There was once a time when almost every home console game on the market featured split-screen multiplayer gameplay. As the popularity of online gaming has increased, however, those looking for the perfect couch co-op title to enjoy with friends or loved ones now find their options severely limited. Thankfully, though, there are still some developers who see the value in local split-screen and co-op multiplayer.

Although still in its infancy, the PS5 already has a fairly decent selection of local multiplayer games; thanks in large to the console’s backward compatibility with PS4 titles. Many of these games, like Sackboy: A Big Adventure and FIFA 23 confine their action to a single shared screen, but there are plenty of other titles with split-screen options included as well.

ARK: Survival Evolved

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Horizontal Only Metacritic Rating: 69

ARK: Survival Evolved can at times feel like a cross between Minecraft and Jurassic Park, with dinosaurs and crafting playing a huge role in Studio Wildcard’s action-adventure survival game. It’s a little rough around the edges in places, but those looking for a decent game that allows them to ride dinosaurs may find that their options are fairly limited beyond the title.

After a somewhat underwhelming launch, ARK: Survival Evolved has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years, with many new features and mechanics added into the game. Sadly, while two-player local co-op is one of them, it currently only works locally or on non-dedicated servers. This shouldn’t be an issue for most players, although those who have already sunk a lot of time into the game on a particular server may find these limitations frustrating.

Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 65

Released in late 2022, Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia is an action-adventure game that supports up to four-player local co-op. It’s far from the best-looking game on the PS5 and the pulled-back camera angles can at times make it a little difficult to keep track of what’s going on, but that doesn’t stop the game from being a lot of fun most of the time; particularly when played with friends.

Younger players probably won’t be all that familiar with the titular characters, with the comedy satire comic book series having first debuted all the way back in 1959. That shouldn’t stand in their way of enjoying what’s on offer though, as a lot of the game’s charm is derived from the way that the characters behave on-screen rather than the events that led them to their latest adventure.

Borderlands 3

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 91

Gearbox Software’s Borderlands series hasn’t changed all that much since making its debut back in late 2009. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though, with the latest entry providing all of the same carnage and loot-oriented gameplay that made earlier entries so enjoyable. It looks great too, and while some may bemoan the lack of innovation, they can at least be thankful that loot drops remain free rather than being locked behind aggressive and predatory microtransactions.

The Borderlands games have always done an excellent job of incorporating split-screen and this is once again the case in Borderlands 3. The game features both horizontal and vertical options and, exclusively on next-gen consoles, as many as four players can get involved at once. While playing online, it’s also possible for additional players to drop into the session, although the maximum number of players at any given time is four.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Horizontal Only Metacritic Rating: 83

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 picks up right where its predecessors left off, providing high-octane gunplay and one of the best FPS multiplayer experiences around. The single-player campaign is pretty decent too as one might expect from a Modern Warfare title, but, as is so often the case with Call of Duty games, it finds itself playing second fiddle to the multiplayer madness.

Unfortunately, split-screen support in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a little lackluster at launch, with players only able to play in certain game modes while utilizing the feature. Whether or not Infinity Ward will allow split-screeners to play in more game modes in the future remains to be seen, though what’s on offer can still be enjoyable when approached with the right attitude.

Can’t Drive This

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 67

In some ways, Pixel Maniacs’ Can’t Drive This is actually an anti-co-op game, despite players sharing a single split-screen. The way that it achieves this is incredibly innovative, with one player creating tracks and puzzles for the other using a series of modular components akin to those found in one of those old connect-the-pipes-style games.

The developer describes the game as a competitive co-op title, which seems somewhat fair given its core mechanics. Ultimately, however, the game is a lot of fun whatever one wishes to call it, and is well worth checking out. Granted, with four players involved things can quickly get a little hectic, but that’s arguably a big part of what makes it so appealing to so many players.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 87

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is one of the best indie games since Undertale and boasts a simple yet enjoyable gameplay loop that makes it perfect for multiplayer. Unlike many of the other great co-op multiplayer games on the PS5, in which a momentary lapse in focus can potentially have major and irreparable consequences, Chicory is refreshingly forgiving, with players easily able to make amends for their mistakes.

Together with its vibrant and charming visuals, the low-stakes nature of Chicory makes it a great game to play with young children who perhaps lack the dexterity for more complex games. Conversely, the ease with which it can be picked up makes it a great jumping-off point for those who are unfamiliar with video games. This unmatchable accessibility allows players to relax and focus on sharing this charming experience with the friend or loved one with whom they are playing.

