Steam and local co-op games are not synonymous, as the latter is primarily associated with consoles. PC gaming is nowadays all about online multiplayer, which has largely replaced LAN play that was so popular back in the day (and I sincerely miss). Steam has thousands of online games that emphasize teamwork and coordination, but you might not realize that Valve's platform also loves couch co-op. In most cases, if a title supports the feature on consoles, the PC version will also have it.
So, pull up a second chair or run an HDMI cable from your desktop to your TV and get ready to experience some of the best local co-op games ever, all found through your Steam library. We are talking RPGs, beat 'em ups, shooters, platformers, puzzlers, horror, and nearly every other genre imaginable.
Updated January 31, 2026 by Mark Sammut: 2026 is well underway, but we haven't really gotten a major local co-op Steam game yet. Consequently, I've added two older options: Darksiders Genesis and For the King.
Quick Picks: Best Steam Local Co-Op Games For Different Circumstances
Before we dive into the individual games, let's go through a few recommendations for different group sizes or preferences. If you are only looking for quick advice on something to play, the following table should help. To keep things interesting, we will include three games per category, and the last one will not be in the full list below.
|
Category |
Game 1 |
Game 2 |
Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best for Couples |
It Takes Two |
Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime |
Haven |
|
Best for Friends |
Split Fiction |
Marvel Cosmic Invasion |
Viking Squad |
|
Best with Kids |
Lego Games |
Castle Crashers |
Human Fall Flat |
|
Best Chaotic Party Game |
Overcooked! 2 |
Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes |
Ultimate Chicken Horse |
|
Best Story-Driven Co-Op |
Baldur's Gate 3 |
A Way Out |
Sea of Stars |
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1 Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Accessible And Fun Steam Beat 'Em Up Co-Op Game
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
- Released
- December 1, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Tribute Games Inc.
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up, Superhero, Action
- 1-4 Local Co-Op
Is it remotely surprising that the team behind TMNT: Shredder's Revenge would end up producing one of 2025's best co-op romps? Marvel Cosmic Invasion builds on Tribute Games' previous outing by offering another gorgeous, challenging, and accessible adventure that can easily be enjoyed solo or with friends. The former works brilliantly and comes with tons of replayvalue due to the 15 playable characters, all of whom are unique; however, like with nearly every beat 'em up ever, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is just a bit better with friends.
The story is not important, and the only thing you need to know is that the combat is smooth and bombastic, fittingly so for a game that features some of the most iconic and strongest heroes in fiction. While single-player has its own quirks, co-op really makes you take into account the characters' synergy, as you try to build a team consisting of complementary fighters rather than just solo artists.
TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is also fantastic, while Streets of Rage 4 is a great option if you want a harder beat 'em up.
2 Split Fiction
The Best Co-Op Game On Steam
Split Fiction
- Released
- March 6, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- 2-Player Local Co-Op
- Splitscreen
Hazelight is back with another fantastic co-op experience. Similar to It Takes Two and A Way Out, Split Fiction only supports 2-player runs, so solo playthroughs are not an option. While that can be frustrating for people who prefer to game on their own, Hazelight's dedication to co-op deserves praise, especially in an era when non-online-focused multiplayer projects are so rare. Due to this creative decision, Split Fiction is built to emphasize and bolster cooperative action, including a story revolving around two characters who are forced to work together after they are screwed over by a corporation. Zoe and Mio are both writers, with the former specializing in fantasy and the latter in sci-fi. Long story short, their ideas are not only stolen but also turned into worlds that Zoe and Mio have to play through to survive.
Like It Takes Two, Split Fiction constantly shakes up its locations and gameplay. Each level essentially takes place in a different world that falls under the general banner of fantasy or sci-fi, and the environments go through an impressive range of settings. The gameplay also evolves to match the situations, resulting in pretty constant surprises. Split Fiction could be described as a platformer, but that just reflects the core gameplay and not the game's incredible scope. The story is pretty great too, with two fun protagonists and strong writing throughout. If two friends loved It Takes Two, they will probably adore Split Fiction.
