It Takes Two on Xbox One: The Ultimate Co-Op Experience You Can’t Miss in 2026

Few co-op games deliver the sheer creativity and emotional punch that It Takes Two brings to the table. Since its release in March 2021, Hazelight Studios’ action-adventure title has become a benchmark for what cooperative gameplay should be, inventive, story-driven, and genuinely fun whether you’re playing with a partner, sibling, or friend. For Xbox One players specifically, this game remains a standout title even in 2026, offering accessible entry points, solid performance across all Xbox One variants, and the brilliant Friend’s Pass feature that lets one player share the entire experience with someone who doesn’t own the game. Whether you’re sitting side-by-side on the couch or connecting online across state lines, It Takes Two delivers mechanics that constantly reinvent themselves chapter after chapter, ensuring neither player gets bored. This guide covers everything Xbox One owners need to know: from purchasing options and system performance to setup tutorials, troubleshooting common hiccups, and strategies for nabbing every achievement along the way.

What Is It Takes Two and Why Is It Perfect for Xbox One?

It Takes Two is a co-op-exclusive action-adventure game developed by Hazelight Studios and published by EA. Directed by Josef Fares, the same creative mind behind A Way Out, the game tells the story of Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls by their daughter’s tears. To return to their human forms, they must navigate a fantastical world filled with challenges that require constant cooperation.

The game won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 and has maintained a passionate player base thanks to regular discussions on gaming forums and sustained positive word-of-mouth. Xbox One players have embraced the title not just for its tight gameplay, but for how accessible it is to both hardcore gamers and those who rarely pick up a controller.

Understanding the Game’s Unique Co-Op Mechanics

It Takes Two isn’t your typical co-op game where both players have identical abilities and just shoot things together. Each chapter introduces entirely new mechanics tailored to that environment. One moment Cody might wield a time-slowing watch while May controls cloning magic: the next, he’s got a sap launcher while she’s slinging nails like a shotgun.

Every puzzle, platforming sequence, and boss fight is designed so that neither player can progress alone. You’re constantly talking, coordinating, and experimenting. The game forces communication in the best way, there’s no “carry” dynamic where one skilled player does everything while the other tags along.

Gameplay variety is absurd. You’ll pilot planes, ride on rails, navigate gravity-bending rooms, engage in top-down shooter segments, and even face off in dozens of optional mini-games scattered throughout each level. The mini-games alone, ranging from chess battles to whack-a-mole competitions, have sparked plenty of friendly (and not-so-friendly) rivalries.

Why Xbox One Players Love This Title

Xbox One owners have specific reasons to appreciate It Takes Two. First, the Friend’s Pass system is a killer feature: only one person needs to own the game, and they can invite anyone on their friends list to play the entire campaign for free. That’s a huge selling point when convincing a buddy to commit 12-14 hours to a playthrough.

Second, the game runs surprisingly well on base Xbox One hardware. Sure, you won’t get the 4K textures or 60fps of a Series X, but the art style, vibrant, cartoony, and packed with visual personality, holds up beautifully even at 1080p/30fps. Performance is stable, load times are reasonable, and split-screen co-op works without major hitches.

Third, Xbox Game Pass subscribers got access to the title shortly after launch, and it remains available as of 2026. For many players who might’ve skipped it at full price, Game Pass made It Takes Two an instant must-try. The game’s presence on the service introduced it to a much wider audience, and Xbox Live party chat integration makes coordinating with a co-op partner seamless.

How to Get Started with It Takes Two on Xbox One

Getting into It Takes Two on Xbox One is straightforward, but there are a few purchasing quirks and setup steps worth knowing upfront.

Purchasing Options and Digital vs. Physical Copies

You can grab It Takes Two either digitally through the Microsoft Store or as a physical disc from retailers. The digital version typically hovers around $39.99 USD, though sales and Game Pass availability can drop that effective price to zero if you’re already subscribed.

Physical copies are still floating around at major retailers and used game stores, often discounted below MSRP in 2026. If you prefer owning a tangible copy or share games within your household, the disc version works identically to digital. Just note that the full game install still requires around 50GB of storage even with the disc inserted.

One major advantage of going digital: instant access to updates and no disc swapping. Since It Takes Two received several post-launch patches addressing minor bugs and performance tweaks, digital owners get those updates automatically. Physical owners do too, of course, but you’ll need that disc in the tray every time you boot up.

Using Friend’s Pass for Free Co-Op Play

This is where It Takes Two gets brilliant from a value perspective. When you purchase the game (digital or physical), you unlock the ability to generate a Friend’s Pass invite. Your co-op partner downloads a free Friend’s Pass version from the Microsoft Store, which is essentially a demo client that unlocks the full game when playing with someone who owns it.