Children of Morta

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 80

There are plenty of great roguelike games available on the PlayStation 5, but few can hold a candle to Children of Morta. The action RPG was released in late 2019 and went on to garner an impressively large fanbase thanks to its fantastic design.

Gameplay is addictive and the sound and visuals do a wonderful job of complementing one another. The narrative provided is an interesting one and the attention to detail that goes into lore and worldbuilding is incredibly impressive considering the size of the development team.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 86

Would the multiplayer experience on offer in Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time have been better if the developers had allowed players to play together simultaneously? Absolutely. Even so, the fact that a co-op multiplayer mode was implemented at all is still a nice bonus, particularly for a platformer of this quality.

The game implements a controller-swapping system, with players handing over the pad after reaching a checkpoint or dying. There’s also a more head-to-head oriented mode that sees players racing to reach checkpoints or break as many boxes as possible, though this is again all handled with a single controller, meaning that players will have to sit and wait their turn.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me

  • Number of Players: 1-5 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 71

Much like Supermassive Games’ other narrative-driven survival horror games, The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me supports both local and co-op multiplayer. In a welcome change though, the experience ends up being a lot better for those playing locally, with support for up to five players as opposed to just two. Granted, four of those players will be sat doing nothing for most of the time, but it’s nice to have the option of playing together nonetheless.

Each player can be assigned to a different character (or multiple characters if there aren’t enough players) and will be handed the controller whenever the time comes to make a decision or act. One wrong move can lead to their own character’s death, or, in some cases, the death of one of the other players’ characters instead. It’s this near-constant sense of jeopardy that makes the game so enjoyable and a must-play for any horror fan.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chroniclesyer

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 70

Given the massive popularity of the Demon Slayer anime, a video game adaptation always seemed like something of a certainty. Likewise, that it ended up taking the form of an arena fighter probably didn’t surprise too many people, given that the fighting game sub-genre so often goes hand in hand with anime adaptations.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles isn’t the best fighting game to come out of 2021, but it’s still a decent enough game. Fans of the anime should really enjoy what the game has to offer, more so if they experience it with a like-minded friend or family member as opposed to on their own.

Destroy All Humans! 2 - Reprobed

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Horizontal Only Metacritic Rating: 67

Though its single-player experience ultimately failed to live up to the high standards set by some of its predecessors, Destroy All Humans! 2 - Reprobed is far from a bad game. In fact, for better or worse, it’s an incredibly faithful recreation of the 2006 original, bringing Crypto kicking and screaming into the modern era of gaming.

The game supports two-player local co-op with each player given their own part of the screen as well as a shared mini-map and objectives list. Though it’s pretty normal for a game to be better when played with a friend, few benefit quite as much as Destroy All Humans! 2 - Reprobed, with its split-screen co-op mode helping to turn what would otherwise be a bang-average experience into a truly great one.

Dirt 5

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 80

Dirt 5 is arguably one of the best multiplayer racing games released in the past few years and a great one to enjoy with friends or family on the couch. It features a plethora of cars, varied and challenging courses, and a wide variety of game modes and challenges to keep players busy for hours at a time.

Racing games have always done a fantastic job of implementing split-screen and Dirt 5 is no exception. The game features many of different screen options and, unlike many other split-screen titles, adjusts the field of view accordingly rather than simply maintaining the original aspect ratio and filling the excess space with black bars.

DNF Duel

Few developers understand the fighting game genre quite like Arc System Works. The Japanese studio has put out some of the best fighting games in recent memory, and DNF Duel definitely ranks among them. The DNF spin-off is one of the most intense fighting game experiences out there and is well worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Whether played solo or with a friend, players will find a lot of enjoyment here, though the latter can be a lot more exhilarating if both players are around the same level. There are sixteen playable characters in the base version of the game with more arriving via DLC, ensuring that players will be able to find a fighter who matches their own style of play.

FIFA 23

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 76

Like many other long-running sports sims, EA’s FIFA franchise is often criticized for its lack of innovation, and for good reason. For years it has felt like the franchise has been treading water, though that’s not really the case with the series’ last few entries. FIFA 22’s HyperMotion technology helped the game feel like a true next-gen title and made it one of the most realistic football games ever made, both in terms of its mechanics and its visuals. FIFA 23 takes this one step further and offers great local multiplayer support.

