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Thankfully, the Xbox Series X has a generous offering in terms of backward compatibility, which, in turn, allows players to revisit some of the classic split-screen games from the original Xbox and Xbox 360 days, along with the few modern releases that have recaptured the magic of old-school local multiplayer.
Updated on May 12th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: There have been a ton of great cooperative games released since the Xbox Series X made its debut and many of them have begun to embrace the idea of local cooperative play and split-screen adventures. Players that are looking to jump in on the fun and join forces with a friend or loved one through a variety of genres now have even more titles to choose from. Players saw one of the greatest cooperative experiences ever released in It Takes Two and there have been a multitude of Triple-A and Indie releases since that have produced some great cooperative experiences. To better showcase these split-screen offerings, the following list has been updated with more information and entries.
12 It Takes Two
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Vertical
It Takes Two is perhaps one of the greatest cooperative experiences of recent times. The micro-sized toy-like adventure sees two players (or one) take on the role of two parents-turned-playthings in an epic quest through a home that looks and feels like a fantasy world thanks to the Honey, I Shrunk The Kids!-style influences. At its core, It Takes Two is a beautiful adventure that features some incredible visuals. Past that, it’s a fantastic cooperative experience in which players must actually work together if they want to proceed through the game.
Regardless of whether they’re playing locally, or online, players will always maintain a split-screen view, so that they can keep an eye on one another more easily throughout their quest. It Takes Two is one of the most innovative releases to hit shelves in 2021 and is easily one of the best games available for players that want a genuinely engaging cooperative experience.
11 Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
For those that are looking for a more recent release, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands offers up some great couch-coop. Although it’s not a Borderlands title by name, it players very much like the Looter-Shooter that everyone has come to know and love over the years. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands takes the Borderlands formula and upgrades it by turning it into a fantasy-styled adventure, complete with quests, D&D references, and a ton of interesting guns, magical spells, and abilities for players to find, unlock, and use.
Those that are craving a first-person shooter but also want to enjoy some couch cooperation can snag Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.
10 Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Number Of Players: 1-4
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
Following the success of Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogyand Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Activision decided to bring back another PlayStation 1 classic with a remake of Crash Team Racing. The game provided PlayStation gamers with the perfect replacement for Mario Kart 64 back in 1999, and it accomplishes the same task today.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueledoffers PlayStation and Xbox gamers a viable and equally enjoyable alternative to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It has everything that makes a kart racer great, from the wide selection of characters to game-changing power-ups and well-designed maps.
9 Call of Duty: WWII
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Horizontal
The Call of Dutyseries was one of the franchises responsible for online multiplayer’s growth and consequent overshadowing of split-screen gaming. However, the Call of Duty franchise hasn’t abandoned split-screen multiplayer itself, other than in the battle-royale game Warzone.
There are many Call of Duty games playable on the Xbox Series X that are worth checking out, though Call of Duty WWIIgets the nod ahead of its peers for bringing back the classic second world war style that many players had been asking for since Modern Warfare 3.
8 Star Wars Battlefront II
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Horizontal
Another game that lets players murder their friends for fun is Star Wars Battlefront 2. To say that the game’s 2017 releasewas divisive would be an understatement, as the heavy implementation of microtransactions infuriated players, leading to calls from sections of the gaming community to boycott the game. Thankfully, this led to changes that meant that players wouldn’t need to invest the absurd 4,528 hours of gameplay or $2100 to unlock everything in the game.
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Once the dust had settled and the polarizing issues were resolved, Battlefront 2 became recognized as one of the best multiplayer games of the year. For those still not interested in the modern game, the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 from 2005 is also playable on Series X, though it obviously doesn’t look anywhere near as good.
7 Rocket League
Number Of Players: 1-4
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
The concept of Rocket Leagueseemed like it would be the type of thing that sounds amazing on paper, but is impossible to execute in a way that’s enjoyable. However, Psyonix was able to create a well-balanced, deceivingly complex game that has become a leading force in the multiplayer market and world of Esports.
