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.
Check price on Amazon →We played the best cooperative games on PlayStation 5 to find the top titles that use the PS5's capabilities to deliver exceptional shared gaming experiences.
Our testing process
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two: the best PS5 co-op game overall | Check price | ||
| Deep Rock Galactic: the best ongoing PS5 co-op experience | Check price |
Reviewed in detail
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.
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.
How to choose
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.
Common questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
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