Up to four local players can play the game offline, while two can play together while connected to PSN. Unlike some other co-op games with online multiplayer, only one of these players will need to have a PS Plus account, with the other able to join as a guest by pressing the Triangle button. Local co-op works in just about every game mode, including Volta, Kick-Off, and the microtransaction-heavy, FIFA Ultimate Team.

Fortnite

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Horizontal Only Metacritic Rating: 78

Having helped to spark the battle royale trend that just doesn’t seem to want to go away, Fortnite has grown from strength to strength. It’s now one of the most popular and most profitable video games of all time, having generated billions of dollars in revenue for its developer and publisher, Epic Games.

Fortnite’s split-screen mode is beautifully presented, although some may have preferred having a slightly wider field of view rather than character images. That said, it’s arguably a far better solution than simply having black or empty space on the screen as many other developers opt for. Both players are able to take part in the battle royale insanity online and it’s even possible for one player to leave midway through the match without it affecting the other.

Gran Turismo 7

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Vertical Only Metacritic Rating: 87

While there can be no excusing the aggressive monetization found throughout Gran Turismo 7, it’s hard to argue that the gameplay itself isn’t top-notch. Those looking for a realistic driving simulator really aren’t likely to be disappointed, with all of the cars measuring up almost perfectly to their real-world counterparts.

It is worth noting, however, that for some strange reason, the team over at Polyphony Digital thought that it would be a good idea to lock the game’s multiplayer mode behind single-player progress. As such, those looking for a multiplayer racing game that they can dive right into may be better served with WRC 9 or the excellent Dirt 5.

Goat Simulator 3

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 68

Those who enjoy causing chaos will likely adore Goat Simulator 3. It offers all of the same wacky antics as its predecessor does while also opening up the door to local co-op multiplayer, with support for up to four players and the ability to play with either horizontal or vertical split-screen depending on the number of players.

Playing with friends makes the classic Goat Simulator madness all the more enjoyable, particularly when there are four players involved. Though it might not be the best split-screen multiplayer game on the PlayStation 5, there is a strong argument to be made for it being one of the most enjoyable, albeit in short bursts.

Guacamelee! 2

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 83

Players that are seeking high-octane platforming action and a challenging game filled with some great humor should definitely check out Guacamelee! 2. The sequel to 2013’s smash indie hit, this time the release gives players a chance to play cooperatively with a friend.

Set on a single screen, the couch co-op feels smooth and works well, giving players a chance to conquer platforming sections and puzzles together while simultaneously beating down the opposition with a flurry of flashy wrestling moves. Guacamelee! 2 makes the already exciting life of a luchador look even more awe-inspiring thanks to its humorous storyline and fantastic gameplay.

Haven

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 72

There are a lot of great cooperative games out there that may appeal to couples. Playing a game together can be a fun, easy, and entertaining way to strengthen a relationship. Although most cooperative games feel great with friends, titles like Haven make the experience feel even more fulfilling for couples.

The story follows a pair of lovers that have ended up on a mysterious planet and must co-exist with the alien life found there. It’s relaxing, engaging, and has moments of excitement sprinkled in via exploration and battles. The storyline is engaging and feels realistic. There’s a lot to enjoy with Haven and it looks beautiful on the PS5.

Heavenly Bodies

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 75

Developed and published by Australian Studio 2pt Interactive, Heavenly Bodies is one of the more unique couch co-op multiplayer games on the PS5. It takes place out in the vast nothingness of outer space, wherein players must work together to perform various duties aboard a futuristic space station.

The game plays like a combination of Getting Over It and QWOP, with each of the analog sticks on the controller tied to one of the playable character’s arms. The lack of gravity allows for some excellent physics-based puzzles, while the simple yet difficult-to-master control scheme provides plenty of challenge.

Hot Wheels Unleashed

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Vertical Only Metacritic Rating: 75

There were countless video games based on Mattel’s popular Hot Wheels franchise around the turn of the century, but things eventually dried up after a decade or so. Since then, Hot Wheels games have come around every four or five years or so, which has helped to restore some of the sense of wonder that was lost as a result of the earlier over-saturation.

Hot Wheels Unleashed does a brilliant job of capturing the essence of the toys and is a little reminiscent of some of the fantastic Micro Machines games from back in the nineties as a result. Those looking for something a little less realistic than Gran Turismo yet not quite as wacky as a kart racer would therefore do well to check it out.

