Do you want to dip into the very best 2 player PS4 games that the platform has to offer? That’s what I hope to help with in this article. The PlayStation 4 did, after all, quickly become the go-to gaming platform of choice for many people; myself included during the last generation, meaning there's plenty of choice when it comes to games that you can play side-by-side with a buddy. Though you only get one PS4 controller, (also known as the DualShock 4) with each console, the following 2 player PS4 games (that also play great on PS5) should give you some great reasons to grab another. We'll also be using our handy comparison tool so that you can find the best prices if you're interested in picking up these great multiplayer titles.
Whether you're in the mood for rolling the dice on your own fantasy adventure or want to shoot and loot together across a cell-shaded FPS universe, the PlayStation 4 has plenty of co-op and multiplayer games perfectly primed for pairs to play.
Here are my 10 best 2-player PS4 games both online and local that should whet every duo's appetite.
Number of players: 2-24 online and 2-4 local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 76
EA Sport's yearly football entry is a mainstay across the country for 2 player gaming. This year the franchise is switching from FIFA and will be known as EA Sports FC 24. Don't worry not much else is changing, you'll still see all the players and teams you'd expect as well as improvements to the signature game modes. EA Sports FC 24 has the highest potential number of players in a single game online in this list as you could play 11 vs 11 in pro clubs which is pretty crazy!
With all the latest roster updates here and ready for the new footballing year there's no better game to go head-to-head with your friends in if you're a fan of the beautiful game. If you don't want to play competitively you can also co-op as the same team locally or online and even create your own club as you go for Division 1 glory in Pro Clubs with your custom-created pro.
The only major gripe for EA Sports FC 24 as a 2-player PS4 game is that it is missing features that are present on the PS5 and Xbox Series X generation versions with HyperMotion V not being present meaning animations are hampered and obviously significantly worse visuals. There's still plenty to enjoy here on PS4 as a 2-player title but PS5 is a superior experience. You also cannot cross-play on PS4 to PS5/XSX/PC so keep that in mind if it affects who you want to play with online. Due to this and the fact that the yearly entries simply aren't adding quite enough EA Sports FC 24 isn't placing any higher than 10th on the list as it is right now on PS4.
Number of players: 2-4 online and 2 in local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 81
What if Borderlands was merged with a Lord of the Rings style fantasy universe? Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is very much the answer. Highly inspired by Borderlands 2’s Assault on Dragon’s Keep DLC, this is a full-fledged spin off from the main cell-shaded looter-shooter series, where psychos and skrags are swapped out for skeletons and sorcerers. An entire world of wizards and wonder is yours for the taking, with the entire campaign playable in split-screen local co-op, making it one of the finest 2 player PS4 games around. There are six different character classes – each with different skills and abilities – to play as, ensuring that every campaign in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands plays differently each time.
Despite playing extremely similarly to a traditional Borderlands game, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands offers some unique spins to the format. Grenades, for instance, are completely done away with in favour of spells, which enable you to perform such feats as freezing foes or launching a giant flaming sky bird. Then there are ring and amulet slots now available within each character’s skill tree, letting you boost the power of your magical character further. The new fantasy theme is just the reinvention this chaotically fun co-op shooting series needed, setting you and friends off on a fun D&D story that never need end thanks to a new infinite endgame mode called Chaos Chamber. If you want to fire creative weaponry and have fun with an FPS in local co-op, this is one of the finest 2 player PS4 games around.
Number of players: 2 local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 82
While we could have easily inundated this list of the very best 2 player PS4 games with nothing but LEGO games, the cream of the crop by far is LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Why? Well, not only is it the latest entry in TT Games’ family friendly series of block-based action platformers… The Skywalker Saga is easily also the most ambitious. Letting you and another player blast and bash your way through all nine Star Wars movies at your own pace, it’s the perfect excuse to lovingly re-experience such moments as Anakin turning to the dark side, the snowy battle at Hoth, and Rey wrestling with her family’s ancestry in Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the only game to let you play through all the movies from start to finish. But in addition to this jamboree of force-fuelled content, this is the game that substantially revitalised the LEGO formula for the new era. No longer are you tied to fixed camera angles, instead being able to experience these iconic moments and events from a ground level via third-person view. Firing a blaster as Han Solo means taking cover, while lightsaber fights are now much more intense thanks to the new perspective. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is easily the best 2 player PS4 game ideal for LEGO fans who want to enjoy co-op, letting you hop from planet to planet while celebrating one of cinema’s most ambitious and beloved Sci-Fi franchises. The force is well and truly with this game. Just note that this is a local co-op game and you can't play with 2 players online.
