Forza Horizon 5 does not have split-screen multiplayer

Forza Horizon 5 removed split-screen play entirely. You cannot play on the same console with another person using one controller each, and there is no option to enable it in settings. If you want to play with someone else in the same room, you will need two separate consoles, two copies of the game, and an internet connection for online multiplayer.

This was a significant change from earlier Forza Horizon games. Forza Horizon 4, released in 2018, included split-screen co-op for up to two players on the same TV. Playground Games, the developer, did not carry that feature forward to Horizon 5, which launched in November 2021 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. The removal reflects a broader shift in how racing games are designed—toward online-only multiplayer and away from the local couch co-op experience that was standard in earlier console generations.

Key Takeaways

  • Forza Horizon 5 has no split-screen option for local multiplayer on a single console.
  • You can play online multiplayer with friends, but each person needs their own console and copy of the game.
  • Forza Horizon 4 had split-screen co-op, but that feature does not exist in Horizon 5.
  • If you specifically want split-screen racing, Forza Motorsport 7 or Forza Horizon 4 are your options within the Forza series.

What multiplayer modes Forza Horizon 5 actually has

Forza Horizon 5 focuses on online multiplayer rather than local play. You can join multiplayer sessions with up to 12 players in the same open world, racing in events or exploring Mexico together. These sessions require an active internet connection and Xbox Game Pass for Console or a standard Xbox Live Gold subscription on Xbox, or a free Xbox account on PC.

The game also includes Forza Link, a feature that lets you see other players' cars and activity in your world even when you are not in a formal multiplayer session. You can challenge other players to races or stunts, and you can form convoy groups to drive together across the map. All of this is online-only and does not support two people on one screen.

Seasonal events and limited-time multiplayer challenges rotate regularly, giving you reasons to return to online sessions. The multiplayer experience is designed around the assumption that each player has their own display and internet connection.

Why split-screen was removed

Playground Games has not published a detailed explanation for removing split-screen, but the decision likely reflects industry trends and technical constraints. Modern open-world racing games increasingly prioritize online multiplayer and graphical fidelity. Running Forza Horizon 5 at high visual quality on a single console while splitting the screen between two players would require significant performance compromises, particularly on base Xbox Series S hardware.

Split-screen also demands that both players stay within a reasonable distance of each other on the map, which limits the freedom of an open-world game. Online multiplayer allows each player to explore independently while still racing or competing together. The Mexico setting in Horizon 5 is large and detailed, and rendering it twice simultaneously at full quality would be technically demanding.

The shift away from split-screen is not unique to Forza. Most modern AAA racing and action games have moved to online-only multiplayer, treating local couch play as a legacy feature rather than a priority.

Alternatives if you want local multiplayer racing

If you own an Xbox and want split-screen racing with someone in the same room, Forza Horizon 4 is still playable and includes two-player split-screen co-op. You can find it used, through digital storefronts, or through Xbox Game Pass, though availability varies by region and changes over time. The game is older but remains visually solid and plays smoothly on current Xbox hardware.

Forza Motorsport 7, the track-racing counterpart to Horizon, also supports split-screen for up to two players, though it is older and focuses on circuit racing rather than open-world exploration. Outside the Forza series, games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC) offer split-screen racing if you are open to other franchises. Gran Turismo Sport on PlayStation 4 also has split-screen options for local multiplayer.

Playing Forza Horizon 5 with friends in the same room

Your realistic option is to set up two separate gaming stations. Each person needs their own Xbox console (or PC), their own copy of Forza Horizon 5, and their own controller. Once both are running, you can join the same online multiplayer session and race together while sitting in the same room watching separate screens or even the same TV if you position the consoles side by side.

This setup works well for casual play and is how many players experience multiplayer racing games now. The trade-off is cost and space—you are essentially running two complete gaming setups. If you are playing casually with family or friends, this may feel like overkill compared to the simplicity of split-screen. However, it does give each player their own full view of the action without the visual compromise of a split screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Forza Horizon 5 with a friend on the same TV?

Not on the same console. You need two separate consoles, two copies of the game, and both players connected to the internet. You can then join the same online multiplayer session and race together while watching the same TV or separate screens positioned side by side.

Does Forza Horizon 5 have couch co-op?

No. Couch co-op (local multiplayer on one screen) is not available in Forza Horizon 5. The game is designed around online multiplayer only, where each player needs their own console and internet connection.

Will split-screen be added to Forza Horizon 5 in a future update?

There has been no announcement of split-screen coming to Horizon 5. Major features like this are typically planned at launch rather than added later, so it is unlikely to arrive in a future patch or update.

Is split-screen available in any recent Forza game?

Forza Horizon 4 has two-player split-screen co-op and is still playable on Xbox and PC. Forza Motorsport 7 also supports split-screen. Newer titles in the series, including Forza Motorsport (2023), focus on online multiplayer instead.