10 Best PS5 Couch Co-op Games to Play With Friends in 2026

The Best Couch Co-op Games on PS5 in 2026

There's something irreplaceable about squeezing onto a sofa with a friend, controllers in hand, and diving into a game together. Online multiplayer has its place, but local co-op ?" the kind where you can turn and laugh (or argue) with the person sitting right next to you ?" holds a special magic that no amount of voice chat can replicate. Fortunately, 2026 is shaping up to be a genuinely strong year for couch co-op on PlayStation 5. From heartwarming puzzle adventures to brutal horror experiences and explosive arcade racers, there's something on this list for every kind of player and every kind of friendship.

Push Square's Aiden recently broke down ten of the most exciting local and split-screen co-op titles coming to PS5 this year ?" some already available, some just over the horizon. Here's everything you need to know to plan your next gaming session.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

If there's one franchise that has reliably delivered couch co-op fun for decades, it's LEGO. The upcoming LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight looks set to be one of the most ambitious entries in the long-running series yet, boasting a full open-world rendition of Gotham City stuffed with challenges, secrets, and Easter eggs waiting to be discovered.

While it's worth noting that the game won't support online co-op at launch ?" a slightly surprising omission in 2026 ?" the local co-op experience sounds thoroughly entertaining. Whether you're smashing up LEGO scenery with reckless abandon or cruising around Gotham in the iconic Batmobile, this is the kind of game designed to be enjoyed side by side.

"LEGO Batman looks to be one of the biggest LEGO games to date with a full open-world rendition of Gotham City... you can just smash up LEGO stuff together or drive about in the Batmobile." ?" Aiden, Push Square

Described as a potential family favourite, this is an especially strong pick if you're looking for something accessible to play with younger gamers. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is set to drop on 22nd May.

Directive 8020 ?" Horror Gets Social

Not every co-op experience needs two controllers. From Supermassive Games ?" the studio behind the beloved Until Dawn and the acclaimed Dark Pictures Anthology ?" comes Directive 8020, a choice-based horror narrative that reimagines what playing with friends can look like.

Rather than splitting the screen, Directive 8020 takes a pass-the-controller approach, with the game itself prompting players to hand over the pad as it switches between characters. Up to four friends can each take on the role of a different protagonist, meaning every decision ?" and every terrifying consequence ?" is someone's personal responsibility.

"This isn't just a 'you can technically play it with your friends' kind of thing. It's an actual supported mode in the game, and considering your choices can lead to the death or survival of different characters, I think that could be a lot of fun with your friends." ?" Aiden, Push Square

It's a clever design that transforms a single-player horror adventure into a genuinely social experience ?" perfect for a Halloween night in, or any evening where you want to collectively suffer through something deeply unsettling. Directive 8020 is available on PS5 from 12th May.

Helldivers ?" A Charming Adventure Through the North

Stumbled upon during research for this very list, Helldivers is a co-op adventure that immediately stands out for its warmth and beauty. Inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of northern Sweden, players take on the roles of tiny mice helping a powerful but ailing witch shoulder the burden she can no longer carry alone.

With puzzles to solve, animals to encounter, and a heartwarming story woven throughout, this one is about as tonally far from horror as you can get. The open landscape ?" not quite a full open world, but expansive enough to invite exploration at your own pace ?" supports both four-player online co-op and local split-screen, making it a versatile option for different gaming setups.

There's no firm release date pinned down beyond a broad 2026 window at the time of writing, but Helldivers is one to keep firmly on your radar, particularly if you're after something gentler and more atmospheric for your next couch session.

God of War: Son of Sparta ?" The Pit of Agonies Awaits

One of the most hotly anticipated PlayStation exclusives of 2026 is God of War: Son of Sparta, a Metroidvania-style prequel that explores a young Kratos's journey before he ascended to godhood. While the main campaign ?" a substantial 20-hour offering ?" is a solo experience, the game does include a co-op mode for those who want to share the pain.

The rogue-like Pit of Agonies mode supports local co-op, allowing players to choose between Kratos and his brother Deimos as they battle through relentless waves of enemies together. The mode can be unlocked by completing the main campaign, or accessed immediately via a specific button sequence on the main menu ?" a welcome addition that was patched in post-launch following player feedback.

"The main campaign is actually not playable in co-op, which I think is a bit of an L, but there is a rogue-like mode called the Pit of Agonies which does support local co-op." ?" Aiden, Push Square

It may not be the deep co-op integration some fans were hoping for, but for those who want to experience the brutality of Spartan combat with a friend, the Pit of Agonies delivers exactly that.

Reanimal ?" Atmospheric Horror for Two

From Tarsier Studios, the creative minds behind the acclaimed Little Nightmares series, comes Reanimal ?" a dark and atmospheric co-op platformer that leans heavily into dread, tension, and visual storytelling. You and a friend navigate a dangerous world filled with grotesque creatures, solving light platforming puzzles while desperately trying to stay alive.

Much like Tarsier's previous work, gameplay here isn't about mechanical complexity ?" it's about the atmosphere. The visuals and audio design are the real stars, crafting an experience that is genuinely unsettling in the best possible way.

"This one is all about the vibe. Gameplay isn't super deep, but the visuals and audio make it a worthwhile experience with some genuinely unnerving enemies and jaw-dropping moments." ?" Aiden, Push Square

Reanimal supports both online and local co-op, and can also be played solo with an AI companion. It's not an especially long game, making it ideal for a focused co-op session over a weekend ?" and all the more nerve-wracking for being experienced side by side.