Human: Fall Flat

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Vertical Only Metacritic Rating: 67

Those looking for something a little more relaxing and a lot more comedic will definitely want to check out Human: Fall Flat. This hilarious ragdoll-physics-based game is pure fun, featuring a wide array of levels, outfits, and more.

The basic premise sees players trying to make it through hazard-filled levels, or simply trying to get from point A to point B using their less-than-reliable characters. With physics similar to titles like Gang Beasts and Party Animals, Human: Fall Flat is a great game for families. It never takes itself too seriously and can actually be quite challenging in later levels, requiring players to work together to make it to the goal.

It Takes Two

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Vertical Only Metacritic Rating: 88

Games designed specifically with co-op gameplay in mind can often be something of a mixed bag, but, for the most part, at least, It Takes Two manages to hit all the right notes. It looks great, requires a fair amount of critical thinking, and promotes teamwork and cooperation among its players. Perhaps most importantly though, it’s a lot of fun.

Given that It Takes Two requires two players to complete, it should come as no surprise that it features a local split-screen mode, although, for a game centered around co-op gameplay, the lack of a horizontal option is perhaps a little disappointing. Thankfully, that’s just about the only thing about the game that could be described as such. Just about everything seems to have been designed with a two-player experience in mind and the subsequent results really do speak for themselves.

Just Dance 2023

  • Number of Players: 1-6 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 85

When it comes to dance and rhythm games, they really don’t come much better than Ubisoft’s Just Dance series. Granted, the formula may be fairly repetitive, but for those who enjoy bumping and grinding, that likely won’t be too much of an issue. In fact, repetition probably won’t matter at all for anyone who likes doing such things with their friends or family.

As one might expect from a series’ most recent installment, Just Dance 2023 is the most action-packed Just Dance game yet. It features some of the most popular songs from recent years, with Just Dance Unlimited providing access to hundreds more. Players can enjoy these tracks alone or together locally with up to five other people, much like most of the franchise’s other installments.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Vertical Only Metacritic Rating: 82

For those who enjoy LEGO games, they really don’t get much better than Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Brick for brick, it’s one of the largest LEGO games ever made, and the skill and accuracy with which Traveller’s Tales has arranged them all is just as impressive as the game’s ambitious scope. It covers the stories of all nine mainline Star Wars movies and boasts a somewhat ridiculous 380 playable characters for players to choose from.

Granted, LEGO games can be something of an acquired taste, but there really is a lot to love here. Those put off by the art style would do well to watch a trailer or two before writing off the game entirely, as some of the visuals and environments that the developer has been able to create can actually be quite stunning in their own special way. Playing through the game solo can be a lot of fun, but doing so with a friend promises to be an absolute blast and is a must for Star Wars fans.

Madden NFL 23

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 69

For pretty much everybody outside of the United States, FIFA is the ultimate football game. When it comes to American football, however, no franchise can compete with Madden, with more than 40 different editions being released in the three and a half decades or so since the series first made its debut back in 1988. Thanks to the power of the PlayStation 5 and its peers, this year’s edition is one of the most visually impressive yet and features an improved co-op franchise mode.

Sadly, like all annual sports sim titles and an increasing amount of modern video games in general, the microtransactions in Madden NFL 22 are both excessive and intrusive. Granted, the game can still be enjoyed without spending any additional money and is a must-play for those who love American football, but the aggressive nature of its monetization does tarnish the overall experience quite a bit.

Minecraft

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 89

Despite its advancing years, Minecraft remains just as fresh today as it was when it was first released. The game continues to receive regular updates and, when it comes to visuals, has never looked better thanks to the raw power of modern gaming hardware. It even has support for real-time raytracing and VR, although the latter won’t be much use to those looking to play with a friend.

Couch co-op has been a staple of console versions of the game since day one and allows for up to four players at any given time. The screen can also be split horizontally or vertically, although players may need to tinker with the field of view settings a little to really get the best out of the experience. On a large enough screen, it can feel just like playing solo.

Mortal Kombat 11

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 88

Though not specifically designed for the PS5, Mortal Kombat 11 still feels right at home on the system, more so since the release of the game’s next-gen patch. Some people may not appreciate the game’s excessive gore, but for those looking for a good multiplayer fighting game, they really don’t come much better than this.

Better still, Mortal Kombat 11 features excellent crossplay support, ensuring that players can still go toe to toe with their friends even when they’re not in the same place. With the Ultimate Edition of the game, they’ll have access to an impressive 37 fighters, including DLC characters like Robocop, Rambo, and The Terminator. Those who enjoy tight controls and over-the-top violence should be more than satisfied.

