The best local multiplayer games on PlayStation Plus Game Catalog

Alienation

Long before the sublime Returnal crash-landed on PS5, Finland-based developer Housemarque used their twin-stick-shooter pedigree to produce Alienation.

Power up a mech suit along with a few friends and perhaps even consider wearing sunglasses as this neon bullet hell kicks into action that at times resembles an art installation more than a video game. 

Players: 1-4

Genre: Arcade/shoot 'em up

Avicii Invector

If you and your friends are looking for a sublime rhythm action experience that doesn't require extra peripherals, then this one's for you.

Welcome to the stage Avicii Invector. Made in collaboration with the late superstar DJ, this sonic trip through 25 dance tracks will have you and your mates reaching for the lasers.

Players: 1-4

Genre: Rhythm-action

Worms W.M.D.

Way back in 1995, turn-based warfare waged by anthropomorphic annelids (that’s the fancy name for worms) captured the imagination of a generation – and caused many a rift among friends.

Nowadays the worms may have expanded their arsenal of unconventional weapons, but the sheer joy of lining up an enemy and hitting them for a home run off the side of the map hasn’t changed a bit. 

Players: 1-6

Genre: Strategy/Party

Darksiders Genesis

Saddle up as War and Strife, two of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, (Death and Fury really wanted to join, but had other engagements) for some delightful dungeon-crawling.

Hack and slash your way through hordes of angels and demons, tweak your build to complement your playstyle, and deal out some righteous judgment in some tough boss encounters.  

Players: 1-2

Genre: Action/RPG

Death Squared

If you think two heads are better than one when it comes to problem-solving, then you’ve obviously never played Death Squared.

Teamwork and communication are essential as you navigate each trap-filled level with your robot avatars. One wrong move can be the difference between success and blowing your robot friends to pieces. Take on 80 story levels in two-player co-op, or 40 levels in four-player party mode.

Players: 1, 2 or 4

Genre: Puzzle

Fury Unleashed

Old-school 2D run-and-gun action melded with the rinse-and-repeat loop of fast-paced roguelikes is a combination that works so well that you may wonder why this is the first time you’ve come across it.

Lock ’n’ load with an itchy-trigger-finger friend and you’re guaranteed to have a blast with this indie gem that brings plenty of fresh ideas to a tried-and-tested formula.

Players: 1-2

Genre: Side-scrolling beat 'em up

Tricky towers

Competing over who can build the biggest monument is an age-old human endeavor. The physics-based Tricky Towers captures the essence of this competitive behavior and pits you against up to three friends, precariously stacking blocks to see who can reach the top.

Throw in magic spells to hinder your opponents across Race, Survival and Puzzle modes and you’ve got a formula for hours of fun.

Players: 1-4

Genre: Party

Moving Out

Resist the urge to joke about this being a true couch co-op game and embrace the mayhem of furniture removal with friends.

Increasingly ridiculous levels may slow down your progress at first, but you’ll overcome them in no time with brute force and the power of physics. Pivot! 

Players: 1-4

Genre: Action/Party

SoulCalibur VI

Let the sparks fly and the clash of swords ring out in the latest installment of the classic fighting series that’s famed for its focus on weaponry.

Keep your guard up: timing your attacks to exploit crucial openings is the key to victory. As long as you can master this, you can still hold your own in the arena, even without any fancy button combos.

Players: 1-2

Genre: Fighting

Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition

That’s right, indie smash hit Spiritfarer can be played with a friend, with the second player taking control of Daffodil, Stella’s cat.   

Ferry lost spirits on their journey across the River Styx as you explore themes of life and death; bittersweet moments made all the better by having someone there to share them with.

Players: 1-2

Genre: Simulation/strategy

Children of Morta

The Bergsons are just your average family: quirks, feuds and sworn protectors of an ancient mountain against an ever-growing threat known as The Corruption.

This family unit is what distinguishes Children of Morta from other pixel-art indie rogue-lites. Each family member has a unique set of skills that influences their approach to the dungeon crawling gameplay – introducing more characters the deeper you delve into the story.  

Players: 1-4

Genre: Action/roguelike

ConnecTank

By Jove, here’s a hidden gem. Assemble a crew of up to four players and engage in tank battles across a procedurally generated map.

The twist is it’s your job to keep the supply of ammo coming in the heat of battle from a production line inside your tank. This frantic combination of puzzle and strategy is a total blast.  

Players: 1-4

Genre: Action/puzzle

Tetris Effect: Connected

An extraordinary reimagining of an all-time classic. The core block-stacking gameplay remains largely unchanged (it was perfect after all), but the way the visuals and sound design respond to your movements is likely to put you into a zen-like state.

Multiplayer modes include three takes on the 1 vs 1 score attack format and a co-op mode where up to three players combine their Tetris Matrices to fight against A.I. bosses. 

Players: 1-3

Genre: Puzzle/Party

Nidhogg II

Suddenly finding your rhythm and fighting your way back from certain defeat in Nidhogg 2 is simply exhilarating. Be sure to rub it in.

There’s nowhere to hide in this frenetic 2D duel ’em up. Thrust and parry your way past your foe enough times to reach the end of each level and claim victory with a combination of skills, tactics, and dumb luck. Guaranteed to induce shouting.

Players: 2

Genre: Action / Fighting

Kingdom: Two Crowns

Heavy is the head that wears the crown… so why not have a friend to share the burden? Reign over the beautiful pixel art world of Kingdom Two Crowns together as you inspire your subjects to build, fight and thrive on your behalf.

There are scores of mysteries to uncover, new lands to conquer and an exceptional soundtrack that’s fit for a king and queen!   

Players: 1-2

Genre: Strategy/simulation