BeamNG.drive Hits PS5 Today With Split-Screen Support

BeamNG.drive launches on PlayStation 5 today, featuring split-screen support, as confirmed in a Games Press announcement. This soft-body driving simulator hits consoles nearly ten years after its initial launch on PC on May 29, 2015.

The announcement clearly states the platform and highlights the split-screen feature. However, it doesn’t provide information about pricing, mode breakdowns, or performance targets for PS5, leaving those details up in the air.

Split-screen is crucial for a game focused on crashes. With two players on the couch, they can see how the same vehicle reacts to the same impact. This setup fits BeamNG.drive’s physics model better than most racing games.

The PC version enters this launch strong. It boasts a 97% positive rating from 229,348 Steam reviews and still attracts 34,848 concurrent players. Few simulation games maintain that kind of audience so long after their release.

Critical reception has been more mixed. In its PS5 impressions piece, Polygon describes the game as “an astonishing driving sim in search of a game.” They praise the handling, crash physics, and damage modeling, but they also question whether the experience is actually fun.

This question will impact the console launch. BeamNG.drive offers a sandbox experience that encourages experimentation, but console players often look for structured goals. How effectively the PS5 version introduces newcomers could be just as important as the physics.

By The Numbers

By The Numbers

PC release date	May 29, 2015
Steam user rating	97% positive
Steam review count	229,348
Current Steam players	34,848
Steam price	$24.99

Community Pulse

Overall community sentiment leans negative across the 10 signals we tracked, but Steam reviews in that sample are positive. One reviewer called it “hands down the best driving game I’ve played” and said it’s “fun, if you like driving games.” However, the same review pointed out a concern for PS5 players: gamepad controls can feel awkward. Since console players will use a controller by default, it’s important to look at how well the control setup works.

What To Watch

• PS5 pricing and content parity: Keep an eye on whether the console price matches the $24.99 Steam price and if the PS5 version has the same features as the PC version.
• Controller handling: Early feedback on gamepad steering and vehicle control will reveal if the console port addresses the concerns raised by PC reviewers.
• Review scores: The game doesn’t have a Metacritic score yet. Console reviews will help determine if Polygon’s “is it fun?” question becomes the prevailing opinion.