As Valentine's Day looms, the benefits of gaming as a couple often get overlooked.
Two-player games provide a unique opportunity to create memories and strengthen the bond with your partner, but it isn't always easy to find games designed for two.
To remedy that, we've put together a little selection for you, here (you can also play them with the kids or an old friend).
An adventurer couple lost amidst the platforms of a pyramid.
Wedded bliss? With its retro aesthetic and fun co-op gameplay, this is definitely one for the power couples out there. A rogue-lite that draws heavily on Super Mario, where each procedurally generated dungeon might spell the end for our adventurers if they don't make it out in time. Great in single-player; amazing in co-op!
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Publisher: Firestoke
Developer: PolyCrunch Games
More of an experience than a game. A relaxation aid for two.
A fresh lick of paint! If you ever fell under the spell of de Blob back in the Wii days, you'll love this sequel that contains everything that made the first game so great. This game, developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment, is a celebration of colour, creativity, and video-game fun. Suitable for all ages.
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Publisher: THQ Nordic
Developer: Blue Tongue Entertainment
Control two removal men with a single shared controller. Hilarious!
Good luck not breaking anything! Carry a sofa across a motorway, chuck it through the window, and then cross a crocodile infested river: this is Overcooked for removal men! Your job is to empty a house, mansion, or castle as fast as you can, and with plenty of stipulations. A hilarious party game that's great to play with family or friends.
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Publisher: Team17 Digital Ltd
Developer: SMG Studio
Who'll stay in the ship, and who'll take a spacewalk?
A fantastic split-screen party game. One side shows the inside of a crazy spaceship where everything is going wrong; the other infinite space where nothing is going right either. As the title says, "we are screwed", and it's true that it is often hard to see how you'll survive. Procedurally generated levels mean every game is unique! Hilarious for ages 10+ and great to play with friends.
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Publisher: Rarebyte
Developer: Rarebyte
One to play with your partner or kids if they like the TV series.
A game for kids that immerses them in the cult series, The Last Airbender. This 3D third-person action game serves up a unique experience with its 2D puzzle sequences. But that's not the only original touch: there's also the Quest for Balance split-screen co-op where two players can explore the four nations and learn to master the elements. Fun as a family.
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Publisher: GameMill Entertainment
Developer: Bamtang Games
For those who dream of a (dead) stepdad!
A cooperative platform game in which a brave princess and her fiancé drive a chariot through ancient caves infested with enemies. But the chariot is actually the hearse carrying the remains of her father, the King, who might be dead, but is still very chatty! This is a clever, cute platform game that’s irresistible in two-player co-op. All topped off with a bit of problem solving and humour.
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Publisher: Microids
Developer: Frima Studio
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