Screamer ?" Old-School Arcade Racing Roars Back

Arcade racers feel like something of a lost art in the modern gaming landscape, which makes Screamer feel like a particularly welcome arrival. Boasting a full anime-inspired campaign alongside the fast-paced, combat-heavy racing action at its core, this one is clearly built with multiplayer mayhem in mind.

A distinctive dual-stick control scheme ?" steering with the left stick and drifting with the right ?" gives Screamer a unique feel that takes some adjustment but ultimately sets it apart from the competition. Supporting two to four players in local split-screen, the game offers both standard racing and team racing modes, giving players the choice between competing against each other or cooperating to rack up points together.

"It's described as a combat-focused racer, which makes it perfect for the two-to-four player local split-screen co-op that it supports." ?" Aiden, Push Square

Whether you're a seasoned racing game fan or simply someone who remembers pumping coins into an arcade cabinet as a kid, Screamer looks like exactly the kind of chaotic, joyful experience that thrives in a room full of people.

Diablo IV: Lords of Hatred ?" Dungeon Crawling Gets Bigger

Technically not a new release, Diablo IV earns its place on this list thanks to the recently launched Lords of Hatred expansion ?" the most substantial update to the game since October 2024. The expansion introduces a new region called Scosglen, along with two brand new character classes: the Paladin and the Warlock.

Better yet, purchasing Lords of Hatred also includes the previous Vessel of Hatred expansion, making this an extraordinary amount of dark, demon-slaying content to tear through with a friend on the couch. The full campaign experience across the base game and both expansions represents one of the chunkiest co-op offerings available on PS5 right now.

There are a few logistical hoops to jump through ?" both players will need to be signed into separate PSN accounts with linked Battle.net accounts ?" but the main campaign content is accessible without PS Plus, making it a more inclusive option than many online-first titles.

Out of Words ?" Stop-Motion Storytelling at Its Finest

For something genuinely unlike anything else on this list, Out of Words is a handcrafted stop-motion adventure in which two characters ?" Kurt and Carla ?" set out on a quest to reclaim their voices and save the colourful realm of Vocabulantis. Every element of the game's visual world has been physically crafted by hand and then scanned into the engine, giving it a tangible, tactile quality reminiscent of the critically lauded Harold Halibut.

Built specifically for co-op play, Out of Words tasks players with solving physics-based puzzles that demand genuine teamwork, clear communication, and precise timing ?" the hallmarks of the very best two-player experiences.

"Physics-defying puzzles that require some proper teamwork, communication, perfect timing ?" I think that makes it a great addition to your local co-op roster for the year." ?" Aiden, Push Square

Think of it as the brighter, more optimistic sibling to Reanimal ?" a co-op platformer that celebrates creativity and collaboration rather than survival and dread. No confirmed release date beyond 2026 at the time of writing.

Scott Pilgrim EX ?" Eight-Bit Chaos for Four

Few gaming experiences match the anarchic joy of a great side-scrolling beat-'em-up, and Scott Pilgrim EX looks to deliver exactly that. When most of Scott's band, Sex Bob-omb, goes missing, it falls to Scott, Ramona Flowers, and a collection of unlikely allies to fight their way through demons, robots, and ?" memorably ?" vegans to bring them home.

The game supports up to four-player local drop-in, drop-out co-op, and while the narrative may not be the most sophisticated on offer, the punchy, dynamic combat and satisfying character progression more than compensate. The retro art style and brilliant soundtrack tie the whole package together beautifully.

"It can get a little hectic and maybe the story isn't the best, but the punchy and dynamic combat is just a lot of fun along with some really satisfying progression." ?" Aiden, Push Square

At roughly 40 hours to complete, this is the kind of game that rewards a dedicated all-day session with friends ?" a proper event rather than a casual drop-in.

Marvel TouCon: Fighting Souls ?" A Superhero Showdown

Rounding out the list is perhaps the most visually striking entry of all. Marvel TouCon: Fighting Souls is being developed by Arc System Works ?" the studio behind the breathtaking Dragon Ball FighterZ and Guilty Gear Strive ?" in collaboration with Marvel Games. The result is a 4v4 tag fighter featuring a roster of 20 iconic Marvel heroes, all rendered in Arc System Works' signature anime-inspired art style.

This is pure couch gaming in the most traditional sense: 1v1 on a shared screen, trading blows and bragging rights in equal measure. It may not be the most content-rich game on this list, but as Aiden rightly points out, some of gaming's most memorable moments come from exactly this kind of competitive couch play.

"Some of my fondest co-op memories from when I was younger were playing fighting games like Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat X, or Injustice with my brother. It's always good to battle it out in a game like this." ?" Aiden, Push Square

Marvel TouCon: Fighting Souls is due to launch on 8th August, and for fans of both Marvel and Arc System Works' distinctive visual style, it looks like an unmissable event.

The Verdict: 2026 Is a Great Year to Share Your Controller

From the family-friendly chaos of LEGO Batman to the spine-chilling tension of Directive 8020 and Reanimal, the handcrafted beauty of Out of Words, and the competitive thrill of Marvel TouCon, 2026 is offering a genuinely diverse and impressive spread of local co-op experiences on PS5. Whether you're after something to play with your kids, your partner, or a group of friends crowded around a single screen, there's no shortage of reasons to put down your headset, slide along the sofa, and pass someone a controller.

The couch co-op tradition is alive and well ?" and on PS5 this year, it's arguably better than ever.