15 PS3 Co-Op Games You Need to Play

While the PlayStation 3 might not be the latest and greatest in gaming hardware anymore, there are still plenty of reasons to check out its fantastic library of games. One of which is the system’s tremendous line-up of cooperative games that are a blast to play with friends. After all, gaming is best shared with loved ones!

With that in mind, PlayStation LifeStyle has crafted a list of 15 PS3 co-op games that you need to play. These range from some of the best games ever released on a PlayStation console to some that are just plain dumb fun. The best part is that even if you don’t have a PlayStation 3, you can still enjoy many of the games on the list thanks to PlayStation Now!

Check out 15 PS3 co-op games that you need to play below!

We hope you enjoyed our look at 15 PlayStation 3 cooperative games you need to play. While we named 15 titles, that’s just a small fraction of the PS3’s game library. Which means there’s plenty more fun games out there.

Let us know what games you love to play with friends in the comments below and what PS3 co-op games you recommend to your fellow gamers!

Essential Reading:

PS3 Co-Op

Borderlands

The original Borderlands is the only game in the series you can't play natively on PlayStation 4, so you'll have to dig out your PS3 or subscribe to PS Now to play it. It's worth the effort, though, as the series' strong debut is still the best game from Gearbox. It supports up to 4 players online (and 2 locally), so team up and shoot some skags!
Call of Duty: World at War

Call of Duty: World at War has plenty of different cooperative modes, including the entire campaign. You can play one of the better Call of Duty single player offerings with up to 3 of your friends, or take on groups of nazi zombies! This is the definitive title when it comes to co-op in CoD.
Dead Space 3

There is no denying that Dead Space 3 lost some of the magic that made the franchise great in the first place by focusing on cooperative play, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy it! So find yourself a partner and battle some necromorphs. It might not be terrifying this time around, but it's still fun.
Diablo 3

Diablo 3 is a fantastic cooperative experience both locally and online. Blizzard did a phenomenal job at making their hit PC game work on a console, and you'll never feel like you're missing out on a better experience. The addictive loot grind and hack 'n slash gameplay is all present, and as fun as ever.
Double Dragon: Neon

Plenty of gamers remember putting quarters into an arcade machine to brawl with some baddies with a buddy, and Double Dragon: Neon brings that nostalgia to life. One of the PlayStation 3's best brawlers is also one of the better co-op games on the system. Developer WayForward did a fantastic job at keeping the game true to its roots while also giving it a stylish makeover.
ibb and obb

This next title is not for the faint of heart since ibb and obb is one of the hardest games on PlayStation 3. Don't let the cutesy aesthetic fool you, this demanding cooperative platformer requires precise movements from both players. It's innovative, difficult, and highly satisfying. This will put both your thumbs and mind to the test.
Journey

Journey is flat out one of the greatest games ever made. One of the coolest parts of the experience, and one that makes it a true journey, is how it handles cooperative play. You won't matchmake in a lobby, rather you'll be paired with another player whose name you won't know until the credits roll. Despite this, you can still have meaningful experiences with players. It's an incredible game.
Portal 2

Portal 2's cooperative mode is separate from the main game, but it's still just as good. Putting players in control of two robots, they have a brand new campaign to explore. The puzzles get difficult, and you'll have to cooperate in order to pass the difficult tests.
Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One

While the Ratchet and Clank series has been known for its single-player campaigns, Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One changed things up substantially. It instead focused on a 4-player cooperative mode that proved to be divisive among fans. If you go in with an open mind, though, you'll find a very satisfying game, and one of the best co-op platformers of last generation.
Rayman Legends

Speaking of platformers, Rayman Legends is the best one to come out in years. It's an incredible mix of tight gameplay, gorgeous visuals, and inspired level design. Plus, you can bring a friend with you into the mix and play the entire game in co-op! What's not to love?
Renegade Ops

Avalanche Studios is best known for making Just Cause, but they also released one of the best co-op games on PS3 in the form of Renegade Ops. This vehicular combat game takes place from a top-down perspective and is a complete blast. It's also available to play on PS4 if you have a PS Now subscription so get to playing!
Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5 wasn't the masterpiece that Resident Evil 4 was, but it still was a ton of fun in co-op (which can't be said for its sequel). The fun cooperative play is one of the many reasons why RE5 is Capcom's best selling game of all-time, and if you have a buddy its worth giving a whirl.
Resistance 3

The second game from Insomniac to make our list, Resistance 3 offers up a lot of first-person shooting fun. The full campaign can be played either locally or online with friends, so you can battle all the Chimera that you can handle!
Rock Band 3

Who doesn't love to rock out? Rock Band 3 is the best, and most feature complete, game Harmonix has ever put out. It's still a blast to play today, so if you still have all of your plastic instruments laying around then you should dust them off and jam! I call dibs on vocals, though.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist

The Splinter Cell series has been highly innovative over the years, and the inclusion of a cooperative campaign is just one of them. Splinter Cell: Blacklist's co-op campaign takes place during the game's main missions and puts the players in the shoes of two agents not named Sam Fisher. It's still some great stealthy fun, though, and one of the highlights of Blacklist.