With the advent of the internet and the possibility of playing remotely with friends, we have forgotten that there is a tradition in the world of video games, from its beginnings on the same consoles in the late 70s, of allow us to play at the same time not one, but two, three or even four friends on one telly. And proof that this tradition has not died is that last year's The Game Awards was won by a development that has the possibility of enjoying a video game at the same time with a friend on the same screen etched into its DNA. : It Takes Two.
The return of the old split screen (split screen)
If you're old enough to already count time lapses by 20 years, you probably remember an old term that was thrown around a lot in the '20s: split screen. That meant that the games could divide the entire image into two or more portions that they sent to the television to show the specific scene of what each player saw. And that technical resource could be used for both competitive and collaborative video games, where the participants not only fight to see who is the best of all, but sometimes they must lend a hand to progress in the story.
And even if you think that it is an old resource, in disuse, nothing is further from the truth. You only have to take a look at the current landscape to understand that there are many companies that still rely on rgather a group of friends in a house to enjoy a fun experience, which is even more so when the pique for doing better than the one in front of us comes into play.
Here is a list with the best titles that you can enjoy split screen Right now on the platforms that are in force in the market. Both consoles and computers:
It Takes Two (2021)
The best game of the year at The Game Awards bases its entire concept on the cooperation between the two main characters, something that its creator, Josef Fares, has been obsessed with since its first developments. Furthermore, in this game it so happens that has a moving story where Rose, who attends the divorce of her parents, tries to reverse that decision by resorting to two endearing rag dolls with which she will try to revive love again. It Takes Two They are original game mechanics, collaboration on the same screen and a whole display of technical resources that will really surprise you. If you haven't played with it, you're taking time to do so.
A Way Out (2018)
Josef Fares returned to the fray five years after Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons with this A Way Out which is simply genius: collaborative games between two players (yes or yes), remotely or on the same console or PC, where they put themselves in the shoes of two convicts who want to escape from jail and, once strength, stay safe from those who want to capture them. Plot depth and collaborative mechanics that keep us glued to the screen until we achieve the objectives. Do not stop trying it.
Street Fighter V (2016)
Like a good fighting game Street Fighter V (o Tekken 7 and even the last Injustice o Mortal Kombat 11) will serve as a focus of entertainment at family gatherings or parties with friends thanks to the possibility of facing off against another player. It is, without a doubt, one of the genres that since the 90s, the moment of its definitive explosion, more have pushed to maintain the concept of the split screen, although here it does not exist as such. Also, in this case, remember that we have the new Street Fighter 6 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the franchise.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019)
What can we say about one of the funniest games we can find on Nintendo Switch. And that its catalog of multiplayer alternatives on the same screen is very varied. with this version can have fun (in the mode cradle inside the base) up to five players at the same time: four jumping around the screen and a fifth that can entangle making things more complicated for others. We will have up to 160 maps at hand to demonstrate our expertise avoiding enemies and reaching the correct platform at the right time.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)
What to say about the Nintendo fighting saga. A game that you have available on Switch and in which you can compete against seven other players on the same television screen. Without a doubt, we are facing the largest repertoire of available fighters inspired by some of the most recognized playable universes, both from the company itself and from Konami with its Metal Gear Solid, SEGA and Sonic, Square with its Final Fantasy and even Megaman himself from Capcom. Surely one does not get to enjoy Super Smash Bros Ultimate until you try local multiplayer. do it!
Cuphead (2017)
The great game that initially came to Xbox One and PC is now available on more consoles and its difficulty can be shared with up to two players on the same screen. Although you could be fooled by the appearance of this Cuphead, It is one of the most complicated video games that exist, with wicked enemy dynamics and certain almost impossible maps. Of course, the quality of its staging, graphics and sound or music cartoon They are a delight for the senses that, these days, have just released an original series on Netflix. Don't ever miss this game.
Super Mario Kart 8 (2017)
What to say about one of the veterans of the split screen, since its first cartridge for SNES in 1992. With this version of the original Wii U game, Nintendo Switch achieves that we can compete on the same screen up to four players at the same time, this time yes, with a split screen one of the good ones where it is possible to go in search of the other runners to screw them up. If you like driving games and you have the Nintendo laptop, it cannot be missing from your library.
Mario Party Superstars (2021)
Although we bring you the most recent game in the saga, actually Mario Party superstars It's a kind of remastering of five boards seen on original Nintendo 64 cartridges. In total, four friends can participate on the same console, or connected in the mode cradle to the base of the machine to project the image on the television. Minigames, quick tests and lots of laughs is what this saga guarantees us, which on Nintendo Switch has another title that you can also try: Super Mario Party.
Streets of Rage 4 (2020)
In the spring of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, it arrived in digital format Streets of Rage 4 and a beat em up manual, inspired by the classics for Mega Drive from the 90s and which includes a good part of its universe: characters, mechanics, settings, history, etc. Besides, offers the possibility of playing in a collaborative format four players at the same time, thanks to which we can lend a hand cleaning the screen of enemies. Although it also has a competitive part or are you going to let your friend eat that chicken that can revive you?
Fortnite Battle Royale (2018)
The popular phenomenon that catapulted Epic Games to the top was a mistake because the original game did not contemplate having a Battle Royale. And although the Fortnite (Dry) is on everyone's lips, few notice that it has a local game mode where two friends at the same time and on a split screen can get on the map and try to win. Everyone associates this title with its online multiplayer, but remember that you can have parties at home and compete with your best colleague side by side if you have a console (not on PC) and two gamepads.
LEGO video game series (2005 to 2022)
There is surely no video game franchise for one or two players on the same screen more fun than any LEGO that have come out in the last 17 years inspired by some of the highest grossing movies and franchises of all time. Since that LEGO Star Wars from 2005 to next The Skywalker saga that arrives in April, all these releases have the common denominator that can be enjoyed in company, through a dynamic split screen that shows us what each of the characters sees: collecting tiles, eliminating enemies or solving puzzles are the basis of these wonders developed mostly by Traveller's Tales.
FIFA 22 (2021)
Leaving FIFA out would be a sacrilege because if there is a genre specially designed to play against a friend on the same console, or PC, that is sports developments. FIFA is surely the greatest exponent, but we have other alternatives such as NBA 2K or American football Madden. In all of them, the competitive part to play on the same screen is essential to revive a party with friends that is getting a bit boring.