The best split-screen PS4 and PS5 games offer you the chance to play some top games along your nearest and dearest. While plenty of great PS4 and PS5 games offer multiplayer components, games that offer split-screen functionality are becoming increasingly rare. There are plenty of good reasons for this, including the fact that split-screen multiplayer modes are more intensive on hardware, and the demand has shrunk as many people prefer online gaming to couch co-op anyway.
Nevertheless, split-screen games offer a special kind of cooperative or competitive experience, as you can go anywhere you want and do anything you want, while bringing your preferred partner along for the ride. It’s all the best parts of a multiplayer experience without the restrictions that often go along with online play.
There are many genres represented among the best split screen PS4 and PS5 games. Whether you want to play first-person shooters, racing games, RPGs, action games or even horror games, there should be something here to suit your tastes. Just be sure to pick up an extra controller first. Also check out our lists of the best PS4 games and the best PS5 games for a broader look at some of our favorites. And remember: The PS5 is backwards compatible with any PS4 titles we recommend.
The best split screen PS4 and PS5 games you can buy today
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1. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
If you've not heard of Borderlands before, it's a series of wickedly funny looter shooters, with some of the best co-op play on PlayStation consoles. In these games, you play as a vault-hunter, essentially an intergalactic treasure hunter, roaming the harsh planet of Pandorea on the hunt for all the loot you can get your hands on.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection on PS4 collects both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and both of them allow two, three or four players to share a local split screen. Each player can play as a different character class, which allows you to build out a team that compliments each other, and allows each player to fulfill their preferred role from a healer to a damage-dealer.
If you tear through Borderlands: The Handsome Collection in record time, then there's Borderlands 3 waiting for you which is playable on both PS4 and PS5. It moves the franchise's signature blend of frenetic shooters to brand-new environments and is the biggest Borderlands game to date. But we'd argue Borderlands 2 is still the best of the series because of its superior comedic writing)
2. It Takes Two
It Takes Two is an action-adventure platformer that is all about collaboration. You play as Cody and May, a married couple on the verge of divorce, who become trapped in their daughter’s hand-made dolls and must work together to find a way back to their human bodies.
This co-op-only experience won Game of the Year at the Game Awards 2021, which is a real testament to its inventive puzzles and the large variety of gameplay mechanics on offer. The story is a little flimsy, and one of the supporting characters is a huge irritant, but It Takes Two constantly surprises and delights with a large dose of pure fun. Plus, you only need a single copy to play through the whole game with a co-op partner which is a real bonus.
3. Tekken 8
There's no quicker way to fall out with a friend or loved one than by beating the snot out of their sci-fi ninja avatar as an adorable panda. Tekken 8 may not exactly bring the whole family together through cooperative collaboration but it's significantly more fun fighting against somebody on the same couch than facing the computer-controlled AI or sparring online where a weak connection can abruptly ruin a bout.
In reality, Tekken 8 probably isn't going to ruin any of your relationships (unless your loved ones taking gaming a little too seriously), but if you're looking for a competitive brawler to challenge those closest to you, Tekken 8 is perfect. Not only does it look downright glorious on current-gen consoles, but it also packs a deep roster of familiar characters and new faces. Plus, if you get bored of delivering a beat down in split screen there's a wealth of single-player content and additional modes to enjoy.
4. Divinity: Original Sin II
Many RPGs are designed for solo play, but the Divinity: Original Sin series proves that digital role-playing can be even more enjoyable when you've got a buddy right by your side. In this case, Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the best PS4 RPGS overall, and it's also one of the most enjoyable split-screen experiences on the console.
In this critically acclaimed fantasy epic, you play a "Sourcerer", a magic user blessed with divine abilities. Setting off on this lengthy adventure, you are contacted by a strange being known as the "Godwoken", an entity that guides you across a dangerous land on a universe-saving quest (yes, it's a pretty standard fantasy yarn).
Expect adventure, intrigue and a dose of friendship — which is appropriate, since you can play the whole thing, start-to-finish, with two players, each of whom can fully customize their individual character. Plus, players are not tethered together, so you can head off in opposite directions, and complete each quest in your own way.
