Best 2 player games
A good two-player game is one you can explain in a sentence and start in under a minute. That is the standard for the games on this page, which all work with a friend on the same device or against another player online.
We have split them by mood: some are quick duels, some are slower board games, and some are best when you do not mind losing.
Tips for playing on one keyboard
Before you start, agree on who uses which keys. Most games put one player on the left side of the keyboard and the other on the arrow keys, and a mix-up wastes the first round.
Phones and tablets work too, but a small screen can get crowded when two people tap at once. For tap-based games, one player on each side of the screen usually works best.
Our picks
Basketball Stars
A quick basketball duel with a solo mode and a two-player mode. Matches are short, so rematches happen quickly.
Football Heads
Big-headed football with silly power-ups. Easy to pick up, even for someone who does not like football.
Bomber Friends
A bomb arena where the last player standing wins. It is chaotic in the best way.
Penalty Challenge
Take turns shooting and saving penalties across 32 teams. Tense in a very small space.
Penalty Shooters
A penalty shootout game where nerves matter as much as aim.
Beach Bowling 3D
A relaxed bowling game you can pass back and forth on one device.
Checkers Legend
A classic board game with adjustable rules, good for a quiet two-player match.
Tic Tac Toe Mania
The simplest game here. It is quick enough to play as a tie-breaker.
If one of you is much better than the other, pick a game with luck in it, such as penalty shootouts. It keeps the match close and keeps both players happy.