7 Great Games with Even Better 4 Player Co-Op

There's nothing quite like cooperative play in a video game. While some prefer competitive modes and others like alternating play, co-op is king to the majority of the gaming world. Whether you're looking for something to enjoy next weekend, over the summer, during the holidays, or whenever- these co-op titles will bring you and 3 of your friends a lot of fun. These are couch co-op only- none of that online-only hoopla. I give you seven great games with even better 4 player co-op!

1. New Super Mario Brothers Wii
Console(s): Nintendo Wii
Genre: Platformer
Co-op Rating: 10 Fire Flowers out of 10.

Get used to seeing the Nintendo Wii on this list because its pretty much the only console supporting co-op at this point. When Nintendo revealed New Super Mario Brothers Wii, gamers rejoiced! Finally a 4-player co-op Mario platformer! The game released to rave reviews, adoring gamers, and couldn't stay on shelves. Just what makes it so great?

Tackle one level with three friends and see for yourself. The game is expertly designed to be fun no matter how many players are around, but its when 4 friends are together that the game outdoes every other platformer on the market. Where Little Big Planet failed, NSMB Wii succeeds- it controls great, it looks great, and the levels are excellently designed. It might be a shame that players 3 & 4 are stuck being Toads, but even that's forgivable when the experience is so complete. This one has it all- innovative game mechanics, replay value, vibrant graphics, and is arguably Mario's greatest 2D outing.

2. Pokemon Rumble
Console(s): Nintendo Wii
Genre: Action Strategy
Co-op Rating: 8 Wind-up Toys out of 10.

This arcade-styled Wiiware title can be considered the best of the Pokemon spin-offs. You and 3 friends team up with an army of pokemon toys to conquer adventure fields and win the renowned Battle Royale! Toy pokemon, while unable to level up, can utilize two moves at once and all have different stats. You'll capture new pokemon by stunning and defeating them while traversing the various locales. Co-op fans will love tracking down their favorite pokemon and facing-off against enemy hordes in Pokemon Rumble.

In the beginning you'll only have Generation I pokemon, but upon beating it you unlock pocket monsters from the latest gen. Combat takes place in real-time as does swapping out to any of the pokemon you've captured. Gameplay is fast and chaotic with mobs of various pokemon waiting around every corner to assault you and your party. The two-button combat system and the graphics might be simple, but they impress for a Wiiware title. The game has enough content for a retail release and is definitely worth the $15 price tag. Build your army and face-off against the pokemon hordes, over-sized bosses, and conquer the Battle Royale!

3. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New WorldConsole(s): Nintendo Wii
Genre: RPG
Co-op Rating: 10 Apple Gels out of 10.

While nowhere near as good as the original (another 4-player co-op gem, by the way), Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is hands down the best co-op RPG this generation. While gamers were heavily disappointed by Tales of Vesperia's weak story, annoying characters, and disjointed combat- ToS: Dawn of the New World left fans ecstatic. The follow-up to the GameCube hit tied up loose ends, refined the combat, and introduced a compelling monster raising system that gave Pokemon a run for its money.

Teams of four tackle the monsters, Vanguard troops, and bosses of the newly created world. Dish out massive damage with intricate combos, over-the-top special attacks, and an array of tide-changing spells. All your favorite heroes from the original return with new tricks up their sleeves as well as some entirely new characters. Seek out every secret as you complete the game with four friends and you'll easily break thirty hours- though my copy is hovering around ninety hours after all the time I've invested in it .

4. Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Console(s): Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Genre: Action RPG
Co-op Rating: 8 Deadpool Jokes out of 10.

Yes there was a 2009 sequel, but it was mediocre at best. The original Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a fantastic 4 player Action RPG with loads of secrets to find, big bosses to defeat, and hours of fun packed onto one disc. The game is graphically impressive with a large roster of varied playable Marvel heroes. The boss battles are all memorable as are the twists and turns of the story. The motion controls in the Wii version make the experience even more entertaining. Let's all hope the inevitable 3^rd game is better than the 2^nd...

5. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
Console(s): Nintendo Wii & Nintendo DS
Genre: Cross-Platform RPG
Co-op Rating: 7 Crystals out of 10.

Not exactly split-screen but still local multiplayer, FFCC: Echoes of Time continues the series tradition of a focus on co-op. Search for treasure, take-on bosses, customize your party, and unravel the mystery surrounding your little village. The game is a rare cross-platform compatible RPG. What that means is that owners of the Wii and DS versions can play together either locally or online. While this can be a headache, the experience more than makes up for it.

A mix of hack & slash gameplay with role-playing elements, FFCC: Echoes of Time is a much faster-paced game than the rest of the series. Gather a reliable party and watch each others backs as you slash, blast, and smash your way through the game. For added replay value there's a mission mode or quest list to earn money and loot with. The graphics might not blow you away and the dungeons are a little small, but the game makes up for it with addictive multiplayer co-op. Good thing it isn't a 'castle defense' game...

6. Castle Crashers
Console(s): Playstation 3 & Xbox 360
Genre: Side-Scrolling RPG
Co-op Rating: 7.5 Scared Animals out of 10.

There aren't a lot of particularly original games on PSN or Xbox Live Arcade. Mostly you just get cheap cash-ins and HD re-releases- fortunately Castle Crashers breaks this trend. This 4 player side-scrolling beat 'um up is a blast. The focus on humor over story was a great choice, the gameplay is combo-filled and exciting, and the levels are all varied. The game can become a little too much of a button-masher and some deeper RPG elements would have been nice, but it's still a great game. Get ready to fight your friends at the level's end for the honor of kissing the princess. The PSN version is the better of the two thanks to having more content as well as a better mini-game than the 360 version.

7. Dokapon Kingdom
Console(s): Nintendo Wii
Genre: RPG & Board Game
Co-op Rating: 9 Traitorous Allies out of 10.

They said it couldn't be done, but Dokapon Kingdom proved them wrong. Few genre mash-ups have ever been as excellently designed as this RPG, board game mix. As competitive as it is cooperative, Dokapon Kingdom shines in its range of options. Work together to fend off bosses and find treasure- or betray your friends when the opportunity presents itself.

Infamously known as the 'friendship destroying game', this quirky title sends you off into a world with nothing but your weapon of choice and a goal. That goal? Take over as many towns as you can and become rich! Oh, and save a princess eventually... Aid your friends until the time comes to turn traitor! Draw on their faces, steal their equipment, rob stores while disguised as them, hire assassins and thieves, conquer their towns, and kill them if necessary. The RPG gameplay is turn-based and uses a rock-paper-scissors combat system. Just try to not betray your friends when your gaze meets all that Dokapon gold...

Honorable Mentions

Defend Your Castle
Console(s): Nintendo Wii
Genre: Tower Defense

Repel invaders, build an army, and fortify your defenses as you and up to 3 friends defend your castle in this $5 Wiiware title.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Console(s): Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Genre: Action RPG

Nowhere as good as the original, but still a decent co-op game. Pick sides and join your favorite heroes in this adventure based on the Marvel civil war storyline. Glitches are a little too common, the roster hasn't changed much, and the RPG elements have been scaled down- but you may find yourself enjoying it.

Tales of Vesperia
Console(s): Xbox 360
Genre: RPG

Sure the combat is a mixed bag, the story is terrible, and you mostly want to kill your own characters -but its still a solid RPG and a passable Tales game. Just don't expect too much. Why Namco thought it was a good idea to release it as an exclusive to the RPG-hating Xbox 360 audience is a mystery though...

X-Men Arcade
Console(s): Playstation 3 & Xbox 360
Genre: Beat 'um Up

This 4-6 player side-scroller was a gem in arcades, but has shown its age these days. While the combat is satisfying and the graphics appealing, the gameplay is a bit repetitive and some of the deaths- cheap. Still, it's a fantastic arcade port.