Here’s how it works:

1. The game owner launches It Takes Two and selects Online Play.
2. They invite a friend from their Xbox Live friends list.
3. The friend receives an invitation and is prompted to download the Friend’s Pass if they don’t own the game.
4. Once downloaded, the friend joins the session and plays the entire campaign without purchasing anything.

The Friend’s Pass is tied to playing with the owner, the invited player can’t launch the game solo or play with other Friend’s Pass users. But for the duration of your co-op playthrough together, it’s the full experience with zero restrictions.

This feature alone makes It Takes Two one of the most accessible co-op titles on Xbox One. You only need one purchase for two people to enjoy the complete journey, which is a rare and generous setup in modern gaming.

System Requirements and Performance on Xbox One

Understanding how It Takes Two performs across the Xbox One family helps set expectations and avoids frustration, especially if you’re running older hardware.

Xbox One vs. Xbox One S vs. Xbox One X Performance

All three Xbox One models run It Takes Two at 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second for the base Xbox One and Xbox One S. The Xbox One X, with its beefier GPU, can push certain scenes slightly higher in dynamic resolution but generally targets the same 30fps cap to maintain stability.

In practice, the base Xbox One handles the game well. You’ll see occasional frame dips during particularly hectic boss fights or when lots of particle effects flood the screen, but nothing game-breaking. Split-screen co-op does tax the system more than online co-op since the console is rendering two viewpoints simultaneously, but Hazelight optimized the engine enough that stutters are rare.

The Xbox One X offers the smoothest experience of the three. Load times are noticeably faster, around 15-20 seconds between chapters compared to 25-30 seconds on the base model. Textures are crisper, and you’ll catch more environmental detail, though the art direction is strong enough that even base Xbox One visuals look great.

For competitive or fast-paced shooters, 30fps might feel sluggish. But It Takes Two is a cooperative adventure built around platforming, puzzles, and boss mechanics, not twitch reflexes. The frame rate rarely feels limiting, and the game’s pacing accommodates it naturally.

Download Size and Storage Considerations

The full install for It Takes Two on Xbox One clocks in at approximately 50GB. That’s fairly hefty, especially if you’re working with a base 500GB Xbox One that’s already packed with other titles.

If storage is tight, consider deleting games you’re not actively playing or investing in an external storage solution to expand capacity. The game doesn’t require an SSD to run smoothly, standard HDD performance is fine, but faster storage will shave a few seconds off those load screens.

Updates and patches have added a few extra gigabytes since launch, so budget around 52-53GB total to be safe. If you’re downloading via Friend’s Pass, the client file is much smaller (around 5GB), but it still requires a stable connection to the host player’s game.

Setting Up Local and Online Co-Op on Xbox One

Whether you’re playing with someone in the same room or across the country, It Takes Two makes setup relatively painless, though there are a few steps to follow for each mode.

Couch Co-Op: Split-Screen Setup Guide

Local split-screen is arguably the most seamless way to experience It Takes Two. Here’s the setup:

1. Connect two controllers to your Xbox One. Both need to be synced and signed into Xbox Live profiles (guest accounts work fine for the second player).
2. Launch It Takes Two from the main menu.
3. Select Local Play from the mode options.
4. The game prompts both players to press a button to join. Once both controllers are active, you’ll choose which character each player controls, Cody or May.
5. The screen splits horizontally by default during most gameplay, though some sequences adjust the split dynamically or switch to side-by-side views depending on the action.

Split-screen runs smoothly on Xbox One, though as mentioned earlier, performance can dip slightly compared to online co-op since the console is rendering two perspectives. If you encounter any loading issues, a quick console restart usually clears things up.

One nice touch: the split adjusts intelligently. If both players are close together, the game zooms out to show a unified view. When you separate, the split reappears. It’s a smart design choice that keeps the screen from feeling too cramped.

Online Co-Op: Inviting Friends and Using Friend’s Pass

Online co-op is where the Friend’s Pass shines. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Launch It Takes Two and select Online Play from the main menu.
2. Choose Invite Friend and pick someone from your Xbox Live friends list.
3. If your friend owns the game, they join directly. If not, they’ll receive a prompt to download the Friend’s Pass client from the Microsoft Store.
4. Once the Friend’s Pass is installed, your friend can accept the invite and join your session.
5. Both players select their characters, and the campaign begins.

Online co-op runs each player’s perspective on their own console, so performance is generally better than split-screen. You’ll each see a full-screen view of your character, which makes platforming and combat a bit easier to manage.

Voice communication is critical, and Xbox Party Chat integration works flawlessly. If you’re not already in a party, the game will prompt you to start one. Some players prefer Discord or other third-party apps, but native Xbox Party Chat has the lowest latency and best reliability for console play.

Essential Tips and Strategies for Xbox One Players

It Takes Two is designed to be approachable, but certain strategies and awareness of chapter-specific quirks will smooth out your playthrough and help you maximize the experience.

