By far the most popular nomination for favorite co-op game was an outright classic: 1987’s smash hit Contra. Originally released as an arcade game, it was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988. Contra was groundbreaking for the time as it featured simultaneous play for the two players–you and a friend could play side by side without waiting to take your turn. Clearly that kind of side-by-side play resonated with readers. RJ writes:
That’s no small feat; Contra was voted “Toughest Game to Beat” by IGN.com readers. Even readers who had moved on to newer games still recall Contra fondly; Jami writes:
While Contra is, indisputably, one of the earliest and most influential co-op games, there was plenty of love for modern titles too. Elle writes:
We’re so happy it’s becoming popular again, too. There’s a slew of games from the last few years both on the PC and on consoles that have brought the magic of working through a game side by side with a friend back.
For more entries to populate your co-op gaming wish list, hit up the full comment thread here.
