form of a Pro edition, and this version is on PS Plus Premium. Featuring six playable classes, Dragon’s Crown blends side-scrolling beat ’em up action with RPG systems, crafting an experience that can be deeply addictive despite being ultimately quite repetitive. Players will find themselves playing through the same nine levels as they gradually level up their characters (and take on higher difficulty levels), and the combat system is more than good enough to keep things interesting for a long while.
Whether you’re playing side-by-side or over long distances, these long-term co-op campaigns are great for bonding with friends, partners, and family.
In terms of co-op support, four friends can team up to take on the campaign’s challenges. When the full playable roster is used, the on-screen action can get a touch chaotic and overwhelming; nevertheless, co-op is a positive addition to Dragon’s Crown. The game is great solo, but bringing a friend along can make the grind less exhausting.
8. Children Of Morta
Strong Narrative, Characters, & Co-Op Gameplay
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
September 3, 2019
Developer(s)
Dead Mage
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
An action-RPG roguelike, Children of Morta follows the Bergson family as they crawl their way through randomly-generated dungeons. Featuring seven playable characters that each feel unique, players have a wide range of duos they can try out, and they will need to experiment since swapping between family members is required.
Along with decent gameplay that blossoms nicely as the campaign progresses, Children of Morta also tells a surprisingly effective character-driven narrative, presenting the Bergsons as a unit with history rather than mere puppets. Friends looking for a more difficult co-op game should try out this title.
9. Lost Planet 2
A Cult Classic That Is Only Worth Playing With A Friend
PS Plus Availability
Premium
Released
May 11, 2010
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
- Split-screen
Capcom’s Lost Planet is such a bizarre series. The franchise produced three main games and a spin-off, all of which are fairly distinct from each other. Even though the console Lost Planet trilogy was all released on basically the same hardware and within about 7 years, they vary so greatly in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and tone that they cannot be recommended as a whole. If someone is seeking a single-player experience, they should check out the original Lost Planet; however, if co-op is someone’s poison, they should look no further than Lost Planet 2. Lost Planet 3 is also a game that exists.
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Supporting local split-screen and 4-player online co-op, the sequel was clearly designed to be played with friends. The campaign is split into missions that contain a few basic objectives, although they are mainly there to give players something to kill while wearing awesome mech suits. Lost Planet 2 emphasizes teamwork to an extent, especially during its massive and awe-inspiring boss battles. Even all these years later, the latter encounters are still visually impressive.
10. Vikings: Wolves Of Midgard
A Viking Epic
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
March 24, 2017
Developer(s)
Games Farm
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
- Split-screen
Diablo‘s shadow looms far and wide over the isometric action RPG genre. While Blizzard’s franchise might not be on PS Plus, Vikings: Wolves of Midgard serves as a respectable alternative. Except for its Norse influences, a setting that was more unique in 2017 prior to the launch of God of War, Vikings doesn’t deviate too far from the beaten path for this type of game. The kill, loot, and recycle loop continues to be repeated for a reason – it works.
Vikings: Wolves of Midgard supports local and online co-op, and the journey is far more enjoyable with a few friends who are willing to synergize their builds.
11.Earth Defense Force 5
Cathartic Fun
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
July 11, 2019
Developer(s)
Sandlot
PS Plus has a couple of Earth Defense Force projects, and they are all acquired tastes. Sandlot’s franchise translates monster b-movies into games, delivering a straightforward, silly, but highly enjoyable experience. While not completely devoid of variety, most missions boil down to “kill every insect” as hundreds of these big buggers crowd the streets and crawl over buildings. Even though the visuals are far from great, EDF is relentlessly charming, as long as somebody goes in with realistic expectations. These titles offer mindless fun, and that’s largely it. Do not go in expecting a great story, very deep gameplay, or a wide assortment of character customization options. Just pick a class, try out some different weapons, and shoot everything that moves. Also, mecha.
