Sony's powerful next-gen console has been out in the wild for over 3 years now with a PS5 Slim model available and many co-op-preferring players are potentially wondering exactly what the 10 best 2-player PS5 games are. At launch, there wasn't a great number of multiplayer games to dive into, but the selection only continues to grow more and more as the months go on, especially with the insane year of games we've just had back in 2023. Don't forget that 99% of the PS4 console's library already works on PS5, too. Knowing this means there's no shortage of great 2-player PS5 console games if you include both libraries. In this list, we'll be covering the best of both!
This list of the best 2-player PS5 games isn't limited to just local play either, we also include online 2-player games as well as those that can just be played locally or via split-screen. We've also covered plenty of different genres with both competitive and co-op games. Therefore, regardless of your preference, there's sure to be a handful of co-op games to enjoy alongside friends in the list below. Check out our best PS5 games page for more of the latest and greatest titles on Sony's flagship console.
Table of Contents
10. EA Sports FC 24
Release Date: 29th September 2023
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sport
Number of players: 2-24 online and 2-4 local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 76/100
You can always depend on EA's annual football effort to allow you to kick back with friends and play a couple of matches either locally on the same console or via online multiplayer. This year the title is changing due to FIFA and EA no longer working together so the game will now be called EA Sports FC going forward. Don't worry though you can still expect all the teams and players as EA have not lost rights with the dissolution of their partnership with FIFA.
In addition to all the roster updates you'd expect new this time for EA Sports FC 24 is what's known as HyperMotion V, an improvement on a new form of technology from last year that captures real-life player movements to depict them in the game more realistically than ever before. This technology is also exclusive to the PS5 and Xbox Series versions of the game as well, meaning EA Sports FC 24 plays best on the current generation consoles. Whether joining up in the same team or playing competitively, the PS5 version of EA Sports FC 24 is sure to be a treat with friends, I'll always cherish my time at university battling head to head to be crowned the king of the house. EA Sports FC 24 most certainly holds its place now as a worthy way to start our list of the best 2-player PS5 games.
9. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Release Date: 5th April 2022
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Developer: TT Games
Genre: Action-Adventure
Number of players: 2 local co-op
Metacritic Score: 82/100
Though developer TT Games has tackled every mainline Star Wars movie and LEGO-fied them into a video game before, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a complete reinvention of all nine movies. Because of this, teams of two with a fondness for that galaxy far, far away can play through the epic saga using an all-new lens with 2 player couch co-op.
Sporting that trademark whimsical humour and fun gameplay almost every LEGO game is known for, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is one of the best co-op PS5 games upon release with a huge offering of content to enjoy alongside another player. It'd be hard to knock this off the pedestal of being the best LEGO game to date. One of the most family-friendly games on this list as well if you're looking to play with kids but still very enjoyable as an adult. With all 9 films combined into one game you're looking at upwards of 30-40 hours to beat this one if you're engaging with the side content.
8. Remnant 2
Release Date: 25th July 2023
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Developer: Gunfire Games
Genre: Soulslike, Action-Adventure, Third Person Shooter
Number of players: 1-3 Online co-op
Metacritic Score: 80/100
Remnant 2 is a sequel which gets everything right. Embracing its predecessors' strong points and building on its foundations to make a bigger and better game in every regard. The Remnant games are often referred to as Dark Souls with guns and whilst that is somewhat true with there being a lot of that souls like DNA here they stand up on their own two feet. With dynamically generated dungeons and areas leading to every playthrough having a unique feel, scary complex bosses and awesome weapons and loot to propel you forward there's a lot to love in Remnant 2.
Remnant 2 can be enjoyed solo but in our opinion to maximise your fun in this challenging apocalyptic world grab a buddy and take on foes together. Online Co-Op is seamless on PS5 once you're past the tutorial and you can simply jump into each other's games. Loot is shared so when an item drops everyone in the party gets it so don't worry about having to argue about who takes that powerful new mod! This one is an online co-op experience no split-screen is available here. If you're a fan of brutal boss fights, secrets to uncover and the freedom to create builds there's a lot of game here to enjoy with Remnant 2 on PS5.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Release Date: 16th June 2022
Publisher: Dotemu
Developer: Tribute Games
Genre: Beat 'em Up
Number of players: 2-6 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 85/100
Beat-em-ups are a fantastic genre when it comes to 2-player games and when you combine the genre with a beloved franchise like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles you've got a great recipe for success. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge brings the turtle back to their old-school retro style that I'm sure will tug at some nostalgia strings for those who grew up in the arcade. There are plenty of chaotic high jinks to be had with a friend in this title.
