Long before the days of online multiplayer, friends would gather in living rooms and arcades around the world to enjoy some good old-fashioned in-person co-operative multiplayer together. Co-op has been around almost as long as gaming itself, allowing more than one person to work together at overcoming whatever challenges a game has up its sleeve.
And given the more limited technological capabilities of retro games, co-op experiences were often designed with teamwork front and centre in mind. If life is better with friends at your side, then these retro co-op games are nothing short of pure bliss.
8ToeJam & Earl
The Misanthropic Misadventure For You And A Friend
ToeJam & Earl is just about as ’90s as video games come. Dripping in style, over-the-top colours, and gross-out humour, ToeJam & Earl is very much a product of its time, harkening back to simpler times.
It’s also a terrific co-op experience, allowing you and a friend to step into the oversized sneakers of ToeJam and Earl as they recover the scattered pieces of their spaceship. An early example of a co-operative Roguelike, this game remains a blast to play all these decades later.
7Bubble Bobble
Double The Bubble, Double The Fun
Bubble Bobble is a staple of the ’80s arcade scene that won over players with its bubble-blowing gameplay, engrossing challenges, and co-operative multiplayer. You and a friend control Bub and Bob as they blow, pop, and jump their way through the game’s one hundred levels.
Defeating enemies, scoring points, and collecting those EXTEND letters is all made better with someone at your side. Indeed, Bubble Bobble is the ideal example of a retro game that is perfectly fine to play by yourself, but truly comes into its own when you have another person going on the journey with you.
6Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Your local neighbourhood has been invaded by zombies and other Halloween monsters, and the only people who can save the day are you and your friend. This is the scenario that Zombies Ate My Neighbors lets you live out, and it’s one that you’ll likely be returning to time and time again.
As far asiconic zombie gamesgo, Zombies Ate My Neighbors is certainly on the sillier side, but that’s what makes it such a brilliant co-op experience. Taking out monsters with weed-whackers and explosive soda cans simply never gets old, ensuring this 16-bit cult classic hasn’t lost a lick of its charm since its initial launch.
5Gunstar Heroes
A Gun Blazing Good Time On The Sega Genesis
Gunstar Heroes already has a lot going for it to be considered one of thegreatest run-and-gun games of all time. The game’s cartoony presentation, genius weapon combo system, and truly imaginative levels all heavily contribute towards its rightfully earned reputation of excellence.
But of course, Gunstar Heroes couldn’t claim to be a great run and gun game without co-operative multiplayer. Thankfully, the two-player mode delivers everything you could ask for, allowing you to blast your way through this Genesis gem with a buddy.
4Secret Of Mana
Filled With Co-operative Action Role-Playing Goodness
RPGs aren’t typically the first genre that comes to mind when you think of co-op, especially the further back you go in history. For this exact reason, Secret of Mana completely stood out amongst its contemporaries back on the Super Nintendo.
In thisiconic action RPGfrom Square, you and up to two friends can play as the trio of party members — a warrior, a healer, and a sprite mage. In what many consider to be the golden era of console JRPGs, Secret of Mana still cut through the noise with its timeless visuals, ethereal soundtrack, and of course, engaging co-operative gameplay.
3Streets Of Rage 2
Time To Set The Streets Right
Streets of Rage 2 has long been considered an S-tier entry in a genre that was practically built around co-operative multiplayer. Is it any surprise that it is still the go-to co-op Genesis game for so many?
There is a simple beauty in the way Streets of Rage 2 pulls together all its elements to create a truly wonderful experience. While the strategic combat and thumping soundtrack often take the plaudits, there is no denying that the game’s multiplayer is a big contributor towards its lasting legacy.
2Metal Slug
The Perfect Game To Slug It Out
Metal Slug is synonymous with run-and-gun arcade games and has established an enduring reputation as one of the best of its genre. Its Miyasaki-meets-Metal art style is instantly recognisable, and the game’s bombastic levels, weapons, and boss fights have gone down in arcade folklore.
While you’re able to still get a lot of enjoyment playing Metal Slug solo, the game reaches new heights when you have a friend blasting away by your side. Every Marco Rossi needs his Tarma Roving, and playing Metal Slug co-op is still one of the best ways to spend time in a retro arcade.
1Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4: Turtles In Time
Still A Timeless Co-op Experience
If you were a kid growing up in the ’80s or ’90s, there’s a strong chance that you and your friends wanted to be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Konami let your friendship group live out this dream with the truly magnificent Turtles in Time.
Whether you played the original arcade version or its Super Nintendo port, Turtles in Time gave you everything you could ask for in a co-operative TMNT game. It’s hard to find another retro game that nails the co-op experience quite like this one, which is why it’s still beloved to this day.
