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15 Most Memorable Co-op Games from the Sega Genesis to the Xboxby@nicolasng
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15 Most Memorable Co-op Games from the Sega Genesis to the Xbox

by Nicolas NgMarch 15th, 2021
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These are some of the best multiplayer co-op games that stood out to us and left a lasting impression.

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Co-op forms the core parts of some games or can be the most memorable parts. While some games are dated or not as engaging as others, the interactions players make with each other playing these games makes them worthwhile. These are some of the games that stood out to us.

This Slack discussion by Nicolas Ng, , JeffreyHarris-HackerNoon, richard-kubina, Jack Boreham and Limarc Ambalina occurred in Slogging's official #gaming channel, and has been edited for readability.

Nicolas NgMar 10, 2021, 7:01 PM
What's the finest co-op experience you remember?
Nicolas NgMar 10, 2021, 7:02 PM
I used to run Payday 2 levels with my friends for hours after school. Does anyone have anything similar?
Mar 10, 2021, 8:25 PM
I know that people aren’t as fond on these Resident Evil titles as much as the older ones, but I had a blast playing Resident Evil 5 and 6 with my brother. Scared to death while trying to solve puzzles is something I look back at fondly.
Nicolas NgMar 11, 2021, 9:49 AM
I remember watching Youtubers play Resident Evil and 6 always seemed like it went between tense horror and emulating a Michael Bay film
JeffreyHarris-HackerNoonMar 11, 2021, 12:19 PM
Went to a barcade event and a friend and I finally Spider-Man: The Arcade game. It took quite a few quarters.
richard-kubinaMar 11, 2021, 3:19 PM
Without a doubt it would be playing Toe Jam and Earl on the Sega Genesis. The game takes a lot of inspiration from rogue-likes with it's randomly generated levels, random presents are like unidentified items, you can level up to get more life. You need to explore uncharted levels to find all your spaceships parts to get back home. The levels are like dungeon floors, but you take an elevator upwards and can fall off the side of levels and drop back down a level. It has great music, sfx, art and animation. Really goofy and light-hearted fun for all ages.
richard-kubinaMar 11, 2021, 3:25 PM
Also from the same era, for the Super Nintendo Entertainment system was Zombies Ate My Neighbors.. similar aesthetics even more visually appealing I'd say. Loads of great artwork are in this one. Lots of secrets to discover. It's more about shooting baddies up a bit like Smash TV or Gauntlet.
richard-kubinaMar 11, 2021, 3:41 PM
The Sven Co-op mod for the original Half-Life was a good time too, could host a lot more friends and randoms to play through the levels that required team work to get through the levels and unlock gates to allow other players to continue.
Jack BorehamMar 11, 2021, 6:12 PM
New Super Mario bros on the ds or lego star wars. I loved both coop experiences, having played countless hrs with my sister playing both games.
Nicolas NgMar 12, 2021, 10:12 PM
I've never head of those games, richard-kubina. I notice that both of these games have very strong exploration mechanics that were absent in many of the co-op games I've played. Was it a staple of co-op games during that era?
richard-kubinaMar 12, 2021, 10:16 PM
good question! I reckon there was a good mix. Like I can think of other "co-op" games that didn't really have you explore and were more like a single track ride, but maybe those are hardly considered co-op since you didn't really have to work together as much as just take out all the baddies... games like like streets of rage, teenage mutant ninja turtles, sunset riders.

the only other co-op that had you exploring I can think of is Secret of Mana, that was a full blown JRPG experience!
Limarc AmbalinaMar 13, 2021, 8:12 PM
Great question!!!! There are so many answers here. I'd say Halo 2, Army of Two, Castle Crashers, and just basic Call of Duty co-op campaigns have been really fun for me.

Playing couch co-op castle crashers with 3 of my cousins on the xbox 360 is one of my fondest gaming memories.


Nicolas NgMar 13, 2021, 10:10 PM
I remember watching people play Army of Two on YouTube! I even remember scissors-paper-stone being used as a minigame in the sequel. I didn't get the chance to play it myself, but I can imagine why it's up there on your list