The 15 best PC games for two with a joystick

In some titles, the greatest convenience and enjoyment can only be achieved by using controllers, as they offer more tactile feedback and sometimes even greater control. This is especially true for co-op play, where you can lean back in your chair and relax, playing something exciting with a friend.

In this article, we’ll cover the 15 best PC games for two with joysticks — perfect for spending more than one fun evening in the company of friends.

Overcooked! 2

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Overcooked! 2 is an engaging arcade game about the complexities of working together in a kitchen. At first, it seems simple: a straightforward story about an Onion King and a toast uprising, just two action buttons, and dishes made up of two or three ingredients.

But after a few levels, players will need to delegate tasks, stick strictly to their responsibilities — like chopping ingredients or washing dishes — and, most importantly, work in harmony and with precision.

The title brings a sea of emotions: fun, a sense of teamwork and shared victory, disappointment in defeat, and the quest for optimal strategies.

Untitled Goose Game

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Some AAA projects can't deliver as much emotion as this project about a mischievous goose. The only goal in Untitled Goose Game is to play pranks, mischief, and annoy the villagers. It’s even more fun when there are two geese…

Players can interact and cooperate: for instance, one distracts, while the other steals an item, or both can carry a heavy object together or scare people as a team. Sometimes, of course, they can help out and play the heroes. The title creates countless hilarious situations and, most importantly, brings a sense of carefree joy.

Magicka 2

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A sarcastic game about wizards who once again must save the world. It often pokes fun at itself, but the narrative and humor aren’t the only highlights of this title.

Here, there’s a rather complex combat system involving eight elements that need to be combined to create spells. These spells can be incredibly powerful and helpful, or healing, creating shields to protect the team. The numerous variations offer ample room for creativity, letting players develop their own play style as well as a team dynamic — some become support players, while others are the main attackers.

On the other hand, this variety does require some time to master and make spell-casting automatic. Nevertheless, despite the many buttons, Magicka 2 is well-suited for gamepads, where control can sometimes even surpass that of a keyboard and mouse.

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge

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The legendary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back, proving that the beat ’em up genre can still be relevant! The project has taken the classic elements of the genre and refined them almost to perfection: smooth pixel graphics, a variety of moves (with upgrades and special abilities), and, of course, many beloved characters.

It can be played solo, but teaming up with a friend or in a group of up to four to take on the Foot Clan fighters is even better. The only thing missing for full immersion in the '80s–'90s vibe is support for Sega 32-bit controllers, but the game still plays perfectly on modern joysticks.

Nascar Heat 5

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One of the best racing simulators, Nascar Heat 5 provides an immersive experience in the world of high-speed cars with a low entry barrier. The project includes real tracks from the racing tournament and all available cars.

You can race with a friend from one computer in split-screen mode or online. Naturally, it’s better to use a controller rather than a keyboard, as the controller provides greater precision, vehicle control, and tactile feedback.

As in any racing simulator, players compete for first place rather than pursuing a common goal, making this title an excellent choice for competitive play with a friend.

Moving Out

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The next game in our top picks might remind you of Overcooked 2 with its cozy, charming style, teamwork, simple story, and plenty of humor. The title Moving Out speaks for itself — players will travel from address to address, loading and unloading various items.

It sounds simple and maybe a bit dull, but the developers have made moving fun: heavy objects require teamwork and coordination, some items can be thrown and broken, so you have to be careful... or maybe not! Breaking windows or releasing a goose, for instance, are perfectly acceptable bonus goals.

There’s always something to do here — the creators have included different modes and difficulty levels, making it easy to enjoy a few evenings with this title.

Boomerang Fu

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This simple arcade project focuses on taking out opponents with boomerangs. Even straightforward ideas can become gems in the hands of talented game designers.

There are many levels, and each offers unique features, from labyrinths and traps to dangerous moving platforms. The characters themselves have unique abilities like camouflage.

With no steep learning curve or need to dive into complex mechanics, it’s the perfect entertainment for a few evenings.