Number of players: 2-6 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 85
It's rare when a new beat-em-up game releases to so much fanfare, but that's what's happened with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. Allowing a staggering 6-player co-op, this is a game full of chaotic fun. Returning to the Turtle’s history of beautiful old-school fighters, each level in Shredder’s Revenge pits you and your team against buildings full of ninjas and other walking punching bags. With their own fighting style and moveset, each Turtle is easy to pick up but a challenge to master. If you want to truly experience the game, you’ll want to go through the levels again and again with each of the 7 playable characters.
That’s right, not only do you get to play as the heroes in a half shell themselves, but you can also choose to play Splinter, April and Casey Jones as you fight back the Foot Clan and stop Shredder in his tracks. The easy to pick up gameplay coupled with its variety of fun levels is what makes Shredder’s Revenge stand above the crowd. But, even though the replay factor is there as you try out each character on each level, there aren’t too many levels to actually play. If you and your friend take on the game at an average pace and have no interest in replaying, your adventure will clock in to only a couple hours once you’re done. Though Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is an excellent game, it is far too short. For that reason it places no higher than 7 on my list of best 2 player PS4 games.
Number of players: 2 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 89
Skateboarding fans on PS4 were treated to quite the throwback in June of 2020, as Activision and Vicarious Visions excellently remastered the first two Tony Hawk games and launched them as one standalone package. It’s the same addictive formula of pulling off cool tricks, discovering secrets, and completing challenges as veteran players will remember, only now you do so in a ground-up remake that fully updates the visuals of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 to make it look like an entirely new game. It’s one of the best 2 player PS4 games out there because you can skate and shred alongside a buddy in glorious split-screen competing for the highest scores, it literally doesn’t get more old school.
Whether you’re grinding on rails, trying to pull off the perfect 180, or attempting to keep your multiplier going as long as possible through the perfect combination of tricks, jumping into some split-screen skating with a friend only enhances the competition and rivalry. What’s more, any progress you make while playing in 2 player mode fully transfers to the single-player side of things, letting you unlock new skaters, decks, and more until you find your groove. There are two games worth of levels to master in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 in total, guaranteeing you and a friend near-endless hours of skateboarding fun.
Number of players: 2-4 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 81
The Overcooked games are fantastic co-op experiences that can really test the boundaries of any friendship. Overcooked! 2 was released on PS4 back in 2018 placing you in an adventure of pure chaotic culinary action. You alongside your team of chefs must work together in order to stave off the threat of "The Unbread". Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like, zombie bread!
In Overcooked! 2 you can play online or local couch-co-op as a team and in competitive multiplayer with up to 4 players. The absolutely frantic gameplay and highs of excellent teamwork make this one of my favourite multiplayer PS4 games ever. If you can get four friends who work well together (or laugh when things go completely wrong) it is some of the best fun you can have with a game. However, if you’re playing with people who are easily stressed, or aren’t too familiar with video games, the fun can completely drop off. It’s also a game that requires focus and some skill, which isn’t always what you’re looking for in a cooperative game. For those reasons, Overcooked! 2 takes a middling position in this list. It’s great fun, but we recommend whoever you take with you on this catering journey is someone you don't easily fall out with as this game will have you screaming and shouting like no other. On the plus side, it’s an easy way to find out who the Gordan Ramsey in your friendship group is!
Number of players: 2-4 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 79
3D platformers are a dime a dozen these days, but that didn't stop developer Sumo Digital from trying to recapture some of this old-school spirit in Sackboy: A Big Adventure. This co-operative LittleBigPlanet spin-off is a delight to play through alone, but is even better when joined by a friend. Both of you must work your way through a series of creative platforming stages, using gadgets and gizmos as a pair in order to stop the evil Vex from taking over Craftworld.
