Summary
Though many single-player games can be quite fun and rewarding, multiplayer co-op games allow numerous players to experience a game together as they overcome obstacles and work towards a shared goal.Co-op games come in a wide variety of formsacross several genres. As funny as it is for two experienced players to experience a difficult game likeDark Soulstogether through co-op, there are several great games out there that can be enjoyed in co-op, even if one player has little to no experience with video games.
These games can be great introductions to their respective genres and have low barriers of entry so anyone can enjoy them. While the ease of some of these games may be offputting to some players, some games like this are able to remain enjoyable for experienced players through elements such as their charm or the elegance of their simplicity. So today, we’re going to examine 10 great co-op games that are perfect to play with less experienced players.
Updated on August 09, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat:With the lightning-fast progression of network and internet infrastructures in the world, the gaming industry began to find massive success in multiplayer games where players can team-up with or compete against each other.
The co-op games not only turned into a mainstream genre but also absorbed many new gamers into this hobby, as some of them delivered simple but fun gameplay that allows even rookie gamers to enjoy their free time with friends.
A few of the games listed here only support local co-op.
TheKirbyfranchiseis not one that is known for its difficulty, but this does not mean that the games aren’t fun or lack depth. Released for the Switch,Kirby: Star Alliesis a four-player platformer that allows players to assume control of several key enemies within the game, gaining access to their unique powers and abilities.
Between Kirby’s trademark copy ability and player’s abilities to switch their characters throughout the game, gameplay is always changing and keeping things fresh without the difficulty growing overbearing.
Cat Quest 2is an incredibly charming co-op action RPGthat puts the players within a world of cats and dogs. Having the players each assume the role of a cat and dog respectively, while the gameplay ofCat Quest 2is easy to understand, the core gameplay is enjoyable enough to help carry the game without getting stale.
Set in a sizable open world, this hack and slash allows each player to use a variety of spells in addition to their melee attacks as they search for more loot.
The most recent entry in theNew Super Mario Bros.series,New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxis an updated Switch port ofNew Super Mario Bros. U,featuring a variety of quality of life improvements.
Playable with up to four players, while the game is far from the most difficult game around, it’s a solid introduction to the platforming genre and can offer some challenges for those looking to obtain every star coin. The game also includes the playable character Toadette who can make the game less difficult for a newcomer looking for digital training wheels.
Originally released in 2011,The Binding Of Isaacis a “rogue-like” with co-op capabilities, putting players through randomly generated dungeons that ensure that each playthrough is different.
Not only are the obstacles that players face each time they playThe Binding Of Isaac, but the power-ups they obtain differ as well, allowing players to use differing play-styles and strategies based on the power-ups of their given playthroughs.
Zombies Ate My Neighborswas originally released for the SNES in 1993, and is a co-op run-and-gun that can be fun for players of all skill levels. Featuring enemies based on classic horror movies, the game features a solid difficulty curve that scales well with players' experience with the game, maintaining a solid yet forgiving difficulty.
While the game was originally released for the SNES, it was re-released for the Switch, Xbox One, and PS4.
While not the longest game,Moon Huntersis an incredibly underrated co-op RPG that functions as a playable personality test. One’s character and abilities are dictated by the choices and decisions that players make, keeping things fresh for new and experienced players alike.
Between the personalized experience of the game, its easy-to-understand mechanics, and its forgiving difficulty,Moon Hunterscan be a great game to play with those with little experience with RPGs.
Unlike most games on this list,Unravel Twoonly supports local co-op and it cannot be played online. The game follows the core gameplay of the original version, but it now features puzzles that require two players to solve.
Unravel Twois a pretty brief experience compare to online co-op games, but it’s still one of those games memorable experiences, thanks to its beautiful visuals, superb puzzles, and simplified gameplay mechanics.
For those who are looking for a deep narrative along with engaging gameplay,Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sonscould be a superb experience to remember. The story follows two brothers who begin a dangerous adventure to find a cure for their sick father.
Throughout the journey, each player takes control of one brother, working with each other to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and tackle a variety of missions. The game mostly revolves around platforming puzzles, and they are usually beginner-friendly.
Developed by the Behemoth,Castle Crashersis a sidescrolling arcade-stylebeat-em-up that features some elements one would find in an RPG. With an incredibly simple plot, and straightforward gameplay, one of the key selling points ofCastle Crashersis its incredible use of dialogue-less comedy and hilarious character designs.
Though the game’s combat is easy to learn, bosses grow progressively more difficult as the game progresses, keeping players on their toes.
Snipperclipsis a delightful co-op puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch, getting the most out of the console’s motion controls. With players taking control of living shapes, they can rotate their joy-cons to alter their shape’s positions, alter their shape through snipping and cutting, and using their own bodies to solve puzzles.
Each player takes control of a different character, working with each other to solve a variety of different puzzles. The difficulty of the puzzles is different depending on the number of players.
