Looking at some of the best classic Co-Op games around
Once upon a time, you and a friend could spend hours on the same team and the same couch, battling it out to defeat whatever challenge was in front of you. Nowadays, multiplayer games are played almost entirely online. This has given co-op players more options, but it has taken away the physical appeal of giving a high-five after overcoming a tough challenge. From old school 2D side-scrollers to challenging shooters and hidden jewels, we're looking back at the vintage games you need to dig out and give some more playing time to.
While some creators used the opportunity to create large-scale single-player experiences that would not have been feasible in an arcade game, others merely focused on bringing fighters, races, and other multiplayer games to the home console. This encouraged gamers to form new bonds with their siblings and friends, often bridging age and interest gaps. So, without further ado, I give you some of the best co-op games ever made. If this trip down memory lane doesn’t have you reminiscing about your childhood, nothing will.
Streets of Rage
This list could easily be filled with titles from classic Sega consoles, but we've only included one for the sake of variety. With two goliaths throwing a long shadow over the co-op landscape: Streets of Rage and Golden Axe, this was not an easy decision. However, following its release in the early 1990s, the Streets of Rage trilogy was responsible for many players' first taste of cooperative action.
Players would punch, kick, and toss their way through swarms of foes while also obliterating elements of the environment which included health-giving food (we're still not sure why an apple would be in a phonebox, though). The game is still a joy to play, with a fantastic soundtrack, brilliantly engaging action, and a properly boo-worthy bad guy in the form of Mr X. You've probably played Streets of Rage, but if you haven't, get a Mega Drive and a friend because you have no idea what you're missing out on.
Tetris Attack
Tetris Attack is the only game in the franchise that isn't actually Tetris. Instead, it's a Japanese game called Panel de Pon that's been painted over with a thick coat of Tetris paint to appeal to an international audience. In addition, Tetris Attack uses characters from Nintendo properties as stage backgrounds, whereas Panel de Pon uses attractive anime girls. Some may see this as a clever marketing move, but we see it as a downgrade. Still, playing the game alone or against a friend who thinks that they have a higher IQ than you is an enjoyable way to while away a few hours.
Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana is a fully fleshed-out action RPG that allows up to three players to play simultaneously. If you're searching for deeper multiplayer fare this Christmas season, this one's for you! But take heed, you won't have all three players available immediately; one player will have to participate until the other two are identified in the tale. But once you're there, you'll realise that a more fulfilling and unforgettable 16-bit multiplayer experience is hard to find.
Contra
The cosmos is on the verge of ultimate devastation at the hands of the Red Falcon, a cruel extraterrestrial warmonger. You, a brave member of the Special Forces elite commando squad, are the Earth's only hope. Your mission: To battle deep in the Amazon jungle, where the Red Falcon and his cosmic henchmen have turned old Mayan temples into massive mass-destruction monuments. As you are sweating and fighting your way through 3-D mazes, underground security systems, and tropical jungles surrounded by gigantic waterfalls and alien cannons, you'll have access to a variety of weapons ranging from rapid-fire machine guns to high-tech lasers.
Rock Band
Even though the plastic instrument genre has essentially died out, games like Rock Band still make for terrific party people pleasers, at least if you can keep up. If you’re in the mood for Rock Band, gather up a bunch of friends, as the game is considerably better when played with others. Rock Band is, at its core, a celebration of music and its capacity to bring people together, which explains why it works so well in a group setting. In addition, because Harmonix's outstanding online store did such an excellent job of transferring over music from previous releases, you really can't go wrong with any of the franchise's entries.
Gaming with friends is usually a blast and a refreshing change of pace from playing alone. While most online gaming is competitive, working together to achieve a common objective is gratifying and highly entertaining. Unfortunately for us, split-screen cooperative gaming is becoming less popular. Even so, nothing compares to sitting down with your buddies in the same room to play a game together. We hope you have enjoyed this trip down memory lane and we hope we’ve inspired you to dust off your old gaming console one more time.