Biggest Upcoming Split-Screen Co-Op Games

With 2026 underway, gamers are starting to look forward to upcoming releases. For those who enjoy playing with friends locally, especially on a split-screen, there are a few promising titles expected in 2026, though release dates are always subject to change. Other games, like Mario Tennis Fever and Gears of War: E-Day, haven’t yet confirmed whether they’ll include multiplayer options.

Both of those games have previously offered local split-screen multiplayer, so fans are hoping that feature returns when they release in 2026. Putting speculation aside, let’s focus on games where cooperative play is a key feature.

Orbitals

Get Hyped, Anime Fans

Planned Release Date: 2026
Planned Systems: Switch 2

Orbitals is a new game coming exclusively to the Switch 2 that can only be played with another person. In the game, players take on the roles of explorers Maki and Omura, working together to save their space station from destruction. While the exact problem hasn’t been revealed, the trailer shows players using jetpacks to fly, navigating platforms, and shooting enemies with lasers. The game features a split-screen view where each player sees a different part of the action.

The game features smart cooperative gameplay, letting one player pilot a spaceship while the other controls its weapons. Visually, it’s heavily inspired by the classic anime of the 80s and 90s, reminiscent of the golden age of original video animations. Developed by the new studio Shapefarm, it’s being published by Kepler Interactive, the team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Could Orbitals be Kepler’s next award-winning game?

Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered (Split-Screen Not Confirmed)

An Old-School Classic Returns

Planned Release Date: March 19, 2026
Planned Systems: PC, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S

Originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, Dynasty Warriors 3 introduced several new features to the series, including head-to-head battles and cooperative play, both of which used a split-screen format. The upcoming Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered will include offline co-op, but Koei Tecmo hasn’t yet specified whether it will use a split-screen or shared screen approach.

Considering past games in the series, it’s highly likely Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered will include split-screen multiplayer. The core gameplay revolves around controlling many characters on large maps, battling hordes of enemies, and capturing bases – and it’s much more fun with a friend. Local co-op has always been a key feature, and split-screen is the natural way to experience that. Whether or not it has split-screen, this remastered version appears to be a full remake that fans of the Dynasty Warriors series will appreciate.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Back In Green

Planned Release Date: 2026
Planned Systems: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S

Released in 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved dramatically changed first-person shooter games on consoles. The game, exclusive to the original Xbox, follows Master Chief, a space marine, as he battles the Covenant – a group of alien races seeking to control powerful, ancient technology and conquer the galaxy. Halo: Combat Evolved quickly became a beloved classic for the Xbox, and was updated for its 10th anniversary in 2011 as Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the game is now being completely rebuilt with Halo: Campaign Evolved.

The game will focus entirely on the campaign experience and won’t have traditional multiplayer modes, which some players have expressed disappointment about. However, you can play through the whole campaign with up to three friends online in co-op, and it will support crossplay – meaning players on different platforms can play together. In fact, this is the first time a Halo game will be available on PlayStation! And for those who prefer playing locally, the game will also offer two-player split-screen.

Outward 2

A Refreshing New Open-World RPG

Release Date: Q3 2026
Planned Systems: PC

When Outward launched in 2019, it quickly became popular with a dedicated group of players. Though not a mainstream blockbuster, it built a loyal following who loved its expansive world and the freedom it offered to explore and develop their characters. Now, fans will get to experience that same joy again with the release of Outward 2.

Outward 2 feels like the first game, but it’s been significantly improved with better graphics, more detailed characters, and more refined combat. You can play online with others, or even locally with a friend on the same PC using split-screen. A playable test version is currently available on Steam. While the original game had a dedicated fanbase, hopefully Outward 2 will reach a wider audience.

Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight (Split-Screen Not Confirmed)

The Dark Knight Rises

Planned Release Date: 5/29/26
Planned Systems: PC, PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S

Batman fans have been eagerly awaiting a new Lego game, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight appears to be the most ambitious one yet. The game’s FAQ confirms it will only offer local co-op, meaning players will need to share the same screen – a feature similar to what was seen in Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered. It’s a bit strange that details aren’t available on Steam, but it likely means the developers are still figuring out the best way to implement co-op play. Previous Lego games have used either a fixed split-screen or a dynamic one that adjusted based on player distance.

Because many of these games focus on puzzles, it’s helpful that the screen can split dynamically, allowing one player to solve a problem and open a path for another, even if they’re on different parts of the level. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight seems more focused on action, taking inspiration from the Batman films ranging from the 1989 movie to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy. While playing together on a shared screen might be an option, both Batman and Lego fans should enjoy the game when it releases in May 2026, assuming it stays on schedule.

Stage Fright

Let It Cook

Planned Release Date: TBA
Planned Systems: TBA

Similar to Hazelight Studios’ previous games like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, their next title, Stage Fright, will be exclusively a co-op experience. Players will control three characters – Drew, Blake, and Charlie – though it appears they’ll only control two at any given moment as the game shifts between perspectives. Currently, details are scarce, with only a few screenshots available. The initial trailer was brief and focused more on commenting on the adventure genre than showing actual gameplay.

The new game features two players experiencing separate, mirrored realities where actions in one world impact the other – for instance, one player might turn a crank to help the other. While the story and setting are still unknown, the game is being created by Ghost Town Games, the team behind the popular and chaotic co-op games Overcooked and Overcooked 2. It’s been several years since Overcooked 2 came out in 2018, so fans are eagerly anticipating whether Stage Fright will live up to expectations.

2026-01-06 23:09