NBA 2K23

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 78

For the most part, the first wave of annual sports games to hit the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles were a little underwhelming and struggled to justify their $70 price tags. Thankfully, however, the following years brought with them several great sports titles that gave players a much better idea of what exactly the next-gen consoles were truly capable of. One such title was NBA 2K23.

To be clear, it’s far from a reinvention of the wheel and the manipulative microtransactions are just as problematic as ever. However, the improved graphics and mechanics make this a must-play for any serious basketball fan. Even those with only a passing interest in the sport should be able to take enjoyment from the game’s local multiplayer options, which allow for up to four players at any given time.

Nobody Saves the World

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 76

Nobody Saves the World borrows a lot of its ideas from other dungeon crawlers, but manages to put them all together in a way that feels both fresh and unique. The gameplay is challenging but fair and the way that players are forced to constantly switch up their loadout ensures that they are a lot less likely to become complacent or bored during a run.

Although the game didn’t feature local co-op at launch, the feature was eventually patched in after a couple of months to coincide with the game’s PlayStation and Switch releases, allowing two friends to play together on a single console. The experience is every bit as enjoyable as online co-op, if not more so, with players now able to vent their frustrations a lot easier due to their partner sitting right beside them on the couch.

Overcooked 2

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 81

While Overcooked 2 isn’t traditionally a “split-screen” game, it’s still one of the best local co-op titles available on the PS5. This release is an absolute blast and an ideal family game thanks to its wholesome yet hectic theme. The action all takes place on one screen, but each player is free to control their own character.

To succeed in Overcooked 2, Players will need to work together to overcome a hazardous kitchen while simultaneously balancing a variety of foods and recipes to cook a spectacular dish. It’s a ton of fun in a group and can be pretty challenging to boot, particularly if not everybody is on the same page.

Quake

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 87

The Quake series is one that should need no introduction, at least not for gamers of a certain age. Together with other popular FPS series like Doom, Wolfenstein, and Unreal, id Software’s multiplayer first-person shooter helped to shape and define the genre. Much to the delight of fans, a remastered version of the franchise’s debut installment was released for the PlayStation 5 in late 2021 and is every bit as enjoyable as the original.

While it’s undeniable that the fps genre has come a long way in the two-and-a-half decades since the game’s original release, the remastered version of Quake still oozes class and will evoke fond memories of classic nineties multiplayer shooters in those old enough to remember them. Better still, players will be able to play the game locally with up to three of their friends, either in co-op or deathmatch modes.

The Quarry

  • Number of Players: 1-8 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 74

As is the case with some of the other great titles from Supermassive Games, The Quarry features a somewhat unique couch co-op mode. Rather than players each having their own controller, they’ll instead be assigned a different role, with players having to pass the gamepad among one another depending on whose character is in the hot seat.

When it comes to gameplay, The Quarry is incredibly similar to the studio’s other interactive games, though stands apart from its Dark Pictures Anthology series. This arguably makes it much more accessible and a lot more in keeping with the developer’s breakthrough title Until Dawn. It’s a solid enough game with more than 100 endings, so can be a great way to pass the time with friends.

Rocket League

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 85

Rocket League became an instant success when it was released back in 2015 and, like a fine wine, has only gotten better with age. It’s now completely free to play on all platforms and receives new content updates on a regular basis. For anybody looking for a cross between Forza and FIFA, this is definitely the game for them.

Despite being more than half a decade old, Rocket League remains one of the best local multiplayer experiences out there. The game supports up to four players and allows for either a vertical or horizontal screen split. It’s also possible to play split-screen online against other players, although each player will need their own PSN account to do so. Considering the game supports crossplay, this opens up quite a few possibilities when it comes to playing with or against friends.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 79

Sumo Digital is a developer that’s renowned for its ability to churn out fun and engaging games, and this is once again the case with Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Granted, it perhaps doesn’t look quite as impressive as one might expect from a PS5 launch title, but it’s far from ugly and makes up for its lack of visual fidelity with tight platforming and an all-around charming adventure.

The game’s co-op mode is a little reminiscent of the one found in Portal 2, with players working together to solve puzzles and progress through stages. In fact, certain stages can only be tackled with multiple players, meaning that players will need to work together to fully complete the game. This is obviously more fun with friends or family, though the game does now feature online multiplayer for those who prefer it.