Although viable solo, EDF 5 can get repetitive very quickly when players are taking on the alien insectoid hordes as a one-soldier army; fortunately, the franchise tends to prioritize multiplayer. Along with 4-player online support, 2-player local co-op is available, and the introduction of a secondary user elevates the overall experience. Co-op lets the class system shine and increases the difficulty slightly, requiring a slightly more tactical approach in the process. Not every name needs to be complex; sometimes, nothing hits the mark like blasting away an army of ants.
12. Untitled Goose Game
Double Trouble
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
September 20, 2019
Developer(s)
House House
- 2-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Untitled Goose Game offers unbridled chaos. A quaint British town becomes subject to unspeakable horrors due to the arrival of a goose, one that plans to turn the citizens’ lives upside down. And, to make matters worse, the waterfowl can bring a friend.
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House’s Untitled Goose Game is a silly but charming game that puts players in charge of a goose (or two geese in local co-op) as they steadily try to complete tasks. More often than not, this process involves being a nuisance to the townsfolk, and the indie title is a lot of fun. Beyond the addition of a second goose, the game does not change too much since the campaign’s objectives remain the same. Players can have a blast working together as they annoy the furious NPCs.
13. Cat Quest 2
Adorable Action RPG Goodness
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
September 24, 2019
Developer(s)
The Gentlebros
- 2-Player Local Co-Op
- Co-Op Campaign
Cat Quest and its sequel are both relentlessly charming smaller-scale action RPGs, but only the latter supports 2-player co-op. More importantly, the campaign was likely designed to be played with a friend, to the point of both the story and cover image showcasing the dual protagonists (this time, the feline partners with a dog to create perhaps the most adorable pair of heroes in gaming). For the most part, the conventional good vs evil story plays things safe, mostly serving as an excuse to send players on a joyous adventure through towns, wastelands, and dungeons. En route, they will face off against an impressive range of monsters, engaging in combat that has more depth than might initially appear to be the case.
Now, Cat Quest 2 is a perfectly fine solo RPG that allows players to swap back and forth between the two protagonists; however, an AI partner is seldom as useful as another human, and that is mostly true for this game. In terms of difficulty, Cat Quest 2 delivers enough of a punch to not bore experienced players (at least when played in Normal Mode), while also being accessible to children who might be taking their first steps into the world of gaming.
14. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition
Challenging Beat ‘Em Up For More Than Just Fans
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
August 10, 2010
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game Complete Edition adapts Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel as it pits the titular character against a slew of his girlfriend’s ex-partners. Harboring back to traditional beat ’em ups, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game is a charming romp defined by retro visuals, simple but solid gameplay, and tough bosses.
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The game comes with seven playable characters that have a few unique features, allowing friends to team up and work together to take on the roster of sinister exes. There are even a few co-op combos to spice things up.
15. Magicka 2
Fun Magic System
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
May 26, 2015
Developer(s)
Pieces Interactive
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Magicka 2 is a power fantasy in the sense that it gives players the ammunition to create spells that could impress the likes of Gandalf, Shang Tsung, and Doctor Strange. While players are given all the tools they might need, executing them is hardly easy as it requires carefully pressing the right buttons to combine magic types, and these input sequences are long. Testing as the game’s learning curve can be, Magicka 2 rewards the committed with satisfying wizardry destruction.
Although possible solo, Magicka 2 is meant to be played with a few friends as enemies hit hard and without remorse. In a group of four, players can spread overwhelming and delightful mayhem across the land. It is a lot of fun.
16. Alienation
Isometric Shooter Awesomeness
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
April 26, 2016
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
A twin-stick shooter, Alienation was a blast when it came out in 2016 and time has done little to hurt the game’s appeal. Earth has fallen at the hands of an alien invasion, so it is up to the players to turn the tide by doing a lot of shooting and killing.
