Forgotten Local Co-Op & Split-Screen PS1 Games

Key Takeaways

• Many hidden gem co-op games on the PS1 offer unique gameplay experiences worth exploring with friends.
• Underrated titles like Team Buddies and Trap Gunner provide engaging multiplayer action often overlooked by gamers today.
• From mech combat in Future Cop: LAPD to Jedi battles in Star Wars Episode 1, the PS1 library has diverse co-op options.

The PS1‘s library steadily grew to incorporate a massive amount of games. There were plenty of versus multiplayer games on the system, including a nice selection of co-op experiences, though not every game in this department got its due. Other titles were bigger then but are more obscure now.

There are several well-known PS1 games with co-op or split-screen support. These underrated titles brought something new and special to the table that made them pretty enjoyable, and it’s a shame that not many people know about these hidden gems on the original PlayStation.

Updated October 15, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: It can be easy to look at gaming today and think there are so few local options. Some might yearn for a past where most games had local options. When it comes to local co-op, though, one could look at today as its golden age. Judging by the list below, that golden age was not on the PlayStation 1. The updated version of this list adds a few more games, but there were not a lot of games to choose from.

1 Loaded

Top-Down Shooting. Perfect For Cooperative Play

• Release Date: December 15th, 1995
• Developer: Gremlin Interactive
• Publisher: Interplay Productions
• Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn
• Genre: Top-down shooter

This top-down shooter separates itself from the pack with an art style that was handled by DC Comics artists. A short graphic novel based on it was also published after its release. Loaded is not on the list for that reason, though.

The genre lends itself perfectly to cooperative play, so it makes sense for Loaded to include it as an option. Anyone who has played Robotron 2084, Smash TV, or Total Carnage knows what to expect here. The simple gameplay holds up well, and the art still shines through even with the primitive visual fidelity.

2 Contra: Legacy Of War

The Classic Shoot ‘Em Up Goes 3D

• Release: November 29th, 1996
• Developer: Appaloosa Entertainment
• Publisher: Konami of America
• Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn
• Genre: Shoot ’em up

Contra had a rough go of it on the PlayStation, like many series that started out in the 2D realm. Legacy of War does not have the greatest reviews, but there is something to be said about almost any game that lets two friends journey through it together. This is not a case of misery loves company either. Legacy of War is genuinely more fun in co-op.

As if Contra in 3D was not a big enough gimmick on its own, the game actually came with 3D glasses to let players experience the game in true 3D. This was the 90s, though, so it was the red and blue glasses and not the more advanced 3D effect ushered in by movies like Avatar.

3 Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012

It’s Like Twisted Metal But With A Lot More Ska (Not Kidding)

• Release Date: October 6, 1998
• Developer: SingleTrac
• Publisher: GT Interactive
• Platforms: PlayStation
• Genre: Car Combat

Twisted Metal was THE combat car game for the PlayStation, but it was not the only one. Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012 might have a sillier name, but it feels so much like Twisted Metal. This makes perfect sense, considering it comes from the same developer of the first two games in that series.

Reviews were warm towards the game, but the lack of a recognizable name behind it makes it more obscure despite coming from SingleTrac. Players can battle each other in a classic fashion, or they can team up and go through the game’s campaign cooperatively.

Developer SingleTrac also developed other notable PS1 games like
Jet Moto
and
Warhawk

4 Crash Bash

A Party Game Featuring Beloved Characters From Crash Bandicoot

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: November 7, 2000
• Developer(s): Eurocom Entertainment Software, Cerny Games
• Genre: Party

The wild success of Mario Party prompted many developers to try and emulate this series’ success with their own established franchises, and Sony was no exception. In a bid to make Crash Bandicoot a mascot with more pull, Sony released a party game featuring the many lovable characters from this beloved platforming series.

Crash Bash was a decent party experience with a bunch of minigames that are pretty fun to play, even if none of them are all that complicated or memorable. While this game may have eventually faded in popularity to the point where most players don’t even know this title existed, long-time Crash Bandicoot fans would love it if this title received the same treatment as the kart racing spinoff.

5 Team Buddies

A Real-Time Strategy Game With Four-Player Split-Screen

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: September 18, 2000 (North America)
• Developer(s): Psygnosis
• Genre(s): Action, Strategy

The PlayStation was a great console, but long strides still needed to be made for real-time action gaming to become the norm, especially for multiplayer gameplay. So, it’s easy why a lot of these games combined this form of gameplay with other genres to ensure that players are invested in a title that didn’t necessarily need to be so complex from the get-go.

Despite its moniker as a strategy game, Team Buddies is a deceptively simple game to understand and play with multiple people. The endearing graphics and retro gameplay will make it a perfect pick for players who want to channel the good old days of couch multiplayer gaming.

