Though divide-screen gaming isn't equally popular as it once was, there are nevertheless enough of great modern separate-screen games to cheque out. If you're gaming on PS4, there are tons of options to choose from. With the holidays around the corner, it makes sense to stock up on split-screen games to play with friends and family--games like A Way Out, It Takes Two, and many more. Plus, a lot of the games on our best PS4 split up-screen games listing volition probably exist on sale in the coming weeks. Of course, all of these games are playable on PS5 besides. Our list likewise includes multiplayer PS4 games that aren't technically carve up-screen but that can exist played locally with friends and family on ane screen. The following picks are organized alphabetically, not ranked, with split-screen games listed outset.

For more than local multiplayer games, brand certain to take a look at our list of the all-time couch co-op games for couples and best games to play with people who don't normally play games. We also have a agglomeration of roundups highlighting the best titles for all major platforms, including the best PS5 games and so far, best Xbox One games, best Xbox Series 10 games so far, best Nintendo Switch games, and all-time PC games to play in 2021.

The all-time split-screen PS4 games

A Mode Out

Hazelight Studios' A Mode Out was designed to be played cooperatively. In fact, you can but play it cooperatively, and it'south most enjoyable when you're sitting on the burrow next to a friend or loved ane. A Way Out stars Leo and Vincent, 2 convicts who work together to intermission out of prison and elude authorities. A Style Out has a really interesting approach to both gameplay and story. You and your partner are often separated and perform different tasks to help each other brand progress. The mix of puzzle-based, stealth, and action gameplay offers a constantly dynamic experience that funnels into the well-written story that has a surprising amount of heart. Though y'all're working together, y'all'll also come beyond fun competitive minigames throughout the adventure.

Run across our A Fashion Out review.

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

The Borderlands franchise is one of the rare offset-person shooters that still offers split-screen co-op. While all of the games in the series take co-op on one screen, we're recommending Borderlands: The Handsome Drove, which contains Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, two awesome games with lengthy campaigns. Both games offer split up-screen multiplayer for upwards to four players. Though the boodle-focused shooter can be played solo, Borderlands really hits its footstep when you team up with friends, especially every bit yous progress further and the action becomes more chaotic.

Meet our Borderlands: The Handsome Collection review.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Common cold War

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the latest entry in the long-running first-person shooter franchise, offers split-screen multiplayer for its Zombies and competitive modes. We're mainly recommending information technology here for Zombies, which is specifically built with co-op in mind. Blackness Ops Cold State of war's Zombies mode currently has three maps, though it volition evolve throughout the yr equally new seasons drop. Teaming upwardly with a friend to go toe-to-toe with waves of mankind-hungry undead enemies is a ton of fun.

See our Call of Duty: Black Ops Common cold War review.

Divinity: Original Sin ii Definitive Edition

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is one of the best RPGs yous can play on PS4, whether you lot're running solo or with a friend. It's an old-school role-playing game with a layered plough-based combat organisation and a captivating open world. Divinity: Original Sin 2 features ii-player split-screen co-op, which allows y'all to explore the massive world and make critical decisions on how to approach combat alongside a friend. It should exist noted that Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a lengthy experience that can take well over 50 hours to complete, so it's quite the time investment. We'd recommend information technology for those who have experience with tactical RPGs; it's not really a game for newcomers to the genre to learn the ropes.

Meet our Divinity: Original Sin 2 review.

Don't Starve Together

Klei Entertainment's survival game Don't Starve e'er felt similar a game that would be great to play with friends, but it took a few years for that feeling to be confirmed. The standalone multiplayer expansion Don't Starve Together released in 2016, and it remains one of the best survival games to play split-screen with a friend today. It has three game modes, each of which offers a different sort of survival experience. The main Survival manner truly emphasizes working together, while Wilderness and Endless modes permit you take in the scenery a chip more and feature more forgiving experiences. Don't Starve Together has a fun and challenging combat system and a gorgeous art style. This is the type of co-op game you tin come dorsum to over and over once again thanks to its randomly generated environments and dynamic gainsay encounters that change with each run.