Alienation supports single-player and online co-op, both of which are quite fun, although the latter isn’t all that active nowadays. However, the shooter is arguably at its best when played in local co-op since this allows the team to coordinate better. There are four characters with individual classes, each of whom has unique strengths and weaknesses. Alienation is explosive, incorporates engaging RPG elements, and offers quite a steep challenge.
17. For The King
For Tabletop RPG Fans
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
April 19, 2018
Developer(s)
Ironoak Games
- 3-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Depending on the player, For the King will either be a frustrating time-sink that is not worth the hassle or an addictive RPG that does an admirable job of replicating a tabletop campaign. Fondness for the latter is required to appreciate IronOak’s project as the developer set out to recreate that type of experience, and that goes beyond the implementation of turn-based movement and fantasy tropes. For the King is driven by randomness, with nearly every action taken by players adhering to the discretion of the RNG gods. As such, there can be times when the game seems to be actively working against the player, which is not fun. However, randomness is a central part of many classic tabletop games, adding an element of unpredictability to playthroughs. Love or hate it, For the King knows what it wants to be and delivers on that promise.
Moving past that extended disclaimer, this RPG tells a fairly basic story about setting out on an adventure to protect the kingdom following the death of its ruler. Players create a party and are dropped into a grid-based map, with every action being turn-based. The King utilizes roguelike elements to ensure each playthrough offers something different, and players will likely find themselves having to start over after their characters are wiped or they are just having a brutal campaign. The combat is also turn-based and generally enjoyable, opting to match accessible mechanics with a high difficulty ceiling (even on lower levels).
18. Human: Fall Flat
Physics Silliness
Human: Fall Flat
PS Plus AvailabilityExtra & Premium
Released
July 22, 2016
Developer(s)No Brakes Games
- 2-Player Support
- Split-screen
If unpredictable physics and a sandbox that encourages experimentation are a recipe for endless giggles, then Human: Fall Flat turns players into master chefs. Each of the game’s thematic levels provides a few objectives that require completing platforming challenges and solving puzzles; however, Human: Fall Flat is at its most entertaining when any guidelines are ignored in favor of producing chaotic messes.
In split-screen, two people receive blank humans to direct, and the addition of another player opens up even further the already vast gameplay possibilities. The more creative and curious the users are, the more fun Human: Fall Flat becomes.
19. The Ascent
Great Setting, Solid Gameplay
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
July 29, 2021
- 4-Player Support
- Co-Op Campaign
Debuting as an Xbox console exclusive, The Ascent eventually joined Sony’s ecosystem, and while not a masterpiece, the cyberpunk game has more than enough to offer to warrant a recommendation. Just to be clear, this action RPG works well as a solo experience, and an argument could be made that this option represents the game at its best. Nevertheless, the 4-play co-op support does not detract much from the overall package, even if it does not add a great deal to it. Furthermore, The Ascent can be a slog at times, so having a few friends along for the ride can help greatly during these moments.
Set in Veles, players step into the shoes of a mercenary, a role that is not exactly highly regarded. The beautifully designed urban jungle is arguably the game’s highlight, and exploring Veles leads to some of the campaign’s most memorable moments. The RPG utilizes a twin-stick shooter combat system that, while decent, might take a second to grow on someone since it is slower than the genre’s typical offerings.
20. Samurai Warriors 5
Destroys Armies With A Friend
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
Released
July 27, 2021
- 2-Player Support
- Splitscreen
Musou games are an acquired taste, but they can be a blast in the right headspace. Although very straightforward, their gameplay loop lends itself to cathartic demolishing, allowing players to wipe the floor with hundreds of enemies without breaking a sweat. It is satisfying. Samurai Warriors 5 is one of the better entries in the franchise, providing a fairly traditional experience that does not push the envelope nor break the wheel.
While the online co-op can be frustrating, Samurai Warriors 5‘s local co-op is implemented reasonably well for the most part. Players will need to unlock the feature, but once that is done, they will be able to play (most) missions with a friend.
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