5. Don't Starve Together
Don't Starve is one of the those games that tell you its fundamentals right up front. The premise of this relatively straightforward game is simple: Survive. You're dropped into a harsh world, in a place teaming with beasts, adverse weather conditions and hostile terrain, and you need to set about finding shelter and food, and eventually, weapons that will enable you to confront the monsters around you.
The base game is a charming survive experience, but co-op focused Don't Starve Together lets you bring a companion into the mix. In theory this allows you to collect more resources, and gives you strength in numbers when faces the harsh natives of this strange place you've found yourself, but it also means an extra mouth to feed.
You can try your luck with other players online, or keep it to just the two of you. There are three different modes to try, including a standard Survival mode, a more open-ended Wilderness mode and an Endless mode that’s more about exploration than challenge. As survival titles go, it’s one of the best split screen PS4 games.
6. Gran Turismo 7
You can't write a list of split-screen games and not include a racing title, and when it comes to multiplayer racing on a PlayStation console there are two words on everybody's lips: Gran Turismo.
Gran Turismo 7 is the latest entry in the driving simulator series, and it's the most immersive and authentic installment in the storied franchise yet. Across a robust selection of modes, you’ll race on iconic real-world tracks in some of the most exotic cars ever created. And your driving experience is fully customizable with a wealth of tuning options allowing you to fine-tune just about every element from grip to suspension.
However, this isn't a racing game exclusively for motorheads, there's also plenty of appeal for novices with plenty of accessibility features designed to help new players become comfortable behind the wheel. Beyond that, there's not too much to say; Gran Turismo 7 lets you race two digital cars against each other, very fast, just like you've been doing since the dawn of video games.
7. Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
Finding a split-screen game that is suitable for younger players but still capable of holding the attention of a more experienced gamer at the same time, can be tough. But Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 does an excellent job of appealing to both kids and adults alike.
You take control of a collection of sentient plant life and must defend your garden from a horde of nasty zombies. However, unlike the original mobile game, Garden Warfare 2 isn't a tower defense game, instead it's a zany third-person shooter. But that's not to say it's all changed, the series' trademark silly humor is retained.
Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 also offers a large variety of ways to play, either competitively or cooperatively. And the more you play, the more cool stuff you'll unlock from new character classes to colorful cosmetic items. The game offers a campaign that can played in co-op, as well as a horde mode and online matches.
8. Rocket League
Who could have imagined that "cars playing soccer" would have turned into one of the most popular video games of the last few years? (Well, The Simpsons anticipated it, but that show always knows the future.) Rocket League has turned a shockingly simple premise into one of the most beloved competitive sports(?) games on the market. There’s really not much to say about the gameplay: You drive cars and try to hit a ball into a net.
If you want to play some competitive split screen, simply load the game up on your PS4 and grab a second controller — and a third, and a fourth, if you want to make things really chaotic. Rocket League also has a robust esports scene, so who knows? Spend enough time practicing, and you may just get good enough to join the competitive ranks.
9. Diablo 4
Diablo is arguably the king of couch co-op, and the latest entry in this demon-slaying franchise is as compelling as ever.
Playable with two on the same console (or up to three players online), in Diablo 4 you pick from one of the six playable classes (Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, Sorcerer, or Spiritborn) and then head out into a brand new hellscape full of monstrous demon armies and fearsome bosses that take up the entire screen.
As veteran players will know, the real driving force that will keep you playing Diablo 4 for dozens upon dozens of hours is the game's loot system. There's something endlessly compelling about defeating an uber-powerful boss and being rewarded with a shower of rare weapons and armor pieces. Plus, you won't get bored of the loot grind either as procedurally generated dungeons ensure each run feels new.
Diablo 4 also adds player-versus-player combat to the series for the first time, so if you want to prove that your high-leveled character is the most supreme adventurer around, you can put your money where your mouth is. Though, we'll stick to co-op.
10. Resident Evil 6
Full disclosure: Resident Evil 6 isn't a good game. In fact, it's kind of a bad game. But a) It's the kind of bad game that's entertaining in a train-wreck sort of way; b) It eschews the uncomfortable racism of Resident Evil 5; and c) It's one of the few ways to experience a cooperative split screen zombie-killing campaign on PS4. You’ll spend most of the game shooting zombies, exploring urban environments and solving a few rote puzzles, but at least it doesn’t take too much brainpower.
