There was a time when gaming meant dragging your controller to your mate’s house, arguing over who got to be Player 1, and spending hours glued to the same screen, side by side, shouting insults and passing snacks. I miss those days.
These days, “multiplayer” means headsets, party chat, and praying the server doesn’t boot you mid-session. It means text chats full of twelve-year-olds calling you washed, and friends who ghost you mid-raid because “something came up.” Don’t get me wrong — online gaming is incredible in its own right, but it doesn’t scratch the same itch as true couch co-op.
And I think we’ve lost something important because of it.
The Glory Days of Split-Screen Chaos
Growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s, my weekends were booked solid with split-screen marathons. GoldenEye 007 on the N64. Halo 2 on the original Xbox. TimeSplitters 2, Mario Kart, even the old-school WWE games where half the fun was button-mashing until someone accidentally hit the console and ruined everything.
We didn’t need voice chat — we had actual shouting. Trash talk was delivered face-to-face, often with a flying cushion or a slice of pizza as punctuation. There was no lag, no connection issues, no waiting in matchmaking queues. Just pick up and play. Loser passes the controller. Winner stays on.
And it wasn’t just the games — it was the vibe. Cramped living rooms, dodgy wired controllers with dodgier third-party turbo buttons, warm cans of Coke. It was gaming as a shared experience. And it was magic.
Why Did It Disappear?
The honest answer? Convenience and money.
Online multiplayer means developers don’t have to worry about rendering two perspectives at once, or designing UI that works for multiple players on a single screen. It’s technically easier and way more profitable to push people online — especially when your online mode has a battle pass or a loot box economy attached.
And let’s face it, we all got older. Friends moved away. Life got busy. Being able to hop on a quick game of Warzone or Rocket League with a mate in another city is genuinely amazing — that would’ve blown my mind as a kid. But it’s also kind of cold. It’s functional. Efficient. It doesn’t have the same spark as being there in person.
Sometimes I think companies leaned into this distance too hard. They saw a way to turn every living room into a solo gaming pod, then monetise every online interaction. When your game relies on servers, microtransactions, and paid cosmetics, split-screen becomes not just an afterthought — it’s a liability.
Some Games Still Have Couch Co-Op Mode
The good news? There are still games out there keeping couch co-op alive. You just have to dig a bit harder to find them.
Here are a few split-screen gems that are still going strong in 2025:
- It Takes Two
This one’s a masterpiece. Designed entirely around co-op play (local or online), it’s a clever, emotional rollercoaster that forces you to work together. Every mechanic is built around communication. It’s the kind of game that makes you high-five your co-op partner after nailing a puzzle. - Overcooked! (and Overcooked 2)
Pure chaos in digital kitchen form. Best played with three mates and an unhealthy tolerance for shouting. It’s hilarious, stressful, and brilliant for parties — especially with a couple of drinks involved. - Minecraft (console versions)
Still has rock-solid split-screen for up to four players. Build, survive, or just mess about throwing sheep at each other — however you play, it’s a great example of how simple local co-op can be when done right. - Rocket League
Yes, it’s gone all online-heavy with its tournaments and competitive ladders — but good old split-screen multiplayer is still in there for quick play. It’s ideal for casual matches or teaching a younger sibling the ropes. - Lego Games (Lego Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, etc.)
They’re formulaic, sure — but they’re also comfort food. Drop-in, drop-out co-op makes them a great shout for parent/kid combos, or just some low-stress fun with a mate. - Diablo IV (console only)
Blizzard remembered split-screen for console players, and thank the gaming gods for that. Running through dungeons side-by-side is exactly the sort of thing that used to be the standard — and here, it’s still a blast.
Why It Still Matters
Look, I’m not saying online multiplayer is bad. I’ve had some brilliant sessions with mates across the country, and I love how connected modern gaming is.
But local co-op — split-screen, same-couch, actual in-the-room multiplayer — is something different. It’s spontaneous. It’s chaotic. It’s real.
It creates memories that online gaming struggles to match. You don’t remember that random Apex win at 2am. But you’ll never forget the time your mate accidentally shot a red shell backwards and took himself out of first place in Mario Kart. Or the time you played FIFA with your brother and he actually threw the controller out the window.
Couch co-op isn’t just about playing a game. It’s about sharing an experience. Laughing, arguing, celebrating, sulking — together.
Let’s Bring Split Screen Back (A Bit)
I’m not calling for some massive industry overhaul. But I do think more developers could at least consider adding local co-op when they can. Especially for games that don’t rely on pinpoint competitive play. Platformers. Puzzle games. Indie titles. Party games. Give us the option.
And maybe as players, we can do our bit too. Next time you’re picking a game for a Friday night, maybe go for something you can play with someone on the sofa, instead of someone on another continent. Invite a mate round. Fire up an old console. Recreate that split-screen magic — even if it’s just for one night.
Trust me, you’ll remember it.
