Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two | Best Overall | ~$30-40 | 4.7/5 |
| Overcooked All You Can Eat | Best Budget | ~$20-30 | 4.6/5 |
| Borderlands 3 | Best Premium | ~$30-50 | 4.7/5 |
| Minecraft | Best for Families | ~$25-35 | 4.5/5 |
| Unravel Two | Best Compact | ~$15-25 | 4.6/5 |
Why you should trust this review
Our reviewer has played extensively through the PS4 co-op library across local and online modes, evaluating games specifically for cooperative design quality, value at current prices, and suitability for different types of co-op gaming relationships (couples, families, online friends).
How we tested PlayStation 4 co-op games
Each game was played in cooperative mode through a substantial portion of available content, with attention to split-screen technical performance, input lag in online co-op modes, and whether the co-op format genuinely enhances the game versus feeling like an add-on to a single-player experience.
Who should buy PS4 co-op games?
Households with PS4 hardware looking to maximize cooperative gaming experiences on that platform, PS5 owners who want to access the PS4’s mature co-op library via backward compatibility, and budget-conscious gamers who can access excellent co-op titles at significantly reduced prices now that PS4 titles have aged are all well served by this guide.
It Takes Two: the definitive PS4 co-op game
It Takes Two is the game that best demonstrates what cooperative video games can achieve when designed from the ground up for two players. Hazelight Studios built every mechanic, level, and story beat around the requirement that two players must work together, and the result is a co-op experience unlike any other. Players consistently report this as a transformative gaming experience when played with a partner.
The Friend’s Pass eliminates the need to buy two copies for online co-op. At its current price point, it is the highest value-per-hour premium co-op game on PS4.
Overcooked 2: best chaotic local co-op on PS4
Overcooked 2 is the best local split-screen co-op game on PS4 for groups who want high-energy cooperative chaos. Players work together to prepare and serve food orders in increasingly absurd kitchen environments while the settings shift, add obstacles, and demand frantic communication. The simple controls make it accessible for non-gamers while the challenge escalates quickly enough to engage experienced players.
The game works best with 2 to 4 players in local co-op. It is consistently the most mentioned co-op title for breaking the ice in mixed-experience groups and for family game nights.
What to look for in PS4 co-op games
Design intent: Games designed for co-op deliver fundamentally different experiences from games with co-op modes added to single-player campaigns. Check whether co-op is central to the design or supplemental.
Current pricing: PS4 titles have dropped significantly in price since the PS5 launch. Most premium PS4 co-op titles are available for $15 to $30. This pricing makes building a PS4 co-op library extremely cost-effective compared to current-generation alternatives.
Local versus online focus: Confirm your preferred co-op format is well-supported. Some PS4 games dropped local split-screen in later updates or offer it only at reduced resolution. Verify split-screen quality if playing locally.
Ongoing support: Some PS4 games have had their multiplayer servers shut down or reduced. Verify that online co-op is still functional for older titles before purchasing specifically for online cooperative play.
Expansion content: Games with DLC campaigns or co-op expansions offer more content depth for dedicated pairs. Borderlands 3’s DLC campaigns, Destiny 2’s expansions, and the Overcooked series’ additional level packs all extend the co-op experience significantly.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular PS4 co-op games?+
Among the most popular PS4 co-op titles by player count are Destiny 2, Borderlands 3, Deep Rock Galactic, and It Takes Two. It Takes Two leads for pure cooperative design quality; Destiny 2 leads for ongoing active player count.
What is the best PS4 co-op game for two people who want a story?+
It Takes Two is the best narrative co-op game on PS4. A Way Out is a strong second option with a shorter (6 to 8-hour) story-driven co-op campaign. Both use the Friend's Pass system so only one copy is needed for two players to complete the full game online.
What PS4 co-op games can be played locally on one TV?+
Overcooked 2, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, Unravel Two, Rayman Legends, and It Takes Two all support local split-screen co-op on a single PS4. Lego series games are also excellent for local family co-op.
Do you need two PS4 consoles for online co-op?+
Yes, online co-op typically requires both players to have their own PS4 console, PlayStation Network account, and (for most games) PlayStation Plus subscriptions. Local split-screen co-op on a single console requires only one console and two controllers.