Split-screen on PC

Halo: Combat Evolved

Up to 16 players on one PC, with controllers.

16Verified handler

Handler “Halo Custom Edition” by Talos91, version 2

P4+12 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 16 players can play Halo: Combat Evolved together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers. The free community handler “Halo Custom Edition” by Talos91 does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 2, updated 11 Oct 2022. Halo: Combat Evolved is a shooter game from 2001.

Players16
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseNot supported
Several keyboards and miceNot supported
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Halo: Combat Evolved split screen on PC

Get Nucleus Co-op
Download Nucleus Co-op, free for Windows 10 and 11, and unzip it into its own folder, for example C:\NucleusCo-op. There is no installer.
Keep it out of Program Files, your user folder and OneDrive.
Download Nucleus Co-op
Install the Halo: Combat Evolved handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Halo: Combat Evolved and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Halo: Combat Evolved is installed.
Download the handler file (.nc)
Take a seat
Each player presses a button on their own controller to join and takes a spot on the screen. Pick a layout that fits your players.
Launch and connect
Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of Halo: Combat Evolved per player and lays the windows out on your screen. Then link them in game, usually one player hosts a LAN or online session and the others join it. The handler notes say how.

What you need

A Windows 10 or 11 PC
Nucleus Co-op runs on Windows only. System requirements
Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows
Installed on that PC. Nucleus starts every player's window from that one install.
Nucleus Co-op, free
With .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later and the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtimes (x86 and x64). Download
Something to play with
One controller per player: Xbox, PlayStation or generic pads. Controllers
A PC that can run 16 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Halo: Combat Evolved, so the PC carries several times the usual load. Lower the graphics settings if it struggles. Performance tips
A multiplayer mode
Nucleus links the windows through the game's own LAN or online mode; the handler takes care of it.

Handler notes

For Halo Custom Edition only. Guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/localmultiplayergames/comments/d8qkav/halo_custom_edition_6_players_splitscreen/

Authors and Contributors of this handler: Talos91 and maxine64 from the Split Screen Dreams Discord.

About Halo: Combat Evolved

Bent on Humankind's extermination, a powerful fellowship of alien races known as the Covenant is wiping out Earth's fledgling interstellar empire. Climb into the boots of Master Chief, a biologically altered super-soldier, as you and the other surviving defenders of a devastated colony-world make a desperate attempt to lure the alien fleet away from earth. Shot down and marooned on the ancient ring-world Halo, you begin a guerilla-war against the Covenant. Fight for humanity against an alien onslaught as you race to uncover the mysteries of Halo.

Summary from IGDB