The rumors of the death of couch co-op gaming have been greatly exaggerated. All of the current consoles have plenty of games that you and your friends can conquer together. Especially the Xbox One. So for you Microsoft gamers who are lovers and not fighters, grab a buddy, some brews, and a pizza. You and your player 2 won't be leaving the couch for a while. These are the best 6 couch co-op games on the Xbox One.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
Yes, I know what you're thinking. Octodad is a single player game! Switching off levels doesn't count as co-op!
Well, just shut up for a second and let me explain. Octodad: Dadliest Catch actually features a pretty unique co-op mode where you and up to 3 friends can simultaneously take control of Octodad, with each player controlling different limbs.
It's awkward, difficult, and hilariously cumbersome.
It's also insanely fun, especially if players turn on "roulette mode", which intermittently randomizes the limbs the players control. Despite its ridiculousness, the mode really does require teamwork and coordination if players want to actually... well... accomplish any goals. Pour your pals some drinks (might I suggest these?) and give it a go.
Guacamelee: Super Turbo Championship Edition
Guacamelee has been around for a while, but the indie brawler-slash-metroidvania hit has also seen a whole bunch of content added through re-releases on the latest consoles. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the fact that after a certain point in the game, one of your friends can take control of the luchador Tostada to aid you on your quest.
Now, of course, Guacamelee is tons of fun if you play alone, but playing co-op allows for opportunities for some frankly ridiculous team combos as you gain abilities and make progress in the game. Plus, as the game gets tougher, or when you decide to take on the game's many challenge stages, it's helpful to bring a buddy along.
Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime
If the reviews (and my own personal opinions) are anything to go by, Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime is not only one of the best co-op games on the Xbox One, but one of the most unique and interesting co-op experiences in recent history.
The basic gist of the game is that you and a friend have to pilot a bright circular ship through the depths of space, coordinating different functions via the ship's many terminals.
Constant teamwork is absolutely necessary, and to be completely frank, the thrill of completing a particularly difficult level with a friend (or significant other) is incredibly satisfying. It'll be almost impossible to resist the urge to high-five or hug your player 2 after a long gaming session.
Rayman Legends
Yes, it's been around pretty much since the Xbox One launched, but anybody who has played Rayman Legends knows that it still holds up. Its platforming, its atmosphere, its physics... The general way the game feels is astounding. It's that Super Mario World feeling of being completely engrossed in a challenging-yet-satisfying video game. There are few feelings like it.
But of course, the experience is better with friends. Rayman Legends has a gigantic roster of characters to unlock, and each of them can be controlled by a friend if you play the game cooperatively. In particular, the rhythm-platforming stages and challenge stages in Rayman Legends get incredibly frantic and fun when you play with a friend. If you haven't played this game yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It really is one of the best co-op platformers this generation has to offer.
Super Battletoads (Rare Replay)
Rare Replay offers a smorgasbord of content for gamers who grew up with the company, but for players looking for a co-op experience, the Battletoads games are king here. Obviously, the original NES game is great with a friend, but the port of the arcade game Super Battletoads is a gem that is often overlooked.
It's bloody, over-the-top, and unafraid to switch up game mechanics at a moment's notice. Plus, even though Rash, Zitz, and Pimple all play largely the same way, they each have distinct special moves and combos that make them feel very different.
At the end of the day, Super Battletoads is pure fun, much like a Streets of Rage game. It's always satisfying to punch a miniboss in his crotch or watch your hand turn into a drill to savagely kill a downed enemy. If you own Rare Replay and have haven't given this game a try yet, you owe it to yourself to grab two buddies and settle in for a few hours of pure arcade action.
Rock Band 4
Shut up, of course this counts.
I mean, what could be more cooperative than a Rock Band game? Rock Band 4, in particular, rewards cooperative play liberally, offering a fully-fledged career mode playable with up to 6 players simultaneously, as well as bonuses for playing together as a band.
It's not like there isn't strategy involved here either. Anybody who has played a Rock Band game before knows that for the harder songs, coordination is key. Deploying and saving overdrive power at the correct time to save a partner after a particularly difficult section is absolutely necessary for success, and when you and your friends finally put everything together and nail that final setlist, there are few feelings like it. Rock Band games will always be amazing and singular cooperative experiences, and Rock Band 4 is no exception.
What do you think? Have we missed any great co-op games for the Xbox One? If so, let us know in the comments! We're always looking for more excuses to stay inside with friends on beautiful summer days.
Published: May 29, 2016 07:51 am