Co-op Mobile Games

Kalimba

Kalimba, screenshot from its App Store listing
Kalimba, Flashbulb ApS. Image from the game's App Store listing.

Can two people play Kalimba on one screen?

Yes. Two players can play Kalimba co-op on one iPad: same screen or split screen.

A puzzle platformer built around steering totem pieces in sync. The co-op mode puts two players on one iPad.

How you play together

  • Shared touchscreen

Two players on one iPad, facing each other. Split screen, each player on their half of the touchscreen. No controllers.

Co-op is only available on iPad.

How to start co-op in Kalimba

  1. Open the main menu and choose co-op.
  2. Lay the iPad flat between you and sit face to face. Each player gets one half of the screen with its own touch buttons.
  • Touch only, no controllers. Expect to lean over the tablet rather than sit back on the couch.

The details

Same screen, both at once
Yes
Split screen
Yes
Pass the device, taking turns
No
Two controllers on one device
Not confirmed
Same mode on Android
Not on Android
Online, a device each
Not confirmed
Players together
2
Controllers
Controller support not confirmed

Worth knowing

Co-op is iPad only and touch only: you sit head to head over the tablet, not leaning back with controllers. Last updated in 2017, ran fine for us.

Our review

I really like Kalimba. This is definitely a game I will keep installed. I like the main character, and I like that he talks out loud.

It is not just a jump and run like Mario or Rayman. It is a lot more strategic: each player handles two totems at the same time, most of the time on two levels, and you really have to cooperate. You cannot solve the co-op levels without it. You have to think and talk together, so this is a game where you are actually playing together, which is awesome.

I played it with my wife, who is not a usual player, and she got into it right away. The controls are just left, right and jump. But because of the puzzles and the teamwork, it is challenging, yet perfectly doable for non-players.

The only thing I did not like is the playing position. Co-op is split screen on one shared touchscreen, so instead of leaning back on the couch with controllers, you sit head to head over the tablet, upright and bent forward. Not really comfortable. I just wish it could be played with controllers.

Entering co-op is very simple, straight from the main menu.

I love the art style, the music, the concept, everything. The awkward playing position on one shared screen keeps it at 8. With controller support it would earn a 9. Still, honestly I would recommend you try it, especially if you want an experience together.

Kalimba co-op split screen: each player steers a red and a blue totem up a blue wall on their half of the iPad
Both players' totems lined up at a gate, the two halves mirrored for players sitting face to face
Four totems stacked across a red and blue wall, the touch buttons visible at the edges
Totems spread across red and blue walls, each player handling two at once
A colourful totem shrine at the end of a level, all four totems gathered on both halves
1 / 5

Screenshots taken by us while playing. Kalimba, developed by Press Play, published by Flashbulb.

Where this comes from

We played it ourselves.

  • Publisher stated
    Local co-op on one device, iPad only
    Share a local co-op challenge on one device - a fiendishly challenging experience that will make or break any friendship. Co-op is only available on iPad.apps.apple.com
  • Community reported
    Two players on one iPad, facing each other
    The iPad version in particular will support two players on one iPad, facing each other.toucharcade.com

More like this