As a writer who’s spent 15 years dissecting games, I can say few titles rival Overcooked’s ability to transform chopping veggies into a hilarious, high-stakes frenzy. Ghost Town Games struck gold with Overcooked, blending simple tasks with absurd settings—think kitchens on pirate ships or in outer space.
If you’re hunting for games like Overcooked that deliver the same pulse-pounding teamwork, laughter, and friendly shouting matches, this guide’s your ticket.
Below, I’ve curated nine standout co-op games like Overcooked from the past decade and a half, each with in-depth overviews focusing on gameplay, personal takes, and comparisons drawn from hours of playtesting (and too many “Who’s on plates?!” moments).
I’ve also included a comparison table, platform tips, and an expanded FAQ to answer your burning questions. Whether you’re planning a family game night or a hardcore session, let’s dive into the chaos!
Why Overcooked Is the Co-Op Gold Standard
Overcooked’s magic lies in its formula: accessible mechanics (chop, cook, serve) meet relentless chaos (moving platforms, impatient customers). You’re not just cooking—you’re dodging fires, passing ingredients across conveyor belts, or serving sushi in a hot air balloon.
The sequels—Overcooked 2 and All You Can Eat—added online multiplayer, polished visuals, and assist modes, but the core vibe—teamwork under insane pressure—remains king. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve yelled, “We need more rice!” chasing a three-star score.
The best co-op games like Overcooked below capture that spirit, whether you’re hauling furniture, defusing bombs, or saving space bunnies.
Here’s your menu.
Comparison Table: Games Like Overcooked at a Glance
| Game | Player Count | Platforms | Difficulty | Replayability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moving Out 2 | 1-4 | Switch, PC, PS, Xbox | Easy-Medium | Moderate | Casual laughs |
| It Takes Two | 2 | Switch, PC, PS, Xbox | Medium | Low | Story lovers |
| Unrailed! | 1-4 | Switch, PC, PS, Xbox | Hard | High | Intense chaos |
| Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime | 1-4 | Switch, PC, PS, Xbox | Medium-Hard | Moderate | Retro fans |
| PlateUp! | 1-4 | PC, Switch, PS, Xbox | Hard | Very High | Strategy nuts |
| Tools Up! | 1-4 | Switch, PC, PS, Xbox | Easy-Medium | Moderate | Family fun |
| Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes | 2+ | PC, Switch, PS, Xbox, VR | Medium-Hard | High | Verbal coordination |
| Good Job! | 1-2 | Switch | Easy | Low-Moderate | Quirky solo/co-op |
| Catastronauts | 1-4 | Switch, PC, PS, Xbox | Medium-Hard | Moderate | Sci-fi chaos |
1. Moving Out 2 (2023) – Furniture-Flinging Mayhem
Moving Out 2 by SMG Studio is a top contender among games like Overcooked, swapping kitchen counters for moving vans in a riotous co-op experience.
Up to four players become Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technicians (FARTs—love the cheeky humor), tasked with hauling furniture—sofas, fridges, pinball machines—through increasingly absurd levels. Expect haunted mansions where ghosts toss chairs, sci-fi portals teleporting your couch, or icy slopes sending beds sliding.
Gameplay dives into physics-based chaos: you grab items with a simple button press, drag or toss them, and load them onto a truck before time runs out.
Each level introduces new mechanics—conveyor belts speed up delivery, trapdoors block paths, or chickens scatter underfoot, demanding quick role division (who’s carrying, who’s clearing?).
The forgiving physics let you chuck a lamp through a window for efficiency, but heavier items like pianos require two players, adding coordination stress akin to Overcooked’s ingredient handoffs.
Accessibility options—adjustable timers, simplified objectives—mirror Overcooked’s assist mode, making it family-friendly like Overcooked. Local and online co-op are seamless, with couch play delivering the most laughs.
Platform Notes:-
Shines on Nintendo Switch for portable family sessions; PC offers crisp visuals for big-screen chaos.
How It Compares:–
Moving Out 2 nails Overcooked’s role-divvying panic but leans into slapstick over precision. No star ratings mean less pressure than Overcooked’s score-chasing. It’s breezier than PlateUp!’s strategy, less scripted than It Takes Two, and forgiving compared to Unrailed!’s brutality.
Personal Take:-
My Overcooked squad hit Moving Out 2 hard, and it was glorious bedlam. One friend kept yeeting TVs into rivers while I begged for “someone on the truck!” The pun-filled dialogue and cartoonish art had us cackling, though I missed Overcooked’s tight feedback loop. It’s perfect for nights when you want laughs over sweat.
