You've probably been there. You’re sitting on the couch, the DualSense is humming in your hands, and your friend or partner is watching you pilot that little white robot through a neon-soaked galaxy. Naturally, they ask the question: "Can I jump in?" You start digging through the menus, looking for a second player option, but you just can't find it.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer.
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If you’re looking for a native Astro Bot 2 player mode, I have to give it to you straight: it doesn't exist. Team Asobi built this masterpiece as a strictly solo adventure. No split-screen. No online co-op. Just you, your controller, and about 300 stranded bots waiting for a rescue.
The Reality of Astro Bot 2 Player Support
It feels like a missed opportunity, right? Especially when you look at games like Sackboy: A Big Adventure or Super Mario Odyssey, where a second player can at least help out. But with Astro Bot, the developers at Team Asobi had a very specific vision. They wanted every single vibration, trigger pull, and gyro-tilt to be perfectly synced to one person's experience.
When you fly the Dual Speeder, you’re physically tilting the controller. If a second player was involved, how would that even work? Would the camera fight between two people? Would the haptic feedback get muddy? The game is so deeply tied to the "feeling" of the DualSense that adding a second player might have actually broken the magic.
That said, people are still searching for Astro Bot 2 player solutions because this game feels like it should be shared. It’s bright, it’s funny, and it’s packed with PlayStation nostalgia that makes everyone in the room point at the screen and shout, "Hey, is that the guy from Ape Escape?"
Why There’s No Official Co-op
- The Haptic Focus: The game uses every inch of the PS5 controller. It’s hard to replicate that tactile "crunch" of walking on gravel for two people at once without it feeling chaotic.
- Level Design: Most stages are tight, precision-based platforming corridors. Adding another body would mean widening every platform and redesigning every enemy encounter.
- The "Mascot" Philosophy: Sony clearly wanted this to be their Mario 64 moment—a pure, focused platformer that proves what one player can do with their hardware.
Creative Ways to "Play Together"
Just because the game doesn't have a "Press Start" option for Player 2 doesn't mean you have to play it in total isolation. In fact, many people (myself included) have found that Astro Bot is one of the best "backseat gaming" experiences on the PS5.
If you're determined to turn this into an Astro Bot 2 player session, here is how the community is actually doing it.
The Classic Pad-Pass
It’s old school, but it works. My favorite way to do this is "Death-Swap." You play until you lose a life, then hand the controller over. Since Astro Bot can be surprisingly tough in the later "Triangle" or "Square" challenge levels, the controller changes hands pretty often.
The "Co-Pilot" Method
If you’re playing with a kid or someone less experienced, you can use the PS5’s Assistance Controller feature. This is a system-level setting that lets you link two controllers to act as one.
- Go to Settings on your PS5.
- Navigate to Accessibility > Controllers.
- Select Use Second Controller for Assistance.
Now, both you and your partner can control Astro at the same time. While you’re doing the heavy platforming, they can help with the punches or jumps. It’s not a true Astro Bot 2 player mode, but it’s a great way to help someone get through a tricky boss fight without taking the controller away from them.
Share Play: Online "Co-op"
If your friend isn't on your couch, you can use Share Play. You can literally "hand over the controller" virtually. Your friend can play as Astro from their own house while you watch and chat. It’s a solid workaround if you want to experience the game "with" someone who lives miles away.
Will We Ever Get a Real Multiplayer Update?
We’ve seen Team Asobi be generous before. Astro's Playroom got a few updates, and the 2024 Astro Bot has already seen free DLC speedrun levels. However, adding a full Astro Bot 2 player mode would require a massive technical overhaul.
Honestly, it’s unlikely we’ll see it for this specific game. The physics engine handles thousands of tiny pieces of "clutter"—like leaves, sprinkles, or snow—that react to Astro’s movement. Doubling that for two players might actually make the PS5 sweat.
But there is a silver lining. Given the massive success of this game, a sequel is almost a certainty. The number one request from fans is a dedicated co-op mode. If Team Asobi builds the next game from the ground up with two players in mind, we might finally get the local multiplayer we're all itching for.
What to Play Instead if You Need Co-op
If you’ve finished Astro Bot and you’re still craving that specific 3D platforming itch but must have a second player, you have some great options on the PS5.
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure: This is the closest you’ll get. It has 4-player local and online co-op, similar vibes, and great music levels.
- It Takes Two: If you want a game built exclusively for two players, this is the gold standard. You can't even play it solo.
- The Playroom VR: If you still have an old PSVR headset, this actually did have multiplayer mini-games where one person was in the headset and others played on the TV.
Astro Bot is a masterpiece of solo design. It’s a love letter to the history of gaming and the feel of a controller. While the lack of an official Astro Bot 2 player mode is a bummer for families, the "Assistance Controller" trick and the sheer joy of watching the game make it a shared experience anyway.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Try the Assistance Controller feature: If you want to play with a younger child, turn this on in your PS5 accessibility settings to "co-pilot" their journey.
- Pass the pad on Challenge Levels: These stages are short (usually under 2 minutes) and perfect for alternating turns with a friend.
- Check for DLC: Keep your game updated. While Team Asobi hasn't announced multiplayer, they are frequently adding new VIP bots and speedrun stages that are fun to compete on for high scores.