The holidays always remind me of games. More specifically, multiplayer. Around this time, it was never unusual to find me at the dinner table with friends and a card game, or kicking butt in Mario Kart. It's no surprise that my Nintendo Switch followed me to every family gathering, regardless of what was happening. Growing up with a large, expanded family meant I was destined to play co-op titles most of my life, after all.
While I haven't seen a lot of attention on them, we had no shortage of exciting co-op titles this year. With the holidays right around the corner, I've compiled a list of some of the best options for either online or local co-op experiences that came out this year. Friends, family, or partners; there's something for everyone here. Just ready your controller (or keyboard) of choice and pull up a seat!
1. Peak (1 - 4 Players, Online Only).
A collaboration between Aggro Crab and Landfall Games for a Game Jam, Peak is a game I'd summarize as "Hijinks Ensue." You're a Boy Scout, and after your plane crashes on a deserted island, you and your friends must climb to the top of a mountain and call for help. The gameplay is simple, but it leads to plenty of hilarious moments, especially with the proximity voice chat enabled, making it great for embracing the chaos. A large part of why I enjoy this title is the hilarious social media campaign, especially thanks to Aggro Crab's social media manager, Paige Wilson. I highly suggest giving this title a chance. Trust me, it's pretty peak.
2. Guilty As Sock (3 - 9 Players, Online Only).
Debut release from Demon Max, Guilty as Sock is a game I'd describe as "Hijinks Ensue, but it's in a courtroom this time." But, in all seriousness, Guilty As Sock is a delightful sandbox game where chaos always wins, to steal a tagline from the devs. From talking over the opponent to throwing paper balls and planes to distract others, this is a great title for friends with conflicting holiday plans, but just enough time for a quick argument in between the festivities. Good luck trying to keep any order in this court.
3. Split Fiction (2 Players, Local or Online).
Hazelight Studios has become one of the biggest names behind two-player experiences over the past few years, and their newest title, Split Fiction, is no different. Playing as two authors, Zoe and Mio, you get to explore two different worlds inspired by their stories and experiences. It's a heartfelt story in a time full of technological fear and uncertainty, especially with the rise of Generative AI. The gameplay also proves both challenging and rewarding. Whether it's with your partner, sibling, or a close friend, Split Fiction is a perfect title to play during the holiday break.
4. R.E.P.O. (1 - 6 Players, Online Only).
This one has led to many a late night with my husband and close friends. R.E.P.O. is a game that has you traveling from place to place, collecting junk for cash while running from a large collection of different monsters. Emerging from the rapid success of the co-op horror genre after the release of Lethal Company, the game has cemented itself in my library, that's for sure. The physics-based gameplay, heart-pounding sprints away from different enemies, and distant screams in proximity voice chat make this a hilarious title to play, especially with a larger group.
5. LEGO Party! (1 - 4 Players, Local or Online).
Move over, Mario! This party just got a whole lot more awesome. From the Moving Out developers, SMG Studio, LEGO! Party is a 4-player party game with a fully Lego aesthetic. This year has been huge for both Lego fans and the company, with this game, Lego Voyagers, and the newest Lego Batman title to come out later next year. I can't wait to see what they do next, but until then, we can build our way to the top in this riveting party title!
6. Little Nightmares 3 (2 Players, Online Only).
Low and Alone, two friends, attempt to escape Nowhere, a twisted reality closely connected to our own, in Little Nightmares 3. Developed by a new studio, Supermassive Games, the third game in this franchise takes a wildly different direction than the first two. That's not to say Supermassive didn't do a good job of giving us intriguing puzzles and horrifying worldbuilding, making for another perfectly atmospheric experience that brings fans, both old and new, right back into the world of Little Nightmares. Try to escape, if you can.
7. Jackbox Party Pack 11 (1 - 8 Players (And Audience), Local or Online)
Jackbox has been a staple party game title ever since their first game pack back in 2014. Their newest pack cranks the wacky, zany humor up to an eleven (pun most definitely intended). This one has made many a night with friends of mine, and it's nice to see the studio still going strong. This is also a perfect title for streamers or online servers due to its inclusion of an audience. That way, if you have too many people, everyone still has a chance to play and swing the game in different directions.
8. Marvel Rivals (1 - 6, Online Only).
Okay, okay, I know what you're saying. "Clara, Marvel Rivals came out in 2024!" Yes, it did, but I can't leave out one of the best PvP titles to come out in a very long time. Not to mention, it came out in December, so it's close enough.
But, in all seriousness, Marvel Rivals just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and is still going strong. It has some of the most engaging PvP combat I've played, with NetEase Games putting out consistent updates with new characters, cosmetics, and story updates to keep their fans engaged and still interested, including the introduction of Deadpool, one of the most highly anticipated characters to date. It's totally free to play as well, so no worries about missing a member of your squad if they can't afford to buy it. I highly recommend playing this one with friends if you have the time.
9. Mario Kart World ( 1 - 4, Local or Online).
With the debut title for the Switch 2, Nintendo has once again captivated living rooms everywhere with the biggest Mario Kart title yet. This one actually does allow for more than 4 players, but it does require multiple consoles if you're playing locally, so that is something to consider if you have more than 4 people. It doesn't take away from the absolute mayhem in every race you play: from racing through a haunted shipwreck to the peaceful streets of the Mushroom Kingdom and stopping for some fast food on the way, you can never go wrong with Mario Kart for the holidays.
10. LEGO Voyagers (2 Players, Local or Online).
A heartfelt story about two Lego pieces trying to be a part of something bigger than themselves, Lego Voyagers is the newest title from Light Brick Studio. I love two-player adventure titles, and Voyagers is a perfect cozy title that builds off the passion and warmth of the holiday season, not to mention the joy of companionship. Reach for the stars in this wordless journey!
2025 had so many good co-op titles this year, which is something I've missed recently. If this list encouraged you to play one of them, I do hope you enjoy it. And regardless of what you choose to play this season, whether alone or with friends, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you all!