3 Baldur's Gate 3
The Best Co-Op RPG On Steam For Players Looking For A Long Campaign
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- 2 Player Local Co-Op
- Splitscreen
After achieving near-perfection with Divinity: Original Sin 2, which is also a great co-op PC RPG, Larian Studios did the impossible and produced something arguably even better. After spending almost three years in early access, Baldur's Gate 3 finally made its proper debut in August 2023, and to say the game was well-received would be an understatement. Hailed as a new benchmark in the CRPG genre, the long-awaited sequel is a deep and rewarding single-player experience that can easily keep somebody entertained for months on end. A big part of the game's appeal is its flexible and reactive design that seeks to morph the world to complement a player's choices.
While a fantastic solo experience, Baldur's Gate 3's local co-op feature is also not an afterthought. Players can join someone's else campaign, or start a new one where they play together from the beginning. Thanks to the use of split-screen, adventurers are not tied to each other, and one party member can head out to explore on their own while their partner does something else. Even though they will likely stick together during most sessions, Baldur's Gate 3 makes it possible for both players to feel in control.
4 PowerWash Simulator 2
A Relaxing Time With Your Friends
PowerWash Simulator 2
- Released
- October 23, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- FuturLab
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, First-Person, Sandbox
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- 2-Player Local Co-Op
- Split-Screen
While not garnering the same level of initial praise as its predecessor due to technical issues, PowerWash Simulator 2 nevertheless has all the elements to be a fantastic sequel, and it should reach that status once some of the rougher aspects are fixed. Now, the multiplayer is one of these areas, as reports of lost connections have come in. However, this is primarily related to the online side of things, and the two-player local co-op should not provide any significant issues.
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The Career mode can only be experienced with two players, making it pretty much perfect for local co-op. As with the first title, you and your partner get to run a business, completing cleaning jobs that vary in scope, scale, and location. More importantly, PowerWash Simulator 2 is one of the most relaxing multiplayer games on Steam. After a long, exhausting day at work, it is nice to jump into your therapeutic fictional job.
5 Absolum
Another Smash Co-Op Beat 'Em Up Lands On Steam
Absolum
- Released
- October 9, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Guard Crush Games, Supamonks, Dotemu
- Genre(s)
- Roguelite, Beat 'Em Up
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC
- 2-Player Local Co-Op
Is there a genre that has more couch co-op success stories than beat 'em ups? Seriously, it seems like every other month produces a gem, and they tend to support both local and online on Steam (which is NOT a guarantee by any means). Absolum is another jewel to add to the genre's crown, coming from the same team that handled Streets of Rage 4.
Compared to that, this game is far more fast-paced and flashy, incorporating roguelite elements to add more replayability. Absolum's combat is among the best in the beat 'em up sphere, and it is not lacking in depth or accessibility. You have a few different characters to pick from, all of whom feel suitably different and combine to create interesting duos. The story is relatively lengthy for the genre, especially since you will be starting from scratch after a defeat.
6 It Takes Two
One Of The Greatest Local Co-Op Experiences Ever
It Takes Two
- Released
- March 26, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
- 2 Player Local Co-Op
- Splitscreen
Hazelight is responsible for three of the best 2-player Steam games, including Split Fiction. A Way Out is also fantastic and an easy recommendation for any duos seeking a mature storyline, but 2021's It Takes Two is generally regarded as the superior overall package. The story follows a married couple who are shrunk down and have to go on a wild adventure to make it back home. The premise might sound derivative, but the game absolutely nails its characters and visuals.
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As May and Cody are on the verge of getting a divorce, their shared situation forces them to openly communicate and work together after years of growing apart. It Takes Two's co-op gameplay reflects and enhances the narrative's themes.
7 Vampire Survivors
Popularized A New Genre & Still The Best In Class
Vampire Survivors
- Released
- December 17, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Luca Galante
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- 4 Player Local Co-Op
Vampire Survivors is firmly established as one of Steam's most popular games, and that will not change anytime soon. While not initially included, local co-op was added to the project in August 2023 to coincide with the release of the Switch version, and it was a great addition that elevated an already immaculate project. Up to four players can team up to take on the waves of enemies, with each one being allowed to pick from the available characters and weapons. In execution, co-op does not alter Vampire Survivors too significantly; however, it does tweak a few things ever so slightly to take advantage of the multiplayer element. If someone enjoys the single-player iteration, they will likely have fun with local co-op.
