2023 has often been called one of the best year’s in gaming history when it comes to high quality new releases. Practically every genre saw the release of a critically-acclaimed game, giving gamers of all tastes something exciting and new to play. The same can be said for co-op games, with2023 proving to be one of the absolute best years for co-op gamers, whether they want to play with their friends online or prefer local co-op.
This year has seen the release of truly incredible co-op games of all kinds. From fantasy RPGs to horror games to platformers, co-op gamers have plenty of options when it comes to new 2023 games.
Co-op gamers looking for the absolute best co-op experiences 2023 has to offer need look no further. Please keep in mind that this list isnot rankedand is instead presented in alphabetical order.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian’sBaldur’s Gate 3has earned universal acclaim, taking home multiple Game of the Year awards and being hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made. While there are many who choose to experienceBaldur’s Gate 3as a single-player adventure, the game also has robust co-op support.Baldur’s Gate 3has online co-op for up to four players, and it also has 2-player split-screen on all platforms minus Xbox Series S. In an age where many developers have abandoned local co-op entirely, it’s great to see Larian make the effort to include split-screen co-op as a key feature in its massive RPG.
Bang-On Balls: Chronicles
There were all kinds of co-op games released in 2023, but few as unhinged as the bizarrely-titledBang-On Balls: Chronicles.Bang-On Balls: Chroniclesis a wild 3D platformerwhere up to four players online and two players in split-screen are let loose to roam themed worlds that are stuffed full of hilarious pop culture references. There are goals to accomplish and things to collect, but much of the fun inBang-On Balls: Chroniclescomes from the absolute mayhem players can wreak on the game world thanks to its destructible environments. It may have flown under the radar for many, butBang-On Balls: Chroniclesis a great deal of fun, and may especially appeal to fans of theGoat Simulatorgames. Those interested can check outBang-On Balls: Chronicleson PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox.
Cassette Beasts
Pokemonfans wanting a proper co-op twist on the franchise’s monster-catching formula should definitely not letCassette Beastspass them by. One of the bestPokemon-style games in years, even when compared toPokemonitself,Cassette Beastssees a custom player character and their companions explore a strange world filled with bizarre monsters to catch, train, level up, and evolve.Cassette Beastslets a second player take control of the currently active companion, giving them free rein to explore the game world and participate in battles.
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to New Wirral, a remote island inhabited by strange creatures you’ve only dreamed of, nightmares you hopefully haven’t, and a cast of brave folks who use cassette tapes to transform for battle. To find a way home you’ll need to explore every inch of the island, and record monsters to your trusty cassette tapes to gain their abilities! Transform into monsters using… retro cassette tapes? Faced with the constant threat of monster attacks, the residents of Harbourtown, New Wirral choose to fight fire with fire. Record a monster to tape, then play it back to take on its form for battle! Fuse monster forms. Getting close to your companion has benefits–while transformed you may combine your strengths to gain the upper hand in battle! Any two monster forms can be fused to produce unique, fully-animated new fusion forms. Explore a rich open world. Certain monster abilities can be used in human form. You’ll need these to help you get around, solve puzzles, and locate dungeons. Glide, fly, swim, climb, dash, go invisible, or turn magnetic! Travel alongside a diverse cast of human companions. Never fight alone! Form bonds, spend time together, and help your selected partner complete personal goals to become a better team. Master a deep battle system. Take advantage of elemental chemistry to apply extra buffs or debuffs alongside your attack, or even alter your opponent’s elemental type!
Dead Island 2was a long time coming, but for many co-op gamers, it was worth the wait.Dead Island 2lets up to three friends team up to complete quests and massacre zombies together in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Killing undead hordes with friends never gets old, andDead Island 2gives players a huge arsenal of weapons to play around with. While it is disappointing thatDead Island 2lowered the number of players from four to three, the game is still one of the meatiest co-op experiences of the year with even more content on the way.
Dead Island 2
The open-world zombie slaying action RPG makes its long-awaited return. Dead Island is back, and with it comes a host of enhancements to its winning combination of creative first-person zombie slaying, pitch-black humor and open-world exploration. Welcome to HELL-A. The City of Angels has been transformed into a hellish sprawl, its populace now mutated into disgusting zombies with an insatiable appetite for humans. In this extensive, visceral RPG experience you’ll journey to iconic LA locations, taking on quests, meeting eccentric survivors and enjoying a joyously pulpy narrative along the way. The game’s brutal melee combat gives you access to an expansive array of inventive zombie-slaying weaponry that lets you slice, smash and tear through the hordes before they get the chance to do the same to you. Can you survive HELL-A?
Diablo 4
Co-op has been part ofDiablo’s DNA since the first game released in 1997, and so it’s no surprise that it’s one ofDiablo 4’s major selling points.Diablo 4supports 2-player local co-op, but its co-op experience really shines when taking the game online. While exploringDiablo 4’s huge world, it’s possible to run into others that are playing the game and party up with them to complete quests and tackle dungeons together. While there are those who have been disappointed byDiablo 4’s post-launch support, the game does continue to receive new content and has a sizable expansion on the way for 2024, ensuring that there will be plenty moreDiablo 4co-op adventuresto come.
