Every Co-op Atari Lynx Game

Every Co-op Game on the Atari Lynx

Some kids had the Game Boy. Others had the Game Gear. But a few lucky ones had the Atari Lynx—a powerful handheld with some surprising co-op titles.

In this post, I’m diving into every single co-op game on the Atari Lynx. Let’s jump into it.

Basketbrawl

Think basketball meets beat-‘em-up. Sounds fun, right?

  • You can: Punch opponents, pick up weapons, and stab people mid-game.

  • Problem: It’s just not a good game. Bad sound, clunky controls, and not much fun to play.

Also available on the Atari 7800... where it’s still not worth playing.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

A unique co-op experience on the Lynx. It plays more like an RPG or a Zelda-style adventure—minus the combat.

  • What you do: Split up and explore areas to collect musical notes.

  • Pros: Infinite lives, password system, and the ability to run.

  • Cons: The objective isn’t always clear, and progress can feel slow.

Still, it’s one of the most interesting and unique co-op games on the system.

Double Dragon

Yes—Double Dragon on a handheld. And it’s shockingly good.

  • Pros: Faithful to the arcade visually, two-player co-op, minimal slowdown.

  • Unique Feature: Players can move independently (not stuck on one screen).

  • Downside: The controls are awkward.

Still, it’s one of the best home ports from that era. Recommended!

Gauntlet: The Third Encounter

An exclusive Lynx title, released in 1990.

  • Classic formula: Destroy enemies, collect keys, find the exit.

  • Unique Twist: Vertical mode with quirky character classes (Samurai, Punk Rocker, Nerd?!).

  • Up to 4 players (though I’ve only played it with two).

It’s not the best Gauntlet game, but it’s the most overlooked.

Joust

The classic arcade co-op game from 1982 makes its way to the Lynx.

  • Gameplay: Tap to fly, land on enemies, grab the eggs.

  • Pros: Portable version of an iconic game.

  • Cons: By 1992, there were many other ports—and this one doesn’t stand out.

Still fun, just maybe not the best version out there.

Raiden

A vertical-scrolling shooter originally from arcades (1990).

  • Lynx version: Decent and colorful, with vertical screen support.

  • Issue: I kept having communication errors trying co-op.

  • Status: Still unclear if that’s hardware-related or just a Lynx issue.

Let me know if anyone else has experienced this!

Rampage

Another arcade classic on the Lynx. Released in 1990.

  • Playable monsters: George, Lizzie, Ralph—and a new giant rat named Larry.

  • Gameplay: Destroy buildings, eat people, smash stuff.

  • Downside: It gets repetitive.

But visually? Impressive. A solid port worth checking out.

Todd’s Adventures in Slime World

Originally a Lynx game in 1990, later ported to Genesis and PC Engine CD.

  • Co-op up to 8 players! (I’ve only done two. Someday…)

  • Unique touches: Get covered in slime, jump into water to clean off.

  • Power-ups: Triple shot, slime gun, bombs, jetpack.

  • Cons: Awful music, slow gameplay.

Still, it’s weird and charming enough to have a soft spot in my heart.

Xenophobe

Another great arcade port with Lynx-exclusive twists.

  • Up to 3 players co-op.

  • Cool feature: One player can even play as an alien.

  • Gameplay: Explore ships, destroy aliens, and find the exit.

This is probably the best home port of Xenophobe. Highly recommended.

Xybots

Possibly the first third-person shooter—and one of my favorite Lynx games.

  • Unique for Lynx: Each player gets their own screen. Split up or team up.

  • Progression: 52 levels, earn money, buy upgrades.

  • Favorite feature: Exploring the maze solo or together works perfectly.

Just make sure to plug in your AC adapter. The battery drain is brutal.

🎯 My top pick? Xybots. It’s a hidden gem in the world of co-op gaming.

Zarlor Mercenary

Our final game is a Lynx-exclusive vertical shooter from 1990.

  • Up to 4 players co-op.

  • Visuals: Genuinely impressive—feels like a Genesis game at times.

  • Choose your pilot: 7 unique characters, each with different weapons.

  • Gameplay: Shoot enemies, earn cash, upgrade weapons after each mission.

It’s short (6 levels), but tough. I’d recommend it over Raiden, especially since I couldn’t get Raiden to work in co-op.

Final Thoughts

The Atari Lynx might not have had the market share of the Game Boy or Game Gear, but it carved out a niche for itself with surprisingly solid co-op games. From forgotten exclusives to impressive arcade ports, these titles are worth revisiting—especially if you can get your hands on a second system and a link cable.

Have a favorite Lynx co-op game I missed? Let me know—I’m always looking for more to explore!