Is Cuphead Online Multiplayer? The Truth Behind Co-Op, Connectivity, and Couch Play
If you’ve ever scrolled through Steam forums or Reddit threads asking “Is Cuphead online multiplayer?”, you’re not alone. Since its explosive debut in 2017, Cuphead — the hand-drawn, jazz-scored, run-and-gun boss rush masterpiece from Studio MDHR — has captivated millions. Its punishing difficulty, retro charm, and stunning 1930s cartoon aesthetic have made it a modern classic. But one question continues to echo across gaming communities: Can you play Cuphead online with a friend?
Let’s cut to the chase: Cuphead does not natively support online multiplayer. That’s right — no matchmaking, no invites, no cloud-based co-op. But before you close this tab in disappointment, there’s more to the story. The game does offer local co-op, and clever workarounds exist for those determined to play remotely. In this article, we’ll explore what Cuphead offers in terms of multiplayer, why online play isn’t built in, and how you can still team up with friends — even if they’re miles away.
What Cuphead Multiplayer Actually Offers
Cuphead was designed from the ground up as a couch co-op experience. Plug in a second controller, and a second player can jump in as Mugman — Cuphead’s blue-suited brother. The two can tackle the Inkwell Isles together, combining firepower, reviving each other after death, and sharing the agony (and occasional triumph) of defeating King Dice or Dr. Kahl’s Robot.
This local-only approach wasn’t an oversight — it was intentional. Studio MDHR wanted to recreate the feel of classic arcade and console co-op games, where players huddled around a single screen, shouting advice and cursing in unison. As the developers stated in multiple interviews, the game’s difficulty is calibrated around two players sharing a physical space — not split across laggy internet connections.
Why Isn’t There Online Multiplayer?
You might wonder: If local co-op exists, why not just add online? The answer lies in both technical philosophy and design integrity.
First, Cuphead’s frame-perfect mechanics demand precision. Hitboxes are tight, animations are snappy, and timing is everything. Introducing online latency — even a few milliseconds — could break the delicate balance of gameplay. A mistimed parry or delayed jump due to lag could mean the difference between victory and restarting a 10-minute boss fight.
Second, the developers prioritized polish over features. Rather than stretch resources to build a netcode system that might compromise the experience, they focused on perfecting the core game — animation, music, controls, and level design. That decision paid off: Cuphead won multiple Game of the Year awards and is now taught in animation and game design courses.
Lastly, the charm of Cuphead lies in its physicality. The yelling, the couch-jumping, the shared controller-passing — these are experiences that online play can’t replicate. Studio MDHR understood that, and they stuck to their vision.
Workarounds: How to Play Cuphead Online (Sort Of)
While native online multiplayer isn’t available, enterprising players have found ways to simulate it. The most popular method? Third-party streaming and input-sharing tools.
Case Study: Parsec + DualShock 4 + Discord
Take “Alex and Sam,” two college friends separated by 800 miles. Both own Cuphead on PC. They want to tackle the game’s notorious “Carnival Chaos” level together. Here’s how they do it:
- Alex hosts the game via Parsec, a low-latency remote desktop app optimized for gaming.
- Sam connects to Alex’s session and uses his own controller, which Parsec maps to Alex’s machine.
- They communicate via Discord, keeping audio synced and chatter clear.
- Mugman appears on-screen — controlled by Sam — and they play as if they’re on the same couch.
It’s not perfect. There’s slight input delay. Audio sometimes desyncs. But for many, it’s close enough — and infinitely better than no co-op at all.
Other tools like Steam Remote Play Together (launched in 2019) also support Cuphead. If one player owns the game, they can invite a friend to join via Steam, effectively streaming the game and sharing controller inputs. It’s not true online multiplayer — but it’s the closest thing Cuphead has to offer without mods.
The “Delicious Last Course” Expansion — Any Change?
When The Delicious Last Course DLC dropped in 2022, fans hoped it might include online multiplayer. Alas, it did not. But it did enhance the local co-op experience:
- New boss fights tuned for two players
- Ms. Chalice as a playable “helper” character with unique abilities
- Balanced health and damage scaling for co-op runs
Studio MDHR doubled down on their philosophy: Cuphead is best enjoyed side-by-side. The DLC’s additions reward teamwork, communication, and real-time coordination — elements that online play often dilutes.
What Players Are Saying
User reviews and forum posts consistently reflect a bittersweet sentiment. On Steam, one top review reads: “Wish I could play online with my brother overseas, but couch co-op with my roommate is honestly more fun — we scream at each other in person.”
Reddit threads like r/cuphead are filled with guides on setting up Parsec or Steam Remote Play, proving that demand for remote co-op is real. Yet, even the most tech-savvy users admit