PHOGS

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At first glance, this game might seem as quirky as the early-2000s cartoon CatDog, yet PHOGS has a charming and cozy atmosphere, rather than the unsettling tone of the show.

Players control a two-headed dog and solve a range of physics-based puzzles. Initially, coordinating actions and teamwork might seem challenging, but over time, completing levels becomes fun and engaging.

The puzzles are simple, focusing on physical interactions — biting, grabbing, dragging — and the characters' bodies can even stretch. This cozy title is a wonderful way to relax and escape.

Mortal Kombat 1

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Almost every player has heard of Mortal Kombat. When looking for two-player games, this iconic fighting series is a natural choice.

The 2023 release is the most comprehensive entry in the series, combining photorealistic graphics and effects with deep mechanics and great balance. Unlike previous versions, fighting styles have been removed, and cameo fighters now assist during battles.

For the rest, it’s the classic Mortal Kombat experience fans love: the tower of time, cosmetic items, and a well-developed (if slightly thin) storyline. A great choice for spending fun evenings on the controllers.

It Takes Two

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No list would be complete without the brilliant It Takes Two. This project follows two people on the brink of divorce. Their child shrinks them to doll-size, and they now face not only various obstacles (like battling an evil vacuum or supporting an army of squirrels) but also the challenge of navigating their complicated relationship.

While the game touches on mature themes, it’s packed with humor, absurdity, and funny situations. The standout feature is its vast array of unique mechanics, with new surprises every twenty minutes that keep it engaging.

An ideal title for sharing with a loved one.

Spelunky 2

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The first Spelunky became a beloved roguelike game with procedural generation, receiving high praise from players. The sequel didn’t introduce anything revolutionary but significantly enhanced its already solid mechanics.

Now, exploring the platformer world of hapless archaeologists is even more exciting, with more diverse locations, enemies, and nastier traps. In co-op mode, the tension ramps up, as death is permanent and a character can only respawn in the next run. This game requires strong teamwork and is a fun way to spend time with friends.

Cuphead

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The next project will appeal to fans of challenging games. Cuphead might look cartoonish and cute, but it’s a Dark Souls of the run-and-gun platformers — expect to die often.

Playing together doubles the challenge. Precision and timing are essential from both players, and while not always possible, this journey leads to an impressive teamwork dynamic and an unmatched thrill when you finally defeat one of the many bosses.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

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This title is ideal for relaxing while enjoying neon lights and a lighthearted story about rescuing rabbits.

The gameplay involves flying through the galaxy and fighting aliens on your spaceship. Responsibilities are split between players — one pilot while the other defends. Initially, it seems simple, but the difficulty ramps up quickly, demanding coordinated teamwork. The spaceship is upgradable, and new improvements can be installed.

The visual style and soundtrack deserve special mention. The neon visuals and electronic music make exploring colorful locations pure pleasure. Highly recommended for a co-op experience.

Don't Starve Together

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Don't Starve became one of the best indie games of 2013 and received many awards. This open-world survival project, with its original visual style, won over thousands of players, and a co-op version was released a few years later.

Just like the original, you’ll gather food, resources for building, avoid monsters, and eventually fight them. Doing this together is even more fun and engaging as the game world initially feels dangerous and unwelcoming, creating absurd, funny, and sometimes scary situations.

With classic survival elements and a unique art style, it’s easy to fall in love with this title and lose hours playing it.

A Way Out

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We end our list with another great title from Josef Fares, which, unlike It Takes Two, has a more mature and intense storyline. Without spoilers, it’s about two prisoners who plan to escape. The project keeps delighting and surprising players with diverse gameplay situations.

It combines several genres: interactive cinema with QTE, a walk-and-talk simulator, platforming, and chase scenes. The two main characters constantly help each other, and dialogue choices match their personalities.

If you’re looking for a game with a solid and dramatic story, well-developed characters, numerous mechanics, and co-op play — A Way Out is a great choice.

We hope you enjoyed our article. Be sure to comment with your favorite titles!

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