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You shouldn't miss these upcoming co-op games
Which new co-op games are coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2? We’re introducing co-op games you can look forward to in late 2026.
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Playing together is simply more fun – it always has been. In 2026, we've been truly blessed with options. From atmospheric horror adventures to chaotic physics-based comedies: the year offers a remarkably diverse lineup for co-op fans.
Christmas is also coming... so, without further ado, here are the 10 best co-op games still to come in 2026.
01
Crimson Moon
- Released: 1 September 2026
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Genre: Action-RPG / Souls-like
Crimson Moon combines Souls-like gameplay with a touch of Diablo.
© ProbablyMonsters
Diablo meets Dark Souls, only with a Gothic High Renaissance aesthetic and a full-on metal edge: Crimson Moon sends you into the fallen city of Gildenarch as a Nephilim (half human, half angel). Your task is to defeat hordes of demons, undead, vampires, and Hellgrowth creatures, and ultimately stand your ground against the dreaded Dead Gods.
The roguelite element adds replay value: each run changes the world a little, without forcing you into dull repetition. You can fight solo or in two-player co-op. It’s especially in co-op that the souls-inspired combat system comes into its own, as you counter waves of enemies together and split the burden of the brutal boss fights.
Who is this game for? Crimson Moon is aimed at fans of tough action RPGs who love Souls-like combat and want a capable co-op partner by their side.
02
Hela
- Released: Winter 2026
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre: Co-op-Adventure / Open World
Hela
© Windup
Hela is perhaps the most charming title on this list: a picturesque and fairy-tale-like co-op open-world adventure in which players roam breathtaking Scandinavian landscapes as tiny mouse heroes. Inspired by Nordic folklore and nature, the story centres on rescuing a witch friend. And it does so with plenty of heart, puzzles and the joy of discovery together. Lush forests, tranquil lakes and rugged mountain trails are waiting to be explored, while the game centres on resource gathering, environmental puzzles and co-op gameplay as its core mechanics.
What sets Hela apart from combat-heavy co-op titles is its deliberately calm tone: it’s not about defeating enemies, but about experiencing a fairy-tale world together and doing good. This makes it the ideal choice for pairs of players who don’t rely on quick reflexes, but rather on shared curiosity and a spirit of discovery.
Visually, the game is already a real eye-catcher, and emotionally, it’s likely to be one of the most heart-warming co-op titles of the year. We’ve already had a go at Hela at gamescom 2025 and we’re certain: THIS is going to be a hit.
Who is this game for? Hela is aimed at anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a fairy-tale world together and have a brilliant time. No stress, no battles or anything like that.
03
Orbitals
- Release: 3 September 2026
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive)
- Genre: Co-op-Puzzle-Adventure / Action
Orbitals
© Kepler Interactive
If you’ve always dreamt of embarking on a cosmic adventure with a friend that looks like a playable retro anime series, you should definitely keep an eye out for Orbitals . Developed by Shapefarm and exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, the game puts two players in the roles of astronauts Maki and Omura, who must save their crumbling space station from a supernatural cosmic storm.
Part of the game's brilliance is its consistent focus on the duo experience: every situation requires genuine cooperation, as the unique abilities and tools of both characters only reach their full potential when used in tandem. When one player guides a partner using a levitation beam through a dangerous platform whilst the other secures the route, you immediately sense just how closely the game design intertwines the two adventurers. With cinematic retro-anime cutscenes and action-packed space sequences, Orbitals could well be one of the most original and creative co-op titles of the year.
Who is this game for? Anime fans and anyone looking for a game that clearly puts the co-op experience front and centre.
04
The Duskbloods
- Release: 2026 (TBC)
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive)
- Genre: Action-RPG
The Duskbloods
© FromSoftware
Who would have thought that FromSoftware of all companies – known for solitary, brutal single-player experiences such as Dark Souls or Elden Ring – would announce a title centred on multiplayer? The Duskbloods is exactly that: a vampire-themed action RPG with a multiplayer-first approach, coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2. Up to eight players take on the role of so-called Bloodsworn: powerful vampire warriors who, through their blood heritage, have left humanity behind and battle against one another and their surroundings in a dark, gothic world. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has, however, made it clear that this does not signify a permanent departure from the single-player concept.
The fascinating blood-based ability systems encourage tactical coordination: players must coordinate their unique bloodline powers to gain the upper hand in group battles. Although many details regarding game modes, progression and the story are still to be revealed, The Duskbloods is likely to become one of the most talked-about titles of the year, if only because of its developer’s name.
