Skip to content
Beta: this is a preview of the new SplitScreen.Me. Data may be reset before launch.
Download

Split-screen on PC

Hollow Knight

Up to 5 players on one PC, with controllers or keyboard and mouse.

5Verified handler

Handler “Hollow Knight Multiplayer Mod” by Talos91, version 11

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 5 players can play Hollow Knight together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers or keyboard and mouse. The free community handler “Hollow Knight Multiplayer Mod” by Talos91 does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 11, updated . Hollow Knight is a platformer, adventure and indie game from 2017.

  • Players5
  • ControllersSupported
  • Keyboard and mouseSupported
  • Several keyboards and miceNot supported
  • Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Hollow Knight split screen on PC

  1. 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

  2. Install the Hollow Knight handler

    In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Hollow Knight and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Hollow Knight is installed.

    Download the handler file (.nc)

  3. 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.

  4. Launch and connect

    Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of Hollow Knight 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

  • Hollow Knight 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; one player can use the keyboard and mouse. Controllers

  • A PC that can run 5 copies

    Each player runs their own copy of Hollow Knight, 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

Guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/nucleuscoop/comments/ljx8gz/hollow_knight_coop_splitscreen/

  • You need to have the Hollow Knight Multiplayer Mod by Extremelyd1 installed, make sure you install the the HKMP.dll mod using the Lumafly Mod Installer in your main game files first. You can also unlock Steam achievements with this handler even with the co-op mod installed.

  • Read the FAQ if you have any further questions and want to know more about Nucleus Co-op.

  • Handler by Talos91. Support the Nucleus Co-op team if you love the project.

About Hollow Knight

A 2D metroidvania with an emphasis on close combat and exploration in which the player enters the once-prosperous now-bleak insect kingdom of Hallownest, travels through its various districts, meets friendly inhabitants, fights hostile ones and uncovers the kingdom's history while improving their combat abilities and movement arsenal by fighting bosses and accessing out-of-the-way areas.

Summary from IGDB

Hollow Knight screenshots

  • Hollow Knight screenshot 1
  • Hollow Knight screenshot 2
  • Hollow Knight screenshot 3
  • Hollow Knight screenshot 4
  • Hollow Knight screenshot 5

Version history

  1. v11Current

    Xinput fixes

    VerifiedDownload (2.7 KB)
  2. v10

    log for each instance and do not backup registry edit for second instance and up

    VerifiedDownload (2.1 KB)
  3. v9

    different localow folder and registry per instance, latest modding api applies to all instances now.

    VerifiedDownload (2.1 KB)
  4. v8

    updated modding api for instance 2 and up.

    VerifiedDownload (4.8 MB)

All 11 versions, with files and scripts

Comments 2

  • joaquin_gabriel_Verza

    I play with an Xbox controller and a keyboard and the Xbox controller controls both instances Does anyone know how to fix it?

    • Talos91

      Yes fully disable Steam Input for the game like the guide mentions.

Log in or create an account to comment.

Browse all games

Browse by genre: Platformer · Adventure · Indie