Finding something to do on a Tuesday night that doesn't involve scrolling through TikTok or arguing about what to order on DoorDash is harder than it should be. You've got the PS5 sitting there, glowing blue, but most of the "best" games are just teenagers screaming into headsets or 100-hour epics that one of you will inevitably get bored of after three days. Honestly, the search for two player ps5 games for couples usually ends in one person watching the other play, which is basically the opposite of "quality time."
Most lists you'll find online are just regurgitated marketing copy. They'll tell you to buy the newest shooter because it has a "co-op mode" that was clearly an afterthought. But if you're looking to actually connect—or, let's be real, test the structural integrity of your relationship—you need games designed from the ground up for two people.
The "Make or Break" Dynamics of Couch Co-op
Before you drop $70 on a digital download, you have to figure out what kind of "gaming couple" you are. Some people want to build a digital life together, while others want to scream about unwashed dishes in a virtual kitchen. It's a spectrum.
I've seen couples who can't handle the stress of a timer. For them, a game like Overcooked! All You Can Eat is basically a divorce simulator. On the flip side, some people find slow-paced builders like Stardew Valley mind-numbing. You've gotta match the game to your shared "stress tolerance."
It Takes Two: The Uncontested Heavyweight
If you haven't played It Takes Two, stop reading this and go buy it. Seriously. It’s the gold standard for two player ps5 games for couples. It won Game of the Year in 2021 for a reason, and even in 2026, it hasn't been topped.
The story is a bit on the nose—you play as a husband and wife, Cody and May, who are literally being turned into dolls because their daughter is sad about their impending divorce. A talking book of love (Dr. Hakim, who is either charming or incredibly annoying depending on your mood) forces you to work together.
What makes it work isn't the story, though. It's the fact that every single level introduces a brand-new mechanic. One minute you're using a hammer and nails to swing across a workshop, the next you're riding spiders or fighting a rogue vacuum cleaner. You literally cannot progress unless you talk to each other. It’s a mandatory collaboration that feels rewarding rather than a chore. By the time the game hit 20 million copies sold late last year, it became clear that this isn't just a game; it's a rite of passage for couples with a PlayStation.
Why Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Ultimate Long-Term Project
If you’re looking for something that will last you months, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the play. But a word of warning: it is dense.
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Playing this in split-screen on the PS5 is a bit of a hardware miracle, but it’s also a relationship test. You’re sharing a screen, sharing a world, and making choices that have massive consequences. Do you save the druid grove or side with the goblins? If one of you is a "chaotic evil" player and the other is a "lawful good" paladin, you’re going to have some long conversations over dinner about why you just accidentally killed a beloved NPC.
The beauty here is the autonomy. You can go off and shop in the city while your partner is busy talking to a squirrel on the other side of the map. It’s one of the few two player ps5 games for couples that respects your individual agency while still being a shared journey. Just be prepared for the frame rate to dip a bit when things get chaotic in Act 3—the PS5 is a beast, but Larian Studios really pushed it to the limit with the local co-op.
The Low-Stress Alternatives (For When Work Was Productive but Exhausting)
Sometimes you don't want to save the world. Sometimes you just want to move into a shack and grow parsnips.
Stardew Valley: The Comfort Food of Gaming
While it’s technically a PS4 game, it runs flawlessly on the PS5 and the split-screen update changed everything. You can share a farm, share a wallet (if you're feeling brave), and even marry each other in-game.
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The local co-op on consoles allows for up to four players, but for a couple, the "Four Corners" farm map is perfect. It gives you each your own space while keeping the farmhouse central. It’s the ultimate "vibe" game. There’s something deeply satisfying about one person mining for copper while the other waters the pumpkins. It feels like a partnership in its purest, least-stressful form.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
If you want something that feels like a classic Pixar movie, Sackboy is the one. It’s colorful, the music is incredible (the "Uptown Funk" level is a core memory for most players), and it’s actually quite challenging.
Unlike the old LittleBigPlanet games, this is a full 3D platformer. It has specific "co-op only" levels that require you to throw each other across gaps or hit switches in sync. It’s cute, but it’s not "easy." You will die. You will blame each other. But you’ll be wearing silly costumes, so it’s hard to stay mad.
Common Misconceptions About Couple Gaming
A lot of people think you both need to be "gamers" to enjoy these. That's a total lie.
- "The Skill Gap Problem": One of you is better at the sticks than the other. This usually kills the fun in competitive games. But in something like It Takes Two or Sackboy, the game often gives different roles. One person handles the aiming, the other handles the timing. It balances out.
- "The Split-Screen Headache": People worry that sharing a TV screen makes them feel claustrophobic. On a 55-inch or 65-inch 4K TV, the PS5's resolution keeps things sharp enough that you don't lose track of your character.
- "It’s Just for Kids": Most of the best two player ps5 games for couples have surprisingly mature themes. Haven, for instance, is literally about a couple who ran away to a deserted planet just so they could be together. It deals with intimacy, boredom, and sacrifice in a way that "adult" movies often miss.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake couples make is picking a game based on the box art rather than the gameplay loop. Overcooked! looks cute, right? It's colorful and has little chefs! But it is high-intensity task management. If your relationship struggles with "backseat driving" or communication under pressure, that game will lead to a fight.
Similarly, don't jump into a 100-hour RPG like Divinity: Original Sin 2 or Baldur's Gate 3 if you only have an hour a week to play. You'll forget the plot, forget the controls, and end up frustrated. Match the game's length to your actual availability.
Taking the Next Step
If you're ready to turn the console on tonight, start with a "trial run." Check the PlayStation Store for "Hazelight Bundle"—it usually includes both It Takes Two and A Way Out for a discount. A Way Out is a gritty prison break story that’s also strictly co-op, perfect if you want something less "whimsical."
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- Audit your controllers: Make sure you actually have two DualSense controllers. It sounds stupid, but you'd be surprised how many people realize they only have one halfway through a download.
- Check for "Friend's Pass": If you’re playing with a partner who is currently in a different house (maybe a long-distance situation?), games like It Takes Two let you invite them to play the whole game with you for free, even if they don't own it.
- Start with "Assist Mode": If one of you is totally new to gaming, don't be proud. Turn on the assist features in Overcooked or the easier difficulty in Baldur's Gate. The goal is to have fun, not to prove you're an "elite gamer."
Whatever you choose, remember that the "winning" isn't the point. The point is that you’re doing something active together instead of just rotting on the couch in silence. Pick a game, grab a second controller, and actually talk to each other while you play. It's way better than another Netflix documentary.
Next Steps:
Go to the PlayStation Store on your console and search for the "Couch Co-op" category under the "Collections" tab. From there, you can download the trial for It Takes Two to see if the mechanics click with you both before you commit to the full purchase. Also, check if you have a PlayStation Plus Extra subscription, as several of these titles, like Sackboy: A Big Adventure, are frequently included in the game catalog for members at no extra cost.