Home >> Internet Games >> PS3 Games

Can You Play 2-Player Split-Screen Modern Warfare on One PS3? No.

No Call of Duty: Modern Warfare game supports split-screen multiplayer on PS3. Not MW1 (2007), MW2 (2009), MW3 (2011), nor the 2019/2022 reboots (which aren't on PS3).

Why Not?

Engine limitation: IW Engine (CoD) on PS3/360 was optimized for single-player 60 FPS. Split-screen halves frame budget—unacceptable for competitive shooter.
Memory constraints: PS3's 256 MB XDR + 256 MB GDDR3 split pool couldn't hold two rendered frames + assets.
Design priority: Infinity Ward focused on online multiplayer (Xbox Live / PSN) as the social mode.

How to Play CoD Multiplayer with a Friend (PS3 Era)

Method	Requirements	Games
System Link (LAN)	2× PS3, 2× TV, 2× game discs, Ethernet cable(s) + switch/router	All CoD titles on PS3
Online Multiplayer	2× PS3, 2× PSN accounts, 2× game discs, internet, PS Plus not required on PS3	All CoD titles (servers mostly dead; MW2 2009, BO1, BO2 have community revivals)
Split-Screen (Other Games)	1× PS3, 1× TV, 2× controllers	Not CoD. Try: Call of Duty: Black Ops III (PS4), Halo MCC (Xbox), Borderlands, Rocket League, Minecraft

PS3 CoD Games with Split-Screen… Campaign Only

Call of Duty: World at War — 2-player co-op campaign (split-screen)
Call of Duty: Black Ops — 2-player co-op campaign (split-screen)
Call of Duty: Black Ops II — 2-player co-op campaign (split-screen)

Multiplayer split-screen: Never on PS3 CoD.

If you want split-screen CoD today: Modern Warfare (2019), MWII (2022), MWIII (2023), Black Ops Cold War, Vanguard on PS4/PS5 support 2-player split-screen multiplayer.

PS3 Games