Local Multiplayer Video Games

Playing video games with friends or family together in the same room has always been one of my favorite activities, but for most of my life that rarely extended beyond the popular console games. Recently, I’ve been scouring the internet to find the most fun and exciting local multiplayer games available. I think a lot of them deserve more recognition, and I just wanted to put this together as a resource for people looking for an interesting game.

All of the games I’ve included on this list work on Windows computers and should not be too resource intensive. I use a cheap mini PC with integrated graphics and have minimal problems. I use Xbox controllers for most of my games, but if you are going to buy new controllers, I would recommend getting ones that use a 2.4GHz connection to avoid being annoyed by Bluetooth.

The list is split into three categories: Paid Games, Free Games, and Emulators. The paid section is first because those are the games my friends and I end up playing most often, but free and emulated games are obviously a much better value. I've ranked the paid games, but the others are listed alphabetically. I was very selective with all my inclusions and think they're all really great. Most of the descriptions are just copied and pasted, but I’m planning on writing my own thoughts eventually (probably won't happen).

Paid Games

I bought most of these games during Steam seasonal sales. Check SteamDB to see if a game regularly goes on sale, and add games to your Steam Wishlist to get notified when they are discounted. I still have tons of games on my Wishlist I want to try, and I will add any good ones I find here! Be sure to test a game soon after you buy it, and decide if you want a full refund within 2 weeks.

1. Duck Game

2-8 Players
$12.99 ($2.59)

Enter the futuristic year of 1984, an age where ducks run wild in a frantic battle for glory. Win over the crowd and gain a following by blasting your feathered friends with Shotguns, Net Guns, Mind Control Rays, Saxophones, Magnet Guns, and pretty much anything else a duck could use as a weapon. One hit and you're roasted. This is DUCK GAME. Don't blink.

I can never get enough Duck Game. There are loads of custom maps available in the Steam Workshop, and it’s easy (and fun) to make your own! I'd recommend the Duck Game Rebuilt mod for general improvements.

2. Plunder Panic

2-12 Players
$9.99 ($1.99)

Two teams of up to six players each must go all hands on deck and face off against each other, utilizing a variety of weapons, enchanted items, and power-ups to achieve one of four victory conditions.

Plunder Panic is also a great option to play with friends online. If you own a copy of the game, anyone can join for free with the demo. For more games your friends can play for free, check out my list of Online Games with a Friend Pass!

3. Rounds

2 Players
$5.99 ($2.99)

Rounds is a 1v1 rogue-lite shooter where each round gets more intense. The losing player of each round unlocks clever upgrades to create a better build to counter their opponent.

4. Astro Duel 2

2-6 Players
$19.99 ($13.99)

Astro Duel 2 is a sci-fi combat game combining top-down space dog fights with up-close platforming action. Whether versus or co-op, battle through space and on foot at the same time! Strike within the fully-destructible arenas or just nuke ‘em from orbit.

5. Crawl

2-4 Players
$14.99 ($2.99)

Crawl is the dungeon crawler where your friends control the monsters! Battle through randomly generated dungeons full of cruel traps and horrid beasts- all controlled by the other players. If a friend kills you they take your place and it's their turn to crawl! It's a race to gain enough XP and loot to face them all as they control the flailing limbs of the hulking final boss!

6. Buissons

2-4 Players
$8.99 ($1.79)

Take control of a bush and challenge your friends in a hide and seek game. Move at night and use the day as an opportunity to observe and beat your opponents. Use the secrets of nature to trap them. Get ready to laugh!

7. Unspottable

2-8 Players
$9.99 ($2.99)

Blend in with the crowd of AI characters, hunt down the other players, and use the many different environment specific rules to win the game. Walk like a robot and punch like a human!

8. Hidden in Plain Sight

2-4 Players
$5.99 ($0.89)

Hidden in Plain Sight is a stealth party game. In each game mode, players control characters in a sea of identical NPCs. Players are given a task, but also the means to eliminate each other from the game. The goal is to blend in with the NPCs, accomplish the task at hand, and take out other players before they get you.

