🎮 Best Split-Screen Survival Games (PC, PS5, Xbox)

Survival games usually emphasize large, online multiplayer worlds, which makes true split-screen co-op experiences pretty rare. But if you’re looking for couch co-op survival games to play with a partner or friend, there are still some solid options across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

This guide covers the best split-screen survival games in 2025, including PC-friendly setups, native console support, and even hybrid titles with survival elements.

💻 Split-Screen Survival Games on PC

On PC, split-screen survival games often require a bit of setup with mods or third-party tools, but some official options exist. If you and your partner want the survival challenge side-by-side on one machine, here are the top picks:

🧟 7 Days to Die (PC)

Experience: A zombie-survival sandbox where you scavenge, craft, build, and defend bases against relentless hordes.
Split-Screen: Supported on PC, though performance depends heavily on your rig.
Caveat: Expect frame drops on lower-end machines due to the game’s heavy world simulation.
Why It’s Worth Playing: One of the deepest survival sandboxes available, with split-screen as a bonus.

⛏️ Minecraft (PC)

Experience: The definitive survival sandbox with infinite creativity. Build, explore, and fight mobs in a procedurally generated world.
Split-Screen: Not officially supported on PC, but achievable via mods or third-party applications.
Caveat: Setting it up takes extra work, but it’s smoother on consoles.
Why It’s Worth Playing: Still one of the most flexible co-op survival experiences around.

🦖 ARK: Survival Evolved (PC)

Experience: Survive a prehistoric world by taming dinosaurs, building fortresses, and battling threats with friends.
Split-Screen: Officially supported on PC in the original version.
Caveat: Performance can be unstable, even on high-end hardware.
Why It’s Worth Playing: The mix of dinosaurs, survival, and co-op is still unmatched, especially for fans of creature taming.

🎮 Split-Screen Survival Games on PS5 & Xbox

Consoles remain the best place for seamless couch co-op survival games, as split-screen support is often native and optimized for living-room play.

🧟 7 Days to Die (PS5 & Xbox)

Experience: The same zombie-apocalypse sandbox as PC, but optimized for consoles with a new 2024 edition.
Split-Screen: Fully supported, making it a solid option for couch co-op.
Caveat: While functional, it’s not as feature-rich as the heavily updated PC version.
Why It’s Worth Playing: A gritty zombie survival choice that’s now console-friendly.

⛏️ Minecraft (PS5 & Xbox)

Experience: Classic block-based survival gameplay, from farming and mining to epic boss fights.
Split-Screen: Native split-screen support, making it easy to set up and play.
Recommendation: The best overall split-screen survival game, especially for families or casual players.

🪲 Grounded (Xbox Exclusive)

Experience: You and your friend are shrunk to insect size in a backyard, battling giant spiders and crafting bases from blades of grass.
Split-Screen: Supported on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One.
Why It’s Worth Playing: A visually unique twist on survival, ideal for co-op duos.

🔫 Borderlands 3 (PS5 & Xbox)

Experience: While not a pure survival game, it blends looter-shooter action with survival-lite elements like scavenging and resource management.
Split-Screen: Seamless split-screen on both PS5 and Xbox.
Why It’s Worth Playing: Perfect for players who want fast-paced survival action with RPG elements.

🦖 ARK: Survival Evolved (PS5 & Xbox)

Experience: Just like on PC, you tame dinosaurs, craft weapons, and build fortresses to survive.
Split-Screen: Officially supported on consoles.
Caveat: Performance can dip in populated areas or on older consoles.
Why It’s Worth Playing: Still one of the most ambitious split-screen survival games around.

📌 Quick Comparison: Split-Screen Survival Games

| Game | Platforms | Split-Screen Support | Survival Theme | |-------------------|-----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------| | 7 Days to Die | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Yes | Zombie apocalypse | | Minecraft | PC*, PS5, Xbox | Yes (native on console, modded on PC) | Sandbox survival | | ARK: Survival Evolved | PC, PS5, Xbox | Yes | Prehistoric dinosaurs | | Grounded | Xbox only | Yes | Backyard survival | | Borderlands 3 | PS5, Xbox | Yes | Looter-shooter w/ survival elements |

*PC requires mods or third-party tools.

🔚 Final Thoughts

While split-screen survival games are rarer than online multiplayer titles, there are still great options if you want couch co-op action in 2025.

Best for Families: Minecraft (easy to set up, creative survival fun).
Best for Zombie Fans: 7 Days to Die (deep sandbox survival with waves of undead).
Best Unique Experience: Grounded (a backyard turned into a survival adventure).
Best for Hardcore Players: ARK: Survival Evolved (ambitious, dino-filled survival).

👫 Whether you’re crafting blocky castles, braving zombie hordes, or shrinking to bug size, split-screen survival games make survival better together.

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