Split-Screen

One screen, split in two. The best side-by-side games.

By Stephen V., Founder & Editor · Last updated July 21, 2026 · How we pick

Quick picks

The short answer first. Tap any row for the full write-up; the price button goes straight to Amazon.

#	Game	Best for	Crossplay	Price
1	It Takes Two Co-op action-adventure	Two people who want one story built entirely around working together.	No - same platform only	$59.99
2	A Way Out Co-op adventure	Two players who want a cinematic prison-break story, split-screen.	No - same platform only	$74.50
3	Portal 2 Puzzle co-op	Two players who want the best co-op puzzle campaign, for a few dollars.	No - co-op is same platform	$5.99
4	Split Fiction Co-op action-adventure	Two players on different consoles who loved It Takes Two and want more.	Yes - crossplay + Friend's Pass	Check price
5	Borderlands 3 Looter-shooter	A group that likes loot grinding and can play on the same platform.	No	$36.11
6	Overcooked! All You Can Eat Party co-op	A group of 2-4 that wants controlled chaos and a lot of yelling.	Yes - full crossplay	$23.75
7	Rayman Legends Platformer	Up to four on the couch who want a gorgeous, forgiving platformer.	No - local co-op only	$25.94

One screen, split in two

Split-screen is having a quiet renaissance, and it's the best format for two people who want a single, shared story. The screen divides, you each control a character, and the whole game is built around the two of you working together. Several of these even keep the split-screen when you play online, so you get the same design whether you're side by side or apart.

Our top split-screen pick is It Takes Two- every mechanic is designed for two, it's split-screen the entire way, and the Friend's Pass lets a second player join free. Its follow-up, Split Fiction, adds crossplay. A Way Out is the earlier two-player prison-break, Portal 2 is the best-value split-screen puzzle game, and Borderlands 3 brings split-screen to a four-player looter.

One thing to check: most of these are two-player stories. If you have a bigger group in the room, the couch co-op page lists 4-player local picks. If your second player is remote, confirm the game supports online co-op (It Takes Two and Split Fiction do) and check the crossplay hub for platform mixing.

One to skip

A Way Out is a brilliant split-screen story, but it's one playthrough only- once you finish, there's little reason to return, and it has no crossplay. For a duo that wants replay value, It Takes Two or Portal 2 gives more game for the money.

The picks, in depth

It Takes Two

PS5XboxPCSwitchCrossplay: No - same platform only

Best for: Two people who want one story built entirely around working together.

2 players, online or split-screen · Co-op action-adventure

The gold standard for two-player co-op: every mechanic is designed for two, and the Friend's Pass lets a second player join free. Split-screen the whole way through. Skip it if you're a group of three or more - it is strictly two.

Facts verified via EA official page.

Also a top pick in Best Games to Play With Friends and Co-op.

$59.99 · View on Amazon

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A Way Out

PS5XboxPCCrossplay: No - same platform only

Best for: Two players who want a cinematic prison-break story, split-screen.

2 players, online or split-screen · Co-op adventure

A two-player-only prison break told entirely in split-screen, even online. The Friend's Pass means one copy covers both of you. Same-platform only, and it is a one-playthrough story - but a memorable one.

Facts verified via EA official page.

$74.50 · View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of July 22, 2026 · Disclosure

Portal 2

PCSteamCrossplay: No - co-op is same platform

Best for: Two players who want the best co-op puzzle campaign, for a few dollars.

2 players co-op, online + split-screen · Puzzle co-op

A decade on, still the best two-player puzzle co-op ever made, and often under $5 on PC. Split-screen or online. It is same-platform co-op and PC-focused - but for two puzzle-minded friends it is unbeatable value.

Facts verified via Steam store page.

Also a top pick in Co-op and Couch Co-op.

$5.99 · View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of July 22, 2026 · Disclosure

Split Fiction

PS5XboxPCCrossplay: Yes - crossplay + Friend's Pass

Best for: Two players on different consoles who loved It Takes Two and want more.

2 players, online or split-screen · Co-op action-adventure

The follow-up from the It Takes Two team, and this time crossplay is in - one of you on PS5, the other on PC, no problem. Friend's Pass again means only one copy is needed. Two-player only, so it is not a party game.

Facts verified via EA official page.

Also a top pick in Co-op and PS5.

Check price on Amazon →

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Borderlands 3

PS5XboxPCCrossplay: No

Best for: A group that likes loot grinding and can play on the same platform.

1-4 co-op, online + split-screen · Looter-shooter

Four-player looter-shooter co-op with split-screen for couch play - a lot of game for the money, especially the Ultimate Edition. No crossplay, so line up your platforms first. Great for a crew that wants a long shared campaign.

Facts verified via 2K official site.

Also a top pick in Co-op and PC.

$36.11 · View on Amazon

$38.61-6%

#ad · Price as of July 22, 2026 · Disclosure

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

PS5XboxPCSwitchCrossplay: Yes - full crossplay

Best for: A group of 2-4 that wants controlled chaos and a lot of yelling.

1-4 players, online + local · Party co-op

Both Overcooked games remastered with full crossplay across every platform - genuinely the easiest way to get four friends on four different systems cooking together. Local and online. It will test friendships; that's the point.

Facts verified via Steam store page.

Also a top pick in Best Games to Play With Friends and Party.

$23.75 · View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of July 22, 2026 · Disclosure

Rayman Legends

SwitchPS5XboxPCCrossplay: No - local co-op only

Best for: Up to four on the couch who want a gorgeous, forgiving platformer.

1-4 local co-op · Platformer

One of the best local four-player platformers ever made - drop-in co-op, instant respawns, and a killer soundtrack. Couch only. A great pick for mixed skill levels because nobody gets left behind for long.

Facts verified via Ubisoft official site.

Also a top pick in Party and Couch Co-op.

$25.94 · View on Amazon

#ad · Price as of July 22, 2026 · Disclosure

Keep exploring

Couch Co-op

Same couch, same screen, no internet required.

Top pick: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe · from $59.88

Crossplay

Different consoles, one game that bridges all of them.

Top pick: Diablo IV · from $28.97

PS5

The PS5 picks that actually get a group together.

Top pick: Helldivers 2 · from $44.40

Frequently asked questions

What are the best split-screen games to play with friends?+

It Takes Two, A Way Out, Portal 2, and Split Fiction are the top split-screen picks for two players. Borderlands 3 brings split-screen to a four-player looter-shooter if you want more players.

What split-screen games can you also play online?+

It Takes Two, Split Fiction, and A Way Out all support online co-op with the same two-player design, and only one copy is needed thanks to the Friend's Pass. Portal 2 and Borderlands 3 also have online co-op.

Do you need two copies for split-screen co-op games?+

For local split-screen, no - one copy on one console covers both players. For online play, It Takes Two, Split Fiction, and A Way Out include a Friend's Pass so a second player can join free.