Split-Screen Games That Changed the Industry

18 September 2025

Remember the good old days when you’d invite a friend over, grab a couple of controllers, and dive into hours of chaos and laughter on the same screen? Yup—we're talking about split-screen games. Those titles where you didn’t need an internet connection, just a couch and a buddy. While online multiplayer has taken over the spotlight, the legacy of split-screen is undeniable.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and talk about the split-screen games that not only shaped our gaming childhoods but also pushed the industry forward in ways most people don’t even realize.

What Is a Split-Screen Game, Anyway?

Before we dive deep, let’s clear the air for any newbies. A split-screen game divides the display into sections so that multiple players can play simultaneously on the same system. Whether it’s vertical or horizontal, you get your own viewpoint, and so does your opponent (or teammate).

Now, split-screen sounds simple, right? But the execution is everything. Some games did it so well that they became icons in gaming history—and even set the bar for multiplayer game design across the board.

Why Split-Screen Was a Game-Changer

So, why did split-screen matter so much?

Before online gaming was a thing, split-screen was the only way to engage in real-time multiplayer. It was the original social gaming experience. No headsets, no lag—just raw, in-your-face fun. These games brought people together for pizza-fueled marathons, late-night benders, and endless rematches.

More than that, split-screen pushed developers to think differently about game design. They had to optimize performance, balance gameplay in real-time, and innovate user experience—all on one machine.

Let’s shine the spotlight on some iconic split-screen games that forever shaped the gaming industry.

1. GoldenEye 007 (1997)

Platform: Nintendo 64
Why It Mattered: Reinvented first-person shooters for consoles.

If there’s one title OG gamers shout out when you mention split-screen, it’s GoldenEye 007. This legendary FPS made couch co-op and versus competitive as heck. Four-player splits on a chunky CRT TV? Absolute madness.

GoldenEye wasn’t just fun—it was revolutionary. It showed the world that a console could handle fast-paced, competitive shooters. The multiplayer mode was almost an afterthought during development, yet it ended up outshining the single-player campaign for many players. From the iconic Facility map to the absurdity of Oddjob (yes, we know—he’s cheating), this game became the blueprint for console shooters.

2. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

Platform: Xbox
Why It Mattered: Brought LAN parties and split-screen into the modern era.

Back when the original Xbox was still finding its feet, Halo: Combat Evolved completely changed the multiplayer landscape. With its tight mechanics, satisfying physics, and epic maps like Blood Gulch, Halo made split-screen relevant again in a world leaning toward online gaming.

But here’s the kicker—Halo let you play co-op through the campaign in split-screen. That was a big deal. You weren't just battling buddies; you were fighting the Covenant together. The game kept things competitive and cooperative, giving players the best of both worlds.

Halo also sparked the LAN party craze, with friends hauling Xboxes and tube TVs into basements for all-night matchups. That community-first mentality? It all started with split-screen.

3. Mario Kart 64 (1996)

Platform: Nintendo 64
Why It Mattered: Proved that racing could be both chaotic and ridiculously fun.

Ever ruined a lifelong friendship with a well-timed blue shell? Then you’ve felt the eyebrow-scorching rage that Mario Kart 64 could bring. But that’s what made it amazing.

With its vibrant graphics, crazy power-ups, and iconic tracks, Mario Kart 64 was more than just a racer—it was a party. It made competitive gaming family-friendly (and kid-proof), managing to appeal to hardcore gamers and casual players alike.

Split-screen wasn't just an option—it was the heart of the experience. Up to four players could dive into races or battle modes, making it one of the most social and accessible racing games ever made.

4. Timesplitters 2 (2002)

Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Why It Mattered: Took everything GoldenEye did and cranked it up.

Timesplitters 2 was created by some of the same developers behind GoldenEye—and it shows. It was pure FPS chaos, wrapped in a humorous, time-jumping story that didn’t take itself too seriously.

What made it stand out? Crazy customizations. Want to play a match with 10 bots on ridiculously wacky maps with bananas as weapons? Go for it.

Split-screen was buttery smooth, allowing up to four players with zero slowdown. While other titles were pushing for online-only multiplayer, Timesplitters said, “Why not blow stuff up with your friends right next to you instead?”

