What are the best free two player sports games on PS4 in 2024?
In the realm of gaming, few experiences can match the thrill of playing alongside friends and family. Splitscreen games create an opportunity to share the excitement, compete, and collaborate in the same physical space. When it comes to sports games, the adrenaline of competition is only heightened by having your rival or teammate right next to you in a 2 player split screen game. This blog post will delve into four exceptional sports games that offer free local multiplayer. We will evaluate these titles based on four key metrics:
| ✓ Variety of Game Modes | ✓ Co-op Accessibility | ✓ Gameplay | ✓ Free to Play |
Rocket League /rating:5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
Rocket League, developed by Psyonix, is a thrilling blend of soccer and rocket-powered vehicles that has captivated gamers since its launch in 2015. The game’s unique premise and engaging mechanics have solidified its status as a beloved multiplayer title.
Variety of Game Modes
Rocket League shines with an impressive selection of game modes that can be enjoyed in splitscreen. Players can choose from the classic Soccar mode, the basketball-inspired Hoops, the ice hockey-like Snow Day, and the chaotic Rumble mode featuring power-ups. This variety ensures that players can find a mode that suits their preferences, whether they enjoy traditional gameplay or something more unconventional.The ability to play these diverse modes with friends in splitscreen enhances the overall experience. Whether teaming up or facing off against each other, the excitement of competing on the same screen adds an extra layer of fun to every match.
Co-op Accessibility
In terms of co-op accessibility, Rocket League excels. The game supports up to four players on a single screen, making it an ideal choice for local multiplayer sessions. The controls are designed to be intuitive, allowing newcomers to quickly grasp the basics and jump into the action.The physics-based gameplay strikes a perfect balance between being easy to pick up and offering a high skill ceiling. While players can enjoy the game casually, mastering advanced techniques and strategies keeps them engaged for hours.
Co-op Accessibility
Rocket League shines in co-op accessibility. The game features intuitive controls that are easy to learn, making it accessible for players of all skill levels. The split-screen mode allows for seamless local multiplayer experiences, while cross-platform play enables PS4 players to team up with friends on other platforms. Customizable difficulty settings for AI opponents in private matches further enhance the co-op experience, allowing players to tailor their gameplay to their preferences.
Gameplay
Despite its straightforward premise, Rocket League boasts remarkable gameplay depth. The physics engine allows for a wide range of techniques and strategies, from basic dribbling to complex aerial manoeuvres and team rotations.The competitive scene surrounding Rocket League is a testament to its depth. Professional matches showcase an incredible level of skill, with players executing precise manoeuvres and strategies that casual players can aspire to learn.Furthermore, the various modes each require different skills and strategies. For instance, Hoops emphasizes aerial play, while Snow Day rewards ground control and positioning. This diversity ensures that players always have new challenges to tackle and skills to refine.
Free to Play
In a significant shift in 2020, Rocket League transitioned to a free-to-play model, making it accessible to a broader audience. This change eliminated the initial cost barrier while preserving the full gameplay experience.The free-to-play model is supported by cosmetic microtransactions and a battle pass system, which do not affect gameplay. All game modes, including competitive play, are available to all players without any paywalls, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the game.
Sportsfriends /rating:4.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
Sportsfriends is a unique collection of local multiplayer sports games developed by Die Gute Fabrik. It stands out with its focus on simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master.
Variety of Game Modes
Sportsfriends excels in providing a diverse range of game modes, all designed specifically for local multiplayer. The game includes four distinct sports-inspired games:
- Johann Sebastian Joust: A motion-controlled game where players must keep their controllers steady while trying to jostle opponents.
- BaraBariBall: A team-based ball game that combines elements of fighting games and basketball.
- Super Pole Riders: A pole-vaulting game where players aim to knock a ball into the opponent’s goal.
- Hokra: A minimalist 2v2 sports game resembling hockey or soccer.
Each of these games offers a unique twist on traditional sports, providing a fresh and varied experience for players. The fact that all of these modes are designed for splitscreen play gives Sportsfriends top marks in this category.
Co-op Accessibility
Sportsfriends is built with local multiplayer in mind, making it highly accessible for co-op play. The games feature simple controls that are easy to pick up, allowing players of all skill levels to jump in and start having fun right away.The game supports up to four players on a single screen, and some modes even allow for more with additional controllers. The variety of games ensures that there is something for everyone, whether players prefer physical movement (Johann Sebastian Joust) or more traditional button-based controls.
Gameplay
While Sportsfriends offers engaging and enjoyable gameplay, the depth of its sports mechanics is moderate. The games are intentionally designed to be simple and accessible, which can limit their long-term depth compared to more complex sports simulations. However, each game does present its own strategic elements and skill ceiling. For example, BaraBariBall requires a solid understanding of movement and timing, while Super Pole Riders demands precise control and prediction of opponent actions. The depth comes more from player interaction and mind games rather than complex game mechanics.The score of 3/5 reflects a good balance between accessibility and depth, providing enough complexity to keep players engaged without overwhelming newcomers.