Like nearly every update released for the game, Poncle's implementation of co-op was well-thought-out, with the developers even introducing a few options to reduce the frustration that might result from having multiple similar-looking playable characters on the field. That said, co-op is just a bonus rather than something that defines Vampire Survivors.
8 Path Of Exile 2
A Work-In-Progress That Is Already Very Good
Path of Exile II
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Grinding Gear Games
- Early Access Release
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG
- 2-Player Local Co-Op
2013's Path of Exile is almost too good. The free-to-play action RPG delivered roughly a decade's worth of brilliance, firmly establishing itself as one of the definitive dungeon crawlers. Even nowadays, it is still a pretty easy recommendation. However, for all its positives, PoE only supports online co-op, which makes sense for a game that was initially designed with computers in mind. Along with still offering 6-player online co-op, the 2024 sequel adds local multiplayer to the equation, albeit limited to just two people sharing a screen. Controllers are also required on PC.
Now, Path of Exile 2 is currently in early access and very much a work-in-progress; consequently, anybody looking to jump on board should be prepared for missing features, a few rough edges, and tweaks/updates that could drastically change the viability of certain builds. Crucially, the early access version is not free, although the full release will go down that route. As such, people who are not sure if this project is for them might wish to wait until version 1.0 drops, which will probably not happen very soon.
With that out of the way, it is now time to say that Path of Exile 2 is fantastic. Improving on nearly every idea found in its predecessor, the sequel is bigger and better, offering more satisfying combat, customization options that come with ridiculous variety, and a pretty good story (from what is currently available). The endgame is also shaping up to be pretty great. In terms of local co-op, PoE2 is quite a natural fit for the feature, and the classes and their build options encourage parties to put together characters that complement each other.
9 Pico Park 2
Great Steam Co-Op Game For Big Groups
Pico Park 2
- Released
- August 27, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tecopark, Gemdrops, Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
- 8-player Local Co-Op
Pico Park 2 can be a frustrating experience, and that is part of its appeal. Tecopark's sequel challenges up to 8 players to take on bite-sized obstacles that can vary considerably in structure, presentation, and style. Some are fairly typical puzzles, while other stages dip into genres like action or platforming. Still, the core concept is the same: work together and communicate.
In reality, most people will probably have to make do with strangers when playing Pico Park 2, at least if they want to add as many players as possible. Still, the game supports 8-player local co-op as well, so the option is technically viable. That said, 2-player co-op is likely to be the more common selection.
10 Chained Together
A Frustratingly Fun Local Co-Op Game
Chained Together
- Released
- June 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Anegar Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Up To 4-Player Local Co-Op
- Splitscreen
The rise of platforms like Twitch saw the birth of a weird puzzle-platformer subgenre seemingly designed specifically to inspire outrage in streamers. Only Up! Is probably the most well-known example of this trend, but Jump King and Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy are also (in)famous and, for a while, were inescapable. As entertaining as it can be to watch someone struggle for hours to climb an abstract tower or blast through in a matter of minutes, these projects can be hard to recommend in situations when a crowd is not watching.
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Although perfect for Twitch, Chained Together arguably comes the closest to being a worthwhile all-around gaming experience when someone is craving a challenging platformer. The project's biggest selling point is its co-op implementation, to the point that the feature is highlighted by the title. While solo runs are possible, Chained Together is designed with multiplayer in mind, allowing for up to four players to be tied together as they try to escape hell.
As with Only Up!, players have to jump, catch, and climb across floating assets, all the while being fully aware that a single mistake could cause them to lose all of their progress (unless they are playing in Beginner mode). Frustrating as those moments can be, Chained Together works due to that ever-present fear of catastrophic failure. The co-op adds a nice twist since having another player on board has both positives and negatives.