Information technology Takes Two

Following in the tradition of A Way Out, Hazelight Studios' sophomore game It Takes Ii is also co-op only. When Rose learns that her parents are divorcing, she consults a book about dear and winds up transporting her parents' minds into the dolls she made of them. The premise is both humorous and rather sad, and It Takes Two manages to tread this line advisedly to deliver a charming tale. It Takes Two is besides significantly more involved than its predecessor when it comes to gameplay. Playing equally the small dolls, you and your partner piece of work together to traverse the larger-than-life environments around the house. It Takes Two has some truly wonderful platforming sequences that crave teamwork and ingenuity to consummate. It's one of the best games of 2021 so far and shouldn't be missed past platforming fans. Though checkpoints are forgiving, It Takes 2 does necessitate some platforming skills, so it'southward not equally approachable for a newcomer every bit a game like A Way Out.

See our Information technology Takes Ii review.

Lego Marvel Drove

Traveller's Tales Lego games have ever been great picks for families to play together on the couch, especially those with young kids. The Lego Marvel Drove compiles 3 fun Lego games in one package: Lego Curiosity Superheroes, Lego Curiosity's Avengers, and Lego Curiosity Super Heroes ii. These lighthearted adventures let yous and another player squad up to accept down supervillains while playing also-known Marvel heroes such equally Hulk, Iron Man, and Captain America. All three of the games have forgiving, easy-to-learn mechanics, which make them great co-op titles to play with your kids or those who don't game much.

Minecraft

Not much needs to be said near Minecraft, which holds the title equally the all-time-selling video game of all fourth dimension. On PS4, split-screen multiplayer supports upwards to four users who work together to craft their own Minecraft worlds. If you're looking to discover games to play with your kids, Minecraft is a superb pick, every bit it lets their imaginations run wild.

See our Minecraft review.

Rocket League

Rocket League has been one of the most popular online multiplayer games around for years, but you can also play it offline with upwards to four players on one screen. Rocket League is a ridiculously fun sports game that is essentially soccer with a giant brawl that's played in vehicles instead of on foot. Rocket League also happens to be the only gratis-to-play game on this list, so y'all should absolutely cheque information technology out during your side by side game night.

Meet our Rocket League review.

Sonic Mania

Sega celebrated Sonic the Hedgehog'south 25th anniversary in style past releasing Sonic Mania, an risk that fondly nods back to the iconic mascot'south heyday. Sonic Mania looks and feels like a Sega Genesis game, and it fifty-fifty remixes some of the all-time levels in franchise history. Like the early games, you can play 2-player carve up-screen co-op, with i player decision-making Sonic and the other playing as Tails. Sonic Mania also has a competition mode reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog two that lets you race your friends across a variety of levels. For those on the chase for a nostalgic co-op game, Sonic Mania is an fantabulous choice.

See our Sonic Mania review.

Wipeout Omega Drove

The Wipeout Omega Collection compiles three bang-up anti-gravity racing experiences in one package: Wipeout HD, Wipeout Hd Fury, and Wipeout 2048, which was previously a PlayStation Vita exclusive. All three games run beautifully on PS4, and each brings something different to the table. Wipeout Fury focuses on combat, Wipeout Hd offers a solid representation of the series' fast-paced gameplay, and Wipeout 2048 shows off a dissimilar side of the serial with normal nature environments serving equally the tracks. With a wealth of game modes, tracks, and unique ships, Wipeout Omega Drove offers i of the most robust racing experiences on PS4. Information technology'southward also a complete joy to play with friends thanks to its casual arcade format that oozes with fashion.

Meet our Wipeout Omega Collection review.

Diablo iii: Eternal Collection

The residual of the games on this list have local multiplayer, only they aren't split-screen. We're kicking things off with an action-RPG that has remained relevant for about nine years.

Though Diablo 3 has been bachelor on consoles for many years now, it'southward nonetheless surprising how well it translates to beingness played with a controller rather than a mouse and keyboard. Diablo 3 is a mod classic with a loop that remains fun even after y'all've run through the campaign dozens of times (really). Up to iv players tin bring together in on the activeness on one screen. With an emphasis on acquiring better and better gear and a boxing system that's approachable for newcomers, Diablo 3 is easily one of the most entertaining action-RPGs that you lot tin play via local co-op.

