As we approach the colder months, it's becoming the time when sitting inside and playing some of the best local co-op games is looking more and more appealing. Even though couch co-op and split-screen play is often pushed to the side in favor of online co-op, there are still plenty of modern games that allow players to sit side-by-side and play together. And believe it or not, some of those games are great!
We've opted to leave out some of the games that are already incredibly popular, so while It Takes Two, Overcooked 2, and Stardew Valley are fantastic games, they're also included on every list under the sun. We're going for slightly lesser known titles, so hopefully we'll help you uncover some hidden gems. Here are, in no particular order, the best local co-op games you can play across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X in 2026.
The newest game on the list, Gears of War: E-Day is the sixth main instalment in the long-standing Xbox series and the first in seven years. It's also one of the best. Taking place during Emergence Day, aka when the horde invaded for the very first time, Gears of War: E-Day is Gears at its finest, with that crisp, cover-based shooting the series is famous for and plenty of visceral, gory boss fights.
E-Day also has a hard-hitting story that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, especially for longtime Gears fans, because it offers a new look at iconic characters such as Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago.
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