Everyone loves a good mobile game. They’re fun, exciting, and are portable to take with you anywhere. However, even the most fun single-player game can only go so far for people who like to play with friends. That’s why those who like to socialize more also try to find the best two-player games for mobile.
Sharing is way more fun and that is true even for mobile games. Through two-player games, you can share joy, engage in combat, or even team up through co-op missions. Of course, how you play and how your dynamics will work out will depend on the game. For example, some multiplayer mobile games might focus on cooperation and value teamwork between you and your friend. On the other hand, if you’re playing the best board games for mobile, you should expect more competition over cooperation.
Regardless, playing the best two-player games can be a world of fun if you’re bored of playing alone. Which ones are worth trying, you ask? Here are our top recommendations for you.
Best Two-Player Games on Mobile
1. Badland
The best two-player games usually add a layer of strategy and tactical planning to make things fun and exciting. It’s pretty common in the industry. However, not all of these two-player games incorporate a sense of adventure. For that, you’ll have to look a bit harder to find a suitable game.
Luckily, we have just the recommendation if you like playing adventure games with friends: Badland. It’s a wonderful game with a distinct art style that’s sure to leave a mark. The objective? To guide the blob you control through areas and help them reach the end of each stage. It sounds pretty simple in theory but it can be very tricky. That’s especially true when you try the local multiplayer modes that allow for either cooperative or competitive play.
Does it pique your interest? If so, you can play Badland for free on Android. Unfortunately, it costs money on iOS devices but it’s fairly affordable nonetheless.
Download Badland on Google Play Store
2. Bowmasters
One of the best two-player games is Bowmasters, a fun and quirky little PvP great for a little competition. It has everything you might expect from a silly game: ragdoll physics, a cute art style, and cartoony violence. The goal is simple: you must destroy the other player by throwing weapons at them. Yes, this means you have to aim right while making the game’s physics work to your advantage.
Of course, before you can get to all the fun you’ll have to get through the tutorial. Moreover, the game makes you play a couple of trial rounds before you move on. However, you can play to your heart’s content and combat your friend as much as you want afterward. Best of all, the game is free and is accessible on both iOS and Android.
Download Bowmasters on Google Play Store
Download Bowmasters on App Store
3. Burgle Bros
Even the best two-player games with co-op mechanics fall short sometimes because they are, ideally, played solo. However, Burgle Bros manages to distinguish itself in that it’s truly better played with a friend.
In this game, you get to burgle or rob and clear the contents of a safe. Of course, like any good heist, you’ll have to dodge all the same obstacles. These include having to crack combinations, avoiding guards, stealth your way through levels, and more.
The risk is also much higher when you play in co-op mode because there’s a higher chance you’ll get caught. Hence, you’ll need to truly trust in your partner and work as a team to make it out. It’s the best way to have some fun.
If you like heist movies, you’ll certainly get a kick out of Burgle Bros. It’s available for both Android and iOS mobile devices.
Download Burgle Bros on Google Play Store
Download Burgle Bros on App Store
4. Clash Royale
If you loved Clash of Clans then you might like Clash Royale, one of the best two-player tower-defense games available. Through the game, you can engage in battle through cards and defend your designated tower. Of course, you’ll be under constant fire from the hand your competitor deals you. Nonetheless, you have to stand your ground, protect your territory, and engage in combat.
Like any other game, Clash Royale comes with a tutorial and requires you to go through it beforehand. Afterward, however, you should be able to begin a match anytime. Just add your friend to the game and you can begin. If you’re interested in the game, you can play it via Android or iOS for free.
5. Crossy Road
If you liked Frogger then you might like Crossy Road, one of the best two-player games out there. The mechanics are simple and quite similar to the classic game. All you should do is, well, cross the path and avoid obstacles so you won’t get hit. Of course, this won’t be easy as there are numerous cars and other passing obstacles you have to avoid.
If you want to make things more interesting, you can opt to play in two-player mode. Doing this will split your screen in two where you can play with a friend at the same time. Moreover, you can even play the game on an Android TV if you’re truly invested and want a larger screen.
