Double Jump Gaming News

Couch co-op Multiplayer Games

Article by: Tyler McNamer

Gaming has brought the world closer together. We can now marvel in awe at the thought of playing with other gamers from across the world. However, nothing will compare to sitting down on the couch with a couple friends and playing for hours on end. Friendships will be put to the test, and buttons will be mashed. In this week's Totally Tubular Top 10, we look at the top couch co-op multiplayer games. How else can you consider someone your true friend if you can't trust them not to screen cheat?

10. NBA 2K17 (2016)
Like clockwork, NBA 2K came out with the newest iteration of their hit basketball simulation game. Why bother putting on the radio when you can just let the menu music blast all of the best hits? Might as well grab a couple controllers and slam dunk on your friends. Nothing feels more gratifying than ruining a friendship through dunking. Who needs to be physically active when every night can be game night indoors!?

9. Battletoads (1991)
People bond by experiencing some of the most difficult times together. Playing Battletoads is one of those times. These little anthropomorphic frogs have provided a grueling gameplay experience that can and will build lifelong friendships. When you're old and withered, you'll reminisce with your best friend about how you almost beat the turbo tunnel level, that is, before you teamed up to break your television screen with your NES controllers.

8. Mortal Kombat series (1992- current)
As of 2017, it is socially unacceptable to disembowel and rip your friend's spine out. In the Mortal Kombat universe, however, it is encouraged. Watching your friendship grow as the blood splatters across the screen from each successful blow to their head is endlessly satisfying. Starting out in the arcade, the Mortal Kombat franchise has transcended into bloody couch co-op mayhem. Multiple generations of friends have been able to maim each other, and there's no sign it’s stopping any time soon.

7. Portal 2 (2011)
Portal : put a hole here and put a hole there. That's it. Nothing more to it, nothing less. Portal 2 introduced a new co-op mode to the series. Gamers can now team up to create a plethora of portals that can help them beat even the most complicated puzzles. Luckily, the humor is able to relieve some of the mind-crunching tension. There's also a feature that allows your characters to high five each other. If that isn't teamwork, you need new friends.

6. Goldeneye 007 (1997)
First person shooters weren't as common as they are today. When Goldeneye 007 was released, people were able to finally get the chance to unload hot lead in everyone's face. Running around many different maps shooting your friends in the face with golden guns is a great way to release tension, as long as they're not running around with that awful Oddjob character! It might not have aged gracefully, but the cherished memories of the game live to die another day.

5. Mario Party series (1998-current)
When party is in the title, you know you're in for a wild time. Hundreds of unique mini games exist amongst the entire franchise, and they are all fun to play. Ranging from popping balloons (more fun than it sounds) to tug of war over a giant pit of death, Mario Party is bound to have something for everyone to enjoy. Besides, it's on basically every Nintendo console, so you can probably find a way to play it.

4. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Many Call of Duty games have been released in the past couple years, but Black Ops was able to capture the magic of split screen multiplayer. Nuketown is one of the best first person shooter maps ever. After you and your friends take a break from free-for-all, you could take a chance at survival in the amazing zombies mode. Relive the best moments of history by playing as Richard Nixon and Fidel Castro, and destroy the undead.

3. Mario Kart Series (1992-current)
What do you get when you cross Nintendo's cash cow with a souped-up go-kart? Apparently not a funny joke, but a darn good racing game. Providing more than just adequate racing mechanics, Mario Kart has been the king of racing games. Feel free to watch and laugh at how angry your friends get by falling of the edge of Rainbow Road for the 100th time. Driving recklessly has never been so much fun.

2. Guitar Hero 3 (2007)
No longer are you stuck playing air guitar in your parent's basement. Now you can jam on guitar shaped pieces of plastic with your friends for the same effect. Play alongside a friend to beat the co-op storyline; Video games should encourage teamwork after all. But don't get too comfy with working together. Face off against your friends in a battle mode and see who should be the real guitarist in KISS.

1. Super Smash Bros. series (1999-current)
What can I say? Nintendo knows how to make an amazing couch co-op game. Who hasn't wanted to punch JigglyPuff in the face? Now you can play as your favorite Nintendo characters without impulse control. Punch and kick your way through Nintendo's long line of family friendly characters. If you want, anger your friends by spamming Meta Knight! But who cares, they lost for a reason!