The Ultimate Guide to Couch Co-op in Plants vs Zombies
As an avid Plants vs Zombies fan, few things delight me more than battling zombies side-by-side with a friend on the same couch. The series has always had a lighthearted charm, but being able to share that experience in split screen takes it to another level of fun.
After spending countless hours conquering the undead hordes in local co-op, I‘ve learned the ins and outs to get the most enjoyment out of this cherished feature. So whether you‘re a new player jumping in with a buddy or looking to make the most out of Plants vs Zombies with someone by your side, follow my guide to couch co-op greatness!
Activating Split Screen Co-Op
Let‘s start from the beginning: turning on two player split screen. This guide focuses specifically on Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 as the primary example since the entire game features full two player support.
To start playing split screen on consoles:
Launch Garden Warfare 2 on your Xbox One or PlayStation 4. Unfortunately PC and Switch don‘t have split screen capability.
Press the menu button and navigate to the Backyard Battleground hub area.
Approach the prominently marked split screen console next to Crazy Dave‘s broom shop.
A prompt will pop up asking Player 2 to press any button on their controller to join.
Once the second player joins in, the screen seamlessly splits into two views, pictured below:
And that‘s it! Now you and your couch buddy are free to choose characters and jump into battling zombies shoulder-to-shoulder.
From here you can squad up in co-op against AI across multiplayer maps and modes. Playing competitively in head-to-head is also an option if you prefer facing off directly.
Game Modes for Couch Carnage
Nearly all of Plants vs Zombies‘ game features support the two player split screen for double the enjoyment:
Story Mode
The entire madcap single player campaign can be tackled cooperatively with a friend playing as the sidekick super hero Super Brainz. He‘s my personal favorite couch co-op buddy with his propensity for silly banter even in dire zombie straits.
Multiplayer Maps
All of competitive multiplayer‘s 13 gorgeously crafted maps like Zen Peak and Aqua Center are available to squad up and battle others online. This is where Plants vs Zombies feels most like a true team eSport.
| Map Name | Scenery | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Seed of Time | Medieval castle | Frantic guerilla warfare against knights |
| Cactus Canyon | Desert ghost town | Intense western shootouts |
Backyard Battleground
Over 100 silly side missions across this sprawling hub area can be completed cooperatively, like protecting Crazy Dave‘s taco stash from Zombie cats or disarming exploding imps.
I especially love driving vehicles like the hot rod around the backyard as a duo. Honking the horn while my buddy rains fire from the passenger seat never gets old!
Minigames
More than 30 zany extra modes like gnome bomb, suburbination, and vanilla modes all fully support couch play. We like to compete in these when we need a quick 5-10 minute PvZ fix.
So with substantial multiplayer and PvE content lasting dozens of hours, Plants vs Zombies offers no shortage of cooperative quests and battles alongside a friend!
Character Combinations and Team Comps
Now onto the best part: which plant and zombie duos work well together? Here are my top recommendations:
| Plants | Zombies | Synergy |
|---|---|---|
| Rose + Citron | Super Brainz + Captain Deadbeard | Ranged harassment + Turf control |
| Kernel Corn + Chomper | Imp + Disco Zombie | Burst damage and disruption |
| Sunflower + Torchwood | Engineers | Healing and tanking |
| Peashooter + Cactus | Foot Soldier + All Star | Balanced damage |
I would advise against choosing two short ranged plants or zombies as you‘ll have a harder time pressuring enemies at long distances. Mixing a mid-long range harasser with a tank or bruiser provides balance.
Of course team comp matters much less early on while learning. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with weird class combinations to find your perfect zombie-fighting duo! The zany personality combinations also make for lots of laughs.
Tips for Couch Co-Op Excellence
Here are some pro tips to allow you and your co-op buddy to synergize better against the shambling zombie masses!
Stick Together
- Resist the urge to split too far, or you risk being surrounded and overwhelmed
- Focus fire the same targets with combined abilities for quick kills
- Play protect the president by guarding your buddy whenever they use offensive abilities or consumables
Communicate
- Online mic chat allows coordinating complex maneuvers
- Ping targets, locations, and suggest strategies with in-game pings
- Emote and jump around each other to signal intentions or just celebrate
Revive Rapidity
- Quickly revive downed teammates whenever its safe
- Certain abilities like Scientist‘s heal station provide a safe revive zone
- Suicide rush enemies to rescue your buddy if needed!
Why I Love Couch Co-Op in Plants vs Zombies
Even after dozens of hours playing Plants vs Zombies split screen, it never gets old. Here‘s what makes it so special:
Camaraderie – Jumping around and high-fiving your buddy after hard fought victories against those pesky zombies breeds serious camaraderie. You feel like true plant and zombie brothers-in-arms.
Hilarity – No matter how flawlessly we may coordinate our attacks, things frequently descend into hilarious chaos. Accidentally gobbling your friend as a Chomper or catching them in crossfire just comes with the territory!
Bonding – My favorite memories have emerged from messing around in the Backyard Battleground for hours or struggling to complete intense Ops waves. Win or lose, it brings people together.
Couch play represents the heart and soul of Plants vs Zombies‘ mantra – wacky lighthearted fun. There are few better ways to spend an evening!
So gather your best bud, family member, or significant other and jump into the zombie-battling antics. This is the way to experience Plants vs Zombies if you own an Xbox One or PS4!
