If you thought couch co-op was dead, think again. Despite online gaming’s dominance, local multiplayer gaming is experiencing a genuine renaissance. Developers across all budget levels are investing in split-screen, single-screen co-op, and local versus modes that remind us why gaming on the couch with a friend was always special. Here are 10+ upcoming local multiplayer games that prove shared-screen gaming isn’t just surviving – it’s thriving.
AAA Titles Bringing Split-Screen Back
Borderlands 4 proved that massive publishers haven’t abandoned local co-op. This September 2025 release shipped with full 2-player local co-op split-screen alongside its 4-player online mode. The new planet, Vault Hunters, and grappling hook mechanics are designed to shine whether you’re playing with someone sitting next to you or across the world. For fans who’ve been waiting for a major shooter to support couch co-op, Borderlands 4 delivered exactly that.
That flagship title paved the way for a wave of upcoming releases understanding that local multiplayer isn’t a feature to cut – it’s a selling point. Major publishers are finally getting the message: gamers still want to play together in person, and they’re willing to buy games that support that experience.
Indie Games Leading the Local Multiplayer Charge
While AAA studios are slowly remembering couch co-op exists, indie developers have been innovating throughout. Henry Halfhead launched in September 2025 as a narrative adventure where two players control various objects with unique properties, from scissors to toasters to knives. The co-op gameplay feels creative and surprising because it’s built around the local experience, not tacked on as an afterthought.
Jelly Troops, also released in September, brings fast-paced RTS gameplay optimized entirely for local competitive multiplayer. Players guide squads of tiny creatures in best-of-3 battles with mutual threats and power-ups. Games last minutes, making it perfect for arcade-style tournaments on a single screen.
Trasmoz Legends offered Halloween-themed arcade platforming with family modes and speedrun challenges. Shrine’s Legacy channeled SNES-era action RPGs with 2-player local co-op. These aren’t massive budget productions, but they’re all professionally made games that understand what makes local multiplayer special.
Genre Diversity Across the Upcoming Slate
One reason local multiplayer gaming feels revitalized is the genre variety. You’ve got action RPGs like Shrine’s Legacy, strategy games like Jelly Troops, narrative adventures like Henry Halfhead, and arcade-style platformers like Trasmoz Legends all shipping with robust local co-op or versus modes.
Looking ahead to 2026, the diversity only increases. 33 Immortals, coming to PC and Xbox Series X/S, offers something wild – a 33-player co-op action-roguelike designed for instant matchmaking. While that’s not technically couch co-op, it shows developers thinking creatively about how many players can experience multiplayer together.
Streets of Rogue 2 brings chaotic sandbox gameplay where you and friends can tackle missions as thieves, fighters, hackers, or farmers, creating zombie outbreaks or recruiting ancient vampires. These games prove that indie developers see local multiplayer as an opportunity for innovation, not a restriction.
Why Now? Why This Resurgence?
Several factors explain why local multiplayer is making a comeback. First, streaming culture has people acutely aware of how entertaining watching friends play together is. That entertainment value translates directly into in-person gaming. Second, mental health discussions have shifted how people view screen time, with couch co-op feeling healthier than grinding online multiplayer alone.
Third, and most importantly, Nintendo’s continued success with the Switch proved that local multiplayer still has commercial viability. When millions of Switch owners play Mario Kart, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Mario Party together, publishers notice. The Switch 2’s upcoming arrival will likely accelerate this trend even further.
Finally, younger generations entering gaming grew up on online multiplayer but are discovering the unique appeal of shared-screen experiences. There’s no latency. There’s no toxic online chat. There’s just you, your friend, and a game you’re experiencing together in real-time.
The Overlooked Titles Worth Your Attention
Beyond the major releases, several smaller games deserve attention from couch co-op fans. Bytebond, Beacon Patrol, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, and Splatterbot all shipped or are coming with local multiplayer support. Many flew under the radar because they didn’t have massive marketing budgets, but they represent developers actively choosing to include local multiplayer rather than treating it as legacy cruft.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny brings couch gameplay to a game-show-style format where you’ll probably be yelling at the screen alongside your friend. NBA Bounce offers arcade basketball action designed for immediate pickup and couch competition. Even smaller releases like Diner Bros 2 are continuing franchises with solid local multiplayer fundamentals.