You might have noticed similarities between the last three entries (Is there a term for this blend in with NPCs mechanic?), but I think they all have something unique to offer. Buissons stands out the most from the other two with its day and night cycle. Hidden In Plain Sight’s simpler graphics and quicker matches are perfect for casual play, while Unspottable’s variety in maps and NPC behaviors can be more engaging.

9. Invisigun Reloaded

2-4 Players
$4.99 ($2.49)

The ultimate stealth battle adventure where everyone’s invisible. Vigilance is key as environmental tells such as footprints and other disturbances will point out careless cadets. A massive amount of lovingly-made environments, maps, modes, and abilities – all obsessively balanced – combine for high replayability and a deep path to mastery.

10. Jumpala

2-4 Players
$9.99 ($1.99)

JUMPALA is a fast-paced competitive game that's all about strategy, superpowers, sabotage, and stage control. Jump on platforms to turn them your color and collect points before reaching the top. Build your Special Meter to activate your character's special moves and gain the advantage. And whatever you do, don't fall off the stage!

11. Nidhogg 2

2 Players
$14.99 ($5.69)

The rules are simple. Reach the other side and kill anyone that stands in your way. Deftly parry and rend their throats, riddle their bowels with arrows, or squish their brains between your toes. The wurm cares not for chivalry.

12. INVERSUS Deluxe

2 or 4 Players
$14.99 ($3.74)

INVERSUS Deluxe is a competitive and cooperative arcade shooter with a mind-bending twist. Player movement is constrained to opposite colors of a black and white grid. My walls are your paths and your walls are my paths. Each shot flips tile colors in an attempt to block, trap, and close in on the enemy.

13. Bopl Battle

2-4 Players
$9.99 ($5.99)

Battle your friends with unique and wild abilities. There are many choices such as a shrink ray, creating black holes, stopping time, and attaching a rocket engine to the stage to send it flying. Choose a combination that synergizes well to win the round!

14. Regular Human Basketball

2-10 Players
$4.99 ($0.99)

Ready to play some ball? Grab a team, suit up, and climb inside your human! Prep its thrusters, lower the all-terrain wheels, and spin up that flailing magnet-arm. It's time to play Regular Human Basketball!

15. CD-RUN

4-8 Players
$9.99 ($4.99)

Run, jump, block, and trap your friends in this local multiplayer platformer royale! The objective is easy: stay on the screen longer than your seven opponents to win!

16. Out of Order

2-4 Players
$5.99 ($0.89)

New colours are constantly spawning - sort them faster than they arrive to win the round. Survive variations, purchase items, and even discover pets!

17. RoboDunk

2 or 4 Players
$14.99 ($5.99)

ROBODUNK is Nba Jam meets Rogue Legacy, with robots. A combat dunkball game with sky-high dunks, satisfying tackles, and explosive weapons. A roguelite campaign where every match is different, and you can buy the next permanent upgrade even if you die. JUST...ONE...MORE...DUNK!

18. Wanba Warriors

2 Players
$4.99 ($1.49)

Wanba Warriors is a uniquely abstract 1v1 fighting game set in an ancient world with supernatural powers and unconventional weapons. Extraordinary Wanba Warriors from all corners have gathered to showcase their skills in epic battles. Choose from a variety of characters, mastering tactics in this wonderfully bizarre world. Battles are quick and satisfying, delivering joy with each hit and minimal frustration with each loss.

Free Games

A lot of these games are from itch.io. I'd recommend using the itch.io app to install them. Some are on Steam, and others have no store. No matter where your games are from, you can collect them all into one launcher with Playnite! This is very helpful for organizing your collection and picking games to play.

Balloon Fight Arena

2-4 Players

This game emulates the multiplayer platform fighting experience from games like Super Smash Bros, but using the graphics and physics of balloon fight.

Hats and Hand Grenades

2-6 Players

Kill your friends and steal their hats in this cover-based twin-stick shooter! Wage multiplayer versus battles online or on the couch. Face off in colorful arenas with destructible environments and bangin' music.

Mari0

2-4 Players

A complete from scratch recreation of Super Mario Bros. with a focus on perfectly imitating the feel the 1985 classic gave us. Then give Mario a portal gun, add puzzle game mechanics from Portal and there you go. And if that wasn't crazy enough, play 4-player coop, with everyone having their own Portal gun!

