PS5 Slim games for two players: co-op picks worth buying

Last Updated: November 2, 2026

Table of Contents

• PS5 Slim games for two players: what actually works on one console
• PS5 local co-op games that need just one console and two controllers
• PS5 split-screen games: what to expect from the screen and the frame rate
• PS5 games for couples who want a shared story, not a scoreboard
• PS5 games for two players on one console: the practical setup checklist
• Online co-op, subscriptions and the real cost of playing as a pair
• Choosing your first two-player game from the Gamerium range
• Frequently Asked Questions

PS5 Slim games for two players: what actually works on one console

Two controllers, one console, one screen. That is the setup most households actually have, and it is the setup most game round-ups ignore. This guide covers PS5 Slim games for two players that work when you are sitting next to each other, plus the online options when you are not.

What catches people out is the label on the box. A game can say "multiplayer" and still refuse to put two people on one sofa. Others need a PlayStation Plus subscription before the second player can join at all.

Below, we break down local co-op, split-screen, shared-story games and the real cost of playing as a pair, so you buy once and get it right.

A quick definition worth holding onto: local co-op means two players share one console and one screen, while online co-op means each player needs their own console, their own copy of the game and, on PS5, usually a paid subscription.

PS5 local co-op games that need just one console and two controllers

Local co-op is the cheapest way to play as a pair. One console, one disc, two controllers, no subscription. The catch is that fewer big releases support it than the marketing suggests, so check the back of the box for "2 players" rather than "online multiplayer".

A strong pick for pure pick-up-and-play chaos is Super Bomberman Collection. It is a compilation of classic Bomberman titles built around fast multiplayer mayhem. It carries a PEGI 7 rating, which makes it one of the easier picks for a family living room.

If you want something with more bite, Double Dragon Revive: Limited Edition brings the side-scrolling beat 'em up back with modern controls. It is a PEGI 12 title, so it sits in the middle ground between family-friendly and full-on action.

For shooter fans, Borderlands 3 - Ultimate Edition at £25.99 includes the base game plus all DLC, and it is built around chaotic co-op play. It is PEGI 18, so keep it away from younger players.

Game	Price	PEGI	Best for
Super Bomberman Collection	£32.99	7	Family sessions, quick rounds
Double Dragon Revive: Limited Edition	£31.99	12	Retro beat 'em up fans
Borderlands 3 - Ultimate Edition	£25.99	18	Long co-op campaigns
LEGO Horizon Adventures	£24.99	7	Couples and younger players

PS5 split-screen games: what to expect from the screen and the frame rate

Split-screen means the television is divided between two players, and that division always costs something. Each half renders at a lower resolution, and demanding titles often drop their frame rate to keep both halves smooth. Expect each player to see a reduced portion of the full picture. That is not a fault, it is the trade-off you accept for sitting next to each other.

Frame rate is the number that matters here. A game running at 60 frames per second feels responsive; one dipping to 30 feels sluggish, and in a fast shooter that difference is obvious. Racing, fighting and sports titles handle the split best because the action is contained. Open-world games struggle.

What most round-ups skip is the label that actually decides whether two people can play on one console. Use this as your shorthand:

• Local co-op / split-screen, two players, one console, one screen, two controllers. No PlayStation Plus needed.
• Online co-op, each player needs their own console, their own copy of the game and, on PS5, usually an active PlayStation Plus membership.
• Shared-screen (single-screen) co-op, both players appear on the same undivided picture rather than a split. Common in arcade and party titles.

Here is how the games in this guide break down:

Game	Local two-player on one console	Online two-player	Players supported	Subscription needed for local play?
Super Bomberman Collection	Yes, shared screen	Yes	Up to 4 locally	No
Double Dragon Revive: Limited Edition	Yes, shared screen	Yes	2	No
Borderlands 3 - Ultimate Edition	Yes, split-screen	Yes	2 locally, up to 4 online	No for local; yes for online
LEGO Horizon Adventures	Yes, shared screen	Yes	2	No
Aliens: Fireteam Elite	No, online only	Yes	3 online	Yes, for both players
Borderlands 4	Yes, split-screen	Yes	2 locally, up to 4 online	No for local; yes for online

Split-screen is a compromise rather than a free feature. If you mainly play side by side, favour games designed around it.

PS5 games for couples who want a shared story, not a scoreboard

Some pairs want to compete. Others want to finish something together. Those are different purchases, and mixing them up is the most common mistake we see. The gap in most round-ups is that they recommend popular co-op titles without telling you how hard they are, how long a session runs, or whether one player will end up carrying the other. This section fixes that.

