The Best Split-Screen Games on PC

Best split-screen PC games at a glance

How these split-screen games were selected

The ranking considers:

• Native split-screen or local divided-screen support
• How well the interface remains readable
• Whether every local player has a meaningful role
• Campaign or mode variety
• Ease of starting a local session
• Controller support
• Replay value
• Variety across genres

Online co-op alone is not enough. A game belongs here only when its PC feature data supports local split-screen play. Feature labels can change between editions, so verify the current PC listing if one specific mode is essential to the purchase.

1. It Takes Two

Best split-screen game overall

It Takes Two is a two-player adventure built entirely around cooperation.

Each player controls one character and receives abilities that complement the other player’s tools. One person may create a route while the other activates it, or both may need to time separate actions during a larger sequence.

The mechanics change frequently. Platforming, puzzles, combat and minigames appear in different combinations, preventing one player from repeating the same supporting task for the full campaign.

The split display stays active because the game often asks both players to observe different parts of the environment at once.

It supports split-screen co-op, online co-op and full controller support. The game requires two players rather than offering a conventional solo campaign.

Choose it for the strongest all-around local co-op experience and a campaign where cooperation shapes every major level.

2. Split Fiction

Best split-screen game for variety

Split Fiction follows two writers moving through science-fiction and fantasy worlds created from their own stories.

Its levels switch settings and mechanics rapidly. A movement ability or puzzle rule may define one section before the next world introduces a completely different challenge.

Both players remain active even when their tasks differ. One may control an environmental system while the other handles traversal, timing or combat.

The changing genres allow the campaign to combine platforming, action and puzzles without settling into a single routine.

It supports split-screen co-op, online co-op and full controller support.

Choose it when constant mechanical change matters more than mastering one fixed system. It Takes Two is the broader entry point, while Split Fiction is the stronger follow-up for pairs already comfortable communicating.

3. A Way Out

Best cinematic split-screen story

A Way Out follows two prisoners cooperating to escape and deal with the consequences beyond the prison.

The campaign is designed for two players. One person may distract a character while the other moves through a restricted area, and some scenes allow both players to act while the other’s conversation continues.

The permanent split presentation supports this structure by showing both perspectives at once. The layout can change size to emphasize one view without completely removing the other player’s involvement.

Its mechanics are simpler than those in It Takes Two or Split Fiction, but that simplicity gives the story and characters more space.

It supports split-screen co-op, online co-op and full controller support.

Choose it for a focused two-player narrative rather than a systems-heavy game intended for repeated runs.

4. Gears 5

Best split-screen shooter campaign

Gears 5 brings local players into a cover-based third-person shooter campaign.

Combat rewards coordination because players can hold different angles, revive one another and focus on separate threats. Moving without support can leave one person exposed while the rest of the squad is pinned down.

The campaign combines directed firefights with larger spaces and optional exploration. That gives the group occasional room to choose its next objective before returning to more structured battles.

Local campaign support makes it a substantial shared experience rather than a collection of short competitive rounds.

It supports split-screen co-op, single-player, online co-op and online PvP.

Choose it for a full shooter campaign where positioning and teamwork matter more than fast arcade movement.

5. Human Fall Flat

Best split-screen physics game

Human Fall Flat turns awkward movement and object handling into cooperative physics puzzles.

Players grab, climb, pull and push through floating environments. The controls are deliberately loose, so even a sensible plan can produce an unexpected result.

Most puzzles support experimentation rather than one exact sequence. A partner can stabilize an object, create a counterweight or discover an approach the level never explains directly.

Failure carries little punishment, making it easy to retry an idea or spend time testing what the physics system allows.

It supports split-screen co-op, multiplayer, single-player and full controller support.

Choose it for low-pressure sessions where failed attempts can be as entertaining as the solution.

6. Outward Definitive Edition

Best split-screen RPG

Outward Definitive Edition gives two local players a survival-focused fantasy RPG to explore together.

Travel requires preparation because weather, injuries, supplies and equipment weight can affect an expedition. Reaching a destination is part of the challenge rather than a brief transition between quests.

Combat is deliberate, and rushing several enemies can overwhelm an unprepared pair. Dividing roles, carrying useful supplies and planning an escape route often matter more than raw aggression.

The Definitive Edition includes the broader package, making it suitable for a longer shared campaign.

It supports split-screen co-op, online co-op, single-player and full controller support.

Choose it for depth, exploration and long-term character growth. It asks for more patience than the other local co-op games in this guide.

7. EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5

Best split-screen arcade shooter

EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 sends players into large battles against waves of enormous enemies.

Its appeal comes from scale and variety rather than realism. Different classes use distinct movement systems, weapons and battlefield roles.

A local pair can combine complementary classes, such as one mobile character handling distant threats while another controls space at close range.

Missions are direct and replayable, with equipment progression encouraging players to revisit battles at different difficulty levels.

It supports split-screen co-op, online co-op, single-player, online PvP and full controller support.

Choose it for exaggerated action, class experimentation and a campaign that works well in individual local sessions.

8. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection

Best split-screen arcade racer

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection is an arcade racer where vehicles change between cars, boats and aircraft during a race.