While Sackboy: A Big Adventure doesn't emphasise the creation aspect found in the main LittleBigPlanet series, it instead has more bespoke and exciting levels. With simple controls, an easy-to-understand goal and some of the best platforming stages on the console, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an easy contender on my list. With countless collectables, some memorable levels and the chaos that comes with introducing a second player to the world, it’s a blast to come back to again and again. Naturally, the story is nothing to write home about, but it’s merely icing on a delicious and enjoyable cake. The true core of the game is the gameplay. No matter the age or skill level of your gaming partner, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is accessible and fun for everyone. Collect bubbles, unlock stickers and purchase a wide range of costumes for both Sackboy and his companions. Thanks to the advertising, many think that Sackboy: A Big Adventure is only available on the PS5, but it is also playable on the PS4, and if you’re looking for the best 2-player PS4 game, this is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Number of players: 2 online and local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 81
Josef Fares is a developer that truly values the high-quality 2 player PS4 experience. Having already done so in both 2013's Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and 2018's A Way Out (see honourable mentions), he returned with a new co-operative platformer called It Takes Two. In it, you and a friend take on the roles of Cody and May, a married couple whose relationship is on the brink. That is until they are shrunken down by the tears of their daughter and forced to work together in their new small-scale universe. This is a co-op game that wants to make players learn things not just about the characters, but about themselves as well. Both players have to work together to solve puzzles and bond. The co-op element is so vital in It Takes Two, that it’s impossible to play alone. It’s rare to find a game with a focus on co-operative storytelling, but it’s even rarer to find one that requires it. As you play, you’ll feel a connection with your character as the gameplay entwines with the story and their emotions. It’s a light-hearted adventure with a good amount of content, yet underneath it all is a heartwarming tale that will stay with you long after the game has finished.
During each chapter of the story, both characters acquire new abilities and powers that compliment each other. You cannot progress without working with your partner. To emphasise this, the action only ever takes place in split-screen and this dedication alone is enough to make It Takes Two a top pick on my list of the best 2 player PS4 games. In addition to this, only one copy of the game is needed to play with a friend online, which is incredible in this day and age. It Takes Two is a landmark cooperative game, but because it relies so heavily on its story, there’s unfortunately very little replay value. There are mini-games scattered throughout the world that are fun to find and play, but they’re unfortunately not worth going back to once the tale is told. Regardless, It Takes Two is without a doubt a co-operative duo's delight. Constantly surprising and ever joyful, It Takes Two is one of the best co-op games on PS4 games out there.
Number of players: 1-4 online and 2 player local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 93
Fantasy RPGs changed forever when Larian Studios released its highly anticipated sequel to Divinity Original Sin and the same happened this year when they released Baldur's Gate 3, Larian are truly in a league of their own. A sprawling adventure set in the world of Rivellon, Divinity Original Sin 2 takes place centuries after the original game and throws you and a party of three others on a quest to become the region's saviour. What I love about Divinity Original Sin 2 is how much freedom each player has. You and your friends are able to roleplay as your preferred fantasy character. Elves, Dwarves, lizards and even the undead are viable choices, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Divinity Original Sin 2 sees the story build itself around your personal decisions. Go anywhere, talk to anyone and interact with anything to form your own rewards and consequences. In terms of the multiplayer aspect, drop in/drop out co-op easily makes this one of the best 2 player PS4 games around. Even though Divinity Original Sin 2 is a masterpiece of a game, it’s not at the top of the list due to it being a slow and intricate adventure, which may put off a lot of players who want a quick fun time. The definitive edition definitely helped ease these burdens by adding a quest log and making the game far better balanced, but outside of the necessary complexity, if you're looking for the ultimate cooperative game to get lost in on PS4, you can't do much better than Divinity Original Sin 2.
Number of players: 2-4 online and 2 in local multiplayer
Metacritic Score: 86
The biggest franchise in the ARPG genre is back with the release of Diablo IV and Blizzard wants this one to stick around with how much future support it looks like it's going to be getting. Although these games started out as PC exclusives this changed with the release of Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls where they also found a home on consoles. I have to say Diablo IV handles just brilliantly with a controller, with many UI elements feeling like they were intended for the console from the outset.
With all this said the game also has exceptional multiplayer. It's super easy to grab a friend jump into each other's game and start blasting through dungeons slaying every demon in sight, sharing loot and just having a great old time. Whilst online you can play with up to 4 players, if you fancy a 2-player co-op experience on one console, you can quickly jump into some couch co-op via the menu as long as you have another controller. Seasons are also a big part of Diablo IV with new content being added every 4 months. Season 2 begins on October 17th with plenty of requested features and changes being added so it's a great time to jump in.
With 5 classes to pick from, and tonnes of builds to dream up Diablo IV was one of the best games of 2023 and this is only elevated by playing as a duo making it right now the best and newest 2-player PS4 game you can pick up. Oh and by the way, all PS4 versions of Diablo IV are the cross-gen version, meaning that if you pick up a PS5 later on down the line your copy of Diablo IV will work just fine with no added cost.
