As 2018 draws to a close, you may already have plans to celebrate the move into 2019. Maybe you’re celebrating with friends, cheersing into the new year over a glass (or more) of champagne, or maybe you’re taking it easy this year and trying to start the new year fresh. No matter who you’re celebrating with or how you’re celebrating, a party can be made all the better (or worse) with couch co-op games.

As a great way to burn time until the year’s final seconds, couch co-op games are not only a good source of entertainment but they can built friendships. However, at the same time these games can show others your true colours.

Thrilling when you reign supreme over your friends and family but rage inducing when you are stuck at the bottom of the ladder, we decided to have a look at some couch co-op games that you may want to try at a New Year’s celebration or your next get together.

Super Mario Party

Allows up to four players.

The latest instalment in the classic party game franchise includes the familiar virtual board game with the usual stars, mini games, and coins. Competing against friends and cursing the dreaded RNG are still major parts of the game but there are other options this time round. Featuring some familiar faces in the Mario franchise, Super Mario Party still retains the classic charm found in the past iterations of Mario Party. However, this game adds a few new features, such as a River Survival mode, where players must work together to steer a raft through raging rapids.

Suitable for: Families, friends, and most age groups.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Overcooked 2

Allows up to four players.

In this kitchen-based multiplayer experience, players must work together as chefs to ensure their kitchen doesn’t end up in shambles. Dicing, slicing, steaming, and sautéing has never been so hectic with kitchen benches moving around you. Strategic movement is important in this kitchen as players can find themselves blocked off from stations which could mean disaster in the productivity department.

Suitable for: Those who want to have some fun in a dynamic and fast paced co-op game that will keep you on your toes. Plus, the game is also for those who like to take the reins and yell at other players to get them into line.

Available on: Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and almost everything else.

Diablo III

Allows up to two players.

Diablo III is not a new game but the multiplayer experience is one of its selling points. Grinding away, killing enemies and obtaining loot in a dark demon filled world will last long after the main story line has finished. The game is designed to be played a lot. The dungeons crawler style can be perfect for those who just want to get lost in a game, spamming abilities through narrow corridors and flaunting better loot drops to your fellow demon slayer.

Suitable for: Dungeon crawler lovers and those who want to burn a night away.

Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, and Mac.

Speedrunners

Allows up to four players.

While this game has been around since 2013, Speedrunners will never fail to get a few laughs. The rapid 2D platformer will have you leaping over your competitors, avoiding obstacles, and trying to move fast enough so that other players are kicked off the screen. The game essentially loves those who are competitive, so the game is great for those who know a bunch of people who really like winning.

Suitable for: People of all ages but beware … if you thought you weren’t a competitive person, think again.

Available on: Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Mac, and Linux.

There are so many other games that can provide hours of entertainment, so here are a few notable mentions:

Mario Kart

Super Smash Bros

Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee!

The Lego Game Franchises (there are too many to list)

Divinity: Original Sin 2

What are your favourite couch co-ops? Are you planning on playing any of these as we roll into 2019?