2. It Takes Two (2021) – A Co-Op Epic with Soul
Hazelight Studios’ It Takes Two is a co-op-only masterpiece, trading Overcooked’s culinary chaos for a sprawling, fantastical adventure.
You play Cody and May, a divorcing couple shrunk into dolls, navigating puzzles and platforming across a 10-12 hour campaign. Levels span gardens, toyboxes, and disco worlds, each with unique vibes—think Honey, I Shrunk the Kids meets Pixar.
Gameplay is a masterclass in variety: every level introduces new mechanics tailored to Cody and May’s roles. In one stage, Cody sprays sap to create sticky platforms while May swings on vines; in another, Cody reverses time as May dashes through portals.
You’ll ride frogs, pilot spaceships, or battle a vacuum cleaner, with puzzles requiring precise timing—like passing a key across gaps—or synchronized platforming. Minigames (whack-a-mole, chess) add competitive spice.
Unlike Overcooked’s repetitive tasks, no two levels feel alike, but the constant need to communicate (“Hit the switch!”) echoes its teamwork core. Couch and online co-op are flawless, but it’s strictly two-player—no solo mode.
Platform Notes:-
PS5/Xbox Series X deliver stunning visuals; Switch is cozy for couch co-op despite minor frame drops.
How It Compares:-
It Takes Two swaps Overcooked’s frenzy for narrative depth and variety. Its deliberate puzzles contrast Overcooked’s split-second tasks but demand equal chatter. More cinematic than Moving Out 2, less systemic than PlateUp!, polished versus Unrailed!.
Personal Take:-
Playing It Takes Two with my partner was unforgettable—we’d bicker over puzzle solutions, then high-five after bosses. It’s less replayable than Overcooked (puzzles lose magic once solved), but the emotional gut-punch hits hard. That final level still chokes me up.
3. Unrailed! (2020) – Track-Building Pandemonium
Unrailed! by Indoor Astronaut is a rogue gem among co-op games like Overcooked, thrusting up to four players into randomized biomes—forests, deserts, volcanoes—to build train tracks for a runaway locomotive. The goal? Keep the train moving by any means necessary, no matter how chaotic it gets.
Gameplay revolves around resource management and split-second teamwork. You chop trees or mine stone with a pickaxe (one button, satisfyingly chunky), then dash to place tracks ahead of the train’s path. Levels throw hazards: stampeding buffalo block routes, lava rivers demand detours, or bandits steal resources.
Unlike Overcooked’s fixed roles, you decide who gathers, builds, or clears obstacles, leading to glorious arguments. The train’s relentless speed mirrors Overcooked’s timers, and upgrades—faster tools, track-laying robots—add strategy between rounds.
The pixel-art aesthetic belies brutal difficulty. Local and online co-op are smooth; solo mode’s a beast.
Platform Notes:-
Switch for quick sessions; PC for mod support and smoother four-player chaos.
How It Compares:-
Unrailed! matches Overcooked’s urgency but offers freedom—you pick tasks, not locked into “chop, cook.” Randomized maps beat Moving Out 2’s crafted levels for replayability, lack polish versus It Takes Two. Rawer than Lovers, it’s pure chaos.
Personal Take:-
Unrailed! is my group’s addiction. We’ve derailed trains arguing over tracks, then laughed it off. Less refined than Overcooked, its improv chaos feels alive. A four-hour run ended with a yeti smashing us—epic fail, epic stories. Assign roles early, or it’s anarchy.
4. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (2015) – Neon-Charged Teamwork
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime by Asteroid Base is like Overcooked piloting a neon spaceship, blending retro aesthetics with chaotic co-op for up to four players.
Your mission? Pilot a circular vessel through vibrant levels, fighting aliens and rescuing space bunnies against randomized hazards like asteroids or wormholes.
Gameplay centers on multitasking: the ship has stations—guns, shields, engines, a superweapon—each controlled by one player at a time. You dash between them, shouting orders: one steers through meteor showers, another blasts enemies, someone raises shields against lasers.
Levels escalate with black holes sucking you off-course or squids jamming controls. Power-ups like beam weapons or chain guns add flair, but poor coordination means death.
The glowing pink-and-purple art and thumping soundtrack scream arcade glory. Couch and local co-op are king (no online), with a steeper curve than Overcooked.
Platform Notes:-
Switch nails the retro vibe; PC handles four-player chaos cleanly.
