Best Co-Op Games For Parents And Children

As a parent, nothing can trump quality time spent with kids and the family. There are, of course, numerous ways for parents to deepen their relationship with their children, and one sure way is through gaming.

However, when it comes to selecting the right game, it can feel overwhelming with numerous titles available and advertising themselves as kid-friendly. Some child-appropriate games may feel too advanced for some kids or maybe boring for older ones. So, where does one start? Well, thankfully, there are many fantastic

cooperative games for kids

that parents can enjoy too.

Updated on November 7, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra:



Co-op games are a great way for players to unwind and have a great time with others. Families can certainly bond with each other as they play a wealth of light-hearted and engaging games. Many titles can be enjoyed in co-op, with parents and children teaming up to tackle a wealth of challenges with ease.

19


Splatoon 3

Metacritic Score: 83

One of Nintendo’s newer IPs that have been pretty successful,

Splatoon

‘s core gameplay loop is always engaging and does a great job of letting players enjoy a non-violent third-person shooter where covering the map with their color is more important than taking out opponents.

Multiple players can team up on the Switch to cooperate together and strategically tackle a map. It makes for a great time, and parents and their children can certainly enjoy a few games together in a genre that is normally dominated by more mature experiences.

18


Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Metacritic Score: 92

Given the prominence of the 3D

Mario

games in the Switch era, most people simply couldn’t believe that a 2.5D

Mario

game would have the allure that most people would expect. So, when

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

rolled out, fans were genuinely impressed by the sheer character present in this game.

Every level is a celebration of creativity, color, and splendor. The music and platforming challenges augment the experience players have with this game, and the Wonder Flowers make each level feel more alive and dynamic as players eagerly look forward to this effect in each level.

17


Rayman Legends

Metacritic Score: 92

Rayman Legends


is one of the most colorful and engaging platformers that players can check out. This Ubisoft title received rave reviews for its great platforming, innovative level design, and excellent eye-catching art style that kids will certainly get a kick out of. If all of this wasn’t a winning combination as is, then players will be elated to know that

Rayman Legends

supports local co-op too!

The game’s scope increases over time as players slowly come to grips with the controls, and the challenge level can leap up quite a bit in the later stages. Thankfully, by this point, most people will be pretty familiar with how the game works and can engage in some much-needed teamwork to conquer some of the tougher challenges in the game.

16


Castle Crashers

Metacritic Score: 82

Any great game that a child can enjoy should ideally have a cute and endearing art style to keep these kids engaged for the long haul. Such is the

case

with


Castle Crashers


, a cute-looking brawler that can be pretty entertaining when everything clicks. The gameplay loop can take a while to click, but a few rounds will make it clear that there’s more to

Castle Crashers

than what meets the eye.

The simple yet addictive gameplay loop makes it a perfect title for parents and children to mess around with. The violence is pretty cartoonish and downright amusing in certain instances, and parents don’t have to worry about subjecting their son or daughter to something too scandalous for their own liking.

15


Good Job!

Metacritic Score: 78

Being an adult is far from a fun time, with the weight of responsibilities weighing heavy on the shoulders of people who have to go to a 9-to-5 job and try to manage everything else in their lives too. As a result,


Good Job!


can bring up a rather negative feeling in the minds of most players, but the game is actually a pretty light-hearted and engaging game that will keep players engaged for quite some time.

The office environments are pretty hilarious to mess around in, with players being able to break valuable things and ruin the day of co-workers by disrupting their functions with the sheer silliness of their actions. The

puzzles

are pretty ingenious, and two players need to be really smart about how they deal with certain tricky levels if they don’t want to be stuck for hours.

14


It Takes Two

Metacritic Score: 88

It Takes Two


is a great game that won a ton of awards upon launch, and it’s easy to see why. The game combines several entertaining gameplay loops while pushing the notion of co-op gameplay, which makes for a great time.

The story of a broken relationship being mended through these trials and tribulations is also heartwarming. Both parents and children alike will have a great time fighting both with and against each other in

It Takes Two

.

13


Portal 2

Metacritic Score: 95

Portal 2


is a brilliant puzzle game and one of Valve’s best releases. Not only is the single-player pretty fun as is, but the title also features a separate co-op campaign that is completely unique and perfect for parents and slightly older kids to play together.

The fact that two test robots can somehow have so much personality is a testament to Valve’s amazing work. ATLAS and P-body are both really fun characters, and forming portals between the both of them to solve the game’s many puzzles is fun indeed.

12


Overcooked 2

Metacritic Score: 81

The idea of being chefs who have to team up together to form and serve dishes sounds fairly simple and easy. However, people familiar with


Overcooked 2


know just how chaotic things can get if their teamwork isn’t spot on.

This makes for a great time as players have to coordinate actions and designate responsibilities while trying to get as many orders out as possible. Be warned that this game can get so hectic sometimes that families may actually get mad at each other, but that shouldn’t be too much of a worry! It’s perfect for players who don’t mind when family game night gets a little intense.

11


Snipperclips

Metacritic Score: 80

Snipperclips


is a great family-friendly co-op game that has a pretty unique way for players to solve puzzles. Players need to snip and snap their own characters to form structures that can be used to solve the many mind twisters present in the game.