Who is this game for? For fans who’ve always wanted FromSoftware to reinvent the multiplayer genre, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for.
05
Ikuma: The Frozen Compass
- Release: 2026 (TBC)
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Genre: Narrative co-op adventure / survival exploration
Ikuma: The Frozen Compass
© Mooneye Studios
Anyone craving a co-op experience that focuses less on action and more on emotional storytelling should keep an eye out for Ikuma: The Frozen Compass. Mooneye Studios, known for the atmospheric titles Lost Ember and Farewell North, transports players back to the year 1864 and into the icy isolation of an unexplored Arctic island. Cabin boy Sam and his faithful sled dog Ellie are the sole survivors of a stranded expedition. Together, they must battle the cold, inhospitable terrain and dwindling supplies whilst following the trail of a long-lost previous expedition that has left behind only mysterious remains. Players take on the roles of this unlikely duo in their struggle for survival and are tasked with unravelling the icy mystery.
What Ikuma has over other co-op titles is its sensitivity: the game is designed so that two players can utilise Sam and Ellie’s unique abilities together, thereby embarking on a genuine adventure partnership. While solo play is possible by switching between characters, the full depth of the experience only unfolds in two-player co-op. With its slow, atmospheric narrative style and gentle exploration of themes such as loneliness, solidarity and perseverance, Ikuma could well be the most emotional and poignant co-op title of the entire year.
Who is this game for? Ikuma is aimed at anyone seeking an emotional and profound co-op experience, where the story invites reflection and the focus is on exploring together.
06
GTA 6
- Release: 19 November 2026
- Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (PC)
- Genre: Open-World-Action-Adventure / Multiplayer
GTA VI will now be coming in November 2026
© Rockstar Games
No title in 2026 is under more pressure to live up to expectations than Grand Theft Auto VI. More than a decade after the series’ last main instalment and following two release date delays, Rockstar Games has now firmly set the release date for 19 November 2026. No wonder, then, that GTA 6 is the most eagerly anticipated game of 2026. The action returns to Vice City, Rockstar’s version of Miami, this time set within the sprawling state of Leonida, including the Keys. The story centres on the criminal couple Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, who find themselves drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy.
Although GTA 6 is primarily designed as a story-driven single-player experience, the co-op community is eagerly awaiting what a new version of GTA Online will have in store. GTA Online kept its predecessor alive for over a decade, and Rockstar has confirmed that online multiplayer will also play a central role in Part VI – be it joint heists, open-world mayhem for two, or the as-yet-unknown co-op modes of the new online mode.
Who is the game best suited for? GTA 6 has the potential not only to become the greatest single-player experience of the decade, but also one of the longest-lasting multiplayer playgrounds ever.
07
WheelMates
- Release: 1 September
- Platform: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Genre: Co-op-Puzzle-Adventure
WheelMates
© Firevolt
What happens when you send two tiny toy cars into the house of a mad professor? That’s exactly what WheelMates explores – the charming co-op debut from indie studio FireVolt. Two players each control an RC car as they navigate the sprawling residence of an eccentric scientist, solving puzzles, discovering hidden paths and trying to find out what has happened to the house’s owner. What immediately sets this concept apart from other co-op titles is its deliberate slow pace: WheelMates focuses on cooperation rather than competition, completely does away with time pressure and lets players unravel the mystery at their own pace. Inspired by classic RC games such as Re-Volt and the exploration mechanics of Metroidvanias, every room in the house feels like its own compact playground.
Power-ups such as jump boosters, grappling hooks and magnetic wheels ensure that the little vehicles are capable of far more than just driving, constantly opening up new paths through the everyday rooms that appear monumental when viewed from a ground-level perspective. Progress in the game unlocks new areas and allows players to return to rooms they’ve already visited to solve puzzles that were previously unsolvable. Whether online or via local split-screen: WheelMates is a prime example of co-op design that manages without big budgets or well-known brand names, yet still has what it takes to become a real hidden gem of the year.
Best of all, Steam is also releasing WheelMates with a Friends Pass, which means that only one of you is required to own the game, but you can both play together from two different households.
Who is this game for? WheelMates is essentially ‘It Takes Two’ or ‘Split Fiction’… but with toy cars. A puzzle and exploration adventure set in a cohesive world that puts the spotlight on teamwork.
