The notion that video games are a hobby people do alone has never been true. Even the early console generations encouraged people to play together.
Today, some of the best PS5 games, best Xbox Series X games, and best Switch games are multiplayer titles. Playing games together as a couple is a fantastic way to strengthen your bond, develop your communication skills, teamwork, and just have fun sharing a hobby.
A great game for couples doesn’t have to be a co-op game or a split-screen game, but those tend to be the best options. Whether your partner is a veteran gamer or has hardly touched a controller, we’ve picked out the best video games for couples of all skill levels.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Everyone loves a great Mario Party game, and Mario Party Jamboree is the latest and greatest in the series. As always, the game is played on a board where players roll dice to move, earn coins, compete in mini-games, and attempt to get the most stars before the end of the game. The familiar format has made it one of the most popular party games among non-gamers, but it is the simple and quick mini-games that make it so approachable.
Most last less than a minute and are as intuitive as possible. It is all the fun and excitement of playing a board game with your partner but without all the setup and missing pieces.
It Takes Two
Now, we understand that a game about a couple going through a divorce doesn’t sound like the ideal game to play with your significant other, but It Takes Two is all about two people learning to trust and work together despite their differences. The story has a few issues that mostly revolve around one specific character, but the overall message is a positive one. But it is in the gameplay that It Takes Two earns its place as a fantastic game for couples.
The core of it is a 3D platformer, but each area gives each player a unique ability that needs to be combined to overcome challenges. It is a game that cannot be beaten alone and isn’t overly difficult for someone who isn’t familiar with gaming.
Until Dawn
This entry is the only game that isn’t a multiplayer game in the traditional sense. Instead, Until Dawn is more of an interactive horror movie where you guide a cast of characters around and make choices that can ultimately lead to their death. Playing with someone by your side helping make these decisions feels like you’re collaborating in the story together, celebrating the good decisions and mourning those characters who don’t make it.
This is technically a horror game, but it is more in line with a B-horror flick that is full of camp and fun. The game isn’t super long, either, so any couple could complete the whole thing in a couple of spooky evenings.
Stardew Valley
The farming sim genre has a huge appeal thanks in large part to Stardew Valley. Something about the cozy nature of cleaning up an area, tending to your crops, and chilling out with all the villagers hits a part of our brains that almost everyone finds themselves addicted to. For a couple, working together on a single farm is an amazing way to relax and cooperate.
You can plan out how you want to design your dream farm, divide up the chores, and essentially have a second life together without all the stress of the real world.
Overcooked!
There is a chance that a game like Mario Party could lead to some friction, but it is essentially guaranteed when playing Overcooked! All You Can Eat. If you can tolerate a bit of friendly shouting while trying to make dishes and move around the kitchen, you might end up with a stronger bond than ever. This is another great game for players of all levels to try out. You only have to move, interact, and occasionally throw things to understand the mechanics.
This bundle has dozens of stages to try and hit high scores in by mastering the intentionally frustrating kitchen layouts to prepare, cook, and serve as many meals as possible. It is a great exercise in communication, delegation, and forgiveness.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Dungeons & Dragons has always been a fantastic way for couples to bond in a fun and creative way. The only problem is getting a group together on a regular basis to play. Baldur’s Gate 3 solves that issue by giving you a complete fantasy adventure you can play together either online or in split-screen. The beauty of playing Baldur’s Gate 3 with a partner is that it doesn’t cut any corners. You will both make your own characters, pick your own stats, and even make your own choices in dialogue. It truly feels like you’re both able to play as deeply as you would sitting in person with a real DM.
While the game may look a bit hardcore for some, it is very approachable if you have someone there to help guide you since there is almost nothing that requires fast reactions or precise aim.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is another game that requires teamwork and communication, but is a bit more complex than something like Overcooked! Here, you and your partner (or up to four people total) are placed in a spaceship sent on a series of missions.
Within the ship are various stations for things like piloting the ship, firing weapons, and controlling the shield, but there are more stations than players. As you play, you will need to designate and move around the ship on the fly to control the necessary functions for the situation at hand.
It all has a cute art style and tone, and the difficulty has a nice and slow ramp-up so you and your partner can get a feel for how to play.