Download Crossy Road on Google Play Store
Download Crossy Road on App Store
6. Dots and Boxes
Turn-based games with a strategic element can be tons of fun to play alone. However, there’s just something lifeless about playing against AI all the time. That’s why Dots and Boxes, one of the best two-player games on mobile, is so compelling.
It turns the classic childhood game of connecting dots with lines into a fun, paperless game. It has local multiplayer so you can invite a friend to play with you. It even has offline capabilities so you don’t need Wi-Fi to play.
Of course, if you don’t have a friend close by, you can always play with strangers online. Regardless, it’s a world of fun especially because it retains that human element across all three difficulty modes. If you like the game, you can install it on Android or iOS without paying a dime.
Download Death and Boxes on Google Play Store
Download Death and Boxes on App Store
7. Dual!
Some of the best two-player games use split-screen technology to let players engage in local multiplayer. Others, however, go above and beyond by allowing two devices to play one game at once. Among them is Dual, one of the best two-player games on mobile today.
Through the game, you can play three modes: duel, defend, or deflect. Each one offers either cooperative or competitive gameplay and lets you challenge or play with others on their phones. However, you do need to link the games through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to get them to work. Once you’ve set things up, you can play the game while aligning your phones to each other.
If you’re up for a challenging and innovative gaming experience, you can download the game on either Android or iOS. It’s available to everyone and doesn’t require payment so you can download or uninstall it without hindrances.
Download Dual! on Google Play Store
8. Duel Otters
A lot of the best two-player games on this list focus on a single game with specific mechanics. However, not a lot of two-player games provide variety quite as Duel Otters does. What’s it like? Well, through the game, you can duel with a friend using your Otter avatars.
There are 13 different games you can choose from. Each one tests different skills like your speed, hand-eye coordination, and more. If you get bored of one game mode, you can just as easily switch to another to spice things up.
Of course, the game also has non-multiplayer modes like Arcade and Training modes if you happen to be alone. Regardless, this lively game will certainly be a treat for you and your friends. However, the only drawback to this game is that it’s only available in the App Store. Hence, Android users will have to look elsewhere for a bit of variety.
Download Duel Otters on App Store
9. Genshin Impact
One of the best co-op games you can find with top-tier gameplay and graphics is none other than Genshin Impact. If you’ve never heard of this game before then you’re certainly missing out. This mobile role-playing game takes inspiration from Breath Of The Wild and adopts its open-world, open-air design.
Of course, this isn’t to say that it is a direct copy of Nintendo’s famous game. It has a combat system and challenges you with the things you encounter. Moreover, it’s free on mobile and the Nintendo Switch. Apart from that, it also employs a wonderful co-op mode that big single-player titles just don’t provide.
If you’re itching to try the game, make sure to get a somewhat capable phone. Other than hardware requirements, however, you can freely download the game and play with friends at any time. That’s true whether you’re on an Android or iOS device.
Download on Genshin Impact Google Play Store
Download Genshin Impact on App Store
Related: Is Genshin Impact Good?
10. Glow Hockey 2
Games have historically played a big role in societal entertainment and culture. People used to gather and play games, both single and multiplayer ones, in local arcades. It’s no wonder that some of the best two-player games today have been inspired by arcades of the past. One of them is Air Hockey – a classic competitive two-player game. Glow Hockey 2 is a mobile game inspired by exactly that and it’s a world of fun.
Through this mobile game, you can play using a phone or tablet, almost as if it’s a physical arcade. Of course, it isn’t quite the same because you’ll use your fingers instead of a physically striking instrument. Nonetheless, the stakes are similar and the competitive spirit you feel remains the same. All you need to do is defend and try to hit the goal to win against your opponent. Best of all, the game costs nothing and is available on iOS and Android.
Download Glow Hockey 2 on Google Play Store
Download Glow Hockey 2 on App Store
11. QuizUp
A lot of the best two-player games tend to focus on teamwork, skill, and dexterity. However, sometimes the best two-player games focus more on the mind than a person’s skill. One great example of this is QuizUp, a mobile game that is riding on the popularity of a discontinued app of the same name.