Shredder's Revenge boasts 7 playable characters each with their unique abilities, 4 of which being our turtles and then Casey Jones, April O'Neill and our faithful master Splinter. Super easy to pick up and play with a friend we highly recommend Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge as the best 2-player beat-em-up game available right now on PS5. The only reason it isn't higher on this list is that the game is a bit too short, and unless you're keen on replays you may feel a bit short-handed with this one.
6. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Release Date: 12th November 2020
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Sumo Digital
Genre: Platformer
Number of players: 2-4 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 79/100
Breaking away from the LittleBigPlanet idea of Play. Create. Repeat. Sackboy: A Big Adventure sees our eponymous hero venture into true classic 3D platforming territory. It is a clear harken back to the likes of Spyro, Crash Bandicoot and other mascot-platformers, only here you can explore and bash your way through a vibrant world on PlayStation 5 alongside a friend. While entirely playable alone, Sackboy: A Big Adventure makes our list of the 10 best 2-player PS5 games because it's a cooperative platformer ideal for couch co-op.
Overlooked by the general gaming public, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an excellently fun game that you shouldn't miss. While it does lack the endless replayability and design aspect of previous LittleBigPlanet games, it more than makes up for it with its bespoke and layered-level design.
5. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Release Date: 10th November 2020
Publisher: Team17
Developer: Ghost Town Games
Genre: Cooking Sim
Number of players: 2-4 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 84/100
The culinary chaos continues on PS5 by way of Overcooked! All You Can Eat, is a chef-centric compilation that bundles together the first two Overcooked! entries alongside every morsel of DLC ever released. It is a buffet's worth of cooperative catering to indulge in, tasking you and another payer to cook, serve and clean across a range of wacky stages while keeping your cool. One minute you can be trying to keep orders coming through while on a hot air balloon, the next you'll be sweating it out amidst hot lava. Communication is always key to reaching chef stardom, in a 2 player PS5 game that is a must-play for quirky co-op fans.
While you'll struggle to find better chaotic co-op fun than in Overcooked, it's not for the faint of heart. A lot of co-op games are more relaxed experiences, but Overcooked will often leave you stressed and screaming. It likely won't be a game that you'll always be in the mood to play, and that stops it from ranking higher.
4. Street Fighter 6
Release Date: 2nd June 2023
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Number of players: 2 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 92/100
2023 saw the return of the classic franchise Street Fighter as Capcom released the biggest and most feature-complete entry to date. When it comes to 2-player PS5 games you can't go wrong with a good old fighting game. Street Fighter 6 offers a new evolved combat system for fans to enjoy and as usual, the skill ceiling is incredibly high. With a roster of 18 fighters at launch both fan favourites and new additions there's a character to suit everyone with plenty of stages to make your home turf. Street Fighter 6 also has plenty of control schemes and solid onboarding meaning it's suited to new fighting game players as well as skilled veterans.
In Street Fighter 6 you can fight friends online or with local play to get those ever-so-important bragging rights. Capcom and their proprietary RE Engine have been used to make Street Fighter 6 run and feel fantastic on PS5. Street Fighters is a classic name in gaming and this is a great entry to jump into with a friend on PS5.
3. Diablo IV
Release Date: 5th June 2023
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Genre: Action RPG
Number of players: 2-4 online and 2 local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 86/100
Blizzard's latest release Diablo IV looked to be a monstrous success and a title they're going to be supporting and adding content to for years to come with 3 seasons per year. The Diablo franchise is beloved, and whilst there have been some issues with Diablo IV overall it feels like a great base game, with a feature-rich campaign, 5 classes to choose from and a new season every 3 months adding more end-game systems, legendary gear and more. There's a lot of fun to be had if you're a fan of the ARPG genre. Although the Diablo series has primarily been on PC D4 almost feels as if it was created with consoles first in mind which is great news for PS5 owners, the game works very well with a controller in both combat as well as navigating the menus and UI. D4 features a huge open world to explore with friends as you take down waves upon waves of demons and various other foes to find loot and fulfil your power fantasy. You can't go wrong with a good old whirlwind barbarian.
You can enjoy all of D4 alone but multiplayer only enhances the experience. It's really easy to group up, share loot and take on world bosses, or the end-game bosses who drop super rare build-defining unique items. You can play with friends online but also the game features 2 player local co-op on the same console.
