It’s Valentine’s Day – the day you can profess your love or subsidize the chocolate industry, depending on your level of cynicism.
But overly commercial or not, the day dedicated to couples is perfect for shared experiences and gaming offers memorable moments at an incredibly competitive price.
We’ve picked out 10 of the best cooperative games for couples to enjoy this Valentine’s Day. They can all be played on the same screen (although most require two gamepads), and we haven’t included anything that requires more than one console.
We also noted how welcoming they are to aspiring gamers (in case your partner has never held a gamepad before) and highlighted the titles that are most likely stress test unstable relationships a bit too much.
So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the 10 games couples should watch today.
1. Portal 2
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360 (playable on Xbox Series and One consoles via backwards compatibility), PS3, Switch.
What is it?
Baffling first-person physics puzzles, beatable through teamwork alone. You both have a portal gun, which allows you to create interspatial portals between planar surfaces. It starts off easy, but quickly increases in difficulty, as the video below shows.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Even though the weapons simply fire portals, the controls are standard first-person shooter fare, which isn’t welcome to newcomers. And you also have to respond quickly to some of the more advanced challenges.
9/10
Chance of a breakage? While you’re dependent on the other player, comical failure in a slapstick manner is all part of the fun.
5/10
Buy now£14.99, Xbox.com
2. Unravel 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
What is it?
You and your partner take on the role of little yarn people and use their loose threads to solve puzzles in a clever take on the platform genre.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Definitely on the easier side for non-gamers. It’s only 2D, the controls are simple enough and there’s no pressure to complete things against the clock.
3/10
Chance of a breakage?
You’ll have to be on very shaky ground before the easygoing, charming world of Unravel 2 pushes your relationship to unravel.
2/10
Buy now£20.88, Amazon
3. Overcooked! All you can eat
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
What is it?
You play chefs working in a series of bizarre and impractical kitchens, trying to create dishes against the clock. If you don’t work well together, the dishes pile up and fires can break out… just like in real life.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
The controls are extremely simple, but the challenge increases quite quickly. There’s a requirement to be fast and for such a cartoony game it can feel surprisingly stressful as the orders keep piling up.
4/10
Chance of a breakage?
You wouldn’t believe it to look at it, but extremely high. Overcooking can cause a fight, especially if one partner is carrying the other – or if the pizzas get burned, forcing the whole process to start over. Proceed with caution.
9/10
Buy now£9.99, Amazon
4. Lovers in a dangerous spacetime
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
What is it?
Up to four players control the same spaceship, viewed in cross-section. You and your crew must jump between the controls of the turrets, lasers, shields and thrusters to overcome every challenge that comes your way.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
It’s all 2D and the controls are very simple. But while it’s not as hectic as Overcooked, it can still require timely responses.
3/10
Chance of a breakage?
It’s an old, tough game, but overall it’s exciting rather than frustrating. Still, proceed with caution if you are on thin ice.
5/10
Buy now£5.99, Xbox.com
5. It takes two
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
What is it?
An incredibly varied, story-driven action-adventure game designed for two players to work on together. A couple on the verge of divorce, turned into handmade dolls by their worried daughter, must work together while making the most of the limitations of their new bodies.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Medium to high difficulty, as it is a 3D environment. But with a little trial and error, non-gamers should be able to muddle through it.
7/10
Chance of a breakage?
The gameplay itself is quite gentle and unlikely to lead to heated discussions, but the story about a couple on the brink of divorce might strike a chord (even if the characters are so annoying that you invariably end up rooting for both parties). sympathizes).
4/10
Buy now£33, Argos
6.Fortnite
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
What is it?
The largest Battle Royale game in the world. The PlayStation and Xbox versions support two players in split-screen mode, meaning you can take on the world together (PC and Switch versions unfortunately do not).
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Pretty high. Not only does it include the standard first-person shooter controls and quick reflexes, but it’s also multiplayer only and your opponents will be playing for a long time.
8/10
Chance of a breakage?
You’re more likely to get angry at your opponents than at each other, and the shared contempt would probably strengthen most relationships.
2/10
Download now£Free, PlayStation
7.Minecraft
Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS3, PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility), Switch
What is it?
The original world building adventure. Create a procedurally generated environment for materials to build the world of your dreams.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Not that high. It’s 3D, but the enemies can be taken out for a fun, relaxing building simulation without the pressure of survival.
4/10
Chance of a breakage?
As long as you don’t destroy your partner’s carefully built tower, or steal their resources when they’re not looking, you’ll be fine.
3/10
Buy now£12.99, PlayStation
8. Cuphead
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series (via backward compatibility), PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility), Switch
What is it?
A cartoon from the 1930s comes to life in the form of a fiendishly difficult platform game that two players can enjoy together.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Don’t forget gamers, this is hard for dedicated players. It’s the kind of game where you bash your head against the same wall until it finally breaks, but if that kind of game appeals to you, you’ll love it.
10/10
Chance of a breakage?
You’re more likely to develop a shared hatred for some of the tougher bosses (looking at you, Grim Matchstick) than for each other. That said, some resentment can creep in if you have to constantly put yourself in danger to get back to life.
7/10
Buy now£16.99, Nintendo
9.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Platforms: Switch
What is it?
The Mushroom Kingdom’s famous goodies and baddies put their differences aside for an afternoon of go-karting. Playable with up to four in split-screen mode, or with two if you want to take on human players together online.
Difficulty for non-gamers?
Mediocre: It’s a simple game, but it still requires multiple buttons and controlling your kart in 3D. But there are options to make it easier, including automatic steering and tilt controls if things prove tricky.
5/10
Chance of a breakage?
Let’s say that firing a blue grenade at your partner is considered an act of war in most households.
6/10
Buy now£36.99, Amazon
10. Untitled Goose Game
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility), Xbox One, Xbox Series (via backward compatibility), Switch
What is it?
A charming short game about a goose who ruins people’s days. Originally intended for just one player, developer House House has added a second goose to the mix due to popular demand. Horn!
Difficulty for non-gamers?
While some of the puzzles are a little tricky, the controls are simple enough. And half the fun is honking at people.
2/10
Chance of a breakage?
If you’re breaking up because of some fictional geese, your relationship probably has deeper structural problems.
1/10
Buy now£13.65, Amazon