Split-screen racing games have become a novelty in the gaming world. Even the latest NFS games don’t have a split-screen mode. So, for players who have friends, family, or a significant other around, these are the best games for bonding. There’ll be some sore losers, but all is fair in love and war.
Related: 4 Best PS5 Racing Games to Play in September 2023
Top 6 Split-Screen Racing Games
Dive into a world of nitrous-powered cars and adrenaline-packed swerves. The best part is that you can enjoy these games with your partner because gamers can only go left or right. The folks behind Player.com regularly play these games to pass the time during our off-hours. Fortunately, they won’t eat up too much of your storage space.
#1: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Supported Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a Nintendo exclusive that Nintendo Switch users can enjoy. So, it’s just like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or the upcoming Super Mario RPG. PC users can also play the game via an emulator, but the experience pales in comparison to Nintendo’s solution. The game features over 40 race tracks and characters, so you and your partner have a lot of ground to cover. Other reasons why Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is fantastic are:
- You can auto-steer, which is a feature that keeps you on track. So, your cars won’t go off track.
- You can hold up to two items to wreak havoc on the battlefield. So, your races are even more chaotic.
- Battle Modes are better than ever! New modes have been introduced, including Bob-omb Blast and Renegade Roundup. A particularly interesting mode is the Balloon Battle where you steal balloons from opponents in an elimination-style race.
#2: Rocket League | Supported Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, & Windows PC
Admit it, rocket-powered cars kicking a ball around until one side scores is an impressive feat. Rocket League is an ingenious game from 2015 that’s still entertaining because of its many highlights. It is also on our list of the top PS5 games for adult relationships. For one, there’s a decent collection of cars to pick from, plus online multiplayer mode is available.
However, one of Rocket League’s lesser-known features is its local multiplayer mode. That is, there’s a split-screen option that lets players compete against each other without playing online. The game is fantastic because of its precise controls, great graphics, and the ability to smash the opponent’s car.
#3: F1 2023 | Supported Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, & Windows PC
F1 2023 is a racing game where you compete against Formula One cars. There are tons of tracks to explore their curves, and the graphics are super realistic. There’s also Braking Point 2, which is a story mode that tells a fantastic story about the Konnersport Butler Global Racing Team. You get to explore 17 chapters that run for a total of seven hours. Another hallmark of F1 2023 is the reward-based progression system that sets daily, weekly, and seasonal goals for players to beat. Other reasons why we’re fans of F1 2023 are:
- You can play F1 2023 with a VR headset.
- There’s support for split-screen mode, so you can play with your friends on the same console.
- Driveability has dramatically changed for the better. For one, the braking mechanics feel more realistic.
- There’s extensive support for controllers, wheels, and other custom hardware.
- Ray traced visuals are available on compatible laptops and gaming rigs.
#4: Horizon Chase Turbo | Supported Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, & Windows PC
Even though Horizon Chase Turbo was released in 2018, it’s a retro game that’s inspired by 80s and 90s racing games. Stages are straight to the point: Go from point A to point B and win if you’re the first car to cross the finish line. It’s highly rated for its lightweight size and gorgeous, albeit cartoonish, art style. To be specific, it’s essentially a 16-bit design that has been overhauled for modern game consoles. For one, there’s smoke still coming out of the car’s exhaust pipes. However, its best feature is the split-screen support, which is available in all the game’s modes. For one, you can play with three friends at once, which means the screen splits into four segments.
There are also cops in this game, and sure enough, they’re relentless. Along the way, you’ll watch the sun set, drive in the rain, ride through volcano ashes and snow, and much more. The game is available on Steam for less than £20. Additionally, all locations are beautiful, and they have fitting soundtracks that were designed by Barry Leitch. Other features of the game are:
- It has 4K-resolution graphics, so you’ll need a 4K TV or monitor to enjoy this game.
- There is a ton of content, including 31 unlockable cars, 12 upgrades for each car, 12 cups, 48 real-life cities, and 109 race tracks.
- You only need around 1 GB of storage space for this game.
#5: GRID 2 | Supported Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, & Windows PC
In GRID 2, the only rule is speed. The faster you can go, the higher the likelihood of walking home with the cup. The game was developed by Codemasters Racing to rival the NFS series, and it certainly does impress. The graphics are beautiful, the race tracks are challenging, and there are many cars to explore and upgrade. However, this game truly shines in the damage-rendering department. You’ll also get to smash other cars across three continents, filled with beautiful landscapes and memorable sights. Other reasons why we love GRID 2 are:
- GRID 2 introduces a new control system called the TrueFeel Handling System. It’s incredibly intimate, giving players precise control over their cars.
- The online campaign is stable and developed for different players to complete various tasks.
- The graphics are realistic, courtesy of Codemasters’ EGO Game Technology.
- Take on challenging race tracks that are immersive via Race Immersion Technology.
- The AI in this game is advanced, so expect challenging races where your opponents are aggressive and not above cheating.
- You’ll need only 15 GB to download GRID 2.
#6: Forza Motorsport 7 | Supported Platforms: Xbox & Windows PC
Forza Motorsport 7 is popular because of its tight car handling, superb graphics, and the variety of available cars. It was developed by Turn 10 Studios and released in 2017. Ever since then, it has been racking up positive reviews online. Details like exhaust sounds, car renderings, and race tracks are masterfully brought to life by the Xbox Series X. That said, some of the more elusive reasons why we keep going back to Forza Motorsport 7 are:
- The gameplay is fast-paced, with plenty of turbo boosts to immerse players deeper into the world of fast race cars.
- Both the interior and exterior of cars are extremely detailed.
- The dynamic weather/time system for day cycles makes the game more challenging.
- There are more than 700 cars in Forza Motorsport 7. We doubt you’ll be able to drive them all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Split-Screen Racing Games for Low-End PCs?
Low-end PCs are gaming rigs that aren’t the most powerful by modern standards. They also don’t boast the biggest RAM, storage space, or cooling unit. However, they’re strong enough to play split-screen racing games such as:
- Horizon Chase Turbo.
- Rocket League.
- GRIP: Combat Racing.
- Split/Second.
- Slipstream.
- GRID 2.
- Blur.
What Are the Best Racing Games Under 100 MB for PCs?
Some gamers prefer to play simple games that aren’t demanding, hardware-wise. To that end, PC users can enjoy racing games under 100 MB. The first game we’re recommending is City Racing 3D, while the others are:
- Top Speed: Drag & Fast Racing 3D.
- Real Car Driving Experience.
- Need for Speed: No Limits.
- Real Racing 3.
Which Laptops Can Run All Racing Games?
Many laptops can run all racing games, even if they’re extremely taxing on the CPU and GPU. To that, some of the best examples are the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, Gigabyte G5, Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, Chillblast Defiant, Razer Blade 15, Acer Predator Helios 16, and Asus ROG Strix Scar 17. These laptops aren’t cheap.