Xbox Game Pass is bigger than ever and it features a host of online multiplayer and local co-op games. And we’re not just talking good; we’re talking the absolute best that you can play right now with your friends and family members for an absolute blast.
with that said, here are our 20+ best Xbox game pass co-op games that you can play right now with an active game pass subscription.
1. Deep Rock Galactic
The first game on this list is a hidden gem that I think is worthy of all the praise it can get. I am talking about Deep Rock Galactic, an insanely addicting co-op action shooter that puts you in the shoes of Space Dwarves on an epic adventure to mine minerals on a vast and fully destructible voxel planet while battling it out with hordes of crazy alien monsters that are out for blood.
Its multiplayer co-op gameplay allows you to team up with up to 4 players from around the world, each with the ability to pick their own unique class from a total of 4 different classes. There’s the Gunner, the Scout, the Driller, and the Engineer and each of the class comes with its own unique perks for a totally different playstyle. And while it’s not the most innovative shooter out there, it is definitely a satisfying one to share with friends or total strangers.
2. Minecraft Dungeons
If you are a Minecraft fan looking for an exciting dungeon-crawling adventure with your friends, Minecraft Dungeons might just be the perfect game for you. Dungeons lets you team up with up to 3 friends online for some epic co-op fun in the familiar world of Minecraft. But unlike the original, you won’t be crafting, mining, or building; this is more about delving into the challenging dungeons and fighting hordes of evil monsters using unique artifacts, gear, and enchantments, which give you special attacks to wreck mobs and survive.
The story might not be the most intriguing part of the game, but it’s a decent one. However, gameplay is where this game shines the brightest. This game keeps you and your friends busy finding cool loot, discovering enchantments, and uncovering secret areas, which can be easy to miss on the first go. So you will definitely be coming back for more. It sure has its own CONS but it’s definitely a great option for players who like dungeon crawling and Minecraft in one single package!
3. Overcooked 2
The next game on this list takes the simple act of cooking and turns it into a hilarious, heart-pounding, and incredibly fun cooperative experience. I am talking about Overcooked 2, a super hectic co-op cooking game that puts you and your friends into the shoes of chefs, working in some of the most outrageously chaotic kitchens.
Your mission is to prepare a variety of dishes while navigating obstacles and adapting to ever-changing kitchen layouts. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up for beginners, but the challenge is real, and mastery takes some serious coordination. What makes Overcooked 2 shine is its ability to test your communication and teamwork skills. You’ll find yourself shouting instructions, strategizing, and laughing at the hilarious mishaps that occur in the heat of the kitchen. So, If you’re looking for a game to enjoy with friends or family either online or offline, this one is a recipe for success.
4. Grounded
Next up, we have Grounded, an innovative co-op adventure game that shrinks you down to half the size of an ant and puts you up against a massive backyard world. The story unfolds as you figure out how you got tiny and how to get back to normal. Luckily, you are not alone; Grounded lets you team up with up to 3 more buddies online in this epic adventure.
The game lets you battle with giant insects found everywhere, from the pond to termite dens. But you can control where they go using special devices. And you also get to tailor your character’s abilities with Mutations and Milk Molars to survive this ever-changing landscape of horrors. Now, Combat can be a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be slaying these bugs like a pro. A great game to put down on your list if you have an active Game Pass subscription.
5. A Way Out
Now, if you are looking for an unforgettable co-op experience, A Way Out might just be the best option for you. You can play this game in split-screen or online co-op mode with a friend. You and your partner take control of two prisoners, Vincent and Leo, who embark on an epic adventure to break out of prison. And for that, you will need to solve challenging puzzles, come up with daring escape plans, and face various time-sensitive challenges head-on.
Each character, Leo and Vincent, brings their own unique backstory, motivations, and skills to the table that help them get out of sticky situations. These differences influence how you approach different situations and crack the puzzles. It’s easily one of the best two-player co-op games that you can play right now on Game Pass.
6. Forza Horizon 5
Next up on this list, we have Forza Horizon 5, one of THE best open-world racing games out there. While the game is primarily known for its single-player racing, it also comes packed with an impressive co-op mode that takes the already beloved franchise to all new heights. You get to hop behind the wheel of a crazy variety of cars and race through an open world filled with stunning landscapes, from jungles to city streets to desert dunes.