How It Compares:-
Lovers shares Overcooked’s multitasking but trades chores for combat. Less accessible than Moving Out 2, stylish versus Unrailed!, less scripted than It Takes Two. Like PlateUp!, it rewards mastery, with arcade polish.
Personal Take:-
Lovers is vibes incarnate. My brother and I fought over the yam cannon (I won), turning fights into a chaotic dance. Trickier than Overcooked, solo’s rough, but with friends, it’s sublime. Reminds me of 2010s arcade nights. Those bunnies? Worth every explosion.
5. PlateUp! (2022) – Roguelite Restaurant Rumble
PlateUp! by It’s Happening is Overcooked with a roguelite twist, a standout for best games like Overcooked. Up to four players run a restaurant—serving burgers, sushi, steaks—while upgrading their setup across randomized layouts, from cozy diners to sprawling steakhouses. Each run lasts 15 “days,” with customers demanding faster service.
Gameplay blends Overcooked’s cooking loop with strategic depth. You prep ingredients (chop lettuce, fry patties), assemble dishes, and serve, all while cleaning plates and managing space. Randomized layouts force adaptation—narrow kitchens clog workflows, open ones stretch your legs.
Between days, you choose upgrades: automate with conveyors, add robot waiters, or unlock complex dishes like sushi rolls, which spike difficulty. Mistakes snowball—missed orders upset customers, slowing progress. Local and online co-op are slick; solo mode leverages automation for viability. It’s punishing but addictive.
Platform Notes:-
PC for mods and performance; Switch for casual play despite occasional lag.
How It Compares:-
PlateUp! is Overcooked’s nerdy sibling, mixing chaos with planning. Less cinematic than It Takes Two, goofier than Moving Out 2, structured versus Unrailed!. Grounded but intense like Lovers. Closest to Overcooked’s heart.
Personal Take:-
PlateUp! owned me. I ran a pizza joint, agonizing over salads versus oven upgrades. We’d cheer day 15, then wipe on bad layouts. It’s Overcooked’s soul with strategy, which I geek out over. UI’s clunky, but the depth’s unreal.
6. Tools Up! (2019) – Renovation Chaos Done Right
Tools Up! by The Knights of Unity trades Overcooked’s kitchens for construction sites, where up to four players renovate apartments—painting walls, laying carpet, moving furniture—under tight timers. Levels range from cozy flats to rooftop gardens, with quirky touches like a dog painter adding charm.
Gameplay revolves around following blueprints that dictate tasks: paint this wall blue, place that rug there. You grab tools (rollers, buckets) or furniture, but hazards—slippery spills, locked doors, tight elevators—force coordination. One player might paint while another clears debris, mirroring Overcooked’s role splits.
Some levels introduce gimmicks, like zero-gravity rooms or wind gusts pushing you off-course. Controls are intuitive but less precise than Overcooked’s, leading to funny fumbles. Local co-op leads; online was patched in later. It’s simpler but captures the panic.
Platform Notes:-
Switch for family play; PS4/Xbox for smooth large-group sessions.
How It Compares:-
Tools Up! is Moving Out 2’s scrappier cousin—less polish, equal laughs. Tighter than Unrailed!, less story-heavy than It Takes Two. Task-driven like PlateUp!, sans roguelite depth. Overcooked with paint rollers.
Personal Take:-
Tools Up! was a sleeper hit. We’d scream about wallpaper while slipping on paint. Not as layered as Overcooked or PlateUp!, its simplicity rocks for warm-ups. Botching a penthouse so badly we got “fired”? Still a running joke.
7. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (2015)
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes by Steel Crate Games flips co-op norms, thrusting players into a high-stress bomb-defusal scenario. One player faces a bomb on-screen, packed with modules—wires, buttons, mazes—while others consult a manual (digital or printed) to give instructions, all against a ticking clock.
Gameplay is pure communication chaos. The defuser describes modules (“Three wires: red, blue, white”), and manual-holders race to find solutions (“Cut the second wire if there’s no battery!”). Modules escalate—simple wire-cutting gives way to cryptic symbols or memory puzzles.
Miscommunication means explosions, mirroring Overcooked’s failed orders. No physical movement, but the verbal panic feels identical. Supports local play (VR or standard) and online via voice chat. Minimalist visuals keep focus on tension; randomized bombs ensure variety. A must for games like Overcooked for parties.
Platform Notes:-
VR on PC/PS4 adds immersion; Switch for portable group huddles.
How It Compares:-
Keep Talking is Overcooked’s cerebral cousin, swapping physical tasks for verbal precision. Less dynamic than Lovers, more intense than Tools Up!. Mechanics-driven versus It Takes Two’s story. Matches PlateUp.