Stardew Valley

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 86

The success of games like Stardew Valley serves as a true testament to the importance of the indie game scene. Much of the title was developed by just one man, Eric Barone, with the young developer hoping to provide a viable alternative to the Harvest Moon series. Half a decade on from the game’s release, it seems safe to say that he managed to achieve exactly that - and a whole lot more.

Split-screen co-op was added to Stardew Valley as part of its 1.5 Update and completely changes the way that the game is played. In order to get started, existing players will first need to ask Robin to build them a cabin, which will set them back 100 gold as well as some resources. As soon as it’s built though, split-screen co-op can be enabled from within the game’s menu. New players can instead enable the setting by default from the “Advanced Options” menu before starting up a new game.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 85

The TMNT franchise led the way when it came to sidescrolling brawlers back in the day, with many considering Turtles in Time to be one of the best arcade games ever made. It’s for this reason that fans of the genre were so excited for the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, and boy did it live up to the hype.

Shredder’s Revenge is an expertly-crafted love letter to a bygone era of gaming and a must-play for any fan of the genre. Sadly, the PlayStation version is limited to four local players rather than the six that some of the other platforms are able to accommodate, but this should still be more than enough for all but the most popular of players.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: Vertical or Horizontal Metacritic Rating: 76

Gearbox Software’s Borderlands games have always had fantastic local co-op support, and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which serves as a spin-off, of sorts, continues this rich tradition. Like the most recent Borderlands game, it supports four-player split-screen on next-gen consoles, which can be an absolute blast on a large enough screen. It also works well for those looking to play locally with just a single friend rather than three, as they’ll now have the choice between either a vertical or horizontal split.

Though it still suffers from a lot of the same flaws that besiege the main series, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands can still be a lot of fun and offers near-endless replayability thanks to the wide array of weapons on offer and its newly-refined class system. The Coiled Captors DLC is a bit of a letdown, mind, so players may want to save themselves a few bucks and spring for the standard edition of the game rather than the Chaotic Great Edition. Chances are the season pass will be discounted before the next DLC pack is released anyway.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: Vertical Only Metacritic Rating: 90

The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games were incredibly popular around the turn of the century, not to mention some of the best sports sim games ever made. With this in mind, the decision to remake the series’ first two installments for the modern age seemed like something of a no-brainer, particularly with so many lesser titles being successfully remade or remastered.

Though not quite as impactful as the original titles, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 was still incredibly well received, with Activision later confirming the game was the fastest-selling entry in the franchise to date. A highly-rated next-gen release followed a few years later, with the game then given away to PS Plus subscribers in August of 2022.

Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition

  • Number of Players: 1-4 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 67

Anyone who’s already played Warhammer: Chaosbane will probably want to skip the Slayer Edition of the game. This is because it’s effectively just an enhanced version of the original and not a particularly good one at that. To be clear, it does offer some subtle improvements here and there as well as a 4k facelift, but these extra bells and whistles don’t really come close to justifying purchasing the game again.

However, those who enjoy Warhammer games and are yet to experience the base version of Chaosbane should give the Slayer Edition some serious thought, particularly if they’re able to pick it up on the cheap. It boasts some excellent boss fights, an endless supply of loot, and a decent amount of customization through classes. There are one or two rough edges and the voice acting is laughable in places, but these minor niggles are very easy to overlook when playing the game with friends.

WRC Generations

The World Rally Championship series has never quite reached the same heights as some of the more established racing game franchises, although WRC Generations arguably comes pretty close. The game looks great and, much like many of its predecessors, supports both online and local multiplayer.

Despite split-screen functionality being included, however, the inability to alter the orientation of the split in the screen may frustrate some players, as too might the two-player limit. Those only wishing to play with a single friend or family member should be fairly satisfied with the experience that’s on offer though, particularly if they prefer a more rugged driving experience.

WWE 2K22

  • Number of Players: 1-2 Orientation: N/A (Shared Screen) Metacritic Rating: 77

Following a one-year absence, the WWE 2K series made a triumphant return in early 2022. Granted, WWE 2K22 is far from the best wrestling game ever made, but it’s considerably better than anything else that the WWE 2K series has had to offer in almost a full decade.

Though the majority of game modes tend to be tailored towards the single-player experience, the Exhibition mode allows for all manner of multiplayer mayhem. There are a ridiculous number of match types available, with players also able to tweak and change the rules and settings to their liking. For wrestling fans, this really is a must-play title.