Unlike the previous games, Forza Horizon 5 lets you team up with your buddies or join strangers online, and that’s where the fun multiplies. You can work together to take on challenging tasks or create and share your own custom events for endless co-op fun. And then there’s Horizon Open mode, which lets you race alongside 72 other players in a shared world, cruising around Mexico, meeting new people, racing in random events, and just soaking in the racing vibe together.
7. Stardew Valley
Now, if you want to take a break from all the chaos and enjoy some relaxing farming adventure with your friends, Stardew Valley might just be the right choice for you. It’s a cozy, pixelated haven for anyone who’s ever dreamed of leaving the hustle and bustle of city life to become a farmer. The game’s single-player experience is already loved by millions, but when it comes to co-op gameplay, it’s a whole new level of fun and collaboration.
You can team up with friends online and work on the farm together. This means that all the daily chores and tasks become a shared adventure. You can divvy up responsibilities, like one person tending to the crops while another takes care of the animals. But it’s not all about farming – You can participate in town events, explore the mines for precious resources, and even attend festivals together. The pace is relaxing, and there’s a sense of joy in watching your farm grow and flourish over time, especially with friends!
8. Sea of Thieves
If being a farmer ain’t cutting it, how about living the life of a pirate? Well, Sea of Thieves lets you do just that and much more. This open-world action-adventure game lets you and your mates become the crew of a pirate gang, explore the depths of the open sea for treasure, battle it out with other pirates, craft make-shift weapons, and do all the fun pirate things.
Sea of Thieves is all about coordinating with your crew, whether it’s steering the ship, raising the sails, firing the cannons, setting up defenses, navigating through storms, or raiding an island full of skeletons. The combat in this game is relatively simple but highly skill-based. You also have access to a wide variety of weapons, from pistols to cannons and even swords, each offering a unique combat experience. If you are looking for a break from the traditional Battle Royale games, this is a game worth playing.
9. It Takes Two
Up next, we have It Takes Two, one of my all-time favorite couch co-op titles where you and your partner play as Cody and May, a couple who has been magically transformed into dolls and taken away to an imaginative world that tests the power of their love. It Takes Two keeps things fresh with new gameplay mechanics at every level, from platforming challenges to puzzles that give your brain a nice exercise.
Speaking of puzzles, they are actually the heart and soul of the game and require you to work together with your partner to overcome various obstacles and challenges. This can range from simple tasks like boosting each other up to reach high platforms to more complex puzzles that have you both timing your actions precisely to get through. The game keeps tossing new gameplay tricks at you to keep the excitement going. It’s like a never-ending rollercoaster of fun and teamwork that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish
10. Valheim
Then we have Valheim, one of the best indie games that took the whole gaming community by storm when it first came out in 2021. This game combines the best elements of exploration, crafting, and combat in a Viking-inspired world. You start as a fallen Viking warrior in a mysterious afterlife, where you must explore a vast and procedurally generated open world. Your objective, like in any other survival game, is to build, craft, and survive. You can gather resources, build structures, and even craft Viking ships to explore the diverse landscapes.
However, what sets Valheim apart from the other multiplayer survival games is the emphasis on cooperative play. The game allows you to team up with friends or other players to tackle challenges and build a thriving Viking community. Whether you’re hunting colossal monsters, exploring hidden dungeons, or constructing grand fortresses, doing it all with friends makes the experience much more fun and memorable. But it’s the boss battles that really make co-op a necessity, as these encounters require some serious teamwork and strategy.
Looking for Upcoming Indie Games? Check out our list of Top 20 Best Upcoming Indie Games in 2024
11. ARK Survival Evolved
Since we are still on the topic of survival, I think it’s only fair to give ARK a shoutout here. ARK Survival Evolved takes you on a thrilling expedition into an untamed, prehistoric world full of gigantic dinosaurs and mythical beasts. This game drops you into the shoes of a survivor stranded naked, freezing, and starving on the mysterious island of ARK, and it’s one heck of a journey that you can either take on solo or with your trusted bunch.
Ark lets you team up with other players. You can form tribes, share tames, and work together to conquer the challenges of this deadly island. You can tag along with up to 3 other players locally or online to make survival easier for all. And I love that this game offers endless replayability by letting you create your own procedurally generated ARKs. The game supports mods and player-hosted servers, allowing you to tweak the experience to your own liking. It’s another great option for someone who is not feeling too “medieval” for Valheim.