Encounter our Diablo three: Eternal Collection review.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Nigh every popular fighting game supports local multiplayer, and there are no shortage of great options on PS4. We're going with Dragon Ball FighterZ as our top recommendation thanks to its stylish visuals, fast-paced battle system, and dedication to being both approachable and layered in its gainsay. Of course, Dragon Ball fans volition be far more interested in this one than those who don't care about the anime. That said, it's such a finely crafted fighting game that it wouldn't be surprising if y'all convinced those who know null about the franchise to tag forth. It'southward chaotic and over-the-top and features a wealth of unique playable characters, including a bunch of DLC fighters that are worth paying for.

See our Dragon Ball FighterZ review.

Helldivers

Helldivers is another game that was specifically designed with a co-op focus. You tin play with upward to four players on one screen. Helldivers has an arcade vibe to it as a elevation-down shooter. The story sees you and your teammates explore conflicting planets and have down baddies to relieve the Super Earth. Though the gainsay is fast-paced and can get pretty hectic, Helldivers has a tactical bent to it, equally you lot and your teammates must make disquisitional decisions on how to approach each meet. You also have to exist on the aforementioned page equally the residual of your squad, since Helldivers doesn't protect you from friendly burn. The world is procedurally generated, so Helldivers remains interesting even after you think you lot've mastered the loop.

Come across our Helldivers review.

The Jackbox Party Trilogy

You tin't go wrong with any of the Jackbox Party Pack games for your next game night with friends. We're highlighting The Jackbox Party Trilogy here, equally information technology comes with the offset 3 Party Packs, each of which contains five unique games. The Jackbox Party Trilogy includes a wide diversity of political party games, including Trivia Murder Party, multiple versions of the the witty Quiplash, and Fibbage, a game that compels yous to lie to friends and loved ones.

Lovers in a Unsafe Spacetime

As members of the League of Very Empathetic Rescue Spacenauts, you lot and your partner must finish the Anti-Love while saving bunnies. It sounds like a casual and silly game, but Lovers in a Unsafe Spacetime is fairly intense. Your squad controls a ship, applying both offensive and defensive tactics to stay alive. One of the best aspects of Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is how information technology truly emphasizes solid communication. You and your teammate must act every bit one cohesive unit to proceed the love alive and save the bunnies.

Nex Machina

An ode to twin-stick arcade shooters, Nex Machina is a stylish and frenetic shoot-'em-up that excels in local multiplayer. In each level, you and a friend piece of work together to defeat a series of enemy waves, each of which is more challenging than the last. Nex Machina demands your constant attention, as it's easy to get tripped up past obstacles and formidable foes. Though it can also be played solo, Nex Machina truly shines in co-op, especially when yous become to the really punishing stages or are attempting to consummate secondary objectives and unlock secrets.

See our Nex Machina review.

Overcooked: All Yous Can Eat

Team17's Overcooked series offers frantic and hilarious co-op and competitive multiplayer that's wrapped up in a cutesy package with lots of charm. You can get both games plus every piece of DLC in Overcooked: All You Can Eat. Each level tasks its cartoon chefs with preparing meals past gathering ingredients, cooking them properly, then serving them on dishes. Information technology'due south a simple premise that requires few buttons. That said, the fourth dimension restraints and wacky kitchen designs lead to some hilarious (and sometimes stressful) situations in the kitchen. Both Overcooked games are well worth playing, but Overcooked ii too adds the ability to throw items, which is a game-changer. This mechanic combines with the wild, dynamic kitchens in a manner that forces abiding teamwork and communication. We can't promise that shouting won't be involved during meal prep, but Overcooked and its sequel are well worth the possible frustrations that come up with its tricky scenarios. At that place ever seems to exist a proverbial fire in the kitchen while playing Overcooked, and this intensity is exactly what makes it such a solid party game.

Run across our Overcooked review and Overcooked 2 review.

Rayman Legends

Rayman may non get the same honey as another video game mascots, but the dude with floating torso parts happens to lead one of the best modern side-scrolling platformers: Rayman Legends. Every bit a direct sequel to Rayman Origins (likewise skilful), Rayman Legends is the biggest game in the series with more than 120 wonderfully designed levels featuring different styles and objectives. Rayman Legends tin can exist played with up to four players on one console.

