Summary

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues the series' reboot, offering a variety of multiplayer modes, a campaign, and Zombies mode.
• Split-screen options in Modern Warfare 3 are limited, with no split-screen available in Zombies mode or the campaign.
• While some multiplayer modes offer split-screen, others do not. The lack of split-screen options may push players towards online multiplayer instead.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues the series' reboot, being totally different from the game with the exact name from 2011. Like other titles in CoD's recent reboot series, it includes a distinct variety of multiplayer modes, a brand-new campaign, and a fresh take on the classic Zombies mode. However, not all of those modes come with split-screen multiplayer as an option, taking away some of the game's couch co-op potential in favor of fully online functionality.

The prevalence of online options has taken away from local multiplayer, to the point, in many cases, where it can no longer be expected that games with player-versus-player modes or co-op campaigns will two or more players on the same console. However, there's still a demand for split-screen play to be an option for the sake of couch co-op. And while Modern Warfare 3 includes split-screen as an option for certain features, it's not available for every game mode.

Split-Screen Options In Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Are Limited

Zombies & Campaign Mode Don't Have Split-Screen Multiplayer

Most MW3 game modes don't have split-screen as a multiplayer option. MW3 does not have a split-screen option for the campaign mode - in fact, it doesn't have multiplayer options at all, as the campaign is strictly single-player. CoD: Modern Warfare 3 Zombies mode doesn't have split-screen as an option, either. This is a departure from the usual Zombies formula, which has pretty much always been associated with couch co-op and split-screen multiplayer.

Multiplayer in MW3 is the only place where there are some options for split-screen, but even then, split-screen isn't available in every multiplayer mode. Namely, Ground War, Free-for-All, and Invasions modes in multiplayer don't have split-screen available. The rest of the multiplayer modes (Team Deathmatch, Domination, Search and Destroy, Kill Confirmed, Hardpoint, Control, Gunfight, All or Nothing, and most seasonal/time-limited modes) all have split-screen options.

In order to play a MW3 multiplayer mode in split-screen, players must connect two controllers. Then, on the second controller, press A on Xbox or X on PlayStation while on the main multiplayer menu to the game.

MW3's Split-Screen Is A Missed Opportunity

The Limitations Of Split-Screen In Modern Warfare 3

The lack of a universal split-screen option across all game modes in MW3 is a missed opportunity, and not just because it takes the choice out of the player's hands. A split-screen option for CoD: Modern Warfare 3's campaign, at least on consoles where it's easier to implement, could've brought with it an incentive for replaying the missions. Going through the campaign with one person can be a completely different experience, and a couch co-op option creates the opportunity for a night spent hanging out in person while playing MW3. Having split-screen for some multiplayer modes, but not others, is similarly disappointing.

While the limited split-screen availability in MW3 works for what it is, it could've also gone a long way as an option for Zombies mode. Split-screen co-op was a huge part of what made this game mode a hit. Sharing a couch with friends, being able to strategize and watch each other's backs in real time, the joy of setting high scores and the disappointment of falling short - all this comprises a unique experience. It can almost be replicated via online multiplayer, but it's not quite the same. However, playing online instead of with a split-screen could be a more tempting option for many, especially considering that means having an entire screen and the visibility that comes with it.

Thankfully, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 could be split-screen multiplayer's saving grace. It's unknown just what multiplayer features it'll incorporate, but it is expected to have all the usual game modes - Zombies included. Hopefully, Black Ops 6 brings back the missing multiplayer option across all game modes, not just a select few.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 attempts to continue the series' reboot, but doesn't always live up to the older games. MW3 brings back classic modes like Zombies, but its split-screen options are fairly limited overall, appearing in only select multiplayer modes. However, the next Call of Duty game could make up for this lack of couch co-op choices, considering that the cliffhanger endings of the campaign will likely lead the next game in the reboot to pick up where Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 leaves off.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.