Check whether roles are symmetric
Games where everyone does the same job scale badly across skill levels — the strong player carries and the weak player watches. Look for titles where players hold different roles or where failure is shared and funny rather than punishing.
Symmetric failure beats symmetric skill
Overcooked! 2 works with mixed groups because everyone fails together and the failure is legible. Deep Rock Galactic works because classes differ, so a newer player can contribute with a support role.
Session length
For a weeknight, pick games with short rounds — Among Us and Lethal Company resolve in minutes. Save long campaigns for a session where everyone can commit.
Voice chat is part of the design
Several of these games are unplayable without comms. If your group is text-only or on a bad connection, avoid the ones built around callouts.
Cross-play matters
Check whether the store page lists cross-platform multiplayer. A co-op night dies quickly if one person cannot join because of their device.
It Takes Two: two players only
This one is designed for exactly two people and requires both to be present. It is the best-value pick for a pair; it is not a group game.
Set difficulty down on purpose
For a mixed group, lower the difficulty for the first session. Co-op games are about shared moments, and wiping repeatedly on the tutorial turns people off the genre.