6 Trap Gunner

An Arcade Strategy Game That Supports Up To Two Players

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: August 6, 1998
• Developer(s): Racdym
• Genre(s): Action, Strategy

The idea of running around and setting traps for other players to fall victim to was a core component of what made Bomberman such a fun video game to play. Another title with a unique spin on this gameplay that is more action-oriented is Trap Gunner. The short bursts of competitive gameplay in this title make it a blast to play.

Trap Gunner is a fun title where players set up unique traps that incapacitate their opposition. To make things more hectic, players can also shoot each other as they sneak around in the arena. It’s chaotic in the best way and a great candidate for two players who want to enjoy something competitive and engaging without getting too serious.

7 The Firemen 2: Pete & Danny

Stop Deadly Fires With A Friend

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: December 22, 1995
• Developer(s): Media Entertainment
• Genre: Action-Adventure

A sequel to an SNES exclusive, The Firemen 2 lets players control Pete and Daniel, who must go through several levels and take out fires using a combination of teamwork and skill. Danny is invulnerable, making him a perfect pick for a player who may not be too skilled at video games.

Players need to take out fires of varying shapes and sizes, saving civilians along the way to replenish Pete’s health gauge. The game is pretty challenging but worth it for co-op partners who want to experience an underappreciated classic.

8 Panzer Bandit

A Side-Scrolling Beat-Em-Up With Co-op Support

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: August 7, 1997
• Developer(s): Fill-in-Cafe
• Genre: Beat’em Up

A great action-filled game with a lot of personality, it’s a shame that Panzer Bandit is a forgotten gaming relic at this point. The gameplay is pretty engaging and co-op support elevates the quality of this title even more.

Panzer Bandit‘s stages are brief, well-designed, and pretty satisfying to boot. The chaos that unfolds on screen can be hard to manage at times, but players can beat up most enemies in no time flat after familiarizing themselves with the controls and gameplay loop in no time.

9 Captain Commando

A Fun Beat-Em-Up Game That Can Be Tackled In Co-op

Capcom was the king of fighting and beat-em-up games at one point, releasing a wealth of titles that did a great job of letting players vent their frustrations by mashing buttons on a controller and whooping enemies to kingdom come without breaking a sweat. Captain Commando is one of the many games released during this period, serving as a fun beat-em-up as players tackled waves of enemies.

Players could team up with their friends to take on the many baddies that came their way, unleashing a wealth of combos to decimate the opposition in no time flat. It’s a shame that Captain Commando has become a forgotten relic of the past since players can very much enjoy this game even now if they get their hands on a copy.

10 The Lost Vikings 2

A Puzzle-Focused 2D Game That Can Be Played In Co-op

Most people would assume that a game featuring Vikings would be focused on action and combat, which is why The Lost Vikings 2 makes for such a unique game to check out. The title is puzzle-focused, with players switching between a wealth of characters and using their unique abilities to solve the many puzzles that come their way.

In cooperative mode, players control two characters at one time while switching over to other unique personalities whenever the situation calls for it. This makes for a great time as players wrack their brains together to try and figure out a logical solution to the many puzzles that come their way, making for a simple yet fun time with friends. Solving a hard puzzle is always satisfying in any good video game, and The Lost Vikings 2 is no exception to this golden rule.

11 Herc’s Adventures

A Top-Down Beat-Em-Up Game That’s A Blast To Play

Players who enjoyed the underrated cult classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors will love what Herc’s Adventures brings to the table, serving up the same gameplay loop with a mythological twist. Featuring co-op support, players can control either Hercules, Atlanta, or Jason as they embark on an epic adventure to stop Hades in his track and rescue Persephone in the process.

The humorous nature of this title, coupled with the many creative ways players could battle their foes, made this title a blast to play through, and it’s a shame that more people don’t talk about this unique PS1 action-adventure game. People who have this console lying about and somehow manage to snag a copy of the game will have a great time roaming around various iconic landscapes from Greek mythology in this wildly entertaining adventure that becomes even more entertaining to play with a friend.

12 Micro Machines V3

A Simple, Engaging Racing Game That Can Be Enjoyed By Many Players

Micro Machines V3 is a name many racing game veterans will be quite familiar with. The game features miniature toy cars that race around household environments such as kitchens, gardens, and workshops. The game supports up to four players and has split-screen gameplay, making it a popular choice for local co-op play.

Micro Machines V3 offers a variety of game modes, including Head-to-Head and Party Play, where players can race and use power-ups to battle against the opposition. The game is known for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging courses, and creative level design, and it’s a shame that many people don’t remember this title nowadays.

13 Vigilante 8

A Vehicular Combat Game Where Players Can Compete Against Each Other In A Four-Player Split-Screen Mode

Vigilante 8 is a vehicular combat game set in an alternate version of the 1970s, where the United States is in turmoil because of the Coyotes, who are trying to destroy all oil companies so that their recruiter, OMAR, can become the richest company in the country. To combat this terror, the Vigilantes are formed to save the world from this terror.