Mega Man Arena

2-4 Players

Have you ever thought that Mega Man wouldn't stand a chance if you could take control of Cut Man? Or that Flash Man could really do some damage if he could better use Time Stopper? Maybe Gemini Man could be way more deadly if he took better advantage of his clones? Well, prove it yourself in Mega Man Arena with over 50 characters to choose from!

Party Jousting

2-16 Players

A one-button party game with 5 different fun game modes.

Pico Park: Classic Edition

2-10 Players

The rule is quite simple: "Get all the keys and get to the goal and clear", but different gimmicks will appear as you move forward, and you will need to consult with your peers and think about new ways to cooperate.

Plants vs Zombies: It's Still Versus Time

2 Players

A versus mode fangame with more plants and more zombies.

Power Bomberman

2-12 Players

A fangame with many maps and modes.

Rootin' Tootin'

4 Players

Buckle up, pardners, and get ready to shoot, steal, and swing in this wild 2v2 game! Collect coins, hold onto the golden cowboy hat, lasso around the playing field, and shoot 'em up to be crowned top gun 'round these parts of the Wild West.

Sticky Cats

2-4 Players

Sticky Cats is a party game, where players must steal the fish and escape out the window while sticking to everything and causing mayhem along the way.

Super Mario War

2-4 Players

Super Mario War is a fan-made Super Mario Bros. style deathmatch game in which players try to beat one another in a variety of gameplay modes. You can play on teams, design your own levels, design your own worlds, and much more!

Emulators

There are many emulators for classic consoles available online, but these are the ones I’m most interested in and my favorite multiplayer games to play on them.

Dreamcast (Flycast)

Capcom Fighting Collection

2 Players

ChuChu Rocket!

2-4 Players

Dee Dee Planet

2-4 Players

Power Stone 2

2-4 Players

GameCube / Wii (Dolphin)

You can download the Wiimote configs I use for my Xbox controllers here!

Kirby Air Ride

2-4 Players

Kirby Air Ride Deluxe adds more options.

Mario Kart Wii

2-4 Players

Insane Kart Wii adds thousands of tracks.

Mario Party 7

4-8 Players

I picked this one for its 8 player shared-controller mode. It's not the best, but it's a good option to have. The Xbox Party mod improves the game for my Xbox controllers.

Mario Strikers Charged

2 or 4 Players

Mario Superstar Baseball

2 Players

Pac-Man Vs.

2-4 Players

Works best with a second monitor. Just set Port 4 to GBA (Integrated).

Pikmin 2

2-4 Players

The Simpsons: Road Rage

2 Players

Super Mario Strikers

2 or 4 Players

Super Monkey Ball 2

2-4 Players

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

2-4 Players

Super Smash Bros. Infinite adds a bunch of characters and skins.

Tom and Jerry in War of the Whiskers

2-4 Players

WWE Day of Reckoning

2-4 Players

The Forbidden DoR improves the game and adds cool new stages.

WWE Day of Reckoning 2 is also fun, and the Roster Expansion mod adds more wrestlers.

N64 / SNES (Ares)

Dr. Mario 64

2-4 Players

Kirby's Avalanche

2 Players

Kirby's Dream Course

2 Players

The New Tetris

2-4 Players

Pokémon Puzzle League

2 Players

PS1 (DuckStation)

NBA Jam 50 is a mod that adds a lot of new players.

Phone Games

Bonus category! All 3 of these websites host fun games where each player must use their own phone to join the lobby. They work well in the same room or over voice chat.

Paid Games

1. Duck Game

2. Plunder Panic

3. Rounds

4. Astro Duel 2

5. Crawl

6. Buissons

7. Unspottable

8. Hidden in Plain Sight

9. Invisigun Reloaded

10. Jumpala

11. Nidhogg 2

12. INVERSUS Deluxe

13. Bopl Battle

14. Regular Human Basketball

15. CD-RUN

16. Out of Order

17. RoboDunk

18. Wanba Warriors

Free Games

Emulators

Dreamcast (Flycast)

GameCube / Wii (Dolphin)

N64 / SNES (Ares)

PS1 (DuckStation)

PS2 (PSXC2)

Phone Games

Posted by Gunther Stroschin on September 15, 2025

Edited on October 13, 2025