You're sitting there with two controllers, a bag of chips that’s mostly air, and a friend who’s tired of getting bodied in online shooters. You want to play together. Not "together" via a headset while sitting in different zip codes, but actually together. But here’s the thing: finding split screen games on Xbox Game Pass is surprisingly annoying. The Microsoft Store UI is basically a labyrinth designed by someone who hates local multiplayer, and the "Optimized for Series X/S" badges don't tell you if you can actually share a TV.
It's frustrating.
Modern gaming has a weird obsession with online-only play. Developers claim that rendering two viewpoints at once is too taxing on the hardware, which feels like a total cop-out when you consider we had four-player chaos on the Nintendo 64. Thankfully, the Game Pass library still hides some absolute gems that prove couch co-op isn't dead. It’s just hiding.
Why Halo Infinite is actually the weirdest entry right now
Let’s address the 117-pound Spartan in the room. When we talk about split screen games on Xbox Game Pass, Halo is the first name anyone says. It’s the king. Or it was. 344 Industries made the controversial, frankly heartbreaking decision to scrap the local split-screen campaign for Halo Infinite. You can still play the multiplayer modes in split-screen—up to four players on Series X, though the frame rate takes a dip—but you can't run through the story with a buddy on the same couch.
If you want the "classic" feel, you’ve gotta go back to Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
Honestly, the MCC is the best value on the entire service. You get Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo 3, ODST, and Reach. Most of these support two-player split-screen for the campaigns and four-player for the multiplayer. There is something deeply nostalgic about squinting at a quarter of a 50-inch screen while your brother screen-cheats to find your sniper nest. It’s a core gaming memory for a reason.
It Takes Two and the Hazelight Magic
If you haven't played It Takes Two, stop reading this. Go download it. Now.
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This game is the gold standard. Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight Studios designed this exclusively for two players. You literally cannot play it alone. It’s a mandatory split-screen experience (though it works online too). You play as Cody and May, a couple on the verge of divorce who get turned into dolls.
The gameplay changes every twenty minutes. One second you're playing a third-person shooter against space squirrels, the next you're in a top-down dungeon crawler or a rhythm game. It’s relentless. It’s also emotionally heavy. Seeing a game tackle the complexities of a failing marriage while you're simultaneously fighting a giant mechanical vacuum cleaner is a trip. Because it’s included via EA Play (which is part of Game Pass Ultimate), it’s effectively "free" for subscribers.
The Indie Scene is Saving Local Multiplayer
While big AAA studios are abandoning local play to sell more copies of the same game to two different households, indie devs are keeping the dream alive. Take Stardew Valley. It’s basically a farming simulator, but in split-screen, it becomes a logistical management exercise. Who’s mining? Who’s watering the parsnips? Why did you spend all our gold on a decorative hat?
Then there’s Overcooked! All You Can Eat.
This game will test your friendship more than a bad loan ever could. It’s chaotic. You’re trying to cook soup on a moving truck or in a haunted kitchen where the counters disappear. It supports up to four players locally. It’s loud, it’s stressful, and it’s the most fun you can have with a controller.
Don't sleep on these hidden gems
- Gears 5: Unlike Halo Infinite, the Gears franchise hasn't abandoned its roots. You can play the entire campaign in three-player split-screen. One person takes the lead, the second plays the backup, and the third controls Jack, the support robot. It’s gritty, it’s gory, and it’s a blast.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge: This is pure 90s arcade bliss. You can have up to six players locally if you have enough controllers and enough floor space. It’s a "side-scrolling beat 'em up" that doesn't overstay its welcome.
- A Way Out: Another Hazelight masterpiece. You and a partner have to break out of prison. It uses a dynamic split-screen where the borders shift depending on who is doing something important. Sometimes your friend is in a cutscene while you’re still actively sneaking past a guard.
Technical realities: Series S vs. Series X
We need to talk about hardware. Not all split screen games on Xbox Game Pass perform the same across the console family. If you’re on an Xbox Series S, you might notice some compromises. Since the console has less RAM, developers sometimes have to cut the frame rate to 30fps when the screen splits.
