Best Split Screen PS5 Games for Couch Co-op in 2026

The best split screen PS5 games solve a specific problem: two people, one TV, one console, no internet required. This is a deliberately narrow category. It is not the same as online co-op (which covers campaign co-op including online play — see the PS5 co-op guide for that), and it is not the same as online multiplayer (competitive play — that is covered in the PS5 multiplayer guide). This guide covers only games where two or more players sit on the same couch and share a single screen.

That distinction matters because the PS5 library is large but local split-screen is a feature many developers quietly drop. Knowing which games genuinely support it — and what the experience is like — saves a lot of disappointed evenings.

Quick Reference: Best Split Screen PS5 Games at a Glance

Check the live PS Store discounts tracker to see which of these are currently reduced.

Best Split Screen PS5 Games for Two: Couch 2-Player Essentials

If you have exactly two players and want the best possible experience, these are the titles that justify themselves most reliably.

It Takes Two is the strongest two-player couch game on PS5. It is a co-op-only platformer with no single-player mode, designed around two people working together across wildly varied set-pieces. It supports split-screen locally and online. The game is consistently rated as one of the best co-op experiences of the generation, and its price has come down significantly since launch. It has appeared in the PS Plus Extra catalogue multiple times — check current PS Plus Extra availability before buying outright.

Rocket League is free to play — the safest recommendation here: it costs nothing to try with a second player, and the skill ceiling keeps it interesting for years. The rocket-powered football format is instantly readable but takes real time to master. Up to four players can join on a single screen, making it the default choice for larger groups too.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat is the definitive kitchen-chaos co-op experience, now bundled with both Overcooked titles and all their DLC. It is 2–4 players on one screen and the shared-screen format suits it perfectly. It is a frequent target for 60% or deeper discounts in mid-range sales; the price history on PlatPrices makes it easy to confirm when it is genuinely cheap.

Best Split Screen PS5 Racing Games

Racing is historically the genre where split-screen has survived best — the vertical or horizontal split format maps naturally to a race and developers have kept the feature in most mainstream racing titles.

Riders Republic offers split-screen for extreme sports racing across skiing, snowboarding, biking, and wingsuit events. The sheer variety of disciplines means two players with different preferences can both find something. Ubisoft titles cycle through promotional prices frequently — use the price history check before buying.

Lego 2K Drive brings the Lego formula to open-world racing with full local split-screen support. It is accessible enough for children and technically competent enough that adults can enjoy it too. The arcade handling means neither player needs racing game experience. It has moved to discount pricing relatively quickly since release.

WRC (the official FIA rally championship game) includes a local split-screen mode for rally fans who want something more simulation-leaning. It is the pick for two players who want a genuine racing challenge rather than an arcade experience.

For a broader list of PS5 racing options including single-player picks, the best PS5 games guide covers the full genre landscape.

Best Split Screen PS5 Sports Games

Sports games have long been the backbone of couch multiplayer and that has not changed on PS5.

EA Sports FC 25 (formerly FIFA) is the most-played split-screen sports game on the platform. Local kick-off mode supports 2–4 players on one screen, and the annual release cycle means last year's edition often drops to very low prices when the new one launches. Buying a year-old copy is almost always the right call for couch play — the on-pitch experience changes minimally year-to-year and the price difference is substantial.

NBA 2K25 follows the same pattern. Two to four players can play on one TV, the on-court gameplay is polished, and the price drops sharply once the season progresses. The live sale tracker is particularly useful for sports games because they follow a predictable pricing cycle tied to the real-world season.

Tennis World Tour 2 and TopSpin 2K25 both support local split-screen for tennis fans. TopSpin in particular was well-received for its more simulation-oriented gameplay.

Best Party and Family Split Screen Games on PS5

This is the category where two players becomes four and the game needs to hold together across wildly different skill levels.

Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) supports 2–4 player split-screen on one PS5 and is probably the safest all-ages recommendation on this list. One player can build a house while another goes mining — the sandbox format means players can engage at their own level simultaneously. It regularly appears in PS Store sales.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is Sony's most underrated couch co-op exclusive. Up to four players can run through levels together in local co-op, and the difficulty scales so a more experienced player can carry a newer one. It has been in the PS Plus Extra catalogue — check before purchasing.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga supports two-player local co-op across all nine Star Wars films. The Lego formula is deliberately accessible and the Star Wars setting gives it the broadest possible audience appeal. It is a consistent performer during Days of Play and Holiday sales, often hitting 60% or deeper off its launch price.

Moving Out 2 takes the same chaotic physics-co-op format as Overcooked but applies it to furniture removal. It supports 2–4 players on one screen and the humour is consistent enough that it works with adults and children alike. As an indie title it prices aggressively during sale events.

Best Split Screen PS5 Shooters

The shooter genre has moved almost entirely online, which makes the games that still support local split-screen significantly more valuable for couch play.

Borderlands 3 remains the gold standard for couch co-op loot shooters. Two to four players can play through the full campaign in local split-screen, and the loot system means each player is independently motivated even when sharing a screen. By 2026 it has been through numerous sale cycles and regularly hits 70% or deeper off — check the price history before buying to confirm you are at or near the lowest-ever price.

Call of Duty is one of the few big-budget shooters that still supports two-player split-screen multiplayer on PS5. Support varies by mode and playlist, so check the current entry's local options before buying it specifically for couch play.

Sniper Elite 5 supports two-player split-screen co-op for its campaign. It is less chaotic than Borderlands and suits players who want a more methodical, tactical experience.

For games with strong online competitive modes that also have local options, the PS5 multiplayer guide covers the overlap.

When to Buy: Getting These Games at the Best Price

Most split-screen games follow predictable pricing patterns that make timing the purchase straightforward.

Sports titles (EA Sports FC, NBA 2K) drop hardest in the 6–12 months after launch — often to 70-80% off — because the next annual edition cannibalises demand.

Party and family games (Overcooked, Moving Out, Lego titles) go on sale frequently and deeply throughout the year, not just in major sale windows. They are reliable targets during the Days of Play sale (typically June) and the Black Friday and Holiday sales.

Live-service titles like Rocket League are free and the question is only whether to buy cosmetic DLC — which also goes on sale.

For any game you are considering, the approach is the same: check the price history on PlatPrices to see the lowest-ever price, decide whether the current discount is genuinely good, and set a price alert if it is not. Browse the full live discounts page to see what is currently reduced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What PS5 games have split screen?

Many PS5 games support local split screen, including Rocket League, Minecraft, EA Sports FC, Overcooked! All You Can Eat, It Takes Two, Sackboy, Borderlands 3, and the Lego series. The feature must be confirmed per game as not all co-op games support local play — this guide lists confirmed split-screen and shared-screen titles worth buying.

Can you play split screen on PS5?

Yes. The PS5 supports split-screen play exactly as the PS4 did — two to four players can share a single TV, with the screen divided horizontally or vertically depending on the game. You need a second DualSense (or compatible PS4 controller) and a second account or guest profile signed in on the console.

What is the difference between split screen and shared screen?

Split screen divides the TV into two or more separate viewports, one per player. Shared screen keeps a single viewport but the camera adjusts dynamically to keep all players in frame — common in racing games and 2D co-op titles like Overcooked. Both are forms of local couch co-op and work without an internet connection.

Is Minecraft split screen on PS5?

Yes, Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) on PS5 supports split-screen co-op for up to four players on one TV. It is one of the most accessible family-friendly options on the platform and regularly appears in PS Store sales. All four players share one copy of the game.

Do split screen PS5 games go on sale?

Yes, and reliably so. Sports games drop sharply mid-season; party titles like Overcooked and Moving Out see frequent 60%+ discounts throughout the year; Lego games hit their lowest prices during Days of Play (typically June) and Black Friday. Use the PlatPrices price history to confirm any discount is genuinely low before buying.

The best split-screen sessions start with the right game at the right price — check the live PS Store discounts tracker to see which couch co-op titles are currently at or near their lowest-ever price.