12. Dead by Daylight
There’s a good chance you’ve already played Dead by Daylight. But if you haven’t, now might be a good time to give it a shot on Xbox Game Pass. In this asymmetric horror game, one of the players takes control of the relentless killer and the others step into the shoes of survivors, trying to escape certain death. The premise of this game is simple; The killer’s mission is to hunt down and capture the survivors, while the survivors have to work together to repair generators and outsmart this relentless killer.
Both the Killer and the Survivors can choose from a variety of popular characters inspired by movies and TV shows, each with their own unique abilities, perks, and playstyles, adding an element of strategy to the game. What makes Dead by Daylight more exciting are the procedurally generated maps and diverse horror-themed settings that keep the gameplay fresh, ensuring that no two matches are alike. You can play this game with your friends online and have a ton of fun!
13. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Now, if Dead by Daylight is not “horrifying” enough for you and your friends. I bet the Texas Chainsaw Massacre will do the trick. It’s yet another asymmetrical horror game that draws inspiration from the chilling 1974 classic of the same name, where you get to play the role of a member of the notorious Slaughter family or one of their helpless victims. If you’re on the victims’ side, you’ll be scavenging for tools and resources as you navigate this nightmarishly dark environment to find your way out.
As a hunter, your mission is as sinister as it gets: track down and eliminate your terrified guests using an arsenal of deadly weapons and gruesome execution methods before they slip away. It’s a horror masterpiece in the gaming world, but let’s make this clear – it’s not a game for everyone. Especially not for the faint of heart. It’s a hardcore horror survival experience with absolutely no handholding. You’re on your own, and it’s up to you to piece together the puzzle and find your way out.
14. Back 4 Blood
Next up, we have Back 4 Blood, the spiritual successor to one of the best zombie shooters in the world! Back 4 Blood is an absolute blast when it comes to multiplayer co-op gaming. It’s that rare gem that keeps you and your friends entertained for hours on end, and it’s all thanks to the game’s incredibly satisfying and gore-filled combat that lets you slay hordes of zombies or “Ridden”, as they say, using a wide variety of deadly arsenal at your disposal.
With a plethora of level challenges, mutation varieties, and gruesome zombies, Back 4 Blood offers plenty to keep you satisfied, especially when you’re playing online with your friends. And while the game also lets you fly solo, it’s no “Left 4 Dead” that many were hoping for. But if you are down for some action-packed shooting with your friends, this is by far one of the best options to go with.
15. Gears of War 4
Since we are still on the topic of gore-filled shooters, I think it’s worth mentioning the fan-favorite Gears of War series here, especially Gears of War 4. A great co-op adventure game that is all about over-the-top action, irreverent humor, and blasting your way through hordes of enemies with your buddies by your side.
In Gears of War 4, we get a new generation of monster hunters, but these folks don’t take themselves too seriously. They face an entire army of monsters and robots and act like it’s just another day at the office. And while the story mode is a great solo experience, it’s even better when you team up with friends. Co-op is where the game truly shines. You and your buddies can tackle the campaign together, locally or online.
16. Gotham Knights
Gotham Knights had a rough start because fans were expecting another Arkham game and well, they were kinda disappointed. But that doesn’t make Gotham Knights any less fun. In this game, you and your friends step into the shoes of the Bat Family to protect Gotham City. With Batman gone, it’s up to Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin to bring hope to the citizens, discipline to the cops, and fear to the criminals.
I really dig the combat, even though it’s different from Arkham’s free-flow system, it’s still pretty fun and responsive, especially combined with the game’s awesome gear system and character customization that lets you tailor the combat experience according to your own playstyle. It’s certainly a different experience without Batman, but one that I really think is worth trying with your friends.
17. Gang Beasts
Now, if you are looking for a more hilarious co-op experience to share a few genuine laughs with your friends and family, Gang Beasts might just be the game for you. It’s an absolute riot of a party game that’s all about chaotic brawling and hilarious physics. You’ve got these cute, squishy characters with wobbly limbs, and you toss them into these wacky, wild environments. Your mission? Hurl your buddies off platforms or run them into all sorts of crazy hazards just for fun.