LEGO Horizon Adventures is the clearest example of a shared adventure. It reworks the Horizon world in LEGO style, with building sequences, mechanical creatures to battle and puzzles to solve, and the listing describes it as a co-op adventure. At £24.99 and PEGI 7, it suits couples who want humour and teamwork rather than a leaderboard.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite sits at the other end. At £16.50 and PEGI 16, it is a squad-based fight for survival against alien creatures. It is cooperative, but it is tense rather than relaxing. Treat it as a two-console purchase, with a PlayStation Plus membership behind it.

EA Sports FC 26 (PS5) →

Borderlands 3 - Ultimate Edition at £25.99 is the middle ground for couples who want a long campaign with a sense of progress. It carries a PEGI 18 rating.

For a shorter, beginner-friendly option, Super Bomberman Collection at £32.99 is PEGI 7 and is a shared-screen title.

Use this comparison to choose by suitability rather than by genre:

Game	Price	PEGI	Difficulty	Typical session	Experience needed	Local two-player?
LEGO Horizon Adventures	£24.99	7	Gentle	20-60 minutes	None	Yes
Super Bomberman Collection	£32.99	7	Easy to learn	5-15 minutes	None	Yes
Borderlands 3 - Ultimate Edition	£25.99	18	Moderate	60+ minutes	Some shooter familiarity helps	Yes, split-screen
Aliens: Fireteam Elite	£16.50	16	Demanding	30-45 minutes	Shooter experience recommended	No, online only

Accessibility matters more for couples than for solo players, because one person's difficulty setting affects the other's evening.

Best for: couples who want a story to work through together. Skip if: you want competitive multiplayer, where a fighting or sports title serves you better. First purchase if you are unsure: LEGO Horizon Adventures, it is the lowest-risk £24.99 you can spend on a shared evening.

PS5 games for two players on one console: the practical setup checklist

Here is a checklist to run through before the first session.

• Create a second user profile on the PS5, so each player keeps their own saves
• Pair the second controller via Settings, then Accessories, then Bluetooth
• Charge both controllers fully; the DualSense drains faster in split-screen
• Check the game box or store listing for "2 players" rather than "online only"
• Confirm the disc drive model if you are buying physical, since the PS5 Slim comes in disc and digital versions
• Install updates before your partner sits down, not after
• Set the TV to game mode to reduce input lag

Check which PS5 Slim model you own before you order physical games.

Online co-op, subscriptions and the real cost of playing as a pair

Online co-op changes the maths completely. Each player needs their own console, their own copy of the game, and on PS5, online play generally requires an active PlayStation Plus membership. That is a recurring cost on top of the disc price, and it is the part most buying guides leave out.

If you are playing online rather than locally, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is available at £16.50.

The practical rule: buy for local co-op if you share a living room, and budget for two subscriptions if you do not. A £25 disc is not a £25 evening if a membership sits behind it.

Choosing your first two-player game from the Gamerium range

Start with the living room, not the game. If you share a sofa, buy local co-op and skip the subscription. If you do not, budget for two memberships before you buy anything.

At Gamerium, we are an independent, family-run retailer, and we stock PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo titles with free UK delivery and hassle-free returns within 30 days. If you are still working out the hardware side, our guide on how much a PS5 Slim costs will help you budget for the console and the games together.

For a first pair of purchases, we would pair Super Bomberman Collection for quick sessions with LEGO Horizon Adventures for the longer evenings. Both are PEGI 7, both work on one console, and neither needs a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need two controllers to play two-player games on PS5 Slim?

Yes, for local co-op you need a second controller. The PS5 Slim ships with one DualSense, so a pair needs one extra pad before you start. Budget for the extra controller as part of the setup, then check the game's player limit on the box or store page before buying.

Which PS5 local co-op games are easiest for beginners?

LEGO Horizon Adventures is the simplest starting point: PEGI 7, drop-in co-op adventure and forgiving combat, at £24.99. Super Bomberman Collection is another gentle option at PEGI 7, with short rounds that suit quick sessions. For something more competitive but still approachable, EA Sports FC 26 is PEGI 3, at £36.99. All three work on one console with a second controller.

Can two players play PS5 games online together without buying two copies?

It depends on the game. Some titles support Share Play or a second player joining a session hosted on one console, but most online co-op modes need each player to own the game and, on PlayStation, an active online subscription. Local co-op avoids the subscription entirely. If you are buying primarily for two people in the same room, prioritise local co-op and split-screen titles and treat online as a bonus.

What should parents check before buying a two-player PS5 Slim game?

Check the PEGI rating first, then the player count and whether co-op is local or online. PEGI 7 titles such as LEGO Horizon Adventures and Super Bomberman Collection suit younger players, while Borderlands 4 and Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection are PEGI 18 and aimed at adults. Also confirm which PS5 Slim model you own before buying physical copies.

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Two controllers and one console should be simple, and it is once you know which games actually support it. Gamerium stocks the titles above with free delivery, hassle-free returns within 30 days and secure payment, so you can start playing without the guesswork. Get started with Gamerium and find the right two-player game for your living room.