Updated October 6, 2026, by Mark Sammut: I cleaned up the article, added new headings, revised the intro, and introduced LOTR War in the North Legacy Edition.

Because the PC scene is synonymous with online multiplayer, Steam's couch co-op games tend to fly under the radar, with plenty of titles not even supporting it. While the feature might seem like an afterthought, Valve's platform isn't actually lacking in local co-op options, especially in genres like beat 'em ups, RPGs, and side-scrollers. For the most part, the greatest couch co-op games of the last few years are on Steam.

You can search for releases that support local co-op relatively easily on the platform, but you will end up with a long list of titles that might not necessarily shine in this area. This article aims to simplify the process for finding you and your partner's next couch co-op game.

The games are only loosely ranked, since they're too different to really compare and contrast.

Hazelight is back with another fantastic co-op experience. Like It Takes Two and A Way Out, Split Fiction supports only 2-player runs, so solo playthroughs aren't an option. While that can be frustrating for people who prefer to game on their own, Hazelight's dedication to co-op deserves praise, especially in an era when non-online-focused multiplayer projects are so rare.

Due to this creative decision, Split Fiction is built to emphasize and bolster cooperative action, including a story revolving around two characters who are forced to work together after they are screwed over by a corporation.

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