The title has several game modes that accommodate two to four players. Its creative puzzle design, coupled with its soothing aesthetic, is a big reason why this title is such a hit with families.

10


Super Mario 3D World +

Bowser

‘s Fury

Metacritic Score: 89

The release of


Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury


on the Switch was a source of great joy for Mario fans, who got to see the next evolution of the series firsthand.

Bowser’s Fury

is a great add-on where Mario can explore a vast and seamless world interspersed with platforming challenges.

It helps that both the original game and

3D World

have full co-op functionality, even if it might be a little better in the latter. Regardless, parents and their children can have a great time going through the many stages and cooperating together to solve the game’s many puzzles.

9


LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Metacritic Score: 82

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga


is a great game for any parent looking to game with their child, regardless of age. A must-have for any

Star Wars

fan or enthusiast, this game allows players to experience all three film trilogies through a hilarious and epic lens. The game is also perfect for introducing younglings to the

Star Wars

franchise as a whole, as it contains harmless violence and remains light-hearted throughout the entire playthrough

Whether it’s playing through the iconic

Star Wars

narrative or exploring offbeat paths to nab those collectibles, the


game provides hours of pure fun and awesomeness for parents and their children.

8


Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

Metacritic Score: 80

Set in a beautiful and mesmerizing medieval fantasy world,


Trine 4


is a platformer that can be perfect for the whole family. Despite being the 4th installment of the

Trine

series, players won’t need to have played the previous titles. The game is light on story and has more emphasis on wow-ing players with its visuals and puzzles.

Trine 4

also allows up to 3 players, which means more can join in on the fun. The 3 heroes within the game have very different playstyles, so the whole family can fight over who they want to play as.

7


Rocket League

Metacritic Score: 85

What does one get when combining football and team sports with

Hot Wheels

? That’s right, it exists.


Rocket League


pits 2 teams of revving cars ready to rumble against each other. Although simple as a concept, the game utilizes skill in being able to maneuver the vehicle and ball control.

Moreover, the game arena is littered with power-ups such as speed boosts or a grappling hook that can pull players toward the ball, which can dynamically affect the game. Fun, competitive, and whacky, parents can train all their kids and assemble them into a team as this game is also a professional esport.

6


Untitled Goose Game

Metacritic Score: 81

The concept of

Untitled Goose Game

is simple: It’s a lovely day in the village, and players play as a goose, a nasty, naughty little goose. Players take on the role of a goose who disrupts or destroys everything in its path, as their primary goal is to annoy people. Seems like a counterintuitive thing to have children experience, but the game is innocent mischief and reminds people not to take life too seriously.

A rather short experience, the game is laid back and casual, allowing kids to take their time exploring the game and the surroundings. What’s better is that the game offers local co-op so parents and their kids can go break stuff together.

5


Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime

Metacritic Score: 82

As pilots of a mega spaceship, players are tasked with defending the ship from a wide variety of enemies seeking to blow it all up. Supporting up to 4 players, each person is tasked with operating a specific station within the ship, be it the engine, shield, big canon, or map. However, each player only controls 1 avatar meaning that players will have to move from station to station to balance out and look after other areas of the ship.

Sound chaotic? Of course, it does! As players progress, they can pick up additional friends and upgrades along the way after defeating bosses. This game is a perfect choice for parents looking to encourage teamwork amongst their kids in a fun, silly, and light-hearted way.

4


Unravel 2

Metacritic Score: 77

Unravel 2


has players work together as creatures made of yarn who are tethered to one another. Being tied together, players will have to solve multiple puzzles and use their skills to manipulate the world. It’s a simple game that is also very nice to look at.

Featuring a light storyline and folk music soundtrack, the game is for parents and kids who enjoy solving puzzles together that increasingly become more complex. The game also offers customization of players’ little yarns in different colors and shapes.

3


Super Animal Royale

Metacritic Score: 73

Super Animal Royale


is a free-to-play battle royale game that has players compete to become the alpha animal. Every round, up to 64 players are deployed into a battle arena reminiscent of an abandoned safari park and can compete in solo, duet, or squad game modes. Here, players play as cute little animal avatars that drop into an arena and must acquire weapons and gear along the way to improve their survivability.

The game is fast-paced, easy to pick up, and competitive, making it a perfect game to play in bursts. Although killing is involved, the violence within the game is extremely mild and cartoony.

2


Sea Of Thieves

Metacritic Score: 69

As the quintessential pirate experience,


Sea Of Thieves


allows players to experience pirate life. From sailing and exploring to looting and fighting, this game is extensive and a delight for any child who is going through a pirate phase. The game has no set objectives or rules, allowing players to do whatever they want and approach however they like. The game showcases gorgeous ocean and island environments, humongous sea monsters, and fun roles for players to explore.

As a multiplayer experience, parents can crew up with their kids and sail into adventure, allowing for hours and hours of pure pirate fun.

1


Terraria

Metacritic Score: 81

Terraria


has been around for more than 10 years and has a team that continues to add content to it. Like

Minecraft

, players can explore, craft, build, and fight in a procedurally generated world. The game is more objective-based than its 3D cousin, as it encourages players to complete tasks and bring in new villagers to the buildings players have constructed.

Every playthrough is different, and each game of

Terraria

offers hundreds of hours of gameplay, meaning that parents and their children will have an ample amount of time exploring and crafting together.

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