Communication Is Key: Using Xbox Party Chat Effectively

This sounds obvious, but It Takes Two will punish silent co-op sessions. Puzzles require constant callouts, “I’m hitting the switch now,” “Jump when I tell you,” “Go left while I distract the boss.” If you’re not talking, you’re going to die. A lot.

Xbox Party Chat quality matters. Make sure both players have decent mics. If one of you is using the standard Xbox One controller mic, audio quality can get rough. Upgrading to a dedicated headset dramatically improves communication clarity, especially during chaotic boss fights where you need to hear each other over in-game sound effects.

Set up push-to-talk if background noise is an issue, or adjust chat mixer settings so voice doesn’t get drowned out by game audio. You’ll find these settings in the Xbox Guide under Parties & chat > Party options > Chat mixer.

Mastering Chapter-Specific Challenges

Each chapter in It Takes Two introduces brand-new mechanics, and some are trickier than others. Here are a few standout sections where Xbox One players commonly get stuck:

• The Shed – Tool Abilities: Cody gets a hammer for melee and nail launching, while May gets nails she can ride on. Coordination is essential during platforming sequences where May needs to fire nails for Cody to hammer into place, then ride those same nails to new areas.

• The Tree – Sap and Match: This chapter’s boss fight (the wasp queen) demands precise timing. Cody shoots sap to slow enemy movement, May ignites it with matches. If your timing is off, you’ll get swarmed. Practice the rhythm during earlier enemy encounters so the boss doesn’t blindside you.

• Space Station – Gravity Boots: The zero-gravity sections can disorient players. Keep communication tight about who’s activating which gravity panel. One wrong step sends both players floating into hazards.

If you’re struggling with a specific section, gaming guides often have detailed walkthroughs with video timestamps for tough puzzles and boss patterns. According to reviews and player feedback, the difficulty curve is fair, most roadblocks come from miscommunication rather than unfair mechanics.

Finding All Collectibles and Mini-Games

Each chapter hides one mini-game, and there are numerous breakable objects and optional interactions scattered throughout. Tracking down every mini-game unlocks achievements and adds replayability, plus the mini-games themselves are genuinely fun, some players spend more time in the competitive whack-a-mole or chess variants than in the main story.

Mini-games don’t appear on the map, so exploration is key. They’re usually tucked off the main path, behind a breakable wall or across a tricky jump. If you’re hunting achievements, plan to replay chapters after completing the story since some collectibles are easy to miss during a first playthrough.

There’s no in-game tracker for mini-games, so many players keep a manual checklist or refer to community-created guides. The achievement list specifies how many mini-games exist per chapter, which helps narrow down where you might’ve missed one.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting on Xbox One

Like any online co-op game, It Takes Two on Xbox One isn’t immune to occasional hiccups. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common problems players report.

Connection Problems During Online Co-Op

If you or your co-op partner keep getting disconnected mid-session, start by checking both players’ NAT types. Open NAT is ideal: Moderate can work but may cause intermittent drops: Strict NAT often blocks co-op entirely.

To check your NAT type:

1. Press the Xbox button to open the Guide.
2. Navigate to Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings.
3. Look for NAT Type under the current network status.

If you’re showing Strict or Moderate, try these fixes:

• Restart your router and Xbox One.
• Enable UPnP in your router settings (check your router’s manual or ISP support page).
• Port forward the following ports for Xbox Live: 3074 (UDP and TCP), 53 (UDP and TCP), 80 (TCP), 500 (UDP), 3544 (UDP), 4500 (UDP).

If connection issues persist, try switching the host. Sometimes one player’s network setup handles hosting better than the other’s.

Frame Rate Drops and Performance Fixes

Frame rate dips on Xbox One usually happen during split-screen co-op or in particularly effects-heavy sequences. If drops are constant rather than occasional, try these steps:

• Hard reset your Xbox One: Hold the power button on the console for 10 seconds until it fully shuts down, then unplug the power brick for 30 seconds. This clears the cache and often resolves performance issues.
• Close background apps: Press the Xbox button, highlight It Takes Two, press the Menu button, and select Quit. Then relaunch. This ensures no background apps are eating system resources.
• Check for updates: Make sure both the game and your Xbox One system software are fully updated. Hazelight released several patches improving performance on base Xbox One hardware.

If you’re on a base Xbox One and frame drops are still bothersome, consider switching from split-screen to online co-op even if you’re in the same house. Each player on their own console eliminates the split-screen rendering load.

