What Is The Greatest Co-op Game Of All Time?

Of recent times, there has been a shift in the gaming world. For many of us, the best social experience in gaming is no longer multiplayer, deathmatch-style games, it is co-op. Co-op for me is more rewarding by being a shared experience with one, two or three of your buddies (depending on the game). A great co-op experience will have you working with your buddies, and not just next to them.

Some of my favourite co-op games on the PS3 and Xbox 360 include the Rainbow Six: Vegas series, Borderlands, Operation Flashpoint 2, and Little Big Planet. There are also a few large scale, multiplayer games which really embrace the co-op experience too, especially the ones with vehicles. Battlefield 1943, and Bad Company are prime examples where 2 people can really work together, when in the one tank/jeep.

As much as I love driving tanks in the Battlefield games, it is not my favourite co-op game ever. Bubble Bobble is. This game from 1986, is so much better when two players are working together... Usually with each player clearing enemies on their side of the screen. When one player doesn't play like this, it often means the other player gets killed.


My brother visited tonight and after watching some hockey, we jumped into some Bubble Bobble. This was one of the few games we played together growing up, and it was good to have that feeling again. It was a fun little session of us working together, and trying to steal points off each other. After we battled our way to the cursed level 72 (Kaaaahhhhhhnnnnnn!!!) and he left for home, I was really inspired to write about what co-op gaming means for me...

It's about working together, and enjoying the company of your friends. You don't get the same satisfaction playing solo, and would rarely feel that connection when playing multiplayer online.