The best local co-op and split-screen PS3 games

Key things

• The PlayStation 3 had a number of local co-op games that provided many players with exciting childhood moments.
• Games like Resident Evil 6, Spelunky, and Call of Duty: World at War were some of the best local co-op games on the PS3.
• These games offered a variety of gameplay styles, from action to platform and puzzle titles, and provided players with hours of fun, especially when played with friends.

For many gamers who grew up especially on the PlayStation 3, they have games for this console that can be played locally with friends and engage in cooperative or competitive styles in a variety of games created for some of the most exciting moments in childhood.

At the time, all kinds of games were being released that either provided a great combat or party atmosphere for players to gather on the same couch with their friends. From famous franchises to forgotten one-offs the best local co-op and split-screen games the PlayStation 3 will be fondly remembered by many gamers today.

Updated on September 28, 2024 by Chris Harkin: While the gaming industry will continue to move forward, there seems to be a lot of focus on nostalgia lately. With a heavy focus on remakes and special editions of older games, it's all the more important to remember some of the best entries in the beloved console's history. Amazing catalog co-op games for PS3 it is worth keeping even today. Whether gamers grew up on the PlayStation 3 or not, there are sure to be a few games from this era that they love or would like to try, making the console almost as relevant as it was in its heyday.

13 Puppeteer

Dark, fascinating platformer fun

Although Puppeteer not a traditional co-op game, the multiplayer mode allows a second player to take control of Kutaro's companion in this surprisingly dark platformer. Kutaro is a young boy who is transformed into a puppet and is immediately decapitated, leading him to collect various new heads as he travels through a platform world that can be navigated in 2D or 3D.

Kutaro has four moon champions to acquire, which gives him additional abilities as he progresses, and the second player helping out can get a lot of use by searching for collectibles, as well as new heads and other useful items. In addition, the second player will play as a creepy cat, making for a fun and exciting multi-level adventure made all the better by the cozy split-screen sofa atmosphere.

12 Time crunch 4

Wild railway shooting fun

• Systems: PlayStation, Arcade
• Released: June 20, 2006
• Developers: Nex Entertainment, Namco

Originally an arcade game, but later successfully ported to the PlayStation 3, Time crunch 4 is part of a franchise that many players have ever experienced in an arcade format. The rail shooter style isn't as popular as it once was, but Time crunch 4 it remains a very fun entry to try out on an old PlayStation 3 boot, and like many rail shooters, it's made even better with company.

With a wild plot about bio-weapons, insects and three agents trying to stop nuclear weapons from exploding, Time crunch 4 it was always unlikely to win many awards. However, that didn't stop it from being fondly remembered by many PlayStation 3 fans as one of the funnest arcade shooters that used the FPS style for the PlayStation port, making it a fun and action-packed ride to revisit anytime. .

11 LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

Incredibly fun and relaxed gameplay

There aren't many games like this LEGO franchise. With a number of different characters from Marvel Comics and different levels with a story involving Doctor Doom and Loki, it's not surprising that LEGO Marvel Super Heroes remains a bestseller LEGO game at all.

While more and more superhero games are being released these days, many of them fail to hit the high notes and often fail to encapsulate the comic book feel of their characters and stories. LEGO he's custom-made to breathe new life into all pop culture icons, and here he's done it more successfully than most. Players can easily connect and swing, fly or blast their way through all sorts of great adventures in this incredibly relaxed atmosphere that remains one of the best. best co-op games for playstation 3.

10 Resident Evil 6

Action curiosity

This long-running game franchise has seen a recent resurgence in popularity due to the success of the games Resident Evil 2 & 3 remakes as well as editions Resident Evil Village. During the PS3 era though Resident Evil 6 changed the game by taking Resident Evil a franchise slightly distant from its roots.

Although the more action style divided many players, there was no doubt about it Resident Evil 6 made for great gameplay, especially when it comes to local co-op, as more players could engage in a split-screen style than ever before in the franchise.

9 Spelunky

2D Co-Op Randomized Exploration

First game in Spelunky franchise provided a great local co-op experience that worked much like some 2D Mario games for systems like the Nintendo Wii. Spelunky it allowed up to four players to explore the random level system the game offered.

While some players were frustrated by the lack of split screen, SpelunkyThe system worked well, allowing players to survive if they stayed close enough to the number one player holding the white flag. Spelunky it provided a very different style of co-op local play that not many PS3 games have managed so successfully.

