It’s a lie that girls don’t like video games. They do… just not all of them.
There’s a certain, highly specific type of video game that they like.
Luckily for you, I’ve field-tested the best video games that you can play with your girlfriend, date, fling, or one-night stand.
Most of them can be played with two players at the same time, while a few others require taking turns. All of them are two-player games, though.
All of these games are considered classics, and most of them have won video game awards with high ratings and sales. You can’t go wrong with these.
Here is the best of the best – in no specific order:
1. Bubble Bobble (Arcade/NES) – A simple, addictive platformer where you trap enemies in bubbles and then pop them. Still ridiculously fun with two players.
2. TMNT IV: Turtles in Time (SNES) – One of the best co-op beat ’em ups ever made. Pick a Ninja Turtle and beat the crap out of everything on the screen.
3. Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis) – Another classic beat ’em up with great two-player action and one of the best soundtracks of the 16-bit era.
4. Streets of Rage 3 (Genesis) – More Streets of Rage. If you liked the second one, you’ll probably like this one too.
5. Mario Kart 64 (N64) – Race each other or destroy your chances in Battle Mode. Both are good options.
6. Donkey Kong Country (SNES) – One of the best-looking SNES games ever made, with great platforming and plenty of secrets. You’ll have to take turns, though.
7. Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers (NES) – A simple two-player platformer that’s easy to learn and still fun decades later.
8. Super Bomberman (SNES) – Drop bombs, blow up walls, and eventually blow up each other. Great for quick sessions.
9. Super Mario World (SNES) – You’ll have to take turns, but who cares? It’s Super Mario World. Almost everyone loves this game.
10. Super Mario Kart (SNES) – The original Mario Kart. More than 30 years later, Nintendo is still making these.
11. Tetris & Dr. Mario (SNES) – Two of the best puzzle games from the era in one cartridge, including a split-screen versus mode for settling important disputes.
12. Diddy Kong Racing (N64) – A kart racer with cars, hovercrafts, planes, boss races, and a full adventure mode. There’s a surprising amount of game here. Warning: it is painfully cute, though.
13. Balloon Fight (NES) – Fly around popping balloons while trying not to get yours popped. You can cooperate, but accidentally screwing over the other player is half the fun.
14. Bang Bead (Neo Geo) – A fast arcade game that feels like someone smashed tennis, Breakout, and an anime together. Weird, competitive, and easy to pick up.
15. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES/Genesis) – A two-player run-and-gun game where you blast monsters, rescue your neighbors, and try not to die. It’s goofy, chaotic, and still holds up.
The formula for finding a game that girls will like is essentially this (for most girls): easy to pick up and learn, action-packed, generally not three-dimensional, and bonus points for anything that would be considered cute.
As for the simplicity…nobody wants to spend half the date learning 37 different controls.
And if you need help with the rest of the date, check out Player Bits. It’s an AI dating coach built specifically for guys, and you can use it to prep for your date, figure out what to do, or get advice when things inevitably get confusing.
Got another retro game that belongs on this list that we left out? Drop it in the comments below.