How Long Has Couch Co-op Actually Been Around?
Long before online multiplayer became the norm, local co-op -- sitting side by side in front of one screen -- had already established a long tradition of its own.
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A concept that goes back to early arcade games
Two people sitting side by side, each with their own joystick, sharing one game was a common sight back when arcades were at their peak.
It spread further with home consoles
As having a console at home and playing with family and friends became a common culture, co-op and versus games sharing one screen spread even wider.
Why it never disappeared in the online era
Even now that you can connect with anyone online, local co-op keeps getting new entries thanks to the particular fun of watching each other react in the same room.
Expansion into the party game genre
Beyond simple co-op, the format expanded broadly into party games where a group shares laughs on one screen together, a genre that remains beloved today.
FAQ
Are local co-op games still being made today?
Yes -- even now that online multiplayer is the mainstream, new titles supporting same-screen co-op keep coming out.
How is it different from online co-op?
The biggest difference cited is being able to see each other's reactions in real time, in the same physical space.