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On the Series X, you’re usually getting a much smoother 60fps experience.
Also, a quick tip: check your "Home Xbox" settings. If you’re playing split-screen, usually only the primary account needs the Game Pass subscription. The second player can just sign in as a "Guest" or use their own free Silver account. Some games, like Minecraft, are weird about this and want everyone to have a real Microsoft account to save progress. It’s a minor hurdle, but it’s annoying when you just want to dig a hole for three hours.
The sports game loophole
If you’re looking for a low-stakes evening, the EA Play library is your best friend. Madden, FIFA (now FC), and NHL are all staple split screen games on Xbox Game Pass. They aren't revolutionary, but they work. They are built for the couch. Just be warned that if you play UFC 5 against someone who actually knows the combos while you’re just button-mashing, you’re going to have a bad time.
The physics in these games have improved significantly over the last few years. In FC 25, the way players collide feels more natural, making local matches feel less like a scripted movie and more like a messy, unpredictable sports broadcast.
What most people get wrong about "Shared Screen" vs "Split Screen"
There is a technical distinction that trips people up. "Split screen" literally divides the monitor. "Shared screen" (or "Same Screen") keeps everyone on one camera.
- Split Screen: Gears 5, Quake II, Star Wars Battlefront.
- Shared Screen: Minecraft Dungeons, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Vampire Survivors.
Vampire Survivors recently added local co-op, and it is absolute insanity. The screen fills with thousands of enemies and colorful projectiles. It’s less about precision and more about surviving the visual assault. It’s one of those games that shouldn't work in co-op but somehow becomes even more addictive when you’re arguing over who gets the chicken that heals you.
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The Quake revival is surprisingly good
If you want a dose of high-speed adrenaline, the Quake and Quake II "Enhanced" versions on Game Pass are incredible. They support four-player split-screen. These are games from an era when "fairness" wasn't a priority; it was just about who could grab the Rocket Launcher first. The modern ports run at 4K and 120fps (if your TV supports it), making the split-screen portions look crisp rather than pixelated messes.
Actionable Steps for Your Co-Op Session
To get the most out of your subscription, follow these steps to avoid the "what should we play?" paralysis that lasts forty minutes:
- Check the "Cloud Gaming" status: If you're low on hard drive space, some split-screen titles can be played via the Cloud, but be careful. Input lag is the enemy of co-op. For something like Overcooked!, any lag will ruin the game. Stick to local installs for precision games.
- Filter by "Local Multiplayer": In the Game Pass app, use the filter for "Local Co-Op" or "Local Multiplayer." Note that this is sometimes inaccurate, so cross-reference with sites like Co-Optimus.
- Invest in a second controller (obviously): But specifically, look for the official Xbox Wireless Controller. Third-party ones are okay, but the haptic feedback in games like Forza Motorsport (which finally added split-screen in a recent update) is worth the extra ten bucks.
- Try the "Lego" games first: If you're playing with someone who isn't a "gamer," Lego Star Wars is the perfect gateway drug. It’s forgiving, funny, and looks stunning on modern hardware.
Local gaming isn't just about the mechanics; it’s about the proximity. It’s about being able to nudge your friend when they miss a shot or high-fiving when you finally take down a boss in Minecraft Dungeons. Xbox Game Pass has its flaws, but its commitment to maintaining a library of local multiplayer titles is one of its strongest selling points in an increasingly isolated digital world.
Grab a second controller, clear the coffee table, and actually talk to the person sitting next to you. It beats a Discord call every single time.
Next Steps for Players:
- Immediate Download: It Takes Two (Best for couples) or Halo: MCC (Best for nostalgia).
- Space Saver: Vampire Survivors (Under 1GB, massive fun).
- Hardcore Pick: Gears 5 (Excellent three-player campaign support).
- Verification: Always check the "Capabilities" section on the game's store page to ensure "Local Co-op" is listed before committing to a 100GB download.