What’s awesome about Gang Beasts is how simple it is. You can grab a controller, and within moments, you’re punching your mates, throwing them off high platforms, or smashing them with an arsenal of fun tools. While it’s a hoot to play in the same room with your pals, Gang Beasts also lets you take the brawling online. You can go toe-to-toe with players from all over the globe. The game offers both competitive and cooperative modes, so you can team up or take ’em on solo.
18. Warhammer 40k: Darktide
Next up on this list is yet another gritty co-op shooter, Warhammer 40,000 Darktide! A game that takes you back to the grim and gritty Warhammer universe. But at least, now you have friends to rely on! Set in the hive city of Tertium, the game lets you and your friends take control of soldiers sent to investigate strange occurrences and, of course, eliminate any threats in the way.
It’s like a dark, sci-fi dungeon crawl with hordes of enemies lurking around every corner. Darktide’s gameplay is all about working together. You and your buddies can choose from different classes, each with unique abilities and skills that help you take on waves of enemies, including the deadly Nurgle forces. If you are a fan of the Warhammer 40k franchise looking for epic co-op gameplay, Darktide is definitely putting down on your list.
19. Figment 2 Creed Valley
Then we have Figment 2 Creed Valley, one of the innovative co-op adventures on this list. Because… when we talk about co-op gameplay, we usually think of it as “players coming together to support each other in completing quests, fighting epic battles, or escaping monsters, with equal importance given to each player”. But not in Figment 2 – in this game, one of the players takes the role of the main character Dusty, and the other one plays as a sidekick named, Piper.
The two embark on a thrilling adventure through an imaginative human mind, battling inner demons and nightmares. As the main player, you can do all kinds of things, from fighting monsters to solving puzzles, while your Sidekick can only help you spot enemies and pick items scattered around the map, without taking or doing any damage to the enemies. This game is perfect for parents to share with their children. They don’t have to know anything, just move around and watch out for enemies and support their parents as they take on challenging bosses and progress through the game.
20. Lego Star Wars Skywalker Saga
Last but not least, we have Lego Star Wars Skywalker Saga, an ultimate Star Wars gaming jam that packs all nine mainline movies into one fantastic adventure. But the best part is that you can share this epic adventure with one of your friends in couch co-op mode. Now, even though it’s the “Lego” version of Star Wars, don’t be fooled. This game is full of surprising details, with every nook and cranny bursting with the Star Wars vibe.
And while I have only played the game solo, I bet it’d be fun to have a friend tag along to solve puzzles, tackle side quests, or just mess around together as we explore the iconic Star Wars locations and artifacts. Surprisingly, there’s no online co-op mode, so you need to be in the same room to play it split-screen, just like previous games in the series. But it’s definitely worth the experience!
21. Unravel 2
If you’ve experienced the joy of playing It Takes Two and you’re craving more of that same thrilling co-op adventure, then Unravel 2 is here to offer the perfect dose of couch co-op fun. In this charming puzzle game, you control two cute yarn characters called Yarny, who are connected by a bond of friendship. Each character has their own unique abilities and skills that they can use to tackle tricky obstacles, swing across gaps, and dodge all sorts of dangers in this ever-changing world.
This is the kind of game that’ll keep you and your partner on your toes as you figure your way out together. And I really dig the whole colorful vibe of the game that makes the journey more pleasant and immersive. It’s super easy to pick up for a beginner, so anyone play it without prior gaming experience, which makes it a great choice for a couple who are looking for a fun game time together. But equally challenging to keep them hooked for hours!
22. HALO: The Master Chief Collection
Next up on this list, we have HALO Master Chief Collection, the ultimate package that comes packed with six HALO games. And the best part is, you can play them locally with your buddy using split-screen mode. You and your friend can step into the armored boots of Master Chief and Cortana, embarking on epic journeys across the Halo universe. Whether you’re taking on the Covenant in “Combat Evolved” or battling the Prometheans in “Halo 4,” the co-op campaign experience is totally worth it.
The developers have done a great job with the game – everything from the graphics quality to performance is top-notch, which makes the split-screen experience all the more thrilling. But that’s not all – you can dive into multiplayer mode, where you will find all the classic maps and modes including the famous Forge mode that lets you and your partner craft your own battlegrounds. And the best part is you get to do it all from the same couch, just like the good old days!
