It Takes Two

Looking for the best local multiplayer Xbox games to play on the same couch? You’re not alone. While online multiplayer dominates the industry, there’s still something unbeatable about split-screen chaos, shared victories, and yelling at your friend sitting right next to you.

If you loved It Takes Two or A Way Out and feel like everything else falls short, don’t worry — there are great split-screen and couch co-op games on Xbox Series X/S (and Xbox One). You just have to know where to look.

Here are the best local multiplayer Xbox games worth your time — across genres and budgets.

🎮 Story-Driven Co‑Op (Like It Takes Two)

1. A Way Out

  • Players: 2 (split-screen only)
  • Genre: Cinematic action-adventure
  • Why it’s great: Made by the same studio as It Takes Two, this prison-break thriller is designed exclusively for co-op. Every moment is built around teamwork.

If you want something narrative-heavy and emotionally engaging, this is your closest match.

2. Baldur’s Gate 3

  • Players: 2 (local split-screen on Series X/S)
  • Genre: RPG
  • Why it’s great: Massive story, deep character creation, and meaningful choices — all playable in split-screen.

It’s a time commitment, but if you and your co-op partner want a serious RPG experience together, this is one of the best ever made.

3. Portal 2

  • Players: 2 (split-screen)
  • Genre: Puzzle
  • Why it’s great: The co-op campaign is completely separate from the main story and brilliantly designed around teamwork.

Still one of the smartest co-op experiences available on Xbox.

🔫 Best Split-Screen Shooters

4. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

  • Players: 2 (campaign split-screen)
  • Genre: FPS
  • Why it’s great: Classic couch co-op. Halo practically defined split-screen gaming for a generation.

Play through Halo 1–3 and Reach together for an old-school, unforgettable experience.

5. Borderlands Series

  • Players: 2 (split-screen)
  • Genre: Looter shooter
  • Why it’s great: Chaotic gunplay, ridiculous weapons, and tons of content.

The Handsome Collection is often discounted and gives you incredible value. If you want long-term co-op fun, this is a top-tier pick.

6. Resident Evil 5

  • Players: 2 (split-screen)
  • Genre: Action-horror
  • Why it’s great: One of the most fun co-op campaigns in the Resident Evil series.

It’s more action than horror, and that’s exactly why it works so well with a friend.

🧩 Fun & Chaotic Couch Co‑Op

7. Overcooked: All You Can Eat

  • Players: 2–4
  • Genre: Party/management
  • Why it’s great: Absolute chaos in the kitchen. Perfect for family or friend game nights.

Easy to learn, hard to master — and guaranteed to test your friendships.

8. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

  • Players: 2–4
  • Genre: Cooperative action
  • Why it’s great: You control different parts of a spaceship together. Communication is everything.

Underrated gem and fantastic for couch play.

9. Cuphead

  • Players: 2
  • Genre: Run-and-gun
  • Why it’s great: Tough but fair boss fights with beautiful hand-drawn animation.

Be warned: it’s challenging. But winning together feels amazing.

10. Unravel Two

  • Players: 2
  • Genre: Puzzle-platformer
  • Why it’s great: Relaxed, heartfelt co-op experience with clever platforming mechanics.

A great pick if you want something less chaotic and more cozy.

🧱 Best Local Multiplayer for Families

11. LEGO Games (Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, LEGO Movie, etc.)

  • Players: 2
  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • Why it’s great: Simple, forgiving, and packed with humor.

Perfect for casual players, kids, or anyone who just wants stress-free fun.

12. Stardew Valley

  • Players: 2 (local co-op supported)
  • Genre: Farming sim
  • Why it’s great: Build a farm together, explore caves, fish, and relax.

Not traditional split-screen action — but great couch co-op for laid-back sessions.

🚗 Competitive Couch Multiplayer

13. Rocket League

  • Players: 2–4 split-screen
  • Genre: Sports/action
  • Why it’s great: Soccer with rocket-powered cars. Easy to start, hard to master.

Also free-to-play.

14. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

  • Players: 2–4
  • Genre: Kart racing
  • Why it’s great: Tight controls and competitive racing fun.

A strong alternative if you’re missing Mario Kart on Xbox.

15. Dirt 5

  • Players: 2–4 split-screen
  • Genre: Racing
  • Why it’s great: One of the few modern racing games still supporting split-screen properly.

🗡️ Isometric Co‑Op Gems

16. Lara Croft and the Guardians of Light

17. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

  • Players: 2–4
  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • Why they’re great: Puzzle-solving, shooting, and light RPG mechanics in a shared-screen format.

Affordable and seriously underrated.

⚔️ More Worth Mentioning

  • Wasteland 3 (deep tactical RPG co-op)
  • Kingdom Two Crowns (side-scrolling strategy)
  • BattleBlock Theater (platforming chaos)
  • Brawlhalla (free-to-play fighting game)
  • WWE 2K series (great couch competition)
  • Mortal Kombat 1 / Tekken 8 (local versus fighting)

Are Split-Screen Games Dying on Xbox?

Not completely — but they’re rarer than they used to be. Many developers shifted toward online multiplayer, leaving couch co-op behind.

That’s why games like It Takes Two stand out so much — they’re built specifically for two people on one screen.

The good news? There are still fantastic local multiplayer Xbox games out there. You just need to skip the generic YouTube lists and look for titles that truly support split-screen.

Final Thoughts

If you want the closest experience to It Takes Two:

  • ✅ A Way Out
  • ✅ Portal 2
  • ✅ Unravel Two

If you want long-term replay value:

  • ✅ Borderlands
  • ✅ Halo MCC
  • ✅ Baldur’s Gate 3

If you want chaotic party fun:

  • ✅ Overcooked
  • ✅ Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
  • ✅ Rocket League

Xbox may not be the first console people think of for couch co-op — but there are still incredible local multiplayer experiences available.

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