![<em>Mario Kart</em> is a safe standby for any couch co-op session.](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mario-kart-8-deluxe-800x450.jpg)
Enlarge / Mario Kart is a safe standby for any couch co-op session. (credit: Nintendo)
With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we’ve overhauled our guide to the best couch co-op games, adding several new recommendations for you to share with a loved one.
Video games have gone a long way toward keeping us sane during our pandemic days. But while there’s never been more people playing together, finding the best co-op games to play with a partner at home can still be tricky. More and more titles have (understandably) emphasized online multiplayer, leaving the market for quality couch co-op experiences somewhat thin.
If you and your loved ones are looking for some good times for the living room, though, we can help. Below, we’ve rounded up 26 of the best couch co-op games we’ve played, with options that should appeal to both hardcore and less experienced players. Whether you’re eager for a half-hour session or a weekend-long binge, interested in a platformer or a twin-stick shooter, or playing on PC, Switch, Xbox, or PlayStation, our selection should have something worth your time.