Diablo 4 is currently in its third season with the "Season of the Construct". This is a game that should only get better with time as more content is added and the end-game becomes more fleshed out. A game you can pick up a play for years to come as it evolves as a fantastic multiplayer title on PS5.
2. It Takes Two
Release Date: 26th March 2021
Publisher: Hazelight
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Action-Adventure Platformer
Number of players: 2-player online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 88/100
If you and a friend have ever wanted to star in your own 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' movie, this co-op adventure from Hazelight Studios should scratch that itch. It Takes Two is a 2 player PS5 game that looks and plays great, especially since you play as two main characters that have been shrunken down to the size of an insect. Returning to normal size and getting back to their daughter in time requires them to navigate gardens, household equipment, toys and more, all while working together to solve various creative puzzles. It's a great game to play with a partner or children even if they're not avid gamers.
Spinning a story that gives both players agency, It Takes Two is exactly what co-op players should be looking for. An experience that not only teaches you about the characters but might just teach you about yourselves. It Takes Two is co-op only but plays great on Sony's next-gen console in either local or online sessions, hence why it takes the 2nd top spot on our best 2-player PS5 games list.
1. Baldur's Gate 3
Release Date: 6th September 2023
Publisher: Larian Studios
Developer: Larian Studios
Genre: RPG
Number of players: 2-4 online and 2 local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 96/100
Larian Studios released the highly anticipated Baldur's Gate 3 last year and was crowned as the game of the year at the GOTY Awards. For me, it's easily the best game I've played in 2023 and is in my top 5 all-time games, a true cRPG oozing with player choice and characters I just couldn't get enough of. Larian smashed it out of the park with Divinity Original Sin 2 and has done the same here in the world of Faerun with Baldur's Gate 3. We can't wait to see what they do next.
Baldur's Gate 3 uses systems similar to DND and gives players many ways to solve problems which is only enhanced by doing it with friends. The hijinks you get into and the disputes about morality are so unique with so much player choice and potential character arcs and ways for the story to go. Baldur's Gate 3 is only enhanced by playing with a buddy as you put your heads together to make decisions only to end up causing an absolute catastrophe in the process.
With 12 classes and multiclassing, the amount of customisation you have with building your character is unmatched, I spent over 2 hours just making my character on my first playthrough. This is truly one of the greatest RPG games ever made and I cannot recommend it enough this is why I have to put it in the top spot of our list. I don't want to give too much away so just grab some friends, build your party and explore another magnificent adventure from Larian Studios.
More Great Two Player PS5 Games
Whilst these games may not have made the top 10 list they're still honorable mentions that are great 2-player games. The more options the better right?
Riders Republic
There are sports games, there are racing games, and then there’s Riders Republic. The latest high-flying, muti-vehicle multiplayer game from Ubisoft, Riders Republic offers racing fans a festival’s worth of competitive delights. Mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and wingsuit flying are the main modes of choice, letting you and friends compete across a range of colourful courses in a bid to be the best. A staggering 64 players can race one another at the same time on PS5, a massive step up compared to PS4’s maximum of 20. That’s why, if you want to enjoy Riders Republic in its fullest glory, make the PS5 version your 2 player game of choice.
All four racing disciplines have their own progression path, unlocked the more you play and master the style’s of each. Plus, if racing isn’t your thing, the game’s 6-v-6 “Tricks Battle Arena” mode encourages you to pull off as many tricks as possible within the given time limit. It’s the ultimate playground in which to unleash your creativity. All this and more easily renders Riders Republic as one of the better 2 player PS5 games currently out there.
Dirt 5
Three years after Dirt 4 skidded onto consoles, Codemasters' rally-themed off-road racing series makes a return on both current and next-gen systems. And not only that, but Dirt 5 launched on PS5 as one of the most complete driving experiences yet, being the perfect platform in which to put pedal to the metal for co-operative players thanks to four-player drop-in and drop-out split-screen multiplayer. This is in addition to a narrative-focused career mode featuring the voice talents of Troy Baker and Nolan North.
Tribes of Midgard
Top-down hack-and-slash action meets challenging survival game in the Norse-inspired Tribes of Midgard, which tasks you with protecting the sacred seed of Yggdrasil by scavenging, upgrading, and defending your territory. Attempting this alone is fun, sure, but even better is jumping online in glorious 10-player co-op to take on all kinds of mythological beasties. While releasing not long too long ago on PS5, this game has already been well supported with a battle pass system and new updates, encouraging you and your friends to venture back to this Viking adventure over and over again.
