41 Co-op games like Gunstar Heroes that you should try

Games like Gunstar Heroes · Find similar →

We filtered the 49 games similar to Gunstar Heroes down to the 41 that fit the “Co-op” category. Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Mania and Kirby's Dream Land 3 top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Gunstar Heroes.

iRank82/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

The best co-op games like Gunstar Heroes

41 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Gunstar Heroes. Each one has been evaluated across 11 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Sonic the Hedgehog 2

iRank87

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 86%· 37IGDB90· 2

Year 1992Dev Sega Technical Institute · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 28KIGDB85· 16OC87· 126

Year 2017Dev Headcannon · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, vibe casual and visual third person, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#3Kirby's Dream Land 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Year 1997Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and offline

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#4Kirby's Return to Dream Land

iRank87

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB87· 4

Year 2011Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, offline and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#5Ice Climber

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

Year 1985Dev Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, offline and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Nintendo

#6Sonic the Hedgehog 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

Year 1994Dev Sonic Team · Sega

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, offline and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

Details →

#7Spiritfarer

iRank91

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOffline2D

Steam👍 95%· 52KIGDB88· 7OC87· 76

Year 2020Dev Thunder LotusOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, co op and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, deep simulation and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerOfflineCo-opSoloMelee2D

Steam👍 89%· 23KIGDB80· 1

Year 2016Dev Those Awesome GuysOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, competitive edge and online features, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 37KRAWG👍 76%· 525MC84OC80· 20

Year 2016Dev tinyBuildPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay, sports simulation and vibe casual, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#10Sackboy: A Big Adventure

iRank83

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOffline2D

Steam👍 84%· 4.3KIGDB85· 10OC80· 129

Year 2020Dev Sumo Digital · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · PS5

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, multiplayer gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSoloOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, first-person shooting and fantasy world, while skipping combat tactical

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#13TowerFall Ascension

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineMultiplayerCo-opSoloMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 95%· 3.6KRAWG👍 74%· 291MC87IGDB87· 6OC84· 42

Year 2013Dev Matt Makes GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, adventure storytelling and ranged combat, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSci-Fi2D

IGDB58· 3

Year 1988Dev KonamiOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings visual isometric, while skipping melee combat

Details →

#15Contra: Hard Corps

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSci-Fi2D

Year 1994Dev Konami

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus, post-apocalyptic world and setting cyberpunk, while skipping melee combat

Details →

Complete list of co-op games like Gunstar Heroes

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Gunstar Heroes, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.