• The Split-Screen Drought: During the mid-to-late 2010s, local multiplayer nearly went extinct, with even giants like Halo 5: Guardians ditching the feature.
  • Sony’s Push: While others moved away, the PS4 era carved out a niche for high-quality couch co-op experiences across AAA and indie titles.
  • Genre Variety: The lineup isn't just platformers; it spans VR experiments, tactical prison breaks, and massive looter-shooters.
  • The "Zombies" Factor: Titles like Black Ops III remain relevant years later thanks to robust local support and remastered legacy content.

The Survival of Couch Co-Op in a Digital World

We’ve all been there: you grab a second controller, invite a friend over, and realize the game you just bought is "online only." It was a frustrating trend in the eighth console generation, but as we look back, the PS4 actually served as a vital life raft for the local multiplayer scene. While the industry was busy chasing the "always online" meta, several key developers realized that nothing beats the chaos of a shared screen.

Top-Tier Local Multiplayer Picks for PS4

1. Borderlands 3: The Looter-Shooter Standard

Gearbox Software knew exactly what the fans wanted. While Borderlands 3 brought new Vault Hunters like FL4K and Moze to the table, the real win was keeping the local split-screen intact. It’s a massive campaign that’s objectively better when played with a partner. Whether you’re running two-player split-screen or 4-player online, the ability to experiment with wacky elemental builds and explosive firearms in the same room is a game-changer for the franchise.

2. Call of Duty: Black Ops III: A Zombies Masterclass

This is a bit of a relic—one of the last Call of Duty titles to offer a full two-player split-screen campaign. While the "Nightmares" campaign and the 2065 Cold War setting are decent, the real reason we’re still talking about this is the Zombies mode. With the Zombies Chronicles DLC, you get remastered versions of classic World at War and Black Ops maps. For a veteran gamer, having Kino Der Toten or The Giant in high-def with local support is peak nostalgia.

3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Taking the LittleBigPlanet mascot into the 3D platforming space was a bold move, and it paid off. Unlike some recent rivals in the genre, Sackboy doesn’t treat co-op as an afterthought. It features specific stages that require teamwork to solve puzzles and clear obstacles. Supporting up to four players locally, it’s a essential pick for anyone who misses the tactile, shared-screen fun of classic platformers.

4. Broforce: Pure 80s Adrenaline

Sometimes you just want to "bro out" and blow things up. Broforce is a 2D side-scrolling masterclass in explosive action. The roster is a love letter to 80s and 90s action cinema—think "Broden" (Raiden) or the "Brominator" (The Terminator). With four-player local co-op, the screen becomes a beautiful mess of pixels and explosions that feels like a modern evolution of Contra.

5. Knack II: The Redemption Arc

The first Knack was a bit of a lukewarm launch title, but Knack II is a genuine improvement in every way. The developers doubled down on co-op design, letting players use their partner as a literal weapon. You can punch Relics off your teammate to use as projectiles, making the combat feel synchronized rather than just two people playing the same game side-by-side. It’s an underrated gem that deserves more credit for its QoL improvements.

6. The Playroom VR: Breaking the Virtual Barrier

Virtual reality is usually a lonely experience, but The Playroom VR flipped the script. It utilized "asymmetric" gameplay where one person wore the headset and others played on the TV. The standout, Robots Rescue, was the prototype for what would eventually become the Astro Bot we know today. It proved that VR can actually be a social experience if developers are willing to think outside the box.

The Bottom Line

Our take? The PS4 era didn't kill couch co-op; it just forced it to evolve. While the "Golden Age" of split-screen might be in the rearview mirror, these titles prove that there is still a massive appetite for gaming that happens on the same sofa. If you're looking to put that dusty second DualShock 4 to use, these are the titles that still hit the mark.