My wife and I recently reached a big milestone: 15 years since taking the leap from best friends to partners. In that time, we’ve moved around the UK, tied the knot, and welcomed a little bundle of joy into our lives (who has ensured we’ll never sleep soundly again). And, of course, we’ve shared countless hours playing local co-op games.
Gaming Memories: Local Co-op Anniversary Special
She’s been my trusted co-op partner in so many gaming adventures that picking just five memories was tough. But here are five standout moments that have defined our gaming journey together. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed living them.
1 vs. 100 – Xbox Live
One of our earliest gaming memories wasn’t exactly a co-op game but a multiplayer trivia game show. If you remember the Xbox 360 era, you might recall 1 vs. 100, a fun, free game based on the TV show of the same name (which we never actually watched). Players would answer multiple-choice questions as their Xbox avatars, with the goal of being the “1” up against 100 players in the crowd. We never got the chance to be the “1,” but we were happy as part of the audience, debating answers and teasing each other when one of us got it wrong.
It wasn’t technically co-op, but it sparked a tradition of playing single-player games together. We were so disappointed when the game eventually went offline, and we know many other Xbox fans felt the same way.
Halo 3: ODST – Xbox 360
The Halo series holds a special place in my heart from playing the original with my older brother. We’d tackle Halo: Combat Evolved on Legendary mode over and over, and those marathon gaming sessions were unforgettable. But time passed, life happened, and my brother moved away. When I met my wife, I was thrilled to find someone who was ready to pick up a controller and dive into the series with me. We journeyed through every available Halo game at the time, but our favourite quickly became Halo 3: ODST.
Maybe it was the grounded, human perspective of the story or the way it focused on a ragtag group of soldiers rather than the indomitable Master Chief. While my wife wasn’t quite ready to face Legendary mode, we still had a blast working through the game together. Even now, when we fire up the Master Chief Collection, ODST is always our first choice.
Rayman Legends – Multiple Systems
Over the years, we’ve played plenty of co-op platformers, including several Mario titles. However, one game that stood out for us was Rayman Legends. We first discovered this gem at a gaming event, where we stumbled upon an empty booth showcasing its predecessor, Rayman Origins. My wife, a friend, and I picked up the controllers and were hooked from the get-go by the fast-paced, chaotic gameplay. While Origins was fantastic, Legends refined the formula with an oil-painted art style, intricate level design, and tight controls.
We played it first on the Xbox 360, then replayed it on the WiiU, Xbox One, and even the Nintendo Switch. The WiiU version remains our favourite because of its touchpad controls, which added a unique twist. To this day, Rayman Legends holds up as one of the best 2D platformers we’ve ever played.
Until Dawn – PS4
Until Dawn was an unexpected hit for us. My wife isn’t usually into horror games, but this interactive drama drew her in with its likeable characters, engaging story, and decision-driven gameplay. The PS4’s camera feature that captured our reactions during jump scares added to the fun, even if we often looked more confused than terrified. Although it’s technically a single-player game, we made it co-op by dividing the characters between us.
I’d play the male roles while she took the female ones. We were so hooked that we played it multiple times, hunting for every ending and PS trophy. News that a movie adaptation is coming in 2025 has us intrigued to see how it will translate to the big screen.
It Takes Two – Xbox
We’ve saved the best for last. It Takes Two is hands-down the greatest co-op game we’ve played together. This beautifully crafted game follows two parents transformed into doll-like figures as they navigate their home and garden, working to become human again while helping their daughter come to terms with their separation.
The gameplay was the perfect blend of puzzles and action, ideal for our different skill levels. It also sparked meaningful conversations about following dreams and making the best choices for our family. This game resonated with us so much that we still talk about it, and we eagerly await whatever the developers come up with next.
A Dedication
These are just a handful of the countless memories we’ve made playing games side by side. There are many more stories to tell, but I’ll save those for another time. To my wife, my forever co-op partner in crime: thank you for sharing this journey, both in games and in life. And to our readers, feel free to share your own co-op stories in the comments below!
Do you like our content? Support LadiesGamers on Patreon!
Check out our Tiers and Benefits and join us.
Loved reading this, James! Happy anniversary to you both.
It Takes Two is on my list to play but your thoughts on it has bumped it right up my list.