It’s not always easy to find a 2 player board game. Although many board games claim to be playable for as few as 2 players, they don’t always play as well. Then, take into consideration the fact that you are looking for a cooperative game, not a competitive game. That adds another dimension to the mix. Cooperative 2 player board games are few and far between, but we have come up with the ultimate list of the 12 best coop board games for 2 players! You’ve got to play these board games if you want to play as a team to complete a goal.
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1. CODENAMES DUET
- Play cooperatively to find 15 agents hidden in a 5×5 grid
- Each player sees only part of the key, requiring teamwork and smart clues
- Give one-word clues and a number to guide your partner while avoiding dangers
Codenames Duet is one of the best two-player board games in general, not just one of the best cooperative 2 player games. If you’ve played normal Codenames before, the rules are similar, albeit with some key differences. As you might be able to guess, as a coop game, the main difference is that the two players work together to crack the code. The two players take turns giving out one word clues along with a number referring to the number of words this clue refers to. But keep in mind that what is a “keyword” on one side may not be on the other, which can get confusing! And be careful not to uncover the assassin.
2. THE CREW
- Cooperative strategy game--win or lose together!
- A new twist on classic trick-taking card games
- Difficulty increases as the game progresses, making it a good choice for players...
While The Crew is technically a game for 3 to 5 players, you can surprisingly play this game with 2 players as well. And yes, this is according to the official rules! To play The Crew for Two, there technically is a “third player,” an AI played by the captain of each round. In this cooperative board game, players work together to complete missions with very limited communication. This is a very fast-paced game that you can easily play for hours on end.
3. SPIRIT ISLAND
- DEFEND THE LAND: Colonizers are trying to take and blight the island wherever...
- COOPERATIVE GAMEPLAY: You and your friends are working together to fight against...
- HIGHLY THEMATIC: Not only do the invaders have an engine all their own, each...
Another one of our favorite cooperative 2 player board games is Spirit Island. In fact, this is one of our recommended board games for solo players as well. In this board game, you and your partner work together to defend your gorgeous island from colonizers! You play different spirits on the island, with each spirit having its own unique power. As you play, you’ll gain energy, spread your presence, and defeat bad guys by destroying their settlements and cities! What’s great about this board game is that there is endless replayability, as there are a lot of bad guys to choose from.
4. SKY TEAM
- LAND THE PLANE SAFELY: By the time the plane reaches the airport, you'll need to...
- TRUST IN YOUR CO-PILOT: Strategize with your teammate between rounds, but once...
- ADD OPTIONAL MODULES: For richer gameplay, add various modules that change the...
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to land a plane? Well, wonder no more with this super fun cooperative board game for 2 players: Sky Team. In this game, the two players play a pilot and a co-pilot, each player having their own responsibilities. You have to trust each other to safely land your plane in airports all around the world. To land safely, you’ll have to roll the dice to balance the axis, control the speed, deploy the flaps, contact the control tower, and so much more. You can even brew a cup of coffee to improve your concentration! Watch out for turbulence as you land!
5. PANDEMIC
- STRATEGY GAME: Players must work together playing to their characters' strengths...
- COOPERATIVE BOARD GAME: Only through teamwork will you keep the world safe from...
- WORK TOGETHER AND SAVE HUMANITY: Four diseases threaten the world, and your...
Pandemic is one of the best cooperative strategy board games out there for 2 players. In this game, the two players work together to defeat viruses from spreading and destroying the world. To defeat these pesky viruses, you’ll have to work together to build research stations, test infections, and move around different cities to study these deadly viruses. Be careful, as this game is time-sensitive! If you run out of time, the world will descend into chaos, so find that cure as soon as you can!
6. ARKHAM HORROR
- THRILLING GAME OF COSMIC HORROR: A dark shadow grows in the city of Arkham....
- SCARY STRATEGY GAME: Players take on the role of Arkham investigators as they...
- COOPERATIVE MYSTERY GAME: Players work as a team to gather clues, defeat...
Looking for a more complicated game that you could play again and again without getting bored? Arkham Horror could be a great option for you. In this cooperative board game for 2 players, you’ll work together to stop the evil that is stirring. You and your partner play different investigators who live in a tiny New England town. Work together to close the portals to different dimensions and fight the various monsters. But be careful! If too many gates are open, the ultimate bad guy, an Ancient One, will wake up, and you’ll need to fight to win or lose.