The game features a cast of unique characters, each with their own vehicles and weapons. The game supports up to four players and has split-screen gameplay, allowing players to compete against each other in various game modes. Just like Twisted Metal, the game features a unique ending for each character, which more than makes it worth the price of admission.

14 Bishi Bashi Special

A Weird, Endearing Collection Of Minigames Where Players Can Get Competitive

• Platform(s): PS1
• Released: 1998
• Developer(s): Konami

Bishi Bashi Special is a collection of unique and bizarre mini-games that perfectly encompasses just how weird the PlayStation could get at times. The game features over 80 mini-games, each with its unique gameplay mechanics and challenges. The game supports multiple players and is a great party game to whip out.

The mini-games are diverse, ranging from rhythm-based challenges to puzzle games, and each game has a unique and colorful art style. Bishi Bashi Special is known for its addictive gameplay, fun mini-games, and quirky humor. Fans who want to experience the weirder side of the PlayStation 1’s library with their friends should check this game out.

15 Rampage World Tour

A Game Focused On Destroying Huge Cities With Kaijus That Can Be Enjoyed In Co-op

Those who enjoy the Godzilla series should find a lot to love about the Rampage franchise. Although this collection did see its fair share of success through the 90s and early 2000s, it lost a bit of steam entering the modern age. The original releases were pushed by Midway, but Warner Bros. took over the helm in 2009. The cult classic saw a bit of a revival thanks to the release of a 2018 live-action film starring Dwayne Johnson.

Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a new at-home release since 2006’s Rampage: Total Destruction (although there was a 2018 arcade-based release that coincided with the film). Those looking to get their Kaiju-filled city-destroying side-scrolling action fill can relive the memories in co-op fashion on the PS1.

16 Warriors Of Fate

An Engaging Beat-Em-Up Where Players Can Team Up To Defeat Their Opponents

Beat ’em ups featured heavily in arcades and at-home consoles during the 90s and early 2000s gaming booms. Titles like Double Dragon, River City Ransom, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time stand as some of the most iconic and enjoyable side-scrolling beat ’em up experiences ever made. Arguably, the genre isn’t as prevalent as it was during gaming’s infancy, but there have still been some great additions over the years.

Warriors of Fate saw a fantastic arcade run in both Japan and North America, with many touting it as one of the best arcade beat ’em ups ever released. It was packaged on the PS1 in 1996 and features two-player action that is heavily rooted in Japanese culture and imagery (thanks to its Dynasty Warriors influence).

17 Re-Volt

A Fun Game Where Players Control RC Vehicles With Split-Screen Racing Support

The PS1 saw the release of many racing games, with iconic franchises like Gran Turismo and Need for Speed helping to solidify their long-running franchises on the system. Unfortunately, some pretty spectacular (and unique) racing releases dropped into obscurity thanks to the mass of high-speed offerings that graced the console.

One in particular, Re-Volt, was an imaginative and entertaining RC-style racing game in which players choose from a variety of toy cars and sped through real-world-inspired levels like suburban streets and museums. It was a blast to play with friends and even had a Mario Kart-esque power-up system.

18 Chocobo’s Dungeon 2

A Dungeon-Crawling Spinoff Of Final Fantasy With Co-op Elements

Roguelikes are one of the biggest genres now. Back in the 90s and 2000s, however, it was still an obscure concept even though some of the biggest franchises touched the genre. Chocobo’s Dungeon 2 is one example that branched off from Final Fantasy.

North America never received the original, but both play primarily the same. The extra feature to enjoy in this Chocobo-themed dungeon spinoff is the co-op action. Multiplayer can make a lot of roguelikes more tolerable.

19 Diablo

A Legendary Hack-And-Slash Game That Can Be Enjoyed With A Friend

Diablo 3 was big on PC, but it didn’t become a global phenomenon until it hit consoles. That wasn’t the first time the series hit consoles, although most will not remember the first game’s PS1 port as it didn’t have as robust of a multiplayer setup as the PC version.

Players could only team up in pairs, and there was missing content, too. Still, for a PS1 port of a huge game like Diablo, it was an impressive thing to see, missing content or not. It’s too bad Diablo 2 didn’t get a PS2 port back in the day, but at least the remaster, Diablo 2: Resurrected, made it to consoles.

Diablo
on PS1 requires a massive amount of memory card space, a big price to pay for having a PC experience on Sony’s debut console.

20 Fighting Force

A Brawler With A Fun Two-Player Co-op Mode

Fighting Force was a short-lived series on the PS1; there were two games, with the sequel taking a drastic swing for the fences. The original featured a two-player co-op mode and was a modern 3D brawler. The sequel was single-player only and was more of a third-person shooter with melee combat.

Is either game worth remembering? Probably not, but the original did make great waves in its time as a brawler. It can still be fun today, provided players have a decent co-op partner and turn their brains off for some mindless action.