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or explore an expansive end game and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
Disney Illusion Island
Metroidvania platformers are a dime a dozen, butDisney Illusion Islandstands out from the packthanks to its vibrant art style inspired by classic Disney cartoons and, of course, its 4-player co-op support. On a single Switch console, four players can play as iconic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they explore the game world, and in typical Metroidvania fashion, obtain new abilities that in turn allow them to reach previously unreachable areas. While some co-op platformers struggle with the actual “cooperation” part of the equation,Disney Illusion Islandencourages players to work together by incorporating special co-op moves like Rope Drop and Leap Frog.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy embark on a new adventure to find three magical books and save the mysterious island of Monoth. You’ll meet unusual allies and dangerous foes as you play solo or with up to three friends as the Fab Four in local co-op*. Work together as you run, jump, swim, and swing your way to victory!
Experience a brand-new Mickey & Friends adventure with hand-drawn animation, a fully orchestrated original score, and featuring performances from the authentic voice talents.
Lethal Company
Lethal Companycame out of absolutely nowhere to becomeone of the most popular Steam games of the entire year, with the early access co-op horror game proving to be a viral hit with serious staying power. For those unfamiliar with the game,Lethal Companyis a sci-fi horror game where players work together to explore abandoned facilities, often encountering horrifying creatures in the process. It has found incredible success in early access, and so it will be exciting to see how the developers expand on the game in future updates and if they bring it to more platforms.
You are a contracted worker for the Company. Your job is to collect scrap from abandoned, industrialized moons to meet the Company’s profit quota. You can use the cash you earn to travel to new moons with higher risks and rewards–or you can buy fancy suits and decorations for your ship. Experience nature, scanning any creature you find to add them to your bestiary. Explore the wondrous outdoors and rummage through their derelict, steel and concrete underbellies. Justnevermiss the quota.These dangers prey upon the vulnerable and lonesome, and the protection of your crew may be your only hope. You can guide your crewmates from your ship, using the radar to call out traps and using the ship’s terminal to access remotely locked doors–or you can all go in together. The Company store has many useful tools for the job, including lights, shovels, walkie talkies, stun grenades, or boomboxes.Things get dangerous at night. Communicate with your crewmates to carry all valuables to the ship before things get too dangerous, and try not to leave anyone behind.
Moving Out 2
The originalMoving Outwas a big hit with co-op gamers, utilizing a similar chaotic feel as theOvercookedgames to create high pressure and hilarious situations.Moving Out 2is bigger and better than the original game, throwing online co-op and all kinds of different gimmicks into the mix to keep players on their toes. Easily one of the most memorable co-op experiences in all of 2023,Moving Out 2delivers hours of laugh-out-loud entertainment.
Moving Out 2 is the wacky sequel to the world-famous physics-based moving simulator. Working as a solo F.A.R.T, or with up to three friends, slip into your Smooth Moves uniform and help the residents of Packmore, and beyond, to pack up and ship out!MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LOCAL & ONLINE MULTIPLAYERFriends who move together, groove together! Whether you fancy some local co-op action or a cross-play online multiplayer session, we’ve got you signed, sealed and delivered!NEW ADVENTUREWe’re not in Packmore anymore… Via inter-dimensional portals you will explore new worlds filled with hilariously silly challenges and chaotic, rib-tickling action.FRESH CHARACTERS & RETURNING FAVOURITESMoving Out 2 features an entire new cast of extra lovable characters because Smooth Moves have signed up some new F.A.R.T recruits! Not to worry though, Rye Yu and Sidney are still on the payroll…IT’S FOR EVERYONE!Assist mode?! Check! A wide array of accessibility options?! Check! Loads of characters and countless finely tailored fits and skins for all you fashionistas?! Check! Check! Check!
Remnant 2
Remnant: From the Ashestook the Soulslike genre in some interesting new directions thanks to having a greater emphasis on co-op play and ranged weaponry compared to its peers.Remnant 2retains everything that made its predecessor great, but dials it up to 11.Remnant 2’s procedural generation has been greatly enhancedso that players and their co-op companions are constantly dealing with fresh challenges. Soulslike fans will find a lot to love aboutRemnant 2, and its co-op support really helps put it over the top as one of the year’s best games.
REMNANT II® is the sequel to the best-selling game REMNANT: FROM THE ASHES that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity’s extinction.Intense Remnant Combat Experience: A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and attempt to obtain the biggest rewardsNew Worlds to Explore: Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo discovered a winning co-op formula withNew Super Mario Bros. Wii, which let four players simultaneously run and jump their way throughSuper Mariostages for the first time ever. Co-op has been a major focus of 2DSuper Mariogames ever since then, with2023’sSuper Mario Bros. Wonderthe latest game in the seriesto take a crack at it. WhileSuper Mario Bros. Wondercould have rested on its laurels, the new game takes theSuper Marioco-op experience to new heights.
While some fans initially weren’t happy thatSuper Mario Bros. Wonderremoved player collision, the choice actually resulted in a far less frustrating co-op experience, one that let players more easily experience the game’s fast-paced platforming challenges with friends.Super Mario Bros. Wonderalso introducesDark Souls-style online featuresto theSuper Mariofranchise for the first time, letting players see others playing the game as they play, with ways to communicate with and aid strangers encountered online.
The next evolution of Mario fun: Classic Mario gameplay is turned on its head with Wonder Flowers in the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game! These game-changing items can make some wonderfully weird stuff happen. Witness pipes coming alive, wreak havoc as a giant Spike-Ball, and lots more!Loca: Up to 4 players can tackle courses together, share power-ups, and revive each other. Yoshis can also carry other players on their back to help each other overcome challenging courses!Online: With a Nintendo Switch Online membership**, you can share your adventure with players from all over the world or play online with up to 12 friends in a Friend Room, with 4 players per course. Help each other out or see who can finish first! If you place a standee while you’re playing online, other players can use them to revive!
