Make sure to check the Nucleus Coop App if you haven't already!

https://nucleus-coop.github.io/

It turns games that don't have a native local coop mode into local coop by simulating a LAN and running two instances of the game communicating exclusively with each other. It works really well, especially if you have a multi-monitor setup.

I have played multiple games in local coop with my brother with this, including Elden Ring. It's been a blast.

Hey there!

Some games that we played:

• Overcooked 1 & 2, save the world by cooking in absurd environments. Shouting inclusive. (It's really fun, I promise!)
• Ibb & Obb - a fun little puzzle game
• Guacamelee was fun too, but we never finished it.
• Battleblock Theater is nice too! But I'm not sure if it's possible to play on one machine. So if you both have computers this is definitely possible.
• Unravel Two - it's fun! We haven't finished it yet, but it's a cute (and a bit sad sometimes) jump & run / puzzle platformer
• A Way Out was great too, really great story, but it's not cozy.
• ... and I noticed a lot of people gave you already some good games, while I was searching my library. xD

What I haven't tried yet but want to in the future:

• Moving Out - it looks similar to Overcooked, so I hope it will be fun
• Spiritfarer

https://www.co-optimus.com/games.php

It Takes Two is a good one to play with a significant other.

My list of split screen or couch co op PC games:

Basketball classics

Castle crashers

Cuphead

A Hat in Time

Katanari damacy reroll

Lego games (marvel, LOTR, Indiana Jones, star wars are my top 4)

Overcooked

Portal 2

Rocket League

Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Spiritfarer

Strikey Sisters

Trine 2

Wingspan

And emulator roms for 2 players:

Secret of Mana

Zombies Ate my Neighbors

Game show games (family feud, wheel of fortune, you don't know jack)

I wouldn't recommend A Hat in Time, the local co-op is really bad because of how the camera works. :(

A few steam games I know:

ibb & obb
Dinasty Warriors 8

We played on PS but also available for pc:
It Takes Two
Stardew Valley
Children of Morta
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Cuphead
Guacamelee
Moon Hunters
Out of Space

It takes two is probably one of the best split screen local co-op imo.

Human Fall Flat is a Gang Beasts style platform puzzler

Broforce

Overcooked 2 has better controls than 1

Rayman Origins

Rayman Legends

Towerfall Ascension

Out of Space is like Moving Out, but in space

Chariot

Wingspan is a very solid port of the board game.

Since Wingspan is on there, why not put tabletop simulator on there too? It has got pretty much the same set of features in regards to multiplayer.

On that note, both of these games also have a "pass controller around" feature as well.

I've heard nothing but good about Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. Haven't played it myself.

Bombsquad available here:- https://tools.ballistica.net/downloads

Remember if you're a PC gamer, emulation is a great place to look for couch co-op since PC gaming seems to be rather averse to split screen unfortunately. There are a lot of extremely good split-screen games on PS2/GC that will look and run significantly nicer on PC.

I was a bit confused when you said local co-op. It implies 2 computers on the same local network(connected to the same router, no internet connection required). I think the term you're looking for is split screen gaming.

When I looked at pictures of Spelunky games like Clonk and Liero popped into mind, I think there are options for split screen multiplayer in those games, they're old school PvP games.

The local co-op version of Untitled Goose Game is hillarious, highly recommended

Would you and your BF enjoy shooting at alien scum while your characters scream DEMOCRACY!! and HAVE A NICE CUP OF LIBERTEA!! at the top of their lungs? Would you be entertained by accidentally killing each other in the heat of battle when you radio for an ammo drop?

Then Helldivers would be for you. Join the forces of Super Earth and spread Managed Democracy throughout the universe!

PROTIP: If you want to assert dominance in your relationship, find a gun with a bayonet attachment. You will mix up the melee and interact buttons on at least one occasion.

Unravel (So touching, made me cry)
Project Zomboid (One of my fav games. I've played this split screen with my son. He kills the zombies, I organise the base)
A Way Out (Prison escape story)
Pinball FX3 (A classic two player experience)
Stardew Valley (Crafting/farming)
Beyond Two Souls (Story)
Skullgirls (2D Anime platform fighter)

It Takes Two is brilliant!

Gang Beasts is ludicrous fun! Flailing around, grabbing your little clayboy opponent and yeeting them off the side of a lighthouse will never not be fun. Definitely best played with a controller, though.

Not real co-op, but my wife and I have played hundreds of hours of Wildermyth. Its an rpg with generative elements. We love reading out the lines of the characters in terrible accents. The battlr system is turn based so you've plenty of time to discuss what to do next.

• Darksiders Genesis

https://www.co-optimus.com/games.php

Heavenly Bodies

If you don't mind something more casual and relaxing, Spiritfarer is good too. Wife and I played it in about a week. Very touching story at parts too.

Many PC games support online co-op but have no splitscreen support. For a lot of these you can use a mod to run two instances at the same time and play them in splitscreen. Here's a link to the supported games: https://hub.splitscreen.me/

I absolutely love enter the gungeon

If you want a diablo-esque ARPG check out Ghostlore. It has some really cool mechanics with the glyphs, skill grid, and food. Oddly enough, the only multiplayer it supports is local co-op.

Edit: It should be noted that I haven't tried the co-op yet and after looking at the steam page again there's a review saying that it's buggy, so take this recommendation with caution.