Which Call of Duty Games Feature Split-Screen? A Comprehensive Guide
The ability to play games with friends and family on the same screen, known as split-screen, is a cherished feature for many gamers. The Call of Duty (CoD) franchise has a history of offering this local multiplayer option, but it’s not consistent across all titles. So, which Call of Duty games allow you to jump into the action with a buddy sitting right next to you? This guide will break down which games feature split-screen, how many players it supports, and in which modes you can use it.
Split-Screen Support Across Call of Duty Titles
The presence and implementation of split-screen in Call of Duty games has varied. Here’s a broad overview:
- Early Titles: Many early titles, like Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and Call of Duty: World at War, featured split-screen multiplayer.
- Modern Warfare Era: The Modern Warfare sub-series continued to support the feature with games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
- Black Ops Series: The Black Ops series has been a major proponent of split-screen, with Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and Call of Duty: Black Ops III offering this feature. Notably, Black Ops III brought back 4-player local split-screen for the first time in a long time in the franchise.
- Ghosts and Advanced Warfare: Call of Duty: Ghosts and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare also supported split-screen play, typically for two players.
- More Recent Titles: Call of Duty: WWII included split screen for multiplayer and zombies but not for the campaign. Call of Duty: Vanguard offers split-screen for multiplayer both online and locally. And Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has 2-player split screen, offering horizontal or vertical split screen, but no more than two players.
The Return of 4-Player Split-Screen
A significant milestone in the Call of Duty franchise was the return of 4-player split-screen in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. This allowed for four players to compete or cooperate on the same console locally, bringing back the joy of crowded living room gaming sessions. However, remember that this was limited to local play. When playing online, only two split-screen players can play on the same account.
Key Differences: Online vs. Local Play
It’s important to distinguish between online and local split-screen. Many Call of Duty games allow you to play split-screen locally, that is with friends on the same console. However, the same is not always true for online play. Typically, when participating in online matches with a friend on the same system, it’s limited to two players. For example in Call of Duty Black Ops and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, when using split screen online, only one additional player can play, allowing two players to play on the same account. This means that the 4-player split-screen in Black Ops III, is a feature unique to local modes only.
Modes that Support Split-Screen
The availability of split-screen also varies by game mode. Most often, split-screen is available in multiplayer modes, where players can battle each other or team up. Certain titles like Black Ops 3 also allow split screen in campaign, and Zombies modes. Here’s a general overview:
- Multiplayer: Usually the primary mode that offers split-screen functionality.
- Zombies: Select titles, such as Black Ops 3, Black Ops Cold War, and World at War, feature split-screen in their Zombies modes.
- Campaign: Some Call of Duty titles like Black Ops 3 allow split-screen for campaign, but this is not consistent across all titles. WWII, for instance, does not feature split-screen in its campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To help further clarify split-screen functionality in Call of Duty games, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) have split-screen?
No, unfortunately the 2019 release of Modern Warfare does not have the option for split screen play.
2. Can you play split-screen in Call of Duty: Warzone?
Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Warzone does not support split-screen play. This includes Warzone 2.0. There has been much disappointment over the lack of this feature in the battle royale mode.
3. Is split-screen available in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)?
While it was absent during the beta, Modern Warfare 3 (2023) does have split-screen at full launch for up to 4 players in local mode.
4. Can I play split-screen in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies?
Yes, you can play split-screen in Black Ops 3 Zombies, and it supports up to 4 players locally. You can also play split-screen Zombies online with another player.
5. Can you play Call of Duty: WWII split-screen in Campaign?
No, Call of Duty: WWII does not support split-screen in its campaign. However, split screen is available for multiplayer and Nazi Zombies.
6. Is split-screen available in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare?
Yes, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare supports split-screen, but it’s limited to two players in local and online matches.
7. Does Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare offer 3-player split-screen?
No, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare only supports a maximum of 2 players in local split-screen play.
8. How do I set up split-screen on Call of Duty: Black Ops 3?
To play split-screen on Black Ops 3, sign in to an Xbox/PSN account and launch the game. At the Main Menu, connect a second controller. Press A (or X) on the second controller to connect the other player, and press A (or X) again to attach the split-screen player.
9. Does Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War have 4-player split-screen?
No, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is limited to 2-player split-screen only.
10. Is split-screen supported in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Yes, Call of Duty: Vanguard supports split-screen multiplayer both online and locally.
11. Can you play 4-player split-screen on Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Zombies?
While Infinite Warfare’s Zombie mode supports up to 4 players online, only two split-screen players are allowed per console when playing online or locally in split screen.
12. Can you play Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies split-screen offline?
Yes, Black Ops 3 Zombies supports up to 4 players in offline split-screen. You can also play offline multiplayer with split-screen.
13. Is split-screen in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2?
Yes, thankfully Modern Warfare 2 does have split-screen capability for local multiplayer.
14. Does Battlefield 2042 support split-screen?
No, Battlefield 2042, like other entries in the series, does not offer split-screen functionality.
15. Can you play Black Ops 3 Campaign split-screen?
Yes, Black Ops 3 allows you to play through the campaign in 2-player split-screen, both locally and online.
Conclusion
While the split-screen feature isn’t universally present in every Call of Duty title, it remains a cherished option for many players. Understanding which games offer it, the number of players supported, and the modes in which it’s available is essential for planning your next gaming session with friends. With the return of 4-player split-screen in Black Ops III and the continued support in recent titles like Vanguard and Modern Warfare 3, the tradition of local couch co-op lives on in the Call of Duty universe.