Couch VS Couch #1

Welcome to Couch versus Couch, an ongoing series where we aim to highlight the best multiplayer escapades to share with your friends. I've spent years playing games and putting together tournaments. I'm here to report back on what we've found.

So without any further ado, here is Volume 1 of Couch Vs Couch. Our maiden voyage into the ocean of multiplayer experiences, begins with finding the joy in watching a loved one explode, and ends with friends pinned to a wall with arrows. Games are a violent, violent pastime.

BOMBERMAN R

THE HIGHLIGHT: There are few games that can match the smug factor of trapping a friend, and smiling at them as a bombs fuse slowly burns. They know they're dead, and there's nothing they can do about it. Everyone also needs to experience the shame of trapping themselves in a corner, at least once.

GENRE: Party

PLATFORM: SWITCH/PS4/XBOX ONE

PLAYERS: 1 - 8

NINTENDO WIFE SAYS: "Annoying, Cute Hats..."

GUILTY GEAR XRD REV 2

THE HIGHLIGHT: 'The Roman Cancel System' complicated as it sounds, is amazing. Guilty Gear Xrd is your traditional fighting game, however it has a mechanic that basically allows you to slow down time and attempt something ridiculous. You want to chain 3 of the same special moves into one unblockable attack, knock yourself out.

GENRE: Fighting Game

PLATFORM: PC/PS3/PS4/PS5/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE

PLAYERS: 1 - 2

NINTENDO WIFE SAYS: "Have I ever played it? (Yes, yes you have)"

MARIO KART 8

THE HIGHLIGHT: Almost perfectly balanced kart racing, great sense of speed and an amazing number of tracks. You probably already own this. Racing around Baby Park(a circuit with just two corners) with a group of friends is absolute mayhem.

GENRE: Racing

PLATFORM: Switch/Wii U

PLAYERS: 1 - 4

NINTENDO WIFE SAYS: "Fabulous, Pacey, Inventive..."

COLUMNS 3 REVENGE OF COLUMNS

THE HIGHLIGHT: Its a puzzle game that has the same vibe and addictiveness as classics like Tetris or Puyo Puyo. However we've found that it works slightly better in multiplayer. As the attacks you can send your opponents way are pretty balanced. So there are less matches ending super quickly.

GENRE: Puzzle

PLATFORM: Sega Megadrive, SWITCH

PLAYERS: 1 - 4

NINTENDO WIFE SAYS: "Addictive. Music that drives you insane."

TOWERFALL ASCENSION

THE HIGHLIGHT: Its a simple premise, 4 players enter with 3 arrows. Each arrow can lead to an instant kill. This means battles are quick and tense. The best bit is dodging through one of your friends arrows, catching it in mid-air and firing it straight back. That and the instant replay on the final kill. Its particularly entertaining when someone manages to shoot themselves with an arrow.

Genre: Party

PLATFORM: PS4/SWITCH/XBOX ONE

PLAYERS: 1 - 4

NINTENDO WIFE SAYS: I like that, *chews chocolate lime*, pacey. I'm quite good at it.