Rocket League masters the art of providing a game that is easy and enjoyable for casual gamers to pick up and play, but intricate enough for hardcore gamers to get their teeth into. Better still, it’s now free to play on Xbox, having previously been reserved exclusively for Game Pass subscribers. With regular content updates, it’s definitely worth checking out.
6 The LEGO Games
Number Of Players: 1-4
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
The LEGOgames have been a shining light in a dark time for couch co-op. Moreover, the games have likely been fundamental in the slow but steady return of the pursuit, with Unravel Two, Overcooked 2and It Takes Twoall being examples of excellent recently released couch co-op games.
LEGO games have found a winning formula in grabbing the attention of gamers by incorporating hugely successful franchises such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potterwhile ensuring that players stay engrossed with the simple yet thoroughly enjoyable collectathon and puzzle gameplay.
5 Divinity: Original Sin II
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Vertical
The RPG genre has always been a significant part of gaming’s multiplayer market, so it would be unfair not to include one of the genre’s many great games in conversations about split-screen gaming. There are a lot to choose from, but Divinity: Original Sin II manages to stand out from the crowd for a number of reasons.
Larian Studios’ fantastic role-playing gamewas first released on PC in 2017 before coming to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 the following year. The game has become recognized by fans and critics as one of the best RPGs of all time, exemplified by its whopping Metascores - between 92 and 95 depending on the platform - as well as its Game of the Year 2017 award from PC Gamer.
4 Left 4 Dead 2
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
The entertainment industry had a strange fixation on zombie-based media in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with books, films, and video games all trying to get their share of the undead hype. One of the most successful franchises during this time was Valve’s Left 4 Deadseries, a fast-paced all-action shooter that demanded players kill or be killed.
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The enemy variety and fast-paced nature of the games quickly lead to them being recognized as some of the best multiplayer titles available on the Xbox 360. Sadly, the series now appears to be one of the many Valve franchises that are seemingly destined to never receive a third installment. However, a spiritual successor titled Back 4 Bloodhas been announced and is scheduled for release in October 2021.
3 Portal 2
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
Portal 2is another critically acclaimed Valve franchise that doesn’t seem to be receiving its long-awaited third entry anytime soon. However, much like with Left 4 Dead 2, the puzzle-platformer is so well designed that players are still getting hours of entertainment out of it to this day.
Partnering Portal 2’s memorable single-player campaign is the Cooperative Testing Initiative, a co-op mode that requires players to put their heads together with a friend to solve tricky and thought-provoking puzzles. The co-op chambers feature some of the most enjoyable and ingeniously designed puzzles in the entire series, making it essential for fans of the genre.
2 The Gears of War Series
Number Of Players: 1-2
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
The Gears of Warfranchise has been one of the most important collections of games for Xbox outside of Halo. The titles showed their worth right off the bat, as the original Gears of War was released just a few days before the PlayStation 3, giving the green brand one final sales push before their main competitors released their latest console.
Gears of War games have gone on to tell memorable stories, while also consistently providing multiplayer fun. The franchise has provided traditional modes like Deathmatch and Capture The Flag, though it’s also innovated too. Horde mode from Gears of War 2 is a great example of this and has since been replicated by numerous titles across the gaming industry.
1 Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Number Of Players: 1-4
Orientation: Vertical Or Horizontal
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is an obvious choice for any Xbox gamer. Not only is Halo Xbox’s flagship franchise, but, depending on who you ask, the collection also features some of the best and most iconic split-screen games ever released. Despite their advancing years, they still hold up incredibly well today and are free to play for all Game Pass subscribers.
Whether it be teaming up with friends in cooperative campaigns or sniping them in a Deathmatch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection ensures that split-screen multiplayer still has a fundamental place in modern gaming. Until the series’ latest entry, Halo Infinite (which will also feature split-screen), releases in late 2021, The Master Chief Collection is a solid alternative.
NEXT: The Best Split-Screen Games You Can Play On The PS5
