Summary
There was once a time when almost every home console game on the market featuredsplit-screen multiplayer gameplay. As the popularity of online gaming has increased, however, those looking for the perfect couch co-op title to enjoy with friends or loved ones now find their options severely limited. Thankfully, though, there are still some developers who see the value in local split-screen and co-op multiplayer.
Although it’s only been around for a few years, the PS5 already hasa fairly decent selection of local multiplayer games; thanks in large to the console’s backward compatibility with PS4 titles. Many of the best local multiplayer PS5 games, likeSackboy: A Big AdventureandDiablo 4, confine their action to a single shared screen, but there are plenty of other titles with split-screen options included as well.
AEW Fight Forever
OpenCritic Rating: 65
It may have taken a little longer to arrive than some would have liked, but most will feel thatAEW Fight Foreverwas well worth the wait. Unlike theWWE 2Kseries, which aims to be a more realistic sports entertainment simulation,Fight Foreverfocuses firmly on fun, serving as a blood-soaked love letter to classic turn-of-the-century wrestling games likeWWF No MercyandWCW/nWo Revenge.
Granted, the game is a little rough around the edges andnowhere near as well-polished as its more established rival, but, when combined with the game’s over-the-top action, the arcade-style experience that’s on offer here makes it a more than worthy competitor. Playing the game locally with a friend is even more enjoyable, with plenty of great game modes available.
The Ascent
OpenCritic Rating: 73
Set in a neon-stained cyberpunk dystopia in which society is controlled by an evil megacorporation,The Ascentis a twin-stick shooterwith full local co-op support. Although its story and characters are somewhat forgettable, combat in this game is a whole lot of fun, providing players with the perfect outlet for any pent-up frustration they may have been holding onto.
The Ascentmay not boast the best graphics, but the game’s art style more than makes up for this. It’s just as enjoyable to look at as it is to play, and thanks to an epic score fromPaweł Błaszczak ofDying LightandThe Witcherfame, the experience on offer is just as much of a treat for the ears as it is the eyes and soul.
Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia
Released in late 2022,Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hiberniais an action-adventure game that supports up to four-player local co-op. It’s far fromthe best-looking game on the PS5and the pulled-back camera angles can at times make it a little difficult to keep track of what’s going on, but that doesn’t stop the game from being a lot of fun most of the time; particularly when played with friends.
Younger players probably won’t be all that familiar with the titular characters, with the comedy satire comic book series having first debuted all the way back in 1959. That shouldn’t stand in their way of enjoying what’s on offer though, as a lot of the game’s charm is derived from the way that the characters behave on-screen rather than the events that led them to their latest adventure.
Balan Wonderworld
OpenCritic Rating: 48
WhenSonic the Hedgehogcreator Yuji Naka announced that he was working on a new 3D platformer, a lot of people were excited. That Square Enix would be publishing and presumably helping out with the development ofBalan Wonderworldonly amplified this initial excitement. Naturally, the final game failed to live up to the hype, though that’s not at all to say that it’s not worth playing.
If nothing else,Balan Wonderworldis anincredibly weird video gamewith plenty of baffling design choices and a lot of confusing themes. Despite this, though, like an overturned car on the side of the freeway, it can be difficult to look away, with players constantly left guessing what kind of craziness will be coming their way next. As is often the case with games like this, this randomness is best shared with a friend.
Baldur’s Gate 3
OpenCritic Rating: 96
TheBaldur’s Gateseries has always been popular, but the franchise’s third mainline installment helped to bring it to a whole other level.Baldur’s Gate 3is one of the best role-playing games of all time and is made all the better by the inclusion of a split-screen local co-op mode.
Players can also experience the title via online multiplayer, though this is arguably not as fun as doing so with a friend or loved one by one’s side.The game is full to the brim with content, so those looking for something to while away the days with should definitely consider checking it out.
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance
OpenCritic Rating: 87
As far as indie game darlings go, they don’t come much bigger thanThe Binding of Isaac. Together with the likes ofUndertale,Celeste, andSuper Meat Boy, it played a hugely important role in the popularization of indie titles, while also helping to bring about a resurgence of sorts for the roguelike genre.
For those who are yet to play Edmund McMillen’s masterpiece,The Binding of Isaac: Repentanceis a great place to start. Not only is it the perfect entry point for new players, but alsoa great way for long-time fans of the title to rediscover what makesThe Bing of Isaacso special. With four-player local co-op support, it can be just as fun with friends as it is solo, if not more.
Borderlands 3
OpenCritic Rating: 81
Gearbox Software’sBorderlandsseries hasn’t changed all that much since making its debut back in late 2009. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though, with the latest entry providing all of the same carnage and loot-oriented gameplay that made earlier entries so enjoyable. It looks great too, and while some may bemoan the lack of innovation, they can at least be thankful that loot drops remain free rather than being locked behind aggressive and predatory microtransactions.
TheBorderlandsgames have always done an excellent job of incorporating split-screen and this is once again the case inBorderlands 3. The game features both horizontal and vertical options and, exclusively on next-gen consoles, as many as four players can get involved at once. While playing online, it’s also possible for additional players to drop into the session, although the maximum number of players at any given time is four.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
Strictly speaking, the original release ofBrothers: A Tale of Two Sonscan be played like a traditional co-op game if players choose to do so. However, the 2024 remake includes a dedicated local co-op mode, allowing two players to share the experience without having to cozy up and share a single controller.
There’s perhaps an argument to be made that the story is more impactful when experienced solo, though there’s still plenty of fun to be had by sharing it with a friend or loved one. In fact, more than most local co-op PS5 games,Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remakerequires coordination and teamwork and thus forces players to get in sync with one another.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
OpenCritic Rating: 83
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6picks up right where its predecessors left off, providing high-octane gunplay and one of the best FPS multiplayer experiences around. The single-player campaign is pretty decent too as one might expect from aBlack Opstitle, but, as is so often the case withCall of Dutygames, it finds itself playing second fiddle to the multiplayer madness.
Thankfully, split-screen support inBlack Ops 6ismuch better than it was inModern Warfare 3, although there are still one or two limitations, such as both players needing to have an Activision account. It’s also impossible to play through the game’s campaign with a friend, although the lack of a couch co-op campaign is arguably offset by the fact that the hugely popular Zombies mode still supports local multiplayer.