See our Rayman Legends review.

Sackboy: A Large Adventure

In Sackboy: A Big Adventure, the latest entry in the LittleBigPlanet series, you and up to three friends piece of work to defeat an evil jester doll and save Craftverse. Sackboy is the closest matter to a modern Super Mario game you'll observe on PS4. The well-designed levels offering a staggering amount of variety to keep the platforming fun throughout. The game'southward whimsical tone, catchy soundtrack, and bevy of cute outfits make it a great option for families. While Sackboy doesn't do anything we haven't seen before in the platforming genre, it has an extremely sturdy foundation that makes information technology easy to recommend.

See our Sackboy: A Large Adventure review.

Spelunky 1 + ii

If you and your friends are upwardly for a challenge, Spelunky and Spelunky ii are both first-class side-scrolling roguelikes that work exceedingly well as cooperative adventures. Both games feature randomly generated levels filled with unsafe obstacles and enemies that can kill you lot in a flash. Spelunky'southward loop constantly surprises you, every bit even when y'all start to get the hang of navigating its perilous trappings, you never know what kind of layout you'll meet adjacent. Playing the games cooperatively has its benefits: You tin bring your teammates back to life and work together to uncover treasures and defeat enemies. Both games besides feature a competitive manner that drops you and up to three friends in an arena to battle information technology out to the death. While both entries can exist frustrating due to their high degree of difficulty, they are incredibly rewarding for those who stick with them.

See our Spelunky and Spelunky 2 review.

Stardew Valley

While primarily thought of every bit a unmarried-player game, Stardew Valley likewise has an excellent multiplayer mode. The massive 1.five update added the ability to play split-screen co-op, which lets you and upwards to three friends hang out in the country-life simulator together. Stardew Valley's multiplayer style plays very similarly to the traditional solo campaign, so you and your friends can tend to the land, converse with the colorful NPCs, and explore the mines just as you would in solo play. As an endless experience, yous can become a lot of mileage out of Stardew Valley. This is definitely a great pick for those who want to unwind at night with some leisurely couch co-op. Stardew Valley is likewise a good choice to play with someone who may not have a lot of experience with games, as it's not mechanically challenging, though it besides offers plenty of depth and strategy for longtime gamers.

See our Stardew Valley review.

Streets of Rage four

Side-scrolling shell-'em-ups were a staple of arcade and early panel gaming, and Streets of Rage was 1 of the very best in the genre. After a lengthy hiatus, Streets of Rage 4 arrived in 2020, marking the first entry in the serial in more than 25 years. Streets of Rage 4 may have modernistic visuals, just it's an old-school trounce-'em-upwards through and through. You can run through the 12 challenging levels with upwards to iv players, and there are even some hush-hush retro levels to uncover. Streets of Rage 4 succeeds considering it sticks to its roots to offer a cornball and thoroughly engrossing couch co-op adventure.

Run into our Streets of Rage 4 review.

TowerFall Ascension

TowerFall Ascension is a fast-paced and rather humorous action game that's simple to get the hang of. Upwardly to four players can play locally on i console, with each taking on the role of an archer and trying to be the last player standing. The small loonshit-style maps make each lucifer go apace, and a wide variety of ability-ups aid keep the gameplay fresh. TowerFall Ascension feels incredible in motion and remains one of the coolest political party games on PS4 more than vii years after its release. Though primarily a competitive multiplayer game, at that place is a co-op quest way that lets y'all and a friend take on AI-controlled archers and monsters.

See our TowerFall Ascension review.

Unravel 2

Unravel was a fun platformer, but poor Yarny seemed solitary at times. Unravel two doubles the fun past letting you lot and a partner create your own Yarny characters and embark on a platforming adventure together. Merely like the first game, Unravel 2 has a colorful world that is pleasant to explore as a fauna fabricated out of yarn. Information technology makes keen use of its two-histrion premise past requiring you and your partner to work together to solve puzzles. The strings at the terminate of your yarn are tied together, forcing you to work together as one. Unravel 2 is filled with clever puzzles that really emphasize both audio planning and execution. It's a pleasant feel that we'd especially recommend for couples.

See our Unravel ii review.

Got a news tip or desire to contact us directly? Electronic mail news@gamespot.com