So it’s back to school time, and you’re looking for a game or two to play with roommates and friends. Thankfully, you’re in luck. Not only has there been a recent surge of indie games targeted for the local multiplayer environment, but AAA publishes such as Blizzard and Nintendo have been churning out some great hits.
There are a ton of options when it comes to delivering you and your friends a good time whether it’s just two of you or a full party. To make things easy and save you money, we’ve compiled a list of 10 games that we’ve been enjoying thoroughly, and have unsurprisingly received critical acclaim.
Below you’ll find a gallery with 10 games that you can rely on for entertainment when friends are over.
The 10 Best Local Multiplayer Games To Play in Your Dorm
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BattleBlock Theater (1-4 players)
Made by the same studio that brought us Castle Crashers, BattleBlock Theater is an excellent platformer you can play with up to three others. While you can play alone, the game has really been made with local multiplayer in mind.
Platformers have been done many times over the years, but BattleBlock Theater mixes things up by incorporating co-operative interaction. You can launch a friendly player across a lengthy gap, or even catch them at the edge of a platform. Given the game's fast-paced nature, it's frantic and a whole lot of fun. It's also quite humorous, as you might be able to tell by its colorful visuals.
Platform(s): PC, XBox 360
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Diablo 3 (1-4 players)
Diablo 3 is the ultimate local co-operative game for those who enjoy dungeon crawlers. Played alone, it's a great game that can rack up hundreds of hours of your undivided attention. With friends, it's full of excitement as you plow through enemies and acquire endless loot to improve your characters.
You and up to three others can pick from six classes and drop-in/drop-out and any time. It's easy to access and despite its PC heritage plays extremely well with a controller. Speaking of which, you'll need to invest in one of the console versions to take advantage of local multiplayer.
Later this year the game will also arrive on PS4 and Xbox One in what's being called the Ultimate Evil Edition. It'll toss in the PC's new Reaper of Souls expansion which has a new act, crusader class, and tons more.
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (PS4 and Xbox One arrive August 19th)
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Mario Kart 8 (1-4 players)
Mario Kart has established itself as a go-to for local multiplayer fun, and this year's iteration was no different.
Mario Kart 8 modernizes the experience that has brought smiles to faces for more than a decade with anti-gravity and HD visuals. It looks oustanding, and plays just as good as it looks.
What makes this particularly a fun game is how you and your friends will constantly earn new characters and items. Nintendo has set out to make the game both fun to play and rewarding, and has achieved so victoriously.
Platform(s): Wii U
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Mercenary Kings (1-4 players)
Mercenary Kings is a classically styled game that is reminiscent of Contra, with some GI Joe flavor. Played from the 2D perspective, you and friends shoot powerful firearms endlessly at enemies as you advance through increasingly difficult levels. It's quite challenging, so co-op doesn't only serve as a basis for enjoyment, but also priceless teamwork.
If you've ever wanted to feel like Rambo while playing with your friends, this is your game.
Platform(s): PC, PS4
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Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine (1-4 players)
In Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine the premise is simple: steal the look. However, the game's unique gameplay style makes it unlike anything else on the market.
You and friends will enter banks, hotels, and more to retrieve a valuable cache. The problem is that guards and security systems stand in your way, making the road to victory one that requires teamworka nd precision. Playing as different classes with different skills, such as the Locksmith who can open doors faster than the others, you must co-operate to stay out of sight while completing your seemingly impossible objective.
The game is played form a top-down perspective with pixel-art style visuals. It stands out as not only a game completely focused on local multiplayer, but an individualistic one at that.
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360
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Rayman Legends (1-4 players)
This list has some great games, but Rayman Legends stands out as the most critically acclaimed. Out of every game with great co-op during the past couple years, Rayman Legends is arguably the best overall game of the bunch.
As with previous Rayman games, Rayman Legends is a platformer with a lot of heart. Its level design is at a level that only Mario can compete with. It's full of variety and as charming as they come. It's also on several platforms making it an easy recommendation for just about everyone.
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U
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Samurai Gunn (2-4 players)
There are only a couple of games on this list that you simply can't play alone, and Samurai Gunn is one of them. That's a strength when you have friends over, though.
In Samurai Gunn, you and your friends battle one another with only a sword and gun. While the gun is powerful when well-aimed, it only comes equipped with three bullets. As such, this is a game about slicing and dicing your opponents as quickly as possible. The combat mechanics are as simple as they come, but extremely fun. Frankly, this is a game that can light up your living room with excitement as well as any on the market.
Platform(s): PS4, PS Vita
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Super Mario 3D World (1-4 players)
What's a local multiplayer list with a Mario game?
Super Mario 3D World is, without surprise, an immensely good game. It's a 3D Mario that you can play with friends, without any compromises made. It's as cohesive as the series has ever been, and has several mechanics that make it feel new and exciting.
Also, it's in stunning HD. It's hard to say no to Mario in HD.
Platform(s): Wii U
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Towerfall Ascension (2-4 players)
Just like Samurai Gunn, Towerfall Ascension is a game made only for the local multiplayer arena. Instead of using a sword and gun, you are equipped with a bow and arrows. Let me tell you something, firing arrows at a fast moving target is no easy task. You'll regularly run out of arrow supply and have to fetch them from the ground around you. You can also dodge making agility your greatest weapon.
Perhaps the greatest thing about the game is when you kill enemies you get a quick replay of the kill. Your friends will soon learn to treat lightly.
This is a crowd-pleaser, particularly because its mechanics are simple but timeless.
Platform(s): PC, PS4
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Trials Fusion (1-4 players)
If you're into BMX, motocross, or just enjoy games that require precision to master, Trials Fusion is a great pick.
In Trials Fusion you ride a dirt bike on a 2D plane against three opponents. Using acceleration, braking, and vertical movement, your ability to land squarely on terrain while hitting jumps will determine how quickly you reach the finish line. It's a ton of fun, and has tons of levels to play on.
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360