Personal Take:-
Keep Talking was pandemonium at game night. My friend misread “cut red” as “blue”—boom. Captures Overcooked’s stress without visuals. I love its intensity, but it needs talkers—quiet crews crash.
8. Good Job! (2020) – Office Chaos Unleashed
Good Job! by Paladin Studios is a quirky game like Overcooked, casting you as a bumbling employee wrecking an office to complete tasks—deliver reports, fix projectors, accidentally flood break rooms. Primarily single-player, its co-op mode lets up to two players share the chaos across a corporate tower.
Gameplay is physics-driven mayhem. You push, pull, or smash objects to clear tasks—like dragging a projector to a meeting room—but the game rewards creativity.
Need a shortcut? Crash through a wall. Stuck? Catapult a desk with a fire extinguisher. Levels introduce gimmicks—copiers that spew paper, slippery coffee spills—echoing Overcooked’s hazards.
Scoring (speed, damage) adds stakes, but it’s less rigid than Overcooked’s stars. Co-op splits tasks but feels looser than dedicated multiplayer. Sleek visuals contrast Overcooked’s cartoons, but the “mess it up” vibe aligns.
Platform Notes:-
Switch-exclusive, ideal for portable solo or quick co-op bursts.
How It Compares:-
Good Job! is less team-driven than Overcooked or Moving Out 2, but its mishaps echo their humor. Forgiving versus Unrailed!, simpler than PlateUp!. Grounded unlike Lovers, light versus It Takes Two. Co-op’s weaker than Tools Up!.
Personal Take:-
Good Job! made me giggle solo, but co-op was hit-or-miss. Trashing a boardroom with a friend was fun, but it lacked Overcooked’s pulse. A quirky detour—that photocopier rampage still slays.
9. Catastronauts (2018) – Space Station Shenanigans
Catastronauts by Inertia Game Studios is Overcooked aboard a crumbling spaceship, where up to four players scramble to keep the vessel intact against alien attacks.
Levels pit you against asteroid showers, hull breaches, and rogue AI, all in a retro cartoon aesthetic (Jetsons meets FTL) with a tense soundtrack.
Gameplay thrusts you into stations: fire extinguishers to douse flames, repair kits for leaks, cannons to blast enemies, and a helm to dodge hazards. You dash between them, prioritizing tasks—put out a fire, reload missiles, fix a breach—while shouting for backup.
Levels escalate with teleporters shuffling players or EMPs disabling systems, forcing improvisation like Overcooked’s moving counters. Resources (ammo, repair kits) are limited, adding pressure to coordinate who grabs what. Local and online co-op are solid; couch play’s the heart. Less polished than Overcooked, it’s raw multitasking mania.
Platform Notes:–
Switch for portability; PC/PS4 for crisp visuals in four-player madness.
How It Compares:-
Catastronauts is Lovers’ scrappier cousin, survival-focused. More combat-driven than Moving Out 2 or Tools Up!, less strategic than PlateUp!. Structured versus Unrailed!, bite-sized versus It Takes Two. Overcooked in zero gravity.
Personal Take:-
Catastronauts was a riot. We’d yell “Fire in bay two!” while scrambling for missiles. Not Overcooked’s polish—UI’s dated—but the panic of a ship imploding hooked us. One wipe from a forgotten breach had us laughing too hard to retry.
How These Games Connect
These best co-op games like Overcooked share a DNA: simple tasks turned into hilarious disasters. Moving Out 2, Tools Up!, and PlateUp! echo Overcooked’s workplace frenzy—movers, builders, chefs race clocks. It Takes Two and Lovers go fantastical but keep “talk or fail.” Unrailed! and Catastronauts crank survivalist chaos; Keep Talking goes cerebral.
Good Job! blends solo/co-op quirks. I’ve played them all with my crew: PlateUp! for strategy, It Takes Two for story, Moving Out 2 for laughs, Unrailed! for grit, Lovers for style, Tools Up! for ease, Keep Talking for tension, Good Job! for oddity, Catastronauts for panic.
FAQ’s
Are there games like Overcooked that work well for solo players?
While most games like Overcooked thrive on co-op, PlateUp! and Good Job! offer robust solo experiences. PlateUp!’s automation options—like robot waiters or dishwashers—let you manage a restaurant alone, though it’s tougher without friends to cover roles.
