Minecraft, Rocket League, Borderlands 3 and Gran Turismo 7 can support up to four people on one PS5 screen. Borderlands 3 and GT7 require their PS5 versions for a four-player group. Modern Warfare II is an option for two local players, with mode restrictions and a single-player campaign. Here is how to choose around those limits.
Local co-op does not always mean split-screen
Split-screen gives each player a separate view. Couch co-op only means cooperating on one console; it can use a shared view instead. Online player counts do not tell you how many controllers can join locally.
Five split-screen options compared
| Game | Local group and key limit |
|---|---|
| Rocket League | 2–4 · Car football; guests without PSN sign-in stay offline |
| Minecraft | 2–4 · Console split-screen; PC Java Edition is different |
| Borderlands 3 | Up to 4 in the PS5 version · A co-op shooter with loot and progression |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Up to 4 in the PS5 version · The PS4 version supports up to 2 |
| Modern Warfare II (2022) | 2 · Check supported multiplayer modes; campaign is single-player |
Rocket League
Car football is a natural choice for short matches rather than a story campaign. Depending on the match you choose, you can cooperate as a team or compete. The PlayStation listing supports up to four local players and lists the PS4 version as playable on PS5.
Start the game with the first controller, then connect the second controller and choose a profile. The official PlayStation split-screen instructions explain joining from the main menu. Guests who are not signed in to PlayStation Network can only play offline.
Minecraft
Choose Minecraft when your group wants to build, explore or share jobs in a survival world. You can keep working on that world together instead of starting a fresh match every few minutes.
The official Minecraft feature comparison lists split-screen for up to four players on consoles. Do not transfer that console feature to PC Java Edition. Plan a controller for each player.
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 suits a group looking for a shooter campaign with loot and character progression. 2K confirms three- and four-player split-screen in the next-generation versions, including PS5. Check which version you are launching; using a PS5 console alone does not establish that you selected the PS5 edition.
This count is for Borderlands 3. Do not assume another game in the series has the same local player limit.
Gran Turismo 7
For local racing, the Spec II update introduced four-player split-screen in the PS5 version. Each player needs a controller, allowing your group to race on one console.
The official split-screen manual distinguishes up to four players on PS5 from up to two on PS4. Check your installed version and keep it updated before treating an extra controller as the problem.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
This is Modern Warfare II from 2022. The PlayStation page lists one to two local players. For two players on one console, select a supported multiplayer mode; that local count does not mean every mode allows split-screen.
The campaign is not a local co-op campaign. Activision identifies it as single-player. If a story for two is what you want, It Takes Two or A Way Out is a more suitable direction.
Diablo IV: a couch co-op alternative
Diablo IV offers two-player local co-op on consoles using a shared view, rather than a separate half of the screen for each player. It belongs among the alternatives for playing together, not the five split-screen recommendations above.
The PlayStation listing confirms one to two local players and requires an online connection. Local co-op therefore does not mean offline play here, and it is not a four-player option on one console.
If another player cannot join
- Check the version: In Borderlands 3 and GT7, four-player split-screen depends on the PS5 version.
- Assign controllers and profiles: Connect one controller per person and make sure both inputs are not assigned to the same player. Guest rules vary by game.
- Select a local mode: An online lobby or an unsupported mode is not proof that the game has no split-screen.
- Separate local and online requirements: Unsigned Rocket League guests stay offline; Diablo IV needs a connection even for local co-op.
Before you buy
Check that the edition you own supports the local mode and group size you want. A co-op label or a large online player count is not enough. If buying PlayStation wallet credit, match the region to your account and compare the final price with the face value.
Browse our English game guides for more practical help.