More PS4 2-player games that just didn't quite make the list
Still craving some excellent co-operative action? If you're someone who's already played all the games I’ve just written about and are hungry for more 2 player PS4 games, you'll find even more recommendations in my dedicated honourable mentions section below. They may not quite represent the best 2 player PS4 games that the platform has to offer, but they will still guarantee you and a friend a fun time.
Perhaps best described as a 1930s cartoon serial that’s playable in motion, Cuphead has built up a reputation for being extremely difficult – even for co-op players sharing shooting duties as Cuphead and Mugman. However, what Cuphead has in challenge it easily matches in charm, as you and a friend are invited to blast and dodge your way through three boss-laden islands. Defeating each boss requires a balance of timing, skill, and patience, but taking them on as a pair should take the edge off.
Split-screen first-person shooters are a rarity in 2022. And while the campaign in 2015’s Call of Duty: Black Ops III leaves a lot to be desired, it gets an honourable mention due to it being one of the few series entries playable in local co-op. Luckily, the slick gunplay is here in full force, along with blockbuster set pieces, thrilling action and visuals which still hold up on PS4 all these years later. If you’re looking for a fast shooter to experience with a friend, definitely consider giving Call of Duty: Black Ops III a shot.
Borderlands 3 exploded onto the scene in 2019, bringing with it more guns, four new vault hunter classes and several cool ways for players to make this FPS adventure their own. What's more, it retains split-screen co-op play as well as the ability to do so online, which as we established already on this list is a much-needed rarity. Especially in shooters. With all the strengths of a deeply complex RPG without the slow and methodical gameplay, Borderlands 3 allows you and your friends to explode through a story in what is often considered an incredibly fun 2 player PS4 shooter game.
Nintendo Switch fans might have Mario to rely on for their kart racing fix, but back in 2019, PS4 players were treated to some similarly anarchic high-speed antics thanks to the return of Crash Team Racing. Nitro-Fueled is a complete ground-up remake of one of my favourite PlayStation One games. It’s ideal for letting 2 player duos race against one another as a whole host of zany and creative characters. Each character’s karts handle wildly differently, tasking you to boost, bash and speed past your enemies while trying to dodge incoming attacks.
Far Cry 4 is an honourable mention because while the co-op isn’t the focus, hunting exotic beasts and taking down outposts online with a friend is a great time. This multiplayer mode is called Guns for Hire and sees you and a friend freely explore the luscious island of Kyrat, defeating enemies and infiltrating camps. Weapon variety is also top-notch, from assault rifles that deal excessive damage to grenade launchers and flamethrowers that further enable you and a partner to cause that trademark Far Cry chaos.
Just marginally missing out on a top 10 spot, few co-operative hack-and-slashers are better than Diablo III. This is especially the case since the PS4 version also comes with the Reaper of Souls DLC, giving you and up to three friends even more of a reason to pick a class, gain skills and gradually fight your way through hell. Procedural level layouts always ensure no single Diablo III playthrough is the same, too, making this a 2 player PS4 game you can play over and over again.
A Way Out is the ultimate co-op experience for those wondering what it would be like to conduct a prison break. Centring on two cellmates, Leo and Vincent who are both attempting to put the past behind them, you and a friend must play through this adventure entirely in split screen, solving puzzles and completing platform challenges in a cinematic 2 player PS4 adventure. It all kicks off in a prison, sure, until eventually the two are swept up into their own crime thriller. If you liked It Takes Two, definitely give A Way Out a shot as well.
Often hailed as one of the best side-scrolling 2D platformers ever made, Rayman Legends touts a wholly colourful art style that makes it a fun adventure for all family members. You'll be hopping, jumping and skidding your way through many colourful stages, attempting to work together while trying to find various collectibles. It works well in 2 player co-op on PS4 but actually supports up to 4 players, letting you extend the fun in one of the tightest-feeling platformers of modern years.
Shared-world shooters are a great way to stay in touch with friends. And there’s something enthralling about the world of Ubisoft's The Division. This sequel sets you and a squad of others within a post-apocalyptic Washington DC, fending off other groups for vital supplies and ammunition. It's playable solo but best experienced with another friend by your side.
The second entry in the third-person take of Plants vs. Zombies allows you to team up with friends to fight as or against the zombie horde. A colourful and unique game, it's fun for the whole family with some in-depth mechanics and skill-based gameplay to boot. You'll need more than a few braaiinns if you want to demolish the other team and claim victory.