You’ll juggle cooking, serving, and cleaning, with upgrades easing the load over time. Good Job! is primarily single-player, with physics-based puzzles that don’t rely on teamwork—smash through walls or stack boxes to finish tasks.
Its co-op mode is secondary, so solo feels complete. Overcooked’s own solo mode is an option too, but it’s brutal, best for practicing before multiplayer chaos. If you want the closest solo vibe to Overcooked’s multitasking, PlateUp! is your pick.
Which Overcooked-style games are best for families with younger players?
For family-friendly games like Overcooked, Moving Out 2 and Tools Up! stand out. Moving Out 2 has simple controls (grab, throw, move) and forgiving physics, letting kids toss furniture without harsh penalties.
Accessibility options like extended timers or simplified goals make it welcoming for ages 6+. Levels are colorful, with silly hazards like chickens or ghosts that keep things light. Tools Up! is equally approachable—paint walls or move rugs with one-button actions, and its cartoonish art (think a dog with a paint roller) charms younger players.
Both lack Overcooked’s intense score-chasing, reducing frustration. Overcooked itself has an assist mode for families, but its timers can stress kids out. For mixed-age groups, Moving Out 2’s humor wins.
Are all these games available on Nintendo Switch, and how do they perform?
Yes, every game here—Moving Out 2, It Takes Two, Unrailed!, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, PlateUp!, Tools Up!, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Good Job!, and Catastronauts—is on Switch, making it a haven for games like Overcooked on Switch.
Performance varies: Moving Out 2 and Tools Up! run smoothly, ideal for portable family play. It Takes Two has minor frame drops but shines for couch co-op. Unrailed! and Lovers are lightweight, perfect on the go. PlateUp! occasionally lags in late-game chaos but is manageable.
Keep Talking excels for group huddles, Good Job! feels native, and Catastronauts holds up despite busy screens. Switch’s portability makes it my top pick for Overcooked-style chaos, though PC or PS4/Xbox edge out for visuals in It Takes Two or PlateUp!.
Which game feels closest to Overcooked’s kitchen chaos vibe?
PlateUp! and Catastronauts are neck-and-neck for mimicking Overcooked’s vibe, but PlateUp! takes the crown for games most like Overcooked. Its restaurant setting—chopping, cooking, serving—directly echoes Overcooked’s loop, with randomized layouts (tight counters, sprawling dining rooms) forcing the same spatial panic.
You’ll shout “More lettuce!” as customers pile up, just like Overcooked’s order rush. The roguelite upgrades add depth without losing the core frenzy. Catastronauts swaps kitchens for spaceships, but its multitasking—fix leaks, load cannons, douse fires—feels like Overcooked’s role-juggling in sci-fi skin.
Limited resources and escalating hazards (like Overcooked’s fires) nail the pressure. If you love Overcooked’s culinary heart, go PlateUp!; for a fresh twist, Catastronauts.
Can beginners handle these Overcooked-style games, or are they too tough?
Overcooked’s learning curve can intimidate, but several games like Overcooked for beginners ease you in. Moving Out 2 is the most approachable—its simple grab-and-throw mechanics don’t punish mistakes, and assist modes (longer timers, fewer obstacles) help newbies shine.
Tools Up! is similarly forgiving, with one-button tasks (paint, move) and low-stakes goals, though tight timers add mild pressure. Good Job!’s single-player focus lets beginners experiment without team stress, and co-op is optional. PlateUp! and Unrailed! are tougher, requiring quick adaptation, but PlateUp!’s early rounds ease you in.
It Takes Two balances accessibility with guided puzzles, ideal for pairs. Lovers and Catastronauts demand coordination, better for intermediates. Keep Talking is beginner-friendly if you’re okay with shouting. Start with Moving Out 2 or Tools Up! before tackling Overcooked’s intensity.
Final Thoughts: Find Your Next Co-Op Adventure
For fans craving games like Overcooked, this lineup has it all. Moving Out 2 and Tools Up! deliver slapstick fun, It Takes Two weaves a heartfelt epic, Unrailed! tests your grit, Lovers dazzles with style, PlateUp! hooks with strategy, Keep Talking amps tension, Good Job! surprises with quirks, and Catastronauts unleashes sci-fi panic.
Each captures Overcooked’s essence—teamwork, chaos, laughing through failure. My picks? PlateUp! for depth, It Takes Two for soul, Catastronauts for underdog charm. Use the table to pick your vibe, check platform notes, and rally your crew.
What’s your go-to Overcooked-style game? Drop it in the comments or tweet us your fave—I’m always scouting the next gem. Loved this guide? Share it with your gaming squad!