Online Play Doesn’t Mean Local Gaming Dies
It’s important to note that most of these games offer both local and online multiplayer. The distinction isn’t either/or anymore. Games ship with full online infrastructure and local co-op options, letting players choose their preferred experience. That’s actually the ideal outcome – maximum accessibility for the widest possible audience.
Parsec has also democratized playing local-only multiplayer games online by letting you stream your screen to friends remotely. Suddenly, all those classic couch co-op games become playable with friends living far away. This technology further blurs the line between local and online, making local multiplayer game libraries more valuable than ever.
What This Means for Future Gaming
If 2025 and early 2026 are any indication, developers have finally accepted that local multiplayer isn’t a dying format worth abandoning. Instead, it’s a feature set worth investing in because there’s genuine demand. That’s a seismic shift from the 2010s when couch co-op felt like a relic being slowly phased out.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s launch will likely accelerate this trend. If it ships with strong hardware capabilities and the right launch titles supporting local multiplayer, we could see another Golden Age of shared-screen gaming comparable to the 7th generation of consoles when every game had split-screen options.
FAQs
What is local multiplayer or couch co-op gaming?
Local multiplayer describes games you play with other people physically present, typically on the same screen. This includes split-screen modes where each player gets their own portion of the display, single-screen games where you share the view, and local competitive modes where you’re all playing together in the same room.
Is couch co-op actually making a comeback?
Yes, evidence from 2025 releases strongly suggests local multiplayer gaming is experiencing a genuine resurgence. Major publishers like Gearbox shipped Borderlands 4 with robust split-screen co-op, and indie developers continue investing heavily in local multiplayer features.
What are the best upcoming local multiplayer games?
Borderlands 4 remains the AAA flagship for couch co-op. Indie standouts include Henry Halfhead, Jelly Troops, Trasmoz Legends, and Shrine’s Legacy. 33 Immortals and Streets of Rogue 2 are also highly anticipated for 2026 launches.
Can I play local multiplayer games online with Parsec?
Yes, Parsec allows you to stream your PC to friends remotely and play local-only multiplayer games together across distances. This makes couch co-op games accessible even when friends aren’t physically present.
Why was local multiplayer declining before?
In the 2010s, publishers prioritized online multiplayer as more profitable and less resource-intensive than split-screen development. Console hardware limitations and the rise of online competitive gaming made couch co-op feel dated to many developers.
Will Nintendo Switch 2 support local multiplayer?
Almost certainly yes. The original Switch’s success was partly built on local multiplayer capabilities. The Switch 2 is expected to continue this tradition with hardware designed for local gaming experiences.
Are new AAA games still supporting couch co-op?
Yes, increasingly so. Borderlands 4’s success proved there’s market demand. Expect more major publishers to include local multiplayer in their games, particularly on console releases.
What genres work best for local multiplayer?
All genres are represented in upcoming releases: action RPGs, strategy games, narrative adventures, shooters, platformers, fighters, and party games all ship with local options. There’s no “wrong” genre for couch co-op.
Are indie games better than AAA games for local multiplayer?
Both have strengths. AAA games like Borderlands 4 offer production value and scale. Indie games often show more creativity with local multiplayer game design because they started with that constraint in mind.
When should I expect the local multiplayer trend to peak?
The trend will likely accelerate with Nintendo Switch 2’s launch and throughout 2026 as developers see commercially successful couch co-op titles and green-light their own local multiplayer features.
Conclusion
Local multiplayer gaming isn’t dead – it’s thriving. 2025 and 2026 are proving that couch co-op was never actually dying, just resting. Developers across all budget levels are investing in split-screen, shared-screen, and local competitive modes because there’s genuine demand from players who remember why gaming on a couch with a friend is special. Whether you’re interested in Borderlands 4’s AAA polish, Henry Halfhead’s creative innovation, or Jelly Troops’ arcade energy, there’s never been a better time to celebrate local multiplayer gaming. The resurgence is real, and it’s only getting started.