The best co-op games in 2026 are not all built the same way. Some are made for exactly two players on one couch, some for four-player squads online, and a few work across PC, PlayStation and Xbox so nobody gets left out of the group chat.
This guide picks six that cover those situations: Split Fiction, It Takes Two, Baldur's Gate 3, Helldivers 2, Deep Rock Galactic and Sea of Thieves. For each one you get the player count, the platforms and the rule that usually decides the purchase: how crossplay and couch co-op actually work. Details reflect developer and publisher information available in October 2026. Crossplay rules change, so confirm on the store page before you buy.
Quick picks
Best for two players: Split Fiction and It Takes Two.
Best for a long campaign: Baldur's Gate 3.
Best for four-player squad chaos with full crossplay: Helldivers 2.
Best for classes and teamwork: Deep Rock Galactic.
Best for open-ended adventure: Sea of Thieves.
How to pick the best co-op games for your group
Start with the group size. Split Fiction and It Takes Two are built for exactly two people, while Baldur's Gate 3, Helldivers 2, Deep Rock Galactic and Sea of Thieves are built around parties or crews of up to four.
Then check the platforms. If your friends are on different systems, crossplay becomes the deciding feature, and it varies widely from game to game. Finally, look at how many copies you need: Hazelight's two games let a friend join for free through a Friend's Pass.
1. Split Fiction
Split Fiction is Hazelight's co-op adventure for two players, played in split-screen on one screen or online. It launched on PlayStation 5, PC and Xbox Series X|S on March 6, 2025, and arrived on Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
Only one person needs to own it. A free Friend's Pass lets a second player join online, and the pass now supports crossplay, so the two of you do not need the same console. On Switch 2 there is also GameShare, which lets the host start a session that another Nintendo Switch system can join. EA explains the Switch 2 features here.
It is the best pick for couples, siblings or any pair that wants a story to finish together.
2. It Takes Two
It Takes Two, from Hazelight and Electronic Arts, is co-op only. There is no solo mode, and the game always runs with exactly two players, in split-screen on one console or PC, or online. It is available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Like Split Fiction, it uses a Friend's Pass: one player buys the game and the second downloads a free pass from their own platform store. The catch is crossplay. The game does not offer matches between different platform families, so it is the better buy when both players are on the same system. Check EA's help page before buying across different platforms.
3. Baldur's Gate 3
Larian's Baldur's Gate 3 is a full role-playing campaign you can play with up to four players online. On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S there is also two-player split-screen on the same console.
Since Patch 8, released on April 15, 2025, the game supports crossplay between PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Everyone links their platform account to a free Larian account and turns on Allow Cross-Play in the Gameplay settings. If you use mods on PC, every player in a crossplay lobby must have the same mods, and mods cannot be used on consoles. Larian's announcement has the details.
It is the pick for groups that want a campaign measured in dozens of hours.
4. Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is Arrowhead's squad shooter for up to four players. It started on PC and PlayStation 5 and reached Xbox Series X|S on August 26, 2025, with crossplay between the platforms.
Crossplay means a mixed squad of PC, PlayStation and Xbox players can drop into the same mission. Progress, however, is not shared: Arrowhead says Helldivers 2 does not have cross-progression, so unlocks stay tied to each platform.
It rewards communication and teamwork more than raw aim, which makes it a good fit for groups with mixed skill levels.
5. Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic, from Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain, is a first-person co-op shooter for one to four players built around class roles. It is available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation.
Its crossplay is partial and grouped by platform, so read the official crossplay page before you buy. In short, Xbox players can play with Microsoft Store PC players, PlayStation players can play with each other, and Steam players form their own group.
6. Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves, from Rare, is a shared-world pirate adventure played in crews. It is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox and PC, and crossplay is on by default across all three.
You can sail with up to three other players on the same ship. To crew up across platforms, invitations go through the Xbox network friend list.
There is no fixed story to finish, which makes it the best fit for groups that want a game they can drop in and out of.
Crossplay cheat sheet
Full crossplay across the platforms it supports: Helldivers 2, Baldur's Gate 3 and Sea of Thieves.
Crossplay through the Friend's Pass: Split Fiction.
Partial crossplay, grouped by platform: Deep Rock Galactic.
No crossplay between platform families: It Takes Two.
No cross-progression: Helldivers 2.
Which of these need only one copy?
Split Fiction and It Takes Two: only one player needs to own the game, and the second joins for free with a Friend's Pass. For the other four, every player needs their own copy.
Keep reading
Want more? Our guide to Gears of War: E-Day co-op and crossplay explains how to play the campaign with friends, the list of the best online games to play in 2026 covers competitive options, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 games are worth a look if you play on Nintendo's console.
