2026 is finally here, and now everyone can start thinking about all the good games that will be coming down the pipeline. For co-op fans, specifically for split-screen set-ups, there are some notable games on the horizon that may come out in 2026, if they are 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.
7 Open-World RPGs Everyone Will Be Talking About In 2026
Good or bad, these upcoming open-world RPGs will be heavily discussed.
Both of those examples have a history with local split-screen co-op, so hopefully, fans won’t be disappointed when those also hopefully launch in 2026. Speculations aside, let’s get some games with co-op at the forefront.
Orbitals
Get Hyped, Anime Fans
Orbitals
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Shapefarm KK
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle, Sci-Fi
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Planned Release Date: 2026
- Planned Systems: Switch 2
Orbitals is an upcoming Switch 2 exclusive that is going to be co-op only. So far, it seems like there will be a vertical split between screens as players control Maki and Omura, who are explorers ready to save their space station from certain doom. What the issue is remains unknown, but the solitary trailer shown so far includes a myriad of activities. Players can fly around on jet packs in space, platform, and shoot enemies with laser blasting guns.
There are also clever uses of the co-op functionality, like one player will control a spaceship while the other commands 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’s being developed by a new studio, Shapefarm, but it’s being published by Kepler Interactive, who also published Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Will Orbitals be Kepler’s next Game of the Year contender?
Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered (Split-Screen Not Confirmed)
An Old-School Classic Returns
Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered
- Released
- March 19, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Omega Force
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- 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 a lot of firsts for the 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 feature offline co-op only, but Koei Tecmo has not said whether or not it will be a split-screen or shared screen experience.
7 Huge JRPG Sequels You Didn’t Know Were Coming In 2026
Calling all JRPG fans: in case you missed it, these are some of the biggest and most exciting sequels set to release in 2026.
Given the history of the franchise, there is a 99% that it will feature a split-screen because it wouldn’t make sense as a shared screen experience. The point of these games is to offer dozens of playable characters to play across big maps, to 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 variety in these games. Split-screen, or not, Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered looks more like a remake than a remaster that Musou fans are going to enjoy.
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Back In Green
Halo: Campaign Evolved
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Halo Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft Studios
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Science Fiction, Shooter, Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- 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 original Xbox exclusive featuring a special space marine, Master Chief, going after a covenant 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 it was remastered for its 10th anniversary in 2011 via Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. Now, for its 25th anniversary, the game is getting remade via Halo: Campaign Evolved.
As the name implies, it will be a campaign-only experience as multiplayer will not be included, which some fans are upset about. Multiplayer aside, 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 game will be playable on a PlayStation console. It’s a big deal, but for those uninterested in crossplay or online functionality, Halo: Campaign Evolved will also feature two-player split-screen.
Outward 2
A Refreshing New Open-World RPG
Outward 2
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nine Dots Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Nine Dots Publishing
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Release Date: Q3 2026
- Planned Systems: PC
Outward was a big hit among a niche crowd when it was released in 2019. It was not a huge game, but it grew a fanbase that devoured the openness of its world. The freedom players had to explore and grow their character is what fans dug about it, and they’re going to have a chance to love it all over again via a sequel, Outward 2.
It looks more or less the same type 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 PC. There is even a Playtest option on Steam if anyone wants to check it out right now. While the original was popular in niche crowds, hopefully Outward 2 will get more recognition.
Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight (Split-Screen Not Confirmed)
The Dark Knight Rises
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
- Released
- May 29, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Superhero, Open-World
- 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, like in the case of Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered, the game will only feature local co-op, according to a FAQ. This data isn’t even on Steam, which is puzzling, but it probably just means the developers are testing out what types of co-op will be applicable. In past Lego games, players typically either got a vertical split or a dynamic split that rotated depending on how far away players were from each other.
7 Big FPS Games Officially Coming In 2026
Beyond Halo: Campaign Evolved, there are some other great shooters coming in 2026 to satisfy FPS players.
As these games are often puzzle-oriented, it made sense to dynamically split screens as one player could turn a wheel and open the path for another far away. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight looks more action-oriented because it’s drawing on the movies from the 1989 film to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy. A shared screen experience may be possible, but either way, Batman and Lego fans can have a good time together if the game ships on time in May 2026.
Stage Fright
Let It Cook
Stage Fright
- Developer(s)
- Ghost Town Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Publisher(s)
- Hello Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Mystery, Casual
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Planned Release Date: TBA
- Planned Systems: TBA
Stage Fright will be another co-op only game, like Orbitals, which will be drawing on the success that Hazelight Studios capitalized on with 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 because the game is going to switch perspectives. There is very little known about the game other than some screenshots, because the initial 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 their partner is one example shown so far. The gameplay and exact setting are indeed a mystery, but the developer has quite a pedigree. It’s being developed by Ghost Town Games, the makers 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 long time since a new game came around. For fans, hopefully Stage Fright won’t disappoint.
7 Big Nintendo Switch 2 Sequels You Didn’t Know Were Coming In 2026
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to have a big 2026, and these sequels should go a long way in making that happen.