Best Upcoming Couch Co-Op Xbox One Games in 2019

The Best Couch Co-Op Xbox One Games to Have on Your Radar in 2019

There are plenty of great local cooperative experiences coming this year, so here’s a look at the best upcoming couch co-op Xbox One Games in 2019.

If you enjoyed this content, why not check out our list of best couch co-op PS4 games and Xbox One Games of all time?

1. Penguin Wars — Jan. 29

Remakes are all the rage these days, and the upcoming Penguin Wars harks back to a popular 80s arcade game. Penguin Wars plays somewhat like Pong, as you throw balls backward and forward with your opponent, except, here, hitting your opponents causes a stun effect —so there’s a bit of added strategy.<br><br> Penguin Wars, set to release early this year, will feature a 2v2 mode, allowing you and a friend to battle each other in couch co-op.

2. Trials Rising — Feb. 12

A longstanding offroad motorbike series, mastering a Trials game is all about understanding the ragdoll physics that govern each level. Racing, pulling off tricks, and navigating tricky obstacles is all about managing a delicate balance of weight and speed, manipulating it to your advantage. <br><br>It’s a blast as a single-player game, but as a couch co-op experience, it’s even better. Luckily, you won’t have to wait long for the game to arrive.

3. The Lego Movie 2 Videogame — Feb. 22

It would be easy to write-off the Lego games as some sort of silly spin-off, but these are quality video games that are worth your attention. Accessible for everyone, Lego games are both a joy to play and feature genuinely well-written dialogue and stories. Better yet, the experiences can all be played in cooperative mode, and the upcoming The Lego Movie 2 Videogame is no different.<br><br> Don’t worry about being up to speed with its plot, just jump in and have fun!

4. ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove — March 1

Following a hiatus spanning two decades, ToeJam and Earl are finally back in the groove. The upcoming game is set to play in similar fashion to the original games that launched on Sega Genesis way back when. This co-op rogue-like game promises hours of entertainment on the couch with a buddy, as you both search for presents and ascend a pre-determined amount of islands.

5. Wargroove — Q1 2019

Having published games like Stardew Valley, Chucklefish is earning its reputation as a curator of quality indie games, and Wargroove looks set to continue that trend. This grid-based strategy game is one for the tacticians, as players control a number of different units to wage war on their enemies. When you’ve got a friend over, Wargroove’s Skirmish mode allows you to team up and wage war together.

6. Team Sonic Racing — May 21

Bring on the nostalgic kart-racers! Mario Kart is about to face some competition with Crash Team Racing, and more importantly for Xbox One players, Team Sonic Racing. Notably, as the name suggests, Team Sonic Racing differs from traditional kart racers with a heavier focus on cooperative gameplay.<br><br> While each player in a team still takes control of a single racer, they must also pay attention to how teammates are performing and share power-ups. Teams are awarded points based on how well they work together, so you must cooperate in order to win.

Upcoming Couch Co-Op Xbox One Games in 2019

7. Tunche — TBA 2019

Tunche’s visual charm is the first thing you’ll notice about this gorgeous-looking 2D beat ’em up; the hand-drawn art is really something to behold. Developed by Leap Game Studios, Tunche is based on Peruvian Legend, a spirit that hides in the jungle, whistling at its prey to enchant them.<br><br>

So how does it play? Well, this roguelike title incorporates RPG elements, allowing you to level-up and progress your character as you work toward a build capable of completing the game. You’ll only have one shot per life, of course, like all rougelike titles. Thankfully, a buddy can join you to battle the hostile creatures you both encounter along the way.<br><br> Tunche has no release date confirmed but is expected to launch in 2019.

8. Gears of War 5

Microsoft is looking to ge their first-party Xbox One exclusives back on track with a return to a fan-favorite franchise. Gears of War returns with the upcoming Gears 5, which was revealed at E3 2018. <br><br>
From the extensive trailer, it looks as though this latest game will put a big emphasis on story and characters, and the entire campaign will be playable as a co-op experience for you one other friend to share.

9. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Legendary developer Koji Igarashi’s spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is finally almost up on, and we can’t wait! This gorgeous stylized metroidvania adventure promises a return to the glory days of the iconic Castlevania series.<br><br>
Originally not designed as a multiplayer experience, local support for two players was later added as part of a stretch goal, so you can look forward to slaying demons while you and a buddy hold hands.

10. Battletoads

After years of rumors and speculation, Microsoft confirmed a brand new Battletoads game would be coming to Xbox One back at E3 2018.<br><br>
Unfortunately, that’s about all the details we know. Quite how this game will play remains a bit of a mystery, but the three-player couch co-op and a 2019 launch window has been confirmed.