The transformations make tracks more varied because handling changes as the route moves between land, water and air.

Items and shortcuts create opportunities for players of different skill levels to remain involved, while stronger drivers can learn routes and transformation timing.

Local multiplayer works well for short competitive sessions because setup is simple and each race has a clear endpoint.

It supports single-player, multiplayer, full controller support and the Steam user tags Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op, Split Screen and 4 Player Local.

Choose it for accessible four-player racing and a brighter alternative to simulation-focused competition.

9. F1 2020

Best split-screen simulation racer

F1 2020 provides a more structured racing experience for two local players.

Braking, throttle control, track knowledge and consistency matter more than items or unpredictable shortcuts. Assist settings can reduce the skill gap when two players have different levels of experience.

Split-screen races work best when local players want direct head-to-head competition without building an entire shared campaign.

The game’s official-season context is tied to its release period, but the driving model and local racing remain the reasons to play it now.

It supports single-player and multiplayer, while its current Steam user tags include Split Screen. It also lists full controller support.

Choose it for circuit racing and a more simulation-focused local challenge. Choose Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection when accessibility and arcade variety matter more.

Which split-screen game should you play first?

Match the game to your group:

• Best overall co-op campaign: It Takes Two
• Constantly changing mechanics: Split Fiction
• Cinematic story: A Way Out
• Shooter campaign: Gears 5
• Physics puzzles: Human Fall Flat
• Long fantasy RPG: Outward Definitive Edition
• Arcade shooting: EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5
• Four-player arcade racing: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection
• Two-player circuit racing: F1 2020

It Takes Two is the easiest broad recommendation for a pair. Human Fall Flat is better for casual puzzle sessions, while Outward Definitive Edition suits players who want one shared adventure lasting much longer.

Best two-player split-screen games

It Takes Two, Split Fiction and A Way Out are all designed specifically around two participants. They are the strongest choices when both players want equal importance in every level.

Outward Definitive Edition also works well for a pair, but its survival and RPG systems require more preparation.

Human Fall Flat is easier to start because failure has little cost and each puzzle allows experimentation.

F1 2020 provides direct competition rather than cooperation, making it a better option when both players prefer racing against one another.

Best split-screen co-op campaigns

It Takes Two offers the best mixture of mechanical variety and cooperation.

Split Fiction changes genres more frequently and is ideal for pairs who already enjoy communication-heavy adventures.

A Way Out provides the most focused narrative and uses the divided screen to show simultaneous events.

Gears 5 is the strongest choice for shooter fans, while EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 is less serious and more replayable mission by mission.

Outward Definitive Edition provides the longest RPG-style campaign but also has the steepest opening challenge.

Best split-screen games for casual sessions

Human Fall Flat works well when the group wants low-pressure puzzles and physical comedy.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection supports short races and straightforward local competition.

EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 allows players to choose a mission and begin fighting without committing to a long story chapter.

F1 2020 also supports quick head-to-head races, though players unfamiliar with circuit driving may need assists.

It Takes Two and Split Fiction are accessible, but their campaigns work best when the same pair can return regularly.

Best split-screen games for long campaigns

Outward Definitive Edition provides survival, travel, equipment and character growth across a large RPG adventure.

Gears 5 supplies a substantial shooter campaign for local players.

It Takes Two and Split Fiction are directed adventures with frequent mechanical changes and clear story progression.

A Way Out is more focused and easier to finish, making it a better choice when the pair wants a complete story without a very long commitment.

Human Fall Flat extends its life through replayable puzzles and community-created content, but it does not use a traditional narrative campaign.

Split-screen versus shared-screen multiplayer

Split-screen gives each player a separate view. This allows characters to move apart and look in different directions.

Shared-screen games keep everyone inside one camera view. They can still provide excellent local multiplayer, but players may be unable to separate freely.

The distinction matters most in shooters, exploration games and RPGs. Gears 5 and Outward Definitive Edition benefit from independent views because each player can watch a different threat or route.

Racing games usually divide the display because every driver follows an independent position on the track.

Some games dynamically merge and separate views, but the core question remains whether players can act independently without one camera controlling the whole group.

What you need for split-screen play on PC

Most local multiplayer setups require one compatible controller per player, although exact input combinations vary by game.

Before buying, check:

• Whether the PC version supports local split-screen
• The maximum number of local players
• Whether every player needs a separate account
• Whether a launcher or external profile is required
• Whether the game supports the available controllers
• Whether text remains readable on the display size
• Whether local play covers the campaign or only selected modes

Online co-op does not guarantee local play. A game can support several internet-connected players while providing no way for two people to share one PC.

Final recommendations

It Takes Two is the best split-screen game on PC for most pairs. Split Fiction offers the greatest mechanical variety, while A Way Out provides the strongest focused cinematic story.

Choose Gears 5 for a shooter campaign, Human Fall Flat for relaxed physics puzzles or Outward Definitive Edition for a deeper fantasy RPG.

Choose EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 for replayable arcade action, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection for accessible local racing or F1 2020 for more demanding head-to-head competition.

The best split-screen game is the one in which both players keep making meaningful decisions, not simply sharing the same display.