7. GLOOMHAVEN
- Playable as a stand-alone game or as an expansion to Gloomhaven
- Cooperative campaign game of tactical combat set in the Gloomhaven universe
- Players will assume the roles of 4 new hardened mercenaries and work together to...
Here’s yet another cooperative 2 player board game that involves a lot of tactical thinking! This game is perfect for players aged 14 and up. In Gloomhaven, players work together to investigate mysterious disappearances throughout the city. While the original game has a bit of a steep learning curve, this version allows for more seamless gameplay thanks to its scenario-based play. And once you get the hang of it, your characters will work together to fight monsters and uncover secrets. Unlike other campaign games, no one needs to prepare the campaign. You can simply play together.
8. FORBIDDEN ISLAND
- STRATEGIC ADVENTURE: From renowned game creator, Matt Leacock, Forbidden Island...
- INNOVATIVE GAMEPLAY: Features rich illustrations and dynamic gameplay mechanics;...
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN: Designed for ages 10 and up, accommodates 2 to 4 players;...
Forbidden Island is one of our favorite cooperative 2 player board games of all time—and it’s severely underrated! In this strategy board game, players work together to search for 4 lost treasures on a sinking island. To complete your mission, you use a combination of Flood Cards, Treasure Cards, and Adventurer Cards. If the island sinks before you’re able to complete your mission, you’ve failed! So, use your creative thinking and problem-solving skills to find the treasures before it’s too late.
9. PALEO
- COOPERATIVE PALEOLITHIC QUEST: Embark on a thrilling adventure to the Stone Age...
- STRATEGIC EXPLORATION: Navigate the challenges of early human history as you...
- IMMERSIVE PALEOLITHIC WORLD: Immerse yourself in the paleolithic era with...
Another very underrated coop board game you should consider playing is Paleo. In this game, each player plays a couple of humans as they collect resources and complete quests for their tribe in 10,000 BCE. But as you send your humans out to explore, you never know what they may encounter! There are a lot of dangers out there, but together, with the rest of your tribe, you need to work together to leave a legacy in the form of a cave painting. This board game has endless replayability, which we absolutely love.
10. THE MIND
- INGENIOUS CARD GAME: Experience the ingenious and highly addictive card game...
- ASCENDING ORDER CHALLENGE: Work together with your friends to play cards in...
- UNIQUE NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION: Discover the art of non-verbal communication as...
When you think of cooperative board games, one of the first games you may think of is The Mind. While more of a card game than a board game, The Mind deserves a spot on this list. Gameplay may seem simple at first glance, but the lack of communication makes it so difficult! In this game, players must place cards down in front of them from the lowest number to the highest without any communication!
11. THE FOX IN THE FOREST DUET
- Familiar trick-taking mechanics with unique character powers
- Co-operative 2 player game for ages 10+. 30 minute playing time. Trick taking...
- Compact size is perfect for travel
The Fox in the Forest Duet is the two-player version of the original cooperative board game The Fox in the Forest. This is yet another board game that is technically played with a special deck that comes with the game box. This is a trick-taking game, meaning the winner of each round is the player who puts down the highest-value card or the highest trump suit. The two players work together to collect all the gems in the game by playing tricks, exchanging cards, strategically winning and losing tricks, and more.
12. ROBINSON CRUSOE: ADVENTURES ON THE CURSED ISLAND
- A Complex Cooperative Board Game For 1 - 4 Players, Age 14+, With Playing Time...
- Great To Play With The Family Or Enjoy As A Solo Strategy Game
- Seven Different Scenarios Provide An Exciting And Highly Thematic Experience
Robinson Crusoe is a complicated, cooperative board game perfect for anywhere between 1 and 4 players. As you might be able to guess from the name of the game, in this board game, players are castaways on a cursed island. There are 7 different scenarios that come with the box, and 250 cards that make each gameplay a unique one. Players must work together to find food, water, and shelter while fighting dangers and even raise a family! You never know what dangers lurk, so be strategic and prepared for whatever may come next.
ENJOY THESE COOPERATIVE 2 PLAYER BOARD GAMES
If you’re sick of competing against another player when you play a board game, these cooperative board games for 2 players can be a great way to have some fun while still on the same team. But be warned! Cooperative board games can come with their own set of challenges and frustrations! But don’t worry. No matter which of these coop 2 player board games you play, we guarantee you’ll have plenty of fun!
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