Friend’s Pass Not Working: Quick Solutions

Players occasionally report that the Friend’s Pass invite doesn’t show up or the download link is broken. Common fixes include:

• Restart the Microsoft Store: Press the Xbox button, go to My games & apps > Apps, highlight Microsoft Store, press the Menu button, and select Quit. Relaunch and search for “It Takes Two Friend’s Pass” manually.
• Check Xbox Live status: If Xbox Live services are experiencing issues, Friend’s Pass invites may not go through. Xbox Live status or Windows Central’s coverage for real-time service updates.
• Ensure the host owns the full game: Friend’s Pass only works if the inviting player has purchased It Takes Two or has access via Game Pass. Two Friend’s Pass clients can’t play together.
• Region mismatch: In rare cases, if the host and guest accounts are registered in different regions, Friend’s Pass invites may fail. Both players should verify their Microsoft account regions match or try switching regions temporarily.

Achievements and Completion Guide for Xbox One

It Takes Two features a full achievement list totaling 1000 Gamerscore across 21 achievements. Most are tied to story progression, but several require specific actions or collectible hunting.

Full Achievement List and How to Unlock Them

Here’s a breakdown of the achievement types:

• Story-based achievements (13 total): These unlock automatically as you complete each chapter. You can’t miss them if you finish the game.

• Mini-game achievements (1 achievement): Unlocked by discovering and playing at least one mini-game in every chapter. Since there’s one mini-game per chapter, you need to find all seven.

• Action-specific achievements (7 total): These require performing specific actions during gameplay. Examples include:

• “Platforming Prodigy”: Complete a specific platforming sequence without dying.

• “Perfect Melody”: Hit all the notes correctly during a rhythm-based section in the Music Box chapter.

• “No Capes.”: Complete a boss fight using only certain abilities.

The trickiest achievements are the action-specific ones, since they require precision or coordination during high-pressure moments. Many players save these for a second playthrough once they’re familiar with the mechanics. Coverage on Pure Xbox and other Xbox-focused sites often highlights which achievements are missable or particularly challenging.

If you’re aiming for 100% completion, keep a checklist handy and replay chapters via the level select menu after finishing the story. You can jump directly to any previously completed chapter without losing progress.

Time Required for 100% Completion

A single story playthrough takes roughly 12-14 hours depending on how much you explore and how often you retry difficult sections. If you’re hunting all achievements, expect to add another 4-6 hours for replaying specific chapters, finding missed mini-games, and completing action-specific challenges.

Speedrunners have cleared It Takes Two in under 8 hours, but that’s with skipping cutscenes, perfect execution, and no exploration. For a relaxed, achievement-focused playthrough with a co-op partner who’s equally invested, budget around 18-20 hours total.

Since the game is entirely co-op, achievement progress is shared between both players if you’re using the same characters throughout. If one player swaps characters mid-campaign, some progress may not carry over, so it’s best to stick with the same character assignments (one player always Cody, one always May) for the entire run.

Is It Takes Two Worth Playing on Xbox One in 2026?

Short answer: absolutely. Even five years post-release, It Takes Two remains one of the best co-op experiences available on Xbox One. The gameplay variety, narrative charm, and Friend’s Pass generosity make it a must-play for anyone with a co-op partner.

In 2026, the Xbox gaming landscape has shifted heavily toward next-gen titles optimized for Series X

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S, but It Takes Two never relied on cutting-edge graphics or hardware tricks. Its strength is in creative design and rock-solid co-op mechanics that transcend hardware specs. The game still looks vibrant on Xbox One, and the 30fps performance is stable enough that it never hampers the experience.

Compared to other co-op options on Xbox One, Avengers, A Way Out, Overcooked 2, or even fighting games like Tekken 8, It Takes Two stands out for its constant reinvention. You never settle into a repetitive loop. Every chapter feels like a different game, and that variety keeps both players engaged from start to finish.

The only real downside is the lack of solo play. If you don’t have a co-op partner, either locally or online, you can’t experience the game. But given how easy the Friend’s Pass makes it to rope someone in, that barrier is lower than it seems.

For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, It Takes Two is a no-brainer inclusion in your backlog. For those purchasing outright, the $40 price tag (or often less during sales) is justified by the hours of entertainment and the fact that only one person needs to buy it.

Whether you’re revisiting the game in 2026 or diving in for the first time, It Takes Two delivers an experience that feels just as fresh and inventive as it did at launch. It’s a co-op masterpiece that Xbox One owners shouldn’t skip.

Conclusion

It Takes Two on Xbox One isn’t just a co-op game, it’s a masterclass in cooperative design that respects both players’ time and intelligence. From the generous Friend’s Pass system to the constant gameplay innovation across every chapter, Hazelight Studios crafted something genuinely special that holds up remarkably well in 2026. Xbox One players benefit from solid performance across all console variants, accessible setup for both couch and online co-op, and a thriving community that still celebrates the game’s creativity and charm. Whether you’re troubleshooting connection issues, hunting down every achievement, or just experiencing the story for the first time with a friend, this guide should have you covered. Grab a partner, fire up that Xbox One, and prepare for one of the most memorable co-op adventures in modern gaming.