QuizUp is more of a trivia game full of quizzes that test your knowledge. Each quiz focuses on different subjects like history, sports, logos, or even famous fandoms like Harry Potter. It has over a thousand topics so you can knock yourself out on many subjects. Regardless of the topic, each quiz will twist and test your brain – yours and your friend’s.
If you’re up for something less physical and more mental, it’s certainly one of the best two-player games available. However, it’s only available on Android, so iOS users will have to find other quiz games.
Download QuizUp on Google Play Store
12. Ready, Steady, Bang
Have you ever fantasized about the old west and thought about what it would be like to experience life then? Well, while we cannot go back to the past, we can mimic the experience through mobile games. Ready, Steady, Bang is a game that simulates just that and gives you a taste of western showdowns. It’s also fairly simple to play. All you need to do is a quick-draw, shoot, and kill.
The game is pretty simple overall and has different timings and countdowns. Moreover, it has many varying death animations you can witness so each kill remains entertaining.
It has both a campaign mode that you can play alone (against an AI) and a two-player mode. Regardless, your goal is simple: shoot and don’t die. If you want to play the game, you can install it on iOS. Unfortunately, however, it isn’t free and costs about a dollar. In addition, it’s not available on Android, so you can only play it on an iPhone or iPad device.
Download Ready, Steady, Bang on App Store
13. Santorini
Some of the best two-player board games have been ported over to mobile, and one of them is Santorini. Like the famous board game, your objective is to construct a tower until the third level. Then you assign pawns on your tower to construct, move, and build with each turn. However, the catch is that your opponent’s goal is the same and will hinder you from winning throughout the round.
As you might expect, this is one of the best two-player games around that requires tactical know-how to win. The outcome will depend on the moves you make and how well you can combat the opponent mentally. It’s extremely fun and is a good distraction when you have time to kill.
Moreover, it’s highly replayable because the game adds powers into the mix, making each round more interesting than the last. There’s no doubt you’ll have fun whether you’re playing it on Android or iOS. However, do know that it will cost a couple of dollars to play so be prepared to spend some cash.
Download Santorini on Google Play Store
Download Santorini on App Store
14. Uno!
Two-player board games are tons of fun and introduce more engaging social dynamics to the mix. While Uno might not be conventionally played by two people, it fares well as a two-player mobile game. That’s because, instead of playing with multiple people, the game introduces a 2v2 mode.
What is this mode like, you ask? Well, it’s essentially a game mode that lets you team up with a friend. Once you have a teammate ready, you can play against opponents who are also teamed in pairs.
It’s not going to be like the typical Uno game you’re used to playing with friends. Nonetheless, it makes for great fun if you like both competitive and cooperative gameplay. Of course, you’ll have to finish the public match before you can play this mode. Afterward, you can play it as much as you want. You can install the game for free right now on either Android or iOS.
Download Uno! on Google Play Store
15. Words With Friends 2
One of the best two-player games out there is none other than Words With Friends 2. It’s a couple’s game that allows you to play with friends or random strangers online. The mechanics? Think of it as a new version of Scrabble but with additional rules and elements.
You create words – the longest ones you can think of – and score points. However, what sets it apart is that you have to think about positioning, pacing, drawing letters, and more. If you love word games and would like to play with friends, it’s certainly a top-tier choice. Download on Google Play Store
16. Backgammon Online
Backgammon is a fantastic two-player game that offers an engaging and strategic experience. With its blend of luck and skill, players can enjoy intense one-on-one matches that require tactical thinking and decision-making, making it an excellent choice for a competitive game between friends and family.
17. Cribbage Online
Cribbage is an exceptional two-player card game that provides an exciting and strategic experience. The main objective of Cribbage is to gain a score of 121 points. With its unique scoring system, players can engage in fun head-to-head games, making it a fantastic choice for a gaming session between two players.
The Final Word
The best two-player games around incorporate both social interaction and the fun of gameplay all in one game. Luckily, while single-player games are everywhere in the mobile sphere, two-player games have a strong presence as well. There are tons of options you can choose from and each one offers a different kind of experience. The only limit is your preference and your friend’s availability.
