The HD generation is when console online multiplayer came into its own. ThePS3and Xbox 360 paved the way for the current marketplace. Digital games became a constant thing, as well as massive online experiences that blew everything before it out of the water.
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Digital games helped pave the way for forgotten genres to resurgence, such as top-down shooters, puzzle games, and brawlers. It also brought back the idea of couch co-op. These indie titles weren’t the only games to try and revive the jolly mechanic either, as even some AAA developers got into the action. The followingPS3games should not be forgotten, as the machine was home to some classiccouch co-opexperiences.
Updated on July 15, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:It is hard to fathom thatthe PlayStation 3 is already two generations old. The PS3 and the Xbox 360 were the first machines to utilize HD televisions, playing a big part in why so many titles from that era still hold up in the modern generation. Whether players want to dust off their old machines or buy a second-hand PS3, there is a solid library of games covering all genres, including local co-op games.Couch co-op is a great reason to play the PS3 again, and this list has been updated to include more forgotten but fun couch co-op games.
14Helldivers
Launched later in the PS3 life cycle,Helldiversis a top-down science fiction shooter good for playing solo or multiplayer. Players can drop into the mission at any point with a second controller. The animation looks good eight years after launch with its satisfying and punchy shooting mechanics, where players have multiple weapons and tools to use, including giant mechs.
The synth-based soundtrack is terrific, echoing classic 80s science fiction movies likeBlade Runner. The action is an alien shooter reminiscent ofStarship Troopersas players fight through waves of aliens as a space marine on a hostile planet. Multiplayer is at the heart ofHelldivers,and playing locally is enjoyable and rewarding. Players can accidentally shoot each other in friendly-fire situations, opening the door for friendly banter and rivalries between friends playing in the same room.
13Blood Knights
Deck 13 has gained a solid reputation for making high-quality takes on theSouls-like genre. The science fiction-basedSurgeseries is a particular highlight. In 2013 they launched the overlooked top-down action fighterBlood Knights.It was not well-received at launch because it is a low-budget action RPG with little to do outside the campaign. The voice acting is unintentionally funny, and the visuals were low-tech in 2015.
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Problems aside,Blood Knightsis a lot of fun as a local multiplayer game. Players take on the roles of two vampires fighting off vampire hunters, vampires, werewolves, and other horror-based creatures. Moreover, in a two-player game, players can maintain each other’s health through the transfer of blood at the risk of losing health for their character in battles. This can create engaging gameplay scenarios with friends in local co-op.
12Hunted: The Demon’s Forge
Hunted: The Demon’s Forgeis a dark fantasy action RPG that can be played solo or with a friend using split-screen co-op play. It was developed byInXile Entertainment, better known for itsWastelandRPG series. Players can take control of Caddoc, a human swordsman, or the elven hunter named E’lara an expert with a bow but can use a sword too.
The action is in the third-person, following the popularity of action shooters likeGears of War.It was not perfect, but as a co-op game,Huntedis a lot of fun because two players must work together to take down enemies in a cinematic fashion. The missions are linear, and it plays more like a beat-em-up with basic RPG mechanics, but the combat is satisfying, and visually it holds up surprisingly well.
11Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
A celebrated action RPG back in its day,Sacred 2: Fallen Angelis something of a forgotten title two generations later. The game features a vast and explorable map with lots of replay value in the form of light and dark paths and choices.
In addition to a four-player online co-op, the PS3 version ofSacred 2supports a two-player local co-op. This allows players to explore and fight across the 22-square-mile map using a drop-in and drop-out mechanic.
10Shank
Shankis a brutal side-scrolling throwback to coin-op arcade classics. Like the classic games that inspired it,Shankis a challenging hack and slasher with a modern graphic novel style that resemblesThe Boyscomic book series.
In addition to the single-player,Shankhas a two-player co-op mode where the players fight through a prequel story that centers around Shank and Falcone. It provides a backstory into Shank’s history with Eva and his reasons for revenge.
9Double Dragon Neon
Streets of Rage 4faithfully reintroduced one of the best co-op beat-em-ups to modern audiences. However,Double Dragon Neonalready did it eight years prior.Neonis a loving throwback to the 80s and arcade fighters. Move sets can be increased by locating cassette tapes to upgrade the skills.
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Double Dragon Neonis an enjoyable throwback to a coin-op classic that never overstays its welcome with a story that can be completed in an afternoon - with practice. As with its predecessors, beating the final boss with two players will force the brothers to fight each other.
8Dragon’s Crown
Dragon’s Crownwasa PS3 and PS Vita game at first. The cool thing about that was players could connect online to play the game on either platform with friends. Overall, this action RPG supports up to four players online and offline.
It was later remastered on PS4, but that has been it for this criminally underrated harken back to 2D brawlers. It still holds up incredibly well for some couch co-op action. Unfortunately, it is harder to find a party online nowadays, but one good friend locally is always better on the couch.
7Dungeon Siege 3
Dungeon Siege, as a series, was a popular PC action RPG. The series was seemingly dormant before Square Enix picked up the rights to publish it. Unfortunately, it was a one-and-done situation, as there have not been any sequels since.Dungeon Siegeis anotherfantasy action RPGsimilar toDiablo, which is also top-down.
Players can play locally in two-player mode. Or increase the fun by going online with four players total. One of the coolest things about this gamewas the commercialleading up to its launch. It bragged about bringing back couch co-op - a dwindling feature in 2011.
6Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
Dynasty Warriorsgets a lot of flack for being the same game over and over. Admittedly, these games are kind of mindlesshack-and-slash RPGswith a lot of repetitive content. While that may be true, there is no denying the fun players can have in co-op.
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Most of the games usually include at least a two-player co-op option. Of the spinoffs based on this show, this is the best entry as it used cel-shading, making it look closer to the anime. Destroying thousands of mechs has never looked so good.
5LittleBigPlanet 2
LittleBigPlanetwas the PS3’s answer to a platforming series equivalent to Nintendo’s Mario franchise. Did it live up to those standards? It did not, on several levels, such as the more floaty jumping mechanics and the brutal difficulty. However,the four-player co-opwas a nice inclusion together with level creation.
The first game was an excellent proof of concept, but the sequel is where this series hit its peak. The fan content that came out of that game was outrageous at the time, when level creation, as a mechanic, was still relatively new.
