Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two PS5 | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| A Way Out PS5 | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 PS5 | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| Helldivers 2 PS5 | Best for Shooter Fans | 4.5/5 |
| Overcooked All You Can Eat PS5 | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
Why you should trust this review
Our reviewer played through a broad selection of PS5 co-op titles both as native PS5 releases and via backward compatibility, specifically evaluating how PS5 hardware features enhance co-op experiences and which titles represent the best use of PS5’s capabilities for cooperative play.
How we compared PS5 co-op games
Games were played on PS5 hardware in cooperative mode with a partner, evaluating DualSense feature use, loading time improvements over PS4 versions where applicable, frame rate consistency in co-op modes specifically (which can differ from single-player performance), and overall cooperative design quality.
Who should use this PS5 co-op guide?
PS5 owners who game with partners, roommates, or family members and want to identify the best cooperative experiences the platform offers will find this guide directly useful. The guide covers both local split-screen and online co-op options across story-driven, action, and ongoing live-service formats.
It Takes Two: the best co-op game on PS5
It Takes Two is the pinnacle of cooperative game design and the most acclaimed co-op release in recent years. The game won multiple Game of the Year awards across the industry in 2021 and continues to be recommended as the definitive co-op experience on PlayStation hardware. The narrative follows a couple working through relationship difficulties, and each chapter introduces entirely new gameplay mechanics that use the two-player co-op format in uniquely creative ways.
The Friend’s Pass system allows one player to invite another to play online co-op even if the second player does not own a copy, making it one of the most cost-effective premium co-op purchases available. PS5 players get consistent 60fps performance and faster loading compared to the PS4 version.
Deep Rock Galactic: best ongoing co-op for PS5
Deep Rock Galactic is the best endlessly replayable co-op game on PS5. The game assigns each of four dwarf miners a completely different role (Driller, Gunner, Scout, Engineer) with distinct abilities that complement each other in procedurally generated cave missions against alien insects. The combination of procedural content, role interdependency, and the exceptional in-game community culture makes each session feel meaningfully cooperative rather than just playing the same game near other players.
The PS5 version maintains a consistent frame rate even in the busiest combat moments and loads significantly faster than the PS4 version. The development team releases regular content updates with no pay-to-win microtransactions.
What to look for in PS5 co-op games
Native PS5 implementation: True PS5 native titles use the DualSense controller’s haptic and adaptive trigger features to add physical co-op feedback. Backward-compatible PS4 titles miss these features. For the full PS5 experience, prioritize native releases.
Performance mode availability: Many PS5 co-op games offer a 60fps performance mode and a 30fps resolution mode. For co-op action games where timing and responsiveness matter, the 60fps performance mode significantly improves the experience.
Split-screen support: Local split-screen is not guaranteed on PS5. Some developers dropped split-screen for performance reasons. Verify split-screen is supported if you play primarily locally.
Session structure: Story co-op (It Takes Two, Sackboy) has a defined endpoint. Live-service co-op (Deep Rock Galactic, Destiny 2) is ongoing. Match the format to how you and your co-op partner prefer to play together.
Cross-play considerations: For online co-op with friends on different platforms or generations, verify cross-play support. The gaming industry has broadly adopted cross-play, but implementation varies significantly between titles.
Frequently asked questions
What PS5 co-op game should I start with if I am new to co-op gaming?+
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the most accessible PS5 co-op starting point for new players. It has simple controls, a charming visual style, and a gentle difficulty curve. It Takes Two is the best choice for experienced players ready for a high-quality co-op narrative experience.
What is the most popular PS5 co-op game online?+
Destiny 2 and Warframe lead for free-to-play online co-op player counts. Among premium titles, Borderlands 3 and Deep Rock Galactic have the largest ongoing online co-op communities on PS5.
Does It Takes Two have a PS5 version?+
It Takes Two runs on PS5 via backward compatibility and in a native PS5 version with improved performance. The PS5 version benefits from higher frame rates, faster loading, and improved resolution while the core co-op gameplay remains identical to the PS4 version.
Can PS5 and PS4 players play co-op together?+
Many PS5 co-op games support cross-generation play between PS4 and PS5. Deep Rock Galactic, Destiny 2, Warframe, and most EA titles support this. Check individual game specifications as cross-gen support is not universal.