Top 10 Co-Op Games for Xbox 360

One of the great innovations of this last console generation was the ability to include true online cooperative play in so many games. Sure, we had Halo and Doom on the original Xbox, but the true golden age of co-op began with the Xbox 360.

Many great co-op games are available in the system's library, but there are ten that seem to stand above the rest. All of these games feature full a full cooperative campaign that is playable online (with one notable exception). If you and a friend are looking to have a great time playing together, look no further than these ten great games.

Lego Star Wars/Indiana Jones/Batman/Harry Potter/Pirates of the Caribbean

It's true, the Lego games for Xbox 360 do not have online co-op. They do, however, offer one of the most compelling and family-friendly cooperative experiences for the system. For the parent looking for a way to play games alongside his or her children without fear of nudity, graphic violence, or incomprehensible control layouts, the Lego games have no equal.

The games are easy to pick up, feature familiar characters, and have no real punishment for failure. Your kids can jump into that bottomless chasm time and time again without fear of running out of lives or having to start over.

Borderlands

RPG + FPS + Co-op = one amazing title. Combining RPG leveling, FPS shooting, and an amazing randomly-generated loot system a la Diablo, Borderlands has plenty to keep you and your cooperative play partner(s) busy for many hours.

There are four characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and playstyle. Up to four players can explore the Borderlands simultaneously.

Gears of War Series

Currently, two games exist in one of the few remaining Xbox 360-exclusive franchises, with a third due out this fall. The first two games in this cover-based, third-person shooter franchise feature two-player drop in, drop out co-op, while the third promises up to four players can take on the campaign simultaneously.

The Gears games are designed with co-op in mind, and are definitely best enjoyed with a friend.

Halo Series


The Halo series has always had cooperative play, but it wasn't until the jump to the Xbox 360 with Halo 3 that players were able to take the fight to the Covenant with friends online.

For those who don't know, the Halo series allows players to strap on the Mjolnir armor of Master Chief or another of the squad of super soldiers known as Spartans. Utilizing terrestrial and alien weaponry, you fight for the survival of the human race.

Left 4 Dead Series

Zombie slaying was never meant to be a solo activity. Even in the movies, there's always a band of desperate survivors fighting their way through hordes of the undead, and Left 4 Dead 1 and 2 were among the first games to bring that cooperative experience to video game consoles.

Players take on the role of one of a group of four survivors, fighting from safehouse to safehouse and taking on multiple types of zombies, including super-powered undead with special abilities. Ammo is limited and teamwork is key for those who wish to survive.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance Series

Not all great cooperative games are shooters. The Marvel Ultimate Alliance series allows gamers to step into the tights of their favorite superheroes from the Marvel universe and battle the likes of Galactus, Doctor Doom, and Loki.

The Ultimate Alliance series games feature brawler-style gameplay and a huge cast of characters to choose from. Each has their own unique abilities, unlockable costumes, and special attacks. These games are like a love letter to Marvel fans, and the four-player co-op play just sweetens the deal.

Portal 2

Portal 2 is the definitive co-op experience on the Xbox 360. For those unfamiliar with the gameplay, Portal charges players with using, well, portals to solve increasingly-difficult puzzles from a first-person perspective.

Featuring some of the best voice acting and writing in the history of video games, Portal 2 is an experience that is not to be missed. In co-op mode, players take on the roles of a pair of specially-designed robots asked to solve puzzles cooperatively. Teamwork and communication are essential as you make your way through the compelling story.

Resident Evil 5

There are those who decry the evolution of the Resident Evil series into a more action-oriented franchise as blasphemy. I, for one, thoroughly enjoy it. Combining the puzzle-solving elements that the series is known for with a faster-paced, third-person shooter style, Resident Evil 5 provides a plethora of thrilling and terrifying moments for you and your co-op partner.

RE5, like Gears of War, is a game that was designed with cooperative play in mind. Killing zombies and other genetic anomalies is so much better with a partner.


Rock Band Series

Few games deliver the kind of immersive experience possible in the Rock Band series. Replacing the controller with a reasonable facsimile of a guitar, drum kit, or keyboard, Rock Band can actually make players feel like they're making music.

Rock Band 2 and 3 feature full online co-op, and players can jam out on their instrument of choice while progressing through the career mode, playing different songs and venues while furthering the career of their virtual band.

Yes, the initial cost is a bit higher, what with all the plastic instruments to buy, but the cooperative Rock band experience is well worth the cost.

Saints Row 2

The Saints Row series has always been an interesting alternative to Rockstar's flagship GTA franchise. While GTA strives to include drama and social commentary, Saints Row prefers to include over the top violence and sex. It's like a parody of everything our culture glorifies, amped up to 11.

With full drop in, drop out co-op, you and a buddy can work together to take out the gangs of Stillwater, making your way through a large, open city firing various weapons and stealing any vehicle you please. The open-world formula is a common one these days, but Saints Row 2 is an exceptionally fun example.

There are a lot of shooters on this list, but when you consider the target audience of the console, is that really surprising? Still, there is something for everyone who is looking for a compelling cooperative experience, whether you want to kill zombies, solve puzzles, make music, or wreak havoc in a giant, open city.

With so many amazing cooperative experiences on the Xbox 360, why would anyone choose to play alone?