Co-op Mobile Games

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, screenshot from its App Store listing
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Nicalis, Inc.. Image from the game's App Store listing.

Can two people play The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on one screen?

Yes. Two players can play The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth co-op on one iPad: same screen or two controllers.

The roguelike dungeon shooter about a boy in a basement full of monsters. A second player can join, but only as a weaker helper.

How you play together

  • Two controllers

A second controller. Player two presses Start in the very first room of the basement and joins as a weaker helper.

How to start co-op in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

  1. Connect a second controller.
  2. Start a run.
  3. In the very first room of the basement, player two presses Start to join.

The details

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

Worth knowing

Player two joins as a weaker helper with one life. Once it is gone, they are out, at least in our test. So the two players are not equally powerful. Rated 17+.

Our review

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth has been a classic for years, and I get why it has held up for so long. I love the dark humor and the graphics, and I love that you can shoot in any direction.

But there are similar games inspired by it that I personally prefer, like The Last Game. I think the gameplay here could use some improvements, and The Last Game gives you a true co-op experience. Isaac does not really.

Co-op is definitely possible: player two joins by pressing Start in the very first room of the basement. But they join a lot weaker, with just one life, and once it is gone, they are out, at least in our tests. So you are not equally powerful.

It is a fun game on its own, and I would rate it higher for solo play. You can have some fun together, but for co-op it is not that great. 7.5 out of 10.

The first room of the basement: Isaac in the middle, the second player's small helper on the right with a single heart
Co-op boss fight in a blood-red room: Isaac and the small dark helper shooting tears at a big grey monster
1 / 2

Screenshots taken by us while playing. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, developed by Edmund McMillen and Nicalis, published by Nicalis.

Where this comes from

We played it ourselves.

  • Publisher stated
    Two-player local co-op
    2-player local co-opapps.apple.com
  • Publisher stated
    Controller support
    Integrated controller support for popular control padsapps.apple.com

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