12 Best PS5 Split Screen Games (Our List)

Why Share the Fun? 12 Best PS5 Split Screen Games That Bring Back the Joy of Playing Together

Have you ever felt that gaming has become too solitary an experience? Remember the days when friends would gather around a single screen, controllers in hand, ready to compete or cooperate? Good news: split screen gaming isn’t dead—it’s thriving on PlayStation 5.

Let’s begin our exploration of the 12 best PS5 split screen games that prove local multiplayer still delivers some of gaming’s most memorable moments. From high-octane racing to cooperative adventures, these titles showcase why sharing your screen (and your couch) creates experiences that online play simply can’t replicate.

What Makes Split Screen Gaming Special in the Online Era?

In an age dominated by online multiplayer, split screen gaming offers something increasingly rare: genuine human connection. There’s simply no replacing the satisfaction of celebrating a victory or commiserating a defeat while sitting next to your teammate or opponent. The PS5’s powerful hardware has enabled developers to create split screen experiences without the performance compromises that plagued previous generations.

The 12 Best PS5 Split Screen Games

1. It Takes Two

Developer: Hazelight Studios
Players: 2 (split screen only)
Genre: Action-adventure, Platformer

It Takes Two isn’t just a great split screen game—it’s a masterpiece specifically designed for cooperative play. As estranged couple Cody and May, transformed into dolls by their daughter’s tears, players must work together to navigate fantastical environments and solve creative puzzles that constantly evolve.

What makes It Takes Two stand out:

• Mandatory cooperation: The game cannot be played solo, emphasizing its commitment to shared experiences
• Asymmetrical gameplay: Each player often has different abilities and perspectives
• Genre-hopping design: Seamlessly transitions between platforming, shooting, racing, and more
• Narrative depth: Tells a meaningful story about relationships while delivering engaging gameplay

The game garnered widespread acclaim, winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. Its “Friend’s Pass” feature even allows a second player to join without purchasing the game, removing barriers to cooperative play.

2. Dirt 5

Developer: Codemasters
Players: Up to 4 (split screen)
Genre: Racing

Racing games have long been split screen staples, and Dirt 5 carries this tradition forward with aplomb. This off-road racing game combines stunning visuals with accessible gameplay that appeals to both casual racers and simulation enthusiasts.

Key features:

• Four-player split screen: Rare in modern racing games
• Career mode co-op: Progress through the story with friends
• Dynamic weather system: Races transform as conditions change
• 120fps performance mode: Silky-smooth gameplay on compatible displays

Dirt 5’s split screen performance on PS5 is particularly impressive, maintaining visual fidelity and framerate even with four active players—a technical achievement that wouldn’t have been possible on previous console generations.

3. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Players: 2 (split screen)
Genre: First-person shooter

While online multiplayer dominates the Call of Duty experience, Black Ops Cold War preserves the series’ split screen tradition. Two players can share a screen in both competitive multiplayer modes and the cooperative Zombies mode.

Split screen features:

• Vertical or horizontal screen division options
• Zombies mode cooperation
• Competitive multiplayer against AI or online opponents
• Local progression tracking

The zombies experience particularly shines in split screen, where communication and coordination happen naturally as you fight through increasingly difficult waves of undead enemies.

4. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Developer: Sumo Digital
Players: Up to 4 (shared screen)
Genre: 3D platformer

This charming platformer starring the iconic LittleBigPlanet mascot delivers colorful, creative environments perfect for cooperative play. While not technically using a split screen (players share a dynamically zooming camera), it represents the best of local multiplayer platforming on PS5.

What makes it special:

• Drop-in/drop-out functionality: Players can join or leave at any time
• Cooperative and competitive elements: Work together but compete for points
• Special multiplayer-only levels: Some content requires multiple players
• Accessible difficulty: Suitable for players of various skill levels

Sackboy: A Big Adventure captures the spirit of Nintendo’s cooperative platformers while adding Sony’s distinctive visual polish and haptic feedback through the DualSense controller.

5. Borderlands 3

Developer: Gearbox Software
Players: 2 (split screen)
Genre: First-person shooter, RPG

This looter-shooter franchise has always championed cooperative play, and the third mainline entry continues this tradition with enhanced PS5 performance. Two players can share a screen while hunting for increasingly ridiculous weapons across colorful alien landscapes.

Notable features:

• 60fps performance in split screen (a significant improvement over PS4)
• Horizontal or vertical split screen options
• Individual skill trees and character development
• Shared or instanced loot settings

The PS5 version addresses the performance issues that plagued split screen play on previous consoles, making this the definitive way to experience Borderlands’ chaotic combat with a friend.

6. NBA 2K23

Developer: Visual Concepts
Players: Up to 4 (shared or split screen depending on mode)
Genre: Sports

Sports games maintain strong local multiplayer traditions, and NBA 2K23 exemplifies this with robust split screen options. Players can compete head-to-head or team up against AI opponents across various modes.

Split screen features:

• Play Now: Quick matches with current or classic teams
• MyNBA: Cooperative franchise management
• Blacktop: Street basketball with customizable rules
• Detailed player customization

The PS5 version’s visual fidelity and reduced loading times make the split screen experience more seamless than ever, though the series’ microtransaction-heavy approach remains controversial.

7. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Developer: Gearbox Software
Players: 2 (split screen)
Genre: First-person shooter, RPG

This fantasy spin-off of the Borderlands series translates the franchise’s cooperative shooting into a whimsical Dungeons & Dragons-inspired setting. Two players can share a screen while battling through a tabletop adventure narrated by the unpredictable Tiny Tina.

What sets it apart:

• Fantasy setting with unique class abilities
• Chaotic combat with guns and magic
• Dedicated cooperative puzzles and challenges
• Split screen with minimal performance impact

The game’s shorter length compared to mainline Borderlands titles makes it more accessible for casual cooperative sessions while maintaining the series’ signature humor and loot-driven progression.

8. F1 2023

Developer: Codemasters
Players: 2 (split screen)
Genre: Racing simulation

For fans of Formula 1, F1 2023 delivers a more simulation-focused racing experience than Dirt 5, while still supporting two-player split screen competition. The PS5 version leverages the console’s hardware for enhanced visuals and physics.

Key features:

• Authentic F1 teams, drivers, and tracks
• Adjustable difficulty and assists for players of different skill levels
• Split screen grand prix and time trial modes
• Haptic feedback through DualSense controller

While the split screen mode doesn’t include all features available in single-player, it provides a satisfying way to experience Formula 1 racing with a friend on the same couch.

9. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Developer: TT Games
Players: 2 (dynamically split screen)
Genre: Action-adventure

TT Games’ Lego titles have long been synonymous with accessible cooperative play, and The Skywalker Saga represents the culmination of this formula. Players can experience all nine mainline Star Wars films with a friend through dynamically splitting screens that merge when players are near each other.

What makes it special:

• Dynamic split screen that adjusts based on player proximity
• Hundreds of playable characters with unique abilities
• Drop-in/drop-out cooperative play
• Humorous retelling of the entire Star Wars saga

The game’s combination of puzzles, combat, and exploration creates varied cooperative experiences suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.

10. Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Developer: Team17, Ghost Town Games
Players: Up to 4 (shared screen)
Genre: Cooking simulation, Party game

This definitive collection bundles Overcooked!, Overcooked! 2, and all DLC content with PS5 enhancements. While using a shared screen rather than traditional split screen, it delivers some of the most frantic and fun local multiplayer available.

Notable features:

• 70+ chefs and 200+ levels across both games
• Enhanced 4K visuals and faster loading
• Accessibility options and assist mode
• Cross-platform online play

Few games generate laughter, screaming, and memorable moments like Overcooked!, making it essential for local multiplayer gatherings. The coordination required to run an efficient kitchen creates natural communication between players.

11. Rocket League

Developer: Psyonix
Players: Up to 4 (split screen)
Genre: Sports, Driving

This “soccer with cars” phenomenon continues to thrive years after release, with PS5 enhancements improving the split screen experience. Up to four players can share a screen locally, with options to play offline or take the local team online against other players.

Split screen features:

• Up to four-player split screen
• 120fps performance mode on compatible displays
• Variety of game modes beyond traditional soccer
• Cross-platform compatibility

Rocket League’s simple premise masks deep mechanical complexity, creating a game that’s accessible to newcomers but supports high-level competitive play as skills develop.

12. Haven

Developer: The Game Bakers
Players: 2 (shared screen)
Genre: RPG, Adventure

This unique cooperative RPG follows lovers Yu and Kay as they explore a fractured planet. While using a shared screen rather than traditional split screen, Haven was specifically designed for two players to experience its romantic narrative together.

What sets it apart:

• Story-focused cooperative gameplay
• Shared decision-making that affects the narrative
• Relaxing exploration mechanics
• Unusual romantic focus rare in cooperative games

Haven represents a more contemplative cooperative experience compared to the frenetic action of other titles on this list, making it ideal for couples or friends looking for a more narrative-driven adventure.

Why Split Screen Gaming Matters

The resurgence of split screen options on PS5 reflects a growing recognition that local multiplayer offers unique social experiences. Online play connects us across distances, but split screen fosters a different kind of connection—one where reactions, celebrations, and strategies unfold in the same physical space.

Split screen gaming also addresses accessibility concerns. Not everyone has multiple consoles or stable internet connections, making local multiplayer an inclusive option. The ability to share a single system democratizes access to multiplayer experiences.

Technical Considerations for PS5 Split Screen Gaming

When enjoying split screen games on PS5, several factors can enhance your experience:

• Display size matters: Larger screens provide each player more visual real estate
• Consider resolution vs. performance: Some games offer options to prioritize framerate or visual fidelity
• Additional controllers: The DualSense controller’s battery life can be limited, so having extras or charging options is advisable
• Audio solutions: Consider headsets with audio mixing capabilities for games where communication is crucial

Sharing the Screen, Creating Memories

The 12 games highlighted here represent the best of what split screen gaming offers on PlayStation 5: shared experiences that create lasting memories. From the mandatory cooperation of It Takes Two to the chaotic cooking of Overcooked!, these titles prove that local multiplayer remains an essential part of gaming’s appeal.

In a world increasingly dominated by online interactions, there’s something special about sharing both a virtual and physical space with fellow players. As technology continues advancing, the fundamental joy of playing together on a single screen remains timeless.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of local multiplayer or looking to rediscover its unique pleasures, these PS5 titles offer compelling reasons to make room on your couch and hand someone a controller. After all, some victories are sweeter when there’s someone right beside you to celebrate them.