Side-scrolling puzzle-platformers simply don't get more charming than LittleBigPlanet 3. It expanded on the previous two games by adding in another three cute characters to the mix, each of which combine with the abilities of Sackboy to make sitting on the sofa and playing this with friends even more fun. OddSock, Swoop and Toggle all play differently, jumping, swimming, swinging, grabbing across an endless collection of player-created levels. All previous user-generated stages from LittleBigPlanet and LittleBigPlanet 2 carry over into this one, meaning you'll never be at a loss for things to do.
Minecraft as a series has seen various spin-offs by this point, but not one of them has managed to usurp the original game. That's because 2 player PS4 games don't get better than those that riff on your own imagination. You don't even have to be a builder per se, but rather an explorer eager to set foot on other players' servers to see what they have come up with. Whether you're a PS4 player that wants to build, create or just plain witness, if you haven't yet played Minecraft with a friend you're definitely missing out.
The LEGO games are great for co-op because they appeal to players both young and old. And better yet, TT Games has been hard at work creating titles around some of pop culture's most recognisable media for almost 15 years now. There's sure to be one based on a licence perfectly suited to your tastes. For an honourable mention, we've gone for the first LEGO Marvel Superheroes, not least because it features over 100 characters from the comic book world and lets you roam a fully LEGO-fied version of New York City. Complete a wacky original story with your favourite heroes like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Daredevil and more.
If you're a car lover who fancies some high-stakes competitive racing, Gran Turismo 7 is a great option for a 2 player PS4 game. The latest in Sony's premier driving experience has both local split-screen and online multiplayer for you to go head to head to find out who is truly the best behind the wheel. With over 420 cars to choose from and 34 tracks to master, there are plenty of good times to be had here with your friends on PS4, and also PS5 thanks to the game's cross-play.
The first Guacamelee was a side-scrolling fiesta treat, arriving at a time when metroidvanias weren't anywhere near as common. You're cast as a superhero luchador in search of his lost love. This fun concept was revived once again a few years later and brought to PS4, when Guacamelee! 2 introduced 4-player co-operative play to let you and friends bash, crash and suplex your way through a Mexico-inspired world where wrestling and the supernatural collide.
Darksiders Genesis excelled at taking an existing series and reformatting it to work for the co-operative format. Darksiders Genesis lets PS4 players fight across the realms of the underworld as a pair, with one playing as War and wrecking shop with his mighty chaos eater sword, while the other plays the long game as new horseman Strife who dual-wields two powerful pistols. In many ways, Darksiders Genesis is a perfect co-op game. It’s easy to pick up and master, both characters feel unique and important, and it keeps players coming back to progress the story and fight the next boss. It’s not mechanically complex, it’s not mentally taxing, Darksiders Genesis knows what it is, and does what it does extremely well.
Unlike the other Darksiders games, Genesis plays out from a top-down perspective, making it easy for you and a friend to keep an eye on what's going on. Throughout the course of the game you’ll take down legions of angels and demons, solve all manner of environmental puzzles and fight against screen-sized bosses, upgrading War and Strife until they are almost unbeatable. Though it holds a strong position in this list, the theme of Darksiders Genesis may put some players off. A lot of co-op gamers are looking for a lighthearted romp, and cleaving your way through hellscapes might be a little on the dark side for some.
However, if you’re feeling metal, as far as 2 player PS4 games go, Darksiders Genesis is a head-banging adventure that you shouldn’t pass up.
Streets of Rage 4 is another retro throwback that is elevated by its co-op play. Letting co-op preferring players smash and bash their way through legions of bad guys in stylistic fashion, Streets of Rage 4 is a return to form and reignited the beat-em-up genre. This classic stalwart from the 90s sees the return of familiar characters like Axel Stone and Adam Hunter, who are joined with several newcomers all equipped with unique combos and blitz moves.
Streets of Rage 4 supports up to four players locally while still letting two duke it out together online. Dripping in a gorgeous new comic book aesthetic that strongly suits the environments it sets you in, this stunning PS4 sequel is fun to play alone but is even better with another street fighting buddy by your side. Though it is short, if you are a fan of this genre, it’s definitely a must-play during your next 2 player PS4 session.
Want to browse more PS4 co-op games?
You've come to the right place if you want to quickly find the cheapest PS4 game deals currently available in the UK. Also please let us know down in the comments if we missed any games you think deserve to be on the list.
View best PS4 Games
