The biggest upcoming split-screen co-op games

2026 is finally here, and now everyone can start thinking about all the great games that will be on the way. For co-op fans, especially for split-screen setups, there are some notable games on the horizon that could come out in 2026, if not delayed. There are also some other games that don't have confirmed multiplayer modes set up, including Mario tennis fever and Gears of War: E-Day.

Both of these examples have a history of local split-screen co-op, so hopefully fans won't be disappointed when they too hopefully launch in 2026. Speculation aside, let's take a look at some games with co-op at the fore.

Orbitals

Get hyped, anime fans

• Planned release date: 2026

• Planned systems: Switch 2

Orbitals is an upcoming Switch 2 exclusive that will be co-op only. So far, it appears that there will be a vertical split between the screens as players control Maki and Omura, who are explorers ready to save their space station from certain doom. What the problem is is still unknown, but the lone trailer shown so far features a lot of activity. Players can fly around on jetpacks in space, platform and shoot enemies with laser blasters.

There are also clever uses of the co-op feature, such as one player will control a spaceship while the other controls the turrets. The best part is the art design, as everything looks like an 80s or 90s anime from the golden age of OVAs. It is being developed by a new studio, Shapefarm, but it is published by Kepler Interactive, who also published Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Will Orbitals be Kepler's next contender for game of the year?

Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition remastered (split-screen not confirmed)

An old-fashioned classic returns

• Planned release date: March 19, 2026

• Planned systems: PC, PS5, Switch, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S

Dynasty Warriors 3 was released for the PS2 in 2001, and it was a game that had many newbies for it Dynasty Warriors franchise. For example, it was the first to offer head-to-head matches and co-op, both of which were handled with a split-screen experience. Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered has confirmed that it will only feature offline co-op, but Koei Tecmo has not said whether it will be a split-screen or split-screen experience.

Given the history of the franchise, it's 99% that it will have a split screen as it wouldn't make sense as a split screen experience. The point of these games is to offer dozens of playable characters to play across large maps, then kill thousands of enemies and take over bases. The beauty of co-op is that it allows players to split up the work, which is why local co-op has always been a split-screen experience of some variation in these games. Split screen, or not, Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered looks more like a remake than a remaster which Musou fans will enjoy.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Back in green

• Planned release date: 2026

• Planned systems: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

Halo: Combat Evolved is another big game from 2001, and it revolutionized first-person shooters on consoles. It was an Xbox exclusive with a special space marine, Master Chief, going after a confederation of alien races, simply known as the Covenant, who wanted to use precursor technology to take over the galaxy. The game became a classic for the Xbox family of consoles, and was remade for its 10th anniversary in 2011 via Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. Now, for its 25th anniversary, the game is being remade via Halo: Campaign Evolved.

As the name suggests, it will be a campaign-only experience as multiplayer will not be included, which some fans are upset about. Aside from multiplayer, players can go through the entire campaign in co-op with up to three others online, and it will support crossplay. That's right, for the first time ever, a Halo the game will be playable on a PlayStation console. That's a big deal, but for those uninterested in crossplay or online functionality, Halo: Campaign Evolved will also have two player split screen.

Outward 2

A refreshing new Open-World RPG

• Release date: Q3 2026

• Planned systems: PC

Outwards was a huge hit with a niche audience when it was released in 2019. It wasn't a huge game, but it grew a fan base that devoured the openness of its world. The freedom players had to explore and develop their character is what fans dug about it, and they'll have a chance to love it again via a sequel, Outward 2.

It looks more or less the same kind of action RPG, but with a lot more polish to its world, characters and combat. There will be online multiplayer on top of horizontal split screen for those who want to enjoy it with a friend on their computer. There's even a Playtest option on Steam if anyone wants to check it out right now. While the original was popular with niche crowds, hopefully Outward 2 will get more recognition.

Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight (split screen not confirmed)

The Dark Knight rises

• Planned release date: 5/29/26

• Planned systems: PC, PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S

Lego fans have been waiting a long time for a new Batman adventure, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight looks like the wildest entry yet. While split screen has not been confirmed, as in the case of Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remasteredthe game will only feature local co-op, according to an FAQ. This data isn't even on Steam, which is puzzling, but that probably just means the developers are testing what types of co-op will be applicable. In previous Lego games, players were usually given either a vertical split or a dynamic split that rotated depending on how far away the players were from each other.

As these games are often puzzle oriented, dynamic split screens made sense as one player could turn a wheel and open the way for another far away. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight looks more action-oriented as it is based on the footage from the 1989 film of Christopher Nolan's trilogy. A split-screen experience might be possible, but either way, Batman and Lego fans can have a great time together if the game ships in time for May 2026.

Stage fright

Let it cook

• Planned release date: TBA

• Planned systems: TBA

Stage fright will be another co-op game, sort of Orbitalswhich will build on the success that Hazelight Studios enjoyed It takes two and Split Fiction. In this co-op adventure, players can control three characters, Drew, Blake and Charlie, but seemingly only two at a time as the game will switch perspectives. Very little is known about the game apart from a few screenshots, as the first trailer was just a teaser. A teaser that was sort of a meta commentary on the genre, and it didn't show any gameplay.

It is known that two players will be stuck in different realities, split vertically, and doing something in one world can affect the other. Turning a crank to open up a switch for his partner is one example shown so far. The gameplay and exact setting is really a mystery, but the developer has a pretty good pedigree. It is being developed by Ghost Town Games, the creators behind both Overcooked games, which are some of the best, but also most frantic, co-op experiences of all time. Overcooked 2 was released in 2018, so it's been quite a while since a new game came out. For the fans, hopefully Stage fright will not disappoint you.