There are all kinds of local co-op games on the Xbox Game Pass service, though some are certainly better than others. For those wondering which local co-op games on Xbox Game Pass are most worth their time, here are the 10 best local co-op games on Xbox Game Pass.
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Please note that this article was published in early May 2020 and some of these games may be removed from Xbox Game Pass over time.
Children of Morta
Children of Morta is a rogue-like action-RPG that has players take members of the Bergson family through dangerous dungeons, battling monsters, leveling up, and earning things for their home. The game has a great sense of progression and a lot of forward momentum, so even in failure, players always feel like they’re making a difference. Playing through Children of Morta with a friend in couch co-op makes the game that much more fun, and with each Bergson family member being distinctly different from each other, the game caters to a lot of different play-styles and preferences.
Fable 2
Some may not even realize this, but it’s possible to play through Fable 2 in local co-op. The second player takes on the role of a henchman, and they can transfer any gold or items they earn into their own saved game. Admittedly, Fable 2’s local co-op mode does feel a little tacked on, and it doesn’t really enhance the main game much, but it’s great for just messing around and wreaking havoc across Albion with a friend.
Gears of War Series
One of the big selling points for the Xbox Game Pass service is the fact that it has all of Microsoft’s first-party games, and this includes the entire Gears of War franchise. Every Gears of War game offers local co-op for the campaign, and Gears of War 2 onward also features Horde Mode as well. Players can play through the entire Gears of War saga from the beginning on Xbox Game Pass, all the way up to the most recent main series game, Gears 5. The games have all aged well for the most part, offering players intense, action-packed campaigns that are a blast to play through in local co-op.
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Guacamelee 2
Metroidvania games rarely offer co-op options, which is part of the reason why Guacamelee 2 stands out from the pack so much. Letting players experience the exploration and platforming elements associated with Metroidvanias in a co-op space is a lot of fun, though it helps that Guacamelee 2 is a fantastic game at its core, too. Guacamelee 2’s unique brand of humor, appealing art style, and non-stop action will keep players glued to the screen for the long haul, making it one of the best local co-op options on Game Pass.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
When it comes to local co-op, it’s hard to beat Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Once players manage to get this massive game downloaded, they can play through the first four Halo games, plus Reach and ODST, entirely in split-screen co-op. Few games are as iconic as the Halo series, and while there are certain aspects of Halo 1’s campaign that haven’t aged all that well, the games are still some of the absolute best first-person shooters on the market.
LEGO Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars
There are actually a couple of different LEGO games available on Xbox Game Pass at the time of this writing, but LEGO Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars is arguably the best of the bunch. The LEGO games have been offering their familiar brand of local co-op action for years now, and while each game is more or less the same, they all have their own little quirks to help them stand apart from one another. Plus, fans can play through LEGO Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars on Xbox Game Pass as a refresher while they wait for the release of the upcoming LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game.
Minecraft
Whenever it comes to fun local co-op game options, it’s never a bad idea to check out Minecraft. Minecraft allows for up to four players to play together in split-screen, giving them complete freedom to explore, build, fight monsters, and more. When players really get into thoroughly exploring their Minecraft world, the game becomes impossible to put down, giving players countless hours of genuine entertainment with friends.
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Moving Out
One of the newer games on this list, Moving Out is a co-op game all about moving furniture. While the controls can admittedly be frustrating at times, Moving Out otherwise shines thanks to its sharp sense of humor and whacky co-op antics.
Overcooked 2
The Overcooked games have earned a well-deserved reputation for being some of the best local co-op games around. Overcooked 2 is the peak of the series so far, carrying over the fun local co-op cooking gameplay from the original and adding more levels, moves, and more. The game works as both a relaxing experience and an intense one, depending on how serious players want to get about beating high scores and getting all of the stars. Those that enjoy playing Overcooked 2 on Xbox Game Pass may want to consider picking up the game’s season pass, as all of the Overcooked 2 DLC expansions have proven to be a great deal of fun so far.
Streets of Rage 4
With no prior announcement, Microsoft surprise-launched the beat ’em up Streets of Rage 4 on Xbox Game Pass. While some may have been concerned that Streets of Rage 4 wouldn’t live up to the legacy of its predecessors, the game has proven any doubters wrong. Streets of Rage 4 reviews have been mostly positive, with fans praising the game’s retro-style local co-op action. Streets of Rage 4’s main story may be a little on the short side, but the game otherwise has a lot of content for fans of the genre to sink their teeth into.
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