8 Call Of Duty: World At War

The original Nazi Zombies mode

The Call of Duty the franchise provided an endless amount of games for the PS3; however, one of the main candidates who made great strides in the local team was A world at war. This early entry in the franchise added a zombie mode that could be played on four different maps online or locally, and the campaign was mostly playable that way as well.

The split-screen options worked particularly well, showing what the franchise could achieve, and the zombie mode in particular became an infamous couch game mode for players to play alongside their friends. A world at war it's filled with endless hours to spend alone, online or locally with friends.

7 Diablo 3

An incredible co-op RPG

Diablo 3 remains one of the best RPGs for co-op local play. Normally, big RPGs like this will only feature co-op through online multiplayer, but Diablo 3 changed things dramatically by allowing up to four players to play together on a single PS3 system.

While an RPG style of this length and scope is already difficult to create, the creators Diablo 3 they weren't afraid to try to create a local co-op style that could change the game for what was a great party title. Since online multiplayer continues to support the idea of ​​players playing together, not many RPGs have attempted to add these kinds of features since then. Although it lacks the split screen feature, fans Diablo you will definitely enjoy the cooperative experience offered by this title.

6 Far Cry 3

Bloody tropical adventure with friends

Games like Far Cry have always been popular for players working together or against each other. The level of destruction available and the chaos that can be created, especially in Far Cry 3made for a beautifully open game that you can engage in while playing in split-screen co-op, while taking it a little easier with friends.

Players could team up locally and engage in various missions that were designed for cooperative play in a mode separate from the regular single-player campaign. Far Cry 3 was one of the last major games to feature such a format, but it remains a great game that players love to revisit today, with characters like Pagan Min even recently returning to the franchise.

5 Borderlands 2

Improved crazy world full of loot

A game that came with a lot of options, Borderlands 2 was the sequel to the massive hit that expanded the world of Pandora, enhanced the comic book-style visuals and fun scenarios, and allowed up to two players to roam the vibrant world, completing missions and collecting as much loot as possible.

whole Border franchise represents the perfect blend of casual gameplay and high-octane action. Although these are FPS games, the accessibility, especially in the split-screen co-op department, makes them Border the games feel even more playable for those who aren't too into the genre. Due to the extensive effort put into expanding the world of the first game and improving the mechanics, Borderlands 2 is often referred to as one of the best games of all time, and being able to experience it in a co-op environment on the couch is just one more reason to give it a try.

4 Rayman Legends

A masterful 2D co-op platformer

Arguably the best local co-op platformer ever, Rayman Legends was heavily underrated at release, but still got a lot of love from players and critics alike for the ease of jumping in and out of local co-op games. Players can engage in mini-games, challenges and a large number of levels, including bonus levels Rayman Origins.

It all added up to an amazing experience that worked really well across all single player or local co-op styles. With a great mix of levels, beautiful sound design and an occasionally frenetic pace, Rayman Legends was a favorite for many PS3 players to engage with alongside their friends.

3 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Hugely replayable multiplayer mode

The Uncharted the franchise has always had some sort of multiplayer capability in addition to its excellent single-player campaigns. However, Uncharted 3 provided you can play together with friends. This allowed players via LAN to join the action together.

Different ways to play Uncharted 3 a hugely popular split-screen game that helps take the franchise to new heights by making the multiplayer mode essentially replayable. The multiplayer aspects of the franchise have never been more successful than with this third PS3 entry.

2 Portal 2

The biggest cooperative puzzle game

Portal 2 is one of the more obscure games ever released. Featuring both a complete single-player campaign and a completely different 2-player co-op campaign that challenges players and their friendships through online or local play, this mystery platformer is one of the best games ever.

Portal 2 is filled with a series of increasingly difficult challenges for players to engage in, and players will not always be able to solve the puzzle without working together and finding a solution. The challenge and length of the co-op campaign were some of the game's main selling points, though they still frustrate some players today.

1 LittleBigPlanet

The Ultimate Platform Sandbox Game

One of the best games of all time and a PlayStation exclusive franchise starter, LittleBigPlanet is one of the best examples of a game that thrived on community interaction, even allowing players to create their own levels to enjoy with friends.

The main theme became the level editor LittleBigPlanet and subsequent sequels. Due to the success of this title, it became a main aspect in many other games and became something of a genre known as “create, share, play”. Players can team up with up to four players locally to enjoy all possible levels in story mode as well as custom levels, both providing endless hours of fun.