Modern Warfare 3 (MW3): Can You Play Zombies & Multiplayer in Split Screen? Answered

Split fun for everyone around

MW3 Zombies team action
Image via Activision

After a not-so-stellar campaign release for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the usual Multiplayer and Zombies modes are finally here. These are definitely meant to be played with more people, but can you link another controller and play with that buddy next to you with a split screen mode?

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Is There Split-Screen for CoD MW3 Zombies & Multiplayer?

Yes, you can play MW3 Multiplayer mode with Split-Screen, but Zombies doesn’t have the same feature. Offline Multiplayer has its own limitations to how it works, but you can play through most modes, such as Team Deathmatch and Domination, with no issues as long as you have some extra controllers with you.

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Screenshot by Prima Games

Some players have reported some glitchy performance, though. Updates might eventually fix these problems and enhance the overall split-screen experience, but that’s certainly not the main priority right now, so don’t expect it to happen so soon.

Zombies has it rough, though. The exclusion of split-screen for a PvE mode with emphasis on cooperation is a strange decision, but maybe there’s a clearer explanation for this. Maybe the mode could receive an update later allowing for offline co-op, but nothing has been announced yet. As for now, you’re stuck with only playing with friends if going for an online mode.

The mode was also absent in the previous main entry, so it’s nice to see it once again in the 2023 successor. But it just feels bad that a beloved feature that allowed for more repeated gameplay with friends and family was gutted. It’s still great if you’re going with people in their own consoles through online mode, but it’s definitely lacking in that regard.

And even if they can’t play it directly, you can also game share it so your friends can enjoy a bit of zombie-killing action. It’s not the same as playing together, but it’s something.

About the Author

Patrick Souza

Patrick has been working for Prima since 2022 and joined as a Staff Writer in 2023. He's been interested in gaming journalism since college, and that was the path he took once he had his degree in hands. Diligently ignores his ever-growing backlog to keep raiding in Final Fantasy XIV, exploring in Genshin Impact or replaying some of his favorite RPGs from time to time. Loves tackling hard challenges in games, but his cats are still the hardest bosses he could ask for.