Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two PS5 | Best Overall | ~$29-39 | 4.7/5 |
| Overcooked All You Can Eat PS5 | Best Budget | ~$19-29 | 4.6/5 |
| Baldurs Gate 3 PS5 | Best Premium | ~$59-69 | 4.7/5 |
| Diablo IV PS5 | Best for Online Co-op | ~$39-59 | 4.5/5 |
| A Way Out PS5 | Best Compact | ~$14-24 | 4.6/5 |
Why you should trust this review
Our reviewer has evaluated the PS5 co-op library across both native PS5 releases and PS4 backward-compatible titles running on PS5 hardware. We specifically assessed how PS5 features (faster loading, DualSense haptics, performance modes) enhance the co-op experience, and whether native PS5 titles deliver meaningfully better co-op than their PS4 counterparts.
How we tested PS5 co-op games
Each game was played cooperatively through a significant portion of its available content on PS5 hardware, evaluating DualSense feature implementation, loading time improvements, frame rate consistency, and whether the PS5 version offers meaningful advantages over the PS4 version for co-op play.
Who should buy PS5 co-op games?
PS5 owners looking for the best cooperative experiences on their console, couples and households upgrading from PS4 who want to understand the co-op library available, and players looking for games that specifically showcase PS5 hardware features in a co-op context will benefit from this guide.
It Takes Two: the best PS5 co-op game overall
It Takes Two runs at a higher resolution and frame rate on PS5 compared to the PS4 version, though the core co-op experience that won the 2021 Game of the Year award translates fully to both platforms. The Friend’s Pass system means both players can complete the full game when only one owns it. The creative variety of gameplay styles across the 12 to 15-hour campaign makes it the most memorable co-op gaming experience available on PS5.
PS5-specific improvements include faster load times between chapters and improved resolution, though the design quality of the co-op experience is the real reason to play this on any platform.
Deep Rock Galactic: the best ongoing PS5 co-op experience
Deep Rock Galactic is a co-op first-person shooter where teams of 1 to 4 players take on dwarf miner roles with distinct abilities to mine resources and fight alien bugs in procedurally generated cave environments. The combination of teamwork-required role design, endless procedural content, and the best in-game cooperative culture of any multiplayer game makes it uniquely compelling for ongoing co-op sessions.
The PS5 version benefits from faster loading and a consistent 60fps performance mode that makes the frenetic combat feel responsive. The game has years of active development and content updates with no pay-to-win mechanics.
What to look for in PS5 co-op games
Native PS5 versus backward compatible: Native PS5 titles are optimized for the hardware and typically include DualSense support, faster loading, and higher visual quality. Backward-compatible PS4 titles run well but may not use PS5 features. For the best PS5-specific co-op experience, prioritize native releases.
Local versus online co-op: Confirm the PS5 version supports your preferred co-op format. Some co-op games dropped local split-screen for performance reasons on PS5. Verify split-screen support specifically if that is your intended play style.
Campaign length versus ongoing: Story co-op games (It Takes Two, A Way Out) have a defined endpoint. Ongoing co-op games (Deep Rock Galactic, Destiny 2) are designed for indefinite play. Match the type to your gaming habit and whether you want to share a complete narrative arc or a recurring activity.
Cross-play and cross-gen support: If you and your co-op partner own different console generations or platforms, verify cross-play and cross-gen support before purchase. Many major titles support this now but not all, and the specific supported combinations vary per game.
DualSense feature implementation: For the best PS5 co-op experience, look for games that use DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers in ways that enhance cooperative gameplay specifically. Sackboy, Returnal, and Astro’s Playroom showcase this most effectively.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PS5 co-op game available right now?+
It Takes Two is the best co-op game on PS5 for a finite story experience. Deep Rock Galactic is the best for ongoing replayable co-op. Both are available on PS5 and represent the peak of cooperative game design in their respective categories.
Can PS5 players play co-op with PS4 players?+
Many games support cross-generation co-op between PS4 and PS5. Deep Rock Galactic, Destiny 2, and many EA titles support this. However, some PS5-exclusive titles and games requiring PS5-specific features may not support PS4 cross-play. Check each game's specifications.
Does PS5 DualSense improve co-op games?+
Yes. The PS5 DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add physical feedback that enhances immersion in many co-op games. Games like Returnal and Sackboy use these features meaningfully, though the benefit depends heavily on whether the specific game implements DualSense features.
Are there good free-to-play co-op games on PS5?+
Yes. Warframe, Destiny 2, Fortnite (Save the World), and Apex Legends (limited co-op) are all free-to-play on PS5 with strong co-op components. Warframe and Destiny 2 in particular offer hundreds of hours of cooperative content at no base cost.