Free to Play
The free-to-play nature of Sportsfriends aligns perfectly with its focus on local multiplayer and party-style gameplay. This model ensures that anyone with a compatible PlayStation console can easily join in on the fun, making it an excellent choice for impromptu gaming sessions with friends or family.By offering the complete experience at no cost, Sportsfriends removes any financial obstacles that might prevent players from trying out its unique and engaging multiplayer games. This approach greatly enhances its appeal as a go-to title for local multiplayer entertainment.The combination of being free-to-play and offering a variety of splitscreen modes makes Sportsfriends an exceptionally attractive option for those seeking accessible and diverse local multiplayer experiences.
eFootball 2024 /rating:3.25
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available on:
Game Features
eFootball™ 2024, formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), represents Konami’s latest effort to deliver a realistic football simulation experience. The game emphasizes individual player control and tactical gameplay, aiming to provide an authentic football experience.
Variety of Game Modes
When it comes to splitscreen play, eFootball™ 2024 offers a limited selection of game modes. While players can engage in local matches, the variety is not as extensive as some of its competitors. The primary focus remains on standard football matches, with options for different team selections and match lengths. The game also features a unique approach to online play with its “Creative Teams” mode, although this is less relevant for splitscreen gameplay. For football enthusiasts who enjoy traditional matches, the available options may suffice. However, those seeking a wider range of game modes for local multiplayer may find the offerings lacking.
Co-op Accessibility
The co-op accessibility in splitscreen for eFootball™ 2024 is somewhat restrictive. While local multiplayer is supported, the implementation could be more user-friendly. The control scheme can be complex for newcomers, creating a potential barrier for casual players eager to join in on a quick match.The game does offer some assistance options to help less experienced players, but overall, the accessibility in splitscreen mode leaves room for enhancement. This limitation may hinder groups with varying skill levels from enjoying the game together.
Gameplay
Where eFootball™ 2024 truly excels is in its gameplay depth. The game provides a highly detailed simulation of football, featuring intricate controls that allow for precise dribbling, passing, and shooting. The tactical elements are well-developed, enabling players to set up complex strategies and formations.The individuality system for players adds another layer of depth, with each footballer exhibiting unique attributes and playing styles that impact their performance on the pitch. This realism creates a varied gameplay experience where leveraging players’ strengths is essential for success. eFootball™ 2024 also introduces “Motion Matching” technology, designed to create more realistic player movements and interactions. However, the gameplay score is not a perfect 5/5 due to some inconsistencies and balancing issues. While the core gameplay is engaging, certain mechanics may feel less polished compared to previous iterations or rival football games.
Free to Play
eFootball™ 2024 adopts a free-to-play model, making it highly accessible to all players. The base game, including local multiplayer functionality, is available at no cost. This approach allows players to experience the core gameplay without any initial investment.The free-to-play aspect is supported by microtransactions, primarily focused on online modes and player acquisitions. However, these do not significantly impact the local multiplayer experience, ensuring that splitscreen play remains enjoyable and accessible without additional purchases.
3on3 Freestyle /rating:2.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
3on3 FreeStyle is a free-to-play basketball game that captures the essence of street basketball with its vibrant characters and arcade-style gameplay. Developed by JoyCity, the game aims to bring the excitement of pickup basketball to life with a twist of fantasy and special abilities.
Variety of Game Modes
Unfortunately, 3on3 FreeStyle struggles with providing a variety of splitscreen game modes. The game is primarily designed for online play, and local splitscreen options are extremely limited. This significant shortcoming is a major drawback for those seeking to enjoy the game with friends on the same screen.The focus on online play means that the rich variety of characters and gameplay styles does not translate well to a local multiplayer experience, resulting in a low score in this category.
Co-op Accessibility
In terms of co-op accessibility, 3on3 FreeStyle’s splitscreen options are severely lacking. The game does not offer robust local multiplayer functionality, making it challenging for friends to play together on the same console.This limitation is particularly disappointing given the game’s emphasis on team play and the potential for exciting local 3v3 matches. The absence of accessible splitscreen co-op options significantly reduces the game’s appeal for those looking for shared screen experiences.
Gameplay
Despite its limitations in local multiplayer, 3on3 FreeStyle does provide a reasonable level of gameplay depth. The game features a diverse roster of characters, each possessing unique skills and playstyles. This variety allows for interesting team compositions and strategies.The gameplay incorporates elements of traditional basketball while adding arcade-style special moves and abilities. Players can perform flashy dunks, long-range shots, and utilize character-specific skills to outmaneuver opponents. The inclusion of a positioning system and team-based gameplay adds a layer of strategy to matches.However, the gameplay score is not higher due to some balance issues and the potential for certain strategies or characters to dominate, which can limit the long-term depth and competitiveness of the game.
Free to Play
3on3 FreeStyle excels in the free-to-play category, offering the full core gameplay experience at no cost. Players can download and play the game without any initial investment, which is a significant advantage.The monetization model focuses on cosmetic items and character unlocks, which do not directly impact gameplay balance.