If you want something story-driven and action-packed, Resident Evil 6 (mostly) delivers, weaving together three stories about classic protagonists: Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy as well as newcomer Jake Muller. At the very least, it's better than suffering through the campaign alone. Bonus points if you laugh at the ridiculousness together, Mystery Science Theater 3000-style.
11. Lego DC Super-Villains
The Lego games are always a solid co-op bet, and as an added bonus, they're about as kid-friendly as they come. And while cooperative kids' games have a (somewhat deserved) bad reputation for being buggy and unimaginative, the Lego series almost always bucks the trend. Lego DC Super-Villains puts you in control of the greatest antagonists of the DC Universe, including Lex Luthor, the Joker, Solomon Grundy, Lobo and even Darkseid himself.
Along the way, you'll solve puzzles, fight off pesky superheroes and follow a totally original plot that pits you against a despotic, alternate-universe version of the Justice League. You can even make your own supervillain, if the game's massive cast doesn’t do it for you. It’s one of the best split screen PS4 games, if for no other reason than you get to play as a supervillain.
12. A Way Out
Hailing from Hazelight, the developer of fellow entrant on this list It Takes Two, A Way Out was the studio's proof of concept Like its successor, it doesn't merely offer an optional co-op experience, but requires a second player from start to finish.
In this action-adventure title, you'll take control of either Leo or Vincent. Each one is a prisoner with one goal in mind: to stage an elaborate jailbreak and escape to the countryside. Players will have to cooperate to evade the law, sure, but the bigger draw of the game is that they'll have to collaborate to solve elaborate puzzles.
One player may need to act as a distraction while the other picks a locked door, or both players may need to set a bigger plan in motion. It's worth noting that A Way Out wasn't universally beloved by either fans or critics in the same way that It Takes Two would be three years later — it certainly didn't win GOTY at the Game Awards.
However, it's still worth a look for sheer originality, if nothing else. And if you want, you can play it twice, so that both players can experience both perspectives which adds a pleasant degree of replayability.
13. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sony’s most adorable mascot returns in this delightfully charming 3D platformer that is ideal for gamers of all ages. Sackboy’s latest adventure can be played with up to four players on a single PS4 or PS5 console, and there are even unlockable co-op-only levels that task you with solving puzzles as a team in order to progress.
The level creation elements of the LittleBigPlanet franchise have been removed, but Sack: A Big Adventure is a more focused and enjoyable experience for it. The game will regularly produce a smile thanks to its accessible platforming controls and consistently inventive levels that rarely recycle ideas. There’s also a competitive element to co-op as at the end of each stage the player who has collected the most bubbles will be awarded a trophy. This adds an extra wrinkle to co-op sessions.
14. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is pretty much the ultimate Lego Star Wars video game. It covers all nine movies in the main Star Wars canon, from A New Hope all the way through to The Rise of Skywalker. And it's not just bigger than any Lego game before it either. The developers at TT Games have also reworked the traditional Lego game formula in new and exciting ways.
For starters, the combat has been entirely re-designed, and while The Skywalker Saga is still very suitable for younger players, more experienced gamers will appreciate the simple combos and improved shooting mechanics. Plus, there's an RPG-inspired upgrade tree, and vast open-world hubs to explore with your co-op partner. There's so much to collect, and so many Lego objects to smash, that you can expect to be playing Lego Stars: The Skywalker Saga for dozens of hours.
How to choose the best split screen PS4 and PS5 games for you
As mentioned above, the most effective way to pick the best split screen PS4 and PS5 games for you and your partner is to consider what types of games you usually like to play. You should also consider how much time you have to spend together. Huge, sprawling games like Divinity: Original Sin can take dozens of hours, which is quite a commitment if you don’t live together — or if you have more pressing appointments in your gaming schedule. Other titles, like Sackboy: A Big Adventure can be fun for about an hour at a time, meaning it won’t eat up your entire afternoon.
Beyond that, it’s also worth considering whether you and your partner want to work together or compete against each other. Titles like A Way Out pit both of you against the computer; titles like Gran Turismo Sport pit you directly against each other. Most titles have both competitive and cooperative aspects, however, so choose wisely.
