Konami is a big name in the gaming industry, with a catalog of stellar titles for players to enjoy. While a lot of these titles are single-player affairs, there are a handful that offer a degree of co-op functionality — and others that encourage playing with friends as the cornerstone of their enjoyment.

Games dating back to 80s arcade machines are still some of the best co-op experiences around, thanks to their solid gameplay and engaging nature. That's why developers like Konami release so many classic collections for players to revisit with friends across the globe, or those sitting right by their side.

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8 Birds of Steel

Aerial Bombardments With A Wingman

• Release Date: March 8, 2012
• Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360

While Birds of Steel’s graphics can feel dated by modern standards, it delivers an immersive World World II experience that is very rich in history and information. The controls let the player finesse how much an aircraft will pull in one direction. Overestimating can lead the player to overshoot their intended target — increasing the time it takes to finish them off and giving the game a chance to take the player out.

This game does not offer local co-op, but it does offer online co-op for up to 4 players. While the game’s single-player campaign cannot be played as a group, it offers a wide range of co-op-specific missions for players to enjoy together and coordinate their attacks.

7 Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

A Cooperative Metroidvania Experience

• Release Date: August 4, 2010
• Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair features the classic Castlevania-style gameplay that helped pioneer the metroidvania genre as we know it. The game comes with several maps, each filled with corridors of enemies for players to cut down as they work their way through to the final room for an intense boss fight. Harmony of Despair lets players choose from various characters from past games, each of which offers their signature gameplay style.

The game supports up to 4 players locally, but up to 6 players through online pay. This can quickly fill up the screen from the combined projectiles of both friend and foe alike. Players can work together in clearing each level, or take on a survival mode to see who among them is the best vampire hunter. While it brings co-op to Castlevania, it only offers a few maps, all of which can be played out in a single sitting. Unfortunately, this means less replay value, costing it a higher place on this list.

6 Contra Anniversary Collection

An Incredible Side-Scrolling Shooter For Local Co-Op

• Release Date: June 11, 2019
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Steam

This is a real treat for any fan that grew up playing one of the many Contra games. This collection includes a total of 10 entries across many different platforms. Players will need to strafe, jump, and fall to the ground to avoid all forms of damage as they clear the screen of enemies.

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All the games’ story campaigns, except the Game Boy game Operation C, can be played with a single friend by one’s side in local co-op play. However, the game only supports local play and not online, which can be a dealbreaker for some players.

5 Super Crazy Rhythm Castle

Fast-Paced Rhythm Puzzle Party

• Release Date: November 14, 2023
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Steam

Super Crazy Rhythm Castle has a surreal and enchanting world setting for its players to progress through. It features various interesting and brilliantly designed characters, as well as well-written dialogue. The game is composed of numerous different rhythm-fueled puzzle mini-games to learn and master.

While the entire game can be played as a solo experience, the party can be enjoyed with up to 4 friends. Different players can cover different elements of each room to accomplish the objective at hand.

4 Super Bomberman R 2

Fast Thinking Action Bomber

• Release Date: September 13, 2023
• Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Steam

The Bomberman games have continued to become more elaborate by adding new mechanics and game modes, making them among the best co-op experiences on Nintendo devices. Super Bomberman R 2 offers the classic Bomberman game mode, team battles, a battle royale style option, and even debuts Castle Mode — which is especially enjoyable thanks to the inclusion of a stage editor.

All of these game modes can be played with friends at the player’s side in both local co-op and online. Grand Prix is especially rewarding when working together to overcome adversaries.

3 Contra: Operation Galuga

Classic Contra Gameplay Modernized

While the Contra Anniversary Collection will be a treat for any old-school fan, Operation Galuga is perfect for newcomers to the franchise looking for the same co-op experience. Players can make use of a wide range of weapons, vehicle segments, and power-ups as they press on to the end of each level.

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This game is incredibly enjoyable with a co-op campaign and plenty of co-op extras, but it has the same shortcoming as the anniversary collection: all of it is bound to local co-op. A lack of online multiplayer is a true shame for a 2024 co-op release.

2 eFootball

The Successor Of Pro Evolution Soccer

Pro Evolution Soccer is a very long-running Konami franchise, which would later see a rebranding as eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer in 2020. It has since dropped the PES moniker entirely. The gameplay has continued to evolve with modern gaming practices, and frequently incorporates fan feedback for an ever-evolving annual release.

Many sports games are more like “Coach Simulators,” where a single player controls an entire team. On the other hand, eFootball can have several players cooperate together on the pitch in thrilling 3v3 matches. Creating openings in their opponent’s formations to line up the perfect shot is a great feeling of satisfaction and teamwork.

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection

Turtle Powered Team Beat-Em-Up

• Release Date: August 30, 2022
• Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Steam

This collection brings a brilliant line-up of classic titles for gamers to enjoy. Not all of these modes offer co-op play, while others offer up to 3 friends to join in the mayhem in both local co-op, and online. Games differ wildly, with some sidescrollers having simplistic controls, while others will be beat-em-ups with players darting to all corners of the screen.

While there are thirteen games in the collection, only six of them will allow players to buddy up with their friends. These include:

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (Arcade)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4: Turtles in Time
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters

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