Playing video games with friends has always been one of the best parts of gaming. While today’s online multiplayer dominates the industry, local co-op gaming was the foundation of social gaming experiences. In the 8-bit, 16-bit, and early 3D eras, couch co-op was the norm, bringing friends and family together for unforgettable gaming moments.
From beat ‘em ups and platformers to racing games and arcade classics, retro gaming had some of the most beloved co-op experiences ever made. Many of these games were massive hits, shaping the way multiplayer games are designed today. This guide explores the best retro co-op games, their impact on gaming history, and how they remain fun to play even decades later.
The Evolution of Co-Op Gaming in the Retro Era
Co-op gaming has been around since the early days of arcade machines, where two players could team up to fight waves of enemies. As gaming transitioned into home consoles, developers found new ways to implement cooperative gameplay, making it a key feature in many iconic franchises.
Arcade Co-Op (1970s–1980s)
In the golden age of arcades, cooperative gaming became incredibly popular with titles like:
- Gauntlet (1985) – One of the first four-player co-op arcade games, allowing different character classes to fight together.
- Double Dragon (1987) – Brought two-player beat ‘em up action to the mainstream.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989) – One of the best four-player arcade games ever, based on the popular cartoon series.
Home Console Co-Op (1980s–1990s)
As consoles became more powerful, local co-op gaming evolved, introducing split-screen racing, simultaneous platforming, and team-based strategy games. The NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and N64 were home to some of the greatest co-op games ever made.
- Contra (NES, 1987) – Perfected the side-scrolling shooter genre with challenging two-player gameplay.
- Streets of Rage 2 (Sega Genesis, 1992) – A beat ‘em up classic that remains one of the best co-op experiences.
- Mario Kart 64 (N64, 1996) – Defined local multiplayer racing, combining co-op and competitive play.
As we explore the best co-op retro games, we’ll break them down by genre, highlighting what made them special and why they’re still loved today.
Best Co-Op Beat ‘Em Ups
Beat ‘em ups were designed with co-op play in mind, as two or more players could team up against waves of enemies. These games were huge successes in arcades and home consoles, offering some of the best co-op gaming experiences ever.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (Arcade, SNES, 1991)
Considered one of the greatest beat ‘em ups of all time, Turtles in Time let players take control of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, traveling through different time periods to stop Shredder.
🔥 Why It Was a Hit
✅ Fast-paced, satisfying combat
✅ Four-player arcade mode (two-player SNES version)
✅ Incredible pixel art and animations
Streets of Rage 2 (Sega Genesis, 1992)
A masterpiece of the 16-bit beat ‘em up era, Streets of Rage 2 refined the genre with smooth combat, special moves for each character, and one of the best soundtracks in gaming history.
🔥 Why It Was a Hit
✅ Varied movesets for each character
✅ Awesome music by Yuzo Koshiro
✅ Challenging but rewarding co-op gameplay
Other Great Beat ‘Em Ups:
- Final Fight (Arcade, SNES, 1989)
- Golden Axe (Arcade, Sega Genesis, 1989)
- The Simpsons Arcade Game (Arcade, 1991)
Best Co-Op Platformers
While platformers were traditionally single-player experiences, some classic games introduced co-op mechanics, allowing players to work together or compete for high scores.
Contra (NES, 1987)
One of the first true co-op action platformers, Contra was known for its brutal difficulty and fast-paced gunplay. Players had to memorize enemy patterns, dodge bullets, and jump between platforms to survive.
🔥 Why It Was a Hit
✅ Two-player simultaneous action (a rarity at the time)
✅ The legendary Konami Code for extra lives
✅ Challenging but rewarding gameplay
Donkey Kong Country (SNES, 1994)
Although not a true simultaneous co-op game, Donkey Kong Country allowed players to switch between Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, letting one player take over when the other lost a life.
🔥 Why It Was a Hit
✅ Groundbreaking pre-rendered graphics
✅ Tight platforming mechanics
✅ Hidden secrets that encouraged teamwork
Other Great Co-Op Platformers:
- Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988) – Alternating two-player mode.
- Bubble Bobble (NES, Arcade, 1986) – Co-op puzzle platformer.
- Kirby Super Star (SNES, 1996) – Introduced helper mechanics for two-player gameplay.
Best Co-Op Racing and Sports Games
Some of the best multiplayer memories come from split-screen racing and sports games, where players could compete or team up.
Mario Kart 64 (N64, 1996)
Few games are as legendary for co-op and competitive play as Mario Kart 64. Whether playing Grand Prix together or battling it out in Balloon Battle, this game defined local multiplayer racing.
🔥 Why It Was a Hit
✅ Perfect balance of skill and chaos
✅ Memorable tracks like Rainbow Road and Bowser’s Castle
✅ Four-player split-screen support
NBA Jam (Arcade, SNES, Sega Genesis, 1993)
A two-on-two arcade basketball game with crazy dunks, fast-paced action, and hilarious commentary, NBA Jam was a co-op favorite for sports fans.
🔥 Why It Was a Hit
✅ “Boomshakalaka!” announcer added excitement
✅ Simple yet addictive gameplay
✅ Hidden characters, including Bill Clinton and Sub-Zero
Other Great Racing and Sports Games:
- F-Zero X (N64, 1998) – High-speed futuristic racing.
- NFL Blitz (Arcade, PlayStation, N64, 1997) – Over-the-top football action.
- Micro Machines (NES, SNES, Genesis, 1991) – Fun, top-down racing with tiny cars.
Why Co-Op Retro Games Are Still Popular Today
Many of these classic co-op games remain beloved today, thanks to:
- Local multiplayer fun that online gaming can’t replicate
- Simple yet deep mechanics that make them easy to learn but hard to master
- Remakes and re-releases on modern consoles, keeping them accessible
Whether you’re playing on original hardware, emulators with Netplay, or modern re-releases, these retro co-op games prove that gaming is always better with friends.
What’s your favorite retro co-op game? Drop a comment below and share your best gaming memories!