Need 2-player/Co-op games suggestions for Gamer/Non-gamer housemates.

[Slight]

So, I've just moved in with a good friend of mine, we complement each other nicely: I bring the PS3, he brings the TV.

Naturally a few of our evenings have been spent with controllers and beers in hand. The thing is, he's not as much of a gamer as I am so if we play any competitive games we're at significantly different skill levels, and having his ass handed to him by a competitve jerk of a housemate (that's me!) is no incentive to want to play more in the future.

So I thought I'd turn to you lot for a few suggestions of 2-player local co-op games, or 2 player competitive games that are easier to pick up/level the playing field.

I've got Resistance: FOM and Black Ops, but he's not a huge fan of FPS (and it's suprising how much we take the controls for granted - especially seeing him when he's ambushed/panicked!). I've also picked up Castle Crashers on PSN which does the job nicely, but I'm looking for a bit more variety/longevity.

Oh, he is an NFL fan, so can anyone recommend the Madden games, or similar? I thought about getting 2011/2010 but I've seen some mixed reviews.

Thanks loads if you can help!

 

[Reynaerdinjo]

Good luck finding those type of games... There are hardly any developers out there who still implement split-screen multi-player, let alone coop.

 

[CyanideSandwich]

Nowadays, fewer and fewer games are coming out with local co-op. I would suggest Army of 2, Gears of War, CoD: world at war or Left 4 Dead.

 

[Zeriah]

Borderlands, Two Worlds 2 (looks like it has learned from its' previous versions mistakes and looks promising), Gears of War 2 and the Left 4 Deads are good choices imo.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

Lego Star Wars. Its the only one I can think of

 

[2xDouble]

Madden is a good option. As are most sports games: FIFA, NHL, NBA, NCAA Football/Basketball... etc. Although you might run into the same control issues. (To quote Larry the Cable Guy: "Why don't they just have a button that just says frickin 'pass'?!")

You could try the first Army of Two game, if you want to try to get him into shooters. It's not that great a game, but it is two player co-op and requires (mostly) that you work together to achieve victory.

I suggest turning to PSN games, like Castle Crashers, and some of the old-school beat-em-ups like X-Men Arcade. Surely there is at least one classic or new arcade game that the two of you can enjoy together.

The real key to get people interested is your own attitude. It is counterproductive to get frustrated or condescending (but it's just so damn easy to do! heh). Act as if you are a newb (not noob, there's a difference) yourself: laugh when your team fails, and cheer together when your team wins. You probably know this already, but I think it's worth mentioning anyway.

 

[twistedheat15]

Marvel alliance 2 is a nice beat'em up co-op too that's pretty easy to play. Ya could also try Dead Nation or Zombie Apoc off the psn, those are twin stick shooter/survival against a ton of hordes. Not sure if fat princess is split screen but there might be that as well.

 

[Emo-Hawk]

Sonic 2 used to keep me and my older sisters happy....only fight we used to have was who would be Sonic 90% of the time. Only other games I can think of are Guitar Hero and or Rock Band games, only problem with that is just the personal learning curve of playing the little plastic guitars of doom.
Rounding up, older games ftw, party / musical based games and like someone else mentioned the Lego games are always a good choice. Have you thought about driving games?

 

[warm slurm]

Scott Pilgrim: The Game, any of the LEGO games, fighting games (SoulCalibur IV is the best one, imo), The Simpsons Game (average game, but I had a blast playing split-screen with a friend) and Resident Evil 5.

 

[Slight]

Cheers guys, good suggestions.

Army of Two, Marvel Alliance, Borderlands sound like a good choices - I might mine PSN too for some old classics too.

Few out of left field have piqued my interest too. Simpsons & Lego might get a look in, and I have *never* heard of Two Worlds - looks like the games library might be swelling pretty soon.

Of course if there's anything else you stumble across (esp on PSN) give me a shout!

 

[Elemorea]

dynasty warriors

 

[YourSoCoolBrewster]

Little Big Planet. I've only played the first, it was the most fun I've ever had in a co-op game. I've heard the second one is awesome, but alas, I'm broke .