These days it is easy to connect to the Internet and jump into a game with strangers or friends playing across town or in another part of the world. What about those times when everyone is together in the same room and they want to play some cooperative games on the same system?
There are plenty of options available if one looks at every genre, but one would be surprised to find out that there are only a few FPS games offering four-player split-screen co-op. The games below deserve special commendation for letting four friends play together without having to jump onto the Internet.
7 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4
Zombies Mode
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- Released
- October 12, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 eschews a single-player story campaign in favor of a multiplayer focus. That's not to say it is lacking content, however. Black Ops 4 still has everything one would expect from the series' online component, including the zombies mode.
The game makes this list because the zombies mode can be played with 4 players at the same time. This is good news for any fans of that famous mode. It only makes the bottom because no other modes are playable with four players. The game will not hold players' attention for long if they are not fans of zombies.
Most games in the series feature two-player split-screen in its competitive modes, including the ability to jump into online lobbies while in split-screen. Black Ops 3 lets players go through the campaign in co-op; two players split-screen and four online.
6 Ghost Recon 2
Tactical Shooter Stresses Teamwork
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2
- Released
- November 16, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Red Storm Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Platform(s)
- GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original)
This series in its modern form is an open-world action game with a focus on stealth. The older games were mission-based. The levels were still big, though, and players had to really think about the best way to approach an objective. They had to smartly position their AI partners to go through a level without being spotted.
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Alternatively, they could also play the game with three other friends locally for a true test of teamwork. In a tactical FPS like Ghost Recon 2 everyone has to be on their A-game. One bad player will get the whole team spotted and most likely get everyone killed.
5 Quake
One Of The First Fully 3D Shooters Playable In Co-Op
Quake
- Released
- May 22, 1996
- Developer(s)
- id Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda, GT Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PC, Switch, Nintendo 64, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Sega Saturn
Quake is the successor to Doom in Id's first-person shooter catalog. Because of the 3D technology, the game is not quite as hectic as its predecessor since it just technically was not possible to fit the same amount of 3D characters on screen at the time.
This ultimately makes 4-player co-op not quite as entertaining as Doom despite it coming out afterward. Still, it is magnificent for the option to be there at all and players will still have a great time going through the campaign with their friends.
On Xbox Series S/X, Quake 2 actually allows for eight-player split-screen combat.
4 Doom
One Of The Most Important Shooters Ever Made
Doom (1993)
- Released
- December 10, 1993
- Developer(s)
- id Software
- Publisher(s)
- id Software
It is only right for Doom to let players go through its campaign together. When it first came out in 1993, it revolutionized multiplayer gaming and is even credited with coining the term deathmatch. Fortunately, modern re-releases on consoles allow cooperative play in addition to competitive modes.
The later levels in Doom and Doom 2 become so hectic and difficult that players will definitely need all they can get to complete them. Doom's graphics are quaint by today's standards, but its gameplay and atmosphere are absolutely timeless.
3 Tiny Tina's Wonderland
A Small Twist On The Borderland's Formula
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
- Released
- March 25, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
For anybody who might be a little tired of Borderlands after four FPS games centering on Pandora and its surrounding planets, Tiny Tina's Wonderland might reignite that flame of passion. This spin-off has the same core gameplay loop and procedurally generated weapons but takes place in a setting inspired by Dungeons and Dragons.
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It differs from the main series with the ability to create one's own character and with the introduction of melee weapons. While it represents the next step forward for the series gameplay-wise, some might feel let down for not taking full advantage of the D&D aesthetic.
Borderlands' loot mechanics remain pure and gameplay-focused since there are no microtransactions or any pay-to-win functions.
2 Serious Sam Collection
Tons Of Enemies Almost Always On Screen
Serious Sam Collection
- Released
- November 17, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Croteam
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
The Serious Sam games take the 90s first-person shooter design to the max. They love to throw waves upon waves of enemies at the player. The Serious Sam collection packs the first three games of the series together, making for a lot of FPS carnage.
The first two games feel fairly similar, while the third game adds more context to its action with more scripted moments. They can all be played cooperatively with four people on the same console, and there are plenty of enemies in each level to keep every player busy.
1 Borderlands 3
The Ultimate Looter Shooter
Borderlands 3
- Released
- September 13, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The Borderlands series is almost the perfect cooperative shooter experience. The streamlined loot system means newcomers will not get lost in a series of menus or paralyzed by decisions. The lively atmosphere and juvenile humor make it a good time from start to finish.
The series did not always allow four to go through the story simultaneously, but the whole series is available on modern consoles now and the increased horsepower of the newer machines allows for a four-player split-screen to run smoothly.
The first game in the series does not have as involved of a narrative, but its story moves fast enough and there is always a lot of action to keep players engaged. Borderlands 3 has an impressively long campaign and features numerous environments to keep switching up the visuals.
Forgotten Local Co-Op & Split-Screen PlayStation 1 Games
The PS1 possessed an array of fun co-op offerings, perfect for fans looking for something different on retro game night!