The Best Co-Op Games That Let You Play On A Single Controller

Summary

Co-op games like Kalimba require full coordination for both players on a single controller.
Affordable Space Adventures turns piloting a spaceship into a collaborative puzzle-solving experience.
In games like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, sharing a controller enhances emotional connection and storytelling.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d say splitting a controller might seem like a concession, but for certain games, it’s the essence itself. Be it steering a spaceship, manipulating two joined canines, or avoiding fits of laughter-induced deaths, these shared experiences transform dual controller handling into a bonding exercise rather than just a video game.

In some cases they’re disorderly, yet others touchingly emotional, but regardless, they demonstrate that a second operator isn’t always required when there is an adequate number of buttons and the ideal companion to use them. Here are six of the top cooperative games that skillfully transform a single controller into two minds. Or at least, it attempts to.

Kalimba

Teamwork Makes The Totems Work

Upon first look, Kalimba seems to be a fusion of a rhythm game and a geometric puzzle, accompanied by what could be a challenging experience for colorblind individuals. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident why it is so effectively designed for two players using a single controller. In this game, each player manages a totem piece, with both sets moving synchronously through a demanding obstacle course of spikes, platforms, and time-sensitive jumps that necessitate seamless coordination between the players.

In this setup, each player manages a half of the game controller – one takes charge of the left side, while the other handles the right. It seems incredibly straightforward until it isn’t. Accuracy is vital, particularly in advanced stages where teleporters, switches, and reverse movement come into play. Even a single miscalculated leap can impact both totems, but that’s all part of the enjoyable challenge. Few games capture the humor from miscommunication or the gratification from progress quite like this one does.

Affordable Space Adventures

A Budget Spaceship Is Still A Spaceship

Platforms	Nintendo Wii U
Released	April 9, 2015
Developer	NapNok Games
Genre	Adventure, Puzzle, Stealth, Strategy

Navigating a faulty spacecraft through mysterious alien tunnels can be an exhilarating experience, especially when it involves a heated debate about who recently caused the crash. In the unique game Afforded Space Adventures, available only on Wii U, one player maneuvers the spaceship while another controls internal systems such as temperature, thrust, or cloaking devices using the GamePad. The gameplay bears a striking resemblance to operating a delicate submarine rather than a traditional spaceship, with all actions carried out via a single controller.

The cooperative gameplay in this format really stands out due to the essential role collaboration plays among players. Overdoing boosts can generate heat, making the ship vulnerable to alien detection. Neglecting to adjust the correct engine results in a sudden drop, similar to a falling brick. Each level transforms into a thoughtful challenge, where one player struggles to stay alive while another manages switches with the speed and precision of a frantic engineer. It’s almost like experiencing an amusing but endearing instance of Star Trek in gaming.

Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes

True Friends Yell About Wires

In theory, “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes” might not function optimally with just a single controller. However, when players are adaptable, it turns out to be an exceptional multiplayer game on a couch. One player manipulates the controller to manage and disarm the bomb displayed on-screen. The other individual peruses the manual, navigating through pages filled with intricate guidelines while providing instructions such as “Cut the second wire, no, wait, the red one! Wait, how many batteries?” in an exciting, impromptu manner.

In this game, as only one player can perceive the bomb, it essentially transforms into a high-stress communication challenge. The individual controlling the game isn’t so much solving puzzles as they are deciphering an overwhelming amount of technical terms while the reader of the instructions becomes increasingly frazzled. Sharing a controller in this context doesn’t merely function; it amplifies the disorder, as both players lean in together, react simultaneously, and at times even shout at the same commands.

Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons

One Controller, Two Siblings, Infinite Sadness

In many games, managing two characters simultaneously with a single controller is not common, but “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” transforms this setup into an extraordinary storytelling experience. Each brother corresponds to one joystick and one trigger, and that’s all there is to it. The older brother is controlled on the left side, while the younger one is on the right. Remarkably, this simple control scheme fosters a deep emotional connection between players and the characters that they often aren’t anticipating.

In this game, there’s an interesting twist where two players share control, each guiding one brother. This arrangement encourages teamwork in various aspects, such as moving carts and solving puzzles, but what makes it unique is that it introduces an unexpected sense of closeness to the narrative. The game communicates everything without dialogue, relying instead on expressions, animations, and interactive experiences shared between players. The climax, where the control system becomes a part of the storyline, resonates more deeply when both players experience it simultaneously.

Phogs!

Two Heads, One Long Wobbly Dog

In the game titled Phogs!, players manage a flexible, two-headed canine character. It’s not two separate dogs, but rather one extraordinarily adaptable body with a head on both ends. This concept is already amusing, yet it’s the cooperative play that transforms it into a complete comedy spectacle. Each player commands one head, utilizing half of the controller to stretch, grasp, and bark their way through a world brimming with food, puzzles, and physics-based antics.

The puzzles aren’t overly complex; instead, they primarily involve coordinating both players effectively while guiding a comically long-bodied dog called Phogs. They can be found jumping on jelly platforms or passing objects through their body like an animated sausage made of fur. Despite its absurdity, the game maintains a delightful and endearing quality throughout. The unwavering joy in Phogs! is further enhanced by the shared controller feature, fostering a sense of camaraderie and silliness.

Manual Samuel

Every Button Is A Body Part And Every Step Is A Mistake

In a different twist from games that test players’ reflexes, there’s Manual Samuel. This game tests a player’s capacity to recall basic actions like breathing. Players assume control over Samuel, a character who needs to manually operate every part of his body after striking a deal with Death. One player controls the left side, and another handles the right, both using a single controller. As a result, one player is in charge of blinking, breathing, walking, and grabbing with the left hand and limbs, while the other manages the same tasks for the right side.

The outcome? Complete pandemonium. It requires two individuals merely to guide Samuel across a room without accidentally blinking or choking during dialogue. Beneath the absurd scenario and comedic aggravation lies a smart design concept that subtly promotes teamwork in an unusual manner. Its charm doesn’t stem from proficiency, but rather the ability to chuckle despite repeated setbacks, which is what makes it unique and hard to forget.

2025-09-08 03:37