5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Why It Mattered: Merged online prestige with local split-screen action.

Yeah, CoD’s known for online play—but Modern Warfare 2 gave us a hidden gem: split-screen Spec Ops.

For those not in the know, Spec Ops was like a mini co-op campaign. You and a friend could tackle challenges, stealth missions, and waves of enemies—all from the same couch.

It bridged the gap between old-school split-screen and new-gen thinking. MW2 showed developers that local multiplayer didn’t have to die in the era of broadband.

6. Borderlands (2009)

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Why It Mattered: Combined RPG elements with co-op shooter mechanics.

Loot, shoot, and level up—with a buddy right beside you. Borderlands brought Diablo-style loot grinding into a first-person shooter framework and made it insanely addicting.

What really kicked it into high gear was its split-screen capability. You could explore Pandora, take on raids, and crack jokes at Claptrap—all in local co-op.

It wasn’t just multiplayer slapped on top—the game was designed with it in mind. Borderlands started a trend where co-op wasn’t just an afterthought, but a core gameplay pillar.

7. LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game (2005)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, GameCube
Why It Mattered: Made split-screen co-op accessible for all ages.

Let’s be honest—LEGO games are criminally underrated. LEGO Star Wars took beloved characters, a charming art style, and clever puzzles, and made it all playable with a friend.

These games didn’t just allow co-op—they encouraged it. You could jump in and out anytime, and every puzzle was built with teamwork in mind.

Plus, since there was no online multiplayer, couch co-op was essential. It made the LEGO series a go-to for families, opening a door for younger players to fall in love with gaming. That's influence, folks.

8. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (2007)

Platform: PS2, Xbox 360, Wii
Why It Mattered: Redefined competitive local multiplayer.

Who knew plastic guitars could ignite a revolution?

Guitar Hero III wasn’t your typical split-screen game, but oh man, was it a multiplayer monster. You’d battle through epic guitar solos, face off in duels, and experience pure rock-fueled adrenaline—all side-by-side with your rival.

The beauty was in the simplicity. No crazy HUDs or maps—just music, skill, and bragging rights. It showed the world that competitive gaming could be more than just shooters.

9. Minecraft (Console Editions)

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, etc.
Why It Mattered: Encouraged creativity and collaboration—all in one room.

Minecraft on consoles did something brilliantly unorthodox: it brought split-screen survival and building to the couch.

Two, three, even four people sharing one screen, mining and crafting like virtual carpenters on a mission. It made Minecraft even more addictive, with local co-op adding a whole new layer of collaborative mayhem.

Forget griefers online. The real drama was your little brother blowing up your base with TNT while sitting right next to you.

10. Portal 2 (Co-op Mode, 2011)

Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Why It Mattered: Elevated puzzle solving through communication.

Portal 2 didn’t just slap in multiplayer for fun—it crafted an entirely separate co-op campaign designed for two brains to work as one.

Playing split-screen meant talking strategies out loud, thinking faster, and solving mind-benders in real-time. It emphasized teamwork over twitch reflexes. It wasn’t about who was better—it was about figuring things out together.

And honestly? Few games have made co-op this satisfying.

The Decline—and Resurgence—of Split-Screen

So, where’s split-screen gaming now? For a while, it seemed like it was fading—pushed aside by online multiplayer, graphical demands, and individual gaming setups.

But guess what? It’s making a quiet comeback.

Indie games, nostalgic reboots, and a renewed focus on shared experiences have brought split-screen back in style. Titles like It Takes Two and Overcooked prove that people still crave that couch co-op magic.

Split-screen isn’t dead—it’s evolving. And its legacy? Cemented in gaming history.

Final Thoughts

Split-screen games did more than just give us fun memories. They laid the groundwork for multiplayer as we know it today. They taught developers how to optimize performance, balance gameplay, and create social experiences long before online servers took over.

Whether you’re chasing ghosts with Luigi, racing shells with Mario, or sniping friends in Halo—split-screen gave us a way to play together. And in the end, that’s what gaming is all about.

So next time you break out the controllers and pass one to a friend, remember—you’re part of a tradition that literally helped shape the industry.