Borderlands 3
The FREE PS5 upgrade for Borderlands' third official go-around not only introduced 4k visuals at 60fps when playing single player, but 3 and 4-player split-screen capability as well. This cell-shaded looter-shooter already proved itself to be one of the most fun and chaotic ways to share explosive antics with friends back on PlayStation 4, so it shouldn't be a surprise to learn that it also makes our list of the 10 best 2 player PS5 games. Borderlands 3 has since been updated with new events and weapons, all of which translate seamlessly to PlayStation 5, cementing it as the definitive co-op shooter on next-gen.
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Whilst the campaign in Call of Duty: Vanguard does not support local co-op there are plenty of other game modes that can be enjoyed in this manner. This of course includes the beloved zombie mode which is Call of Duty's premier co-op experience as you play with friends to fend off waves of undead. The zombies mode in Call of Duty Vanguard is as packed with content as ever featuring tonnes of weapons, power-ups and also multiple maps to choose from. If first-person shooter variety is the spice of life Call of Duty: Vanguard has you covered as one of the best 2 player PS5 games for you and a buddy to give a shot.
Outriders
Outriders is Square Enix's sci-fi loot-shooter that sees you and a squad of two others gun down legions of alien enemies in glorious drop-in-drop-out co-op. It's a bit like if Mass Effect and Borderlands had a baby, partially because it's entirely set within a universe ripe for rich storytelling with equally satisfying shooting.
The game has also seen some pretty large updates making it overall a more enjoyable experience. Adding features such as a transmogrification system to style out your character however you want and adding new end-game content rebalancing to make finding that legendary gear all the more addictive. There is also an expansion aptly named Outriders Worldslayer that released on the 28th June means there's exciting new content available for those of you that want to jump into the world of Outriders. It makes our list of the best 2-player PS5 games as an honourable mention because the powers of each class are extremely fun to use, and working your way towards better gear and upgrades with friends is an extra-terrestrial delight.
The Quarry
If you can stomach your horror and want a way to get scared on the couch with friends, look no further than the latest co-op release from Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology developer, The Quarry. It’s an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure style experience that throws back to schlocky B-movie slashers in the best way, letting you control a group of teens trying to survive the night at a camp when suddenly something in the woods lurks. It’s different to most 2 player PS5 games on this list in that co-op players don’t play at the same time. Instead, you will take turns controlling different characters, making decisions to try and keep them alive.
Helping to bring this gruesome story to life is none other than a who’s who cast of Hollywood A-listers. The likes of Disney’s Brenda Song and Modern Family’s Ariel Winter are joined by recognisable icons from horror cinema, including David Arquette (Scream) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens, The Terminator). Such talent only reinforced The Quarry’s commitment to setting in the frights, all of which can be enjoyed as you try and survive the night in glorious local or online co-op.
Warhammer Chaosbane: Slayer Edition
There's an abundance of isometric high-fantasy games that let players slash through hordes of orcs, witches, and demons together. However, if you're seeking an authentic experience on PS5 set in the popular Warhammer universe, Chaosbane turns out to be a hack-and-slash delight. Originally released for last-gen consoles, Slayer Edition on the PS5 lets up to four players fight side by side as a handful of different classes, featuring enhanced visuals and all the additional content previously released. Warhammer Chaosbane: Slayer Edition is the ultimate version and one extremely fun 2 player PS5 game.
Nothing is more relaxing than slashing endless hordes of enemies with your friends. Working together to get further into the adventure, it's the perfect co-op game. Easily earning its place in the top three of this list, Warhammer Chaosbane is a great way to spend time with your gaming partner.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
Gearbox's latest big title is Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. Released on PS5 just this March, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is an exciting departure from Borderlands whilst still maintaining the charm, gunplay and art style of the series. Tiny Tina is your dungeon master as you play through a tabletop inspired game board between missions to get into the looter shooter action you know and love. As with any Borderlands title this game is best-enjoyed co-op with friends as loot showers down all around. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands has a lot more focus on melee and spells than previous Borderlands titles and with 6 new classes to choose from and combine via multiclassing.
If Borderlands 3 was just a bit too more of the same for your liking, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is the spice you need to keep things fresh. Reliable mechanics in a brand new backdrop, you and your partner are sure to enjoy your time in the Wonderlands. If you want a deep story and adventure, you won't find it here. Therefore, Wonderlands sits in the honorable mentions.
