So you both like playing video games. You're a gaming couple. And yet the arguments over who gets to play a video game of their choice will soon be intensifying due to Christmas and the deluge of new titles that you hope will be beneath the tree. As you threaten each other with controllers, and laud over the positives of the game you want to play and the negatives of what your other half is interested in, the Christmas spirit soon dwindles away. Rock-paper-scissors offers no solace, and neither does a quick round on your fighting game of choice...

Before you both end up sitting on different ends of the sofa on Christmas Day, or one person spends the night on it alone and unloved, have a read through these game suggestions. Every game that features has been or will be released this year, and has been selected due to allowing for co-operative play through the main story mode of the game on the same console, except for the hand-held games recommended, (because, let's face it, it's rather difficult to play a two player game on one hand-held).

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New Super Mario Brothers Wii

Released: 20th November 2009

Available on: Wii

Number of players in story mode: 1-4 locally

Nintendo are treating Wii owners with a new title in the Super Mario Brothers range, and just in time for Christmas too. This will be the first Super Mario Brothers with up to four player co-operative play. The playable characters are Mario, Luigi and two toads (those funny looking little guys with toadstools on their heads).

The story is pretty standard fare for a Mario game: it's Peach's Birthday and a cake turns up. Before you can stop and say 'Not again', Bowser's kids have promptly kidnapped Peach by placing her inside the cake and hefting it onto an airship, which punctually spirits Peach and the kids away.

Co-op Rating: Platform lovers ahoy!

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LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues

Released: 20th November 2009

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PSP

Number of players in story mode: 1-2 locally

If the first LEGO Indiana Jones game was not enough for you, and you fancy playing around in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull levels this time round, plus new takes on levels from the first game, then this game should not be missed. In the case of the DS/PSP versions of the game, two copies of the game plus two DS/PSPs will be needed.

As with previous LEGO video games such as the Star Wars and Batman titles, The Adventure Continues sets out to be a humorous take on this well loved film franchise. If you know the storyline of the films then the game pretty much runs through them, but with silent, yet emotive, yellow faced characters.

Co-op Rating: For film fanatics