Split-screen on PC

Marathon 2: Durandal

Up to 8 players on one PC, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice.

8Verified handler

Handler “Marathon 2: Durandal” by Zensuu, version 1

P4+4 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 8 players can play Marathon 2: Durandal together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice. The free community handler “Marathon 2: Durandal” by Zensuu does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 1, updated 14 May 2024. Marathon 2: Durandal is a shooter game from 1995.

Players8
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceOne per player
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Marathon 2: Durandal 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 Marathon 2: Durandal handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Marathon 2: Durandal and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Marathon 2: Durandal 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.
Playing with several keyboards and mice? Press End once everything is in place to give each window its own cursor.
Launch and connect
Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of Marathon 2: Durandal 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
Marathon 2: Durandal 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, or one keyboard and mouse per player. Controllers · Keyboards and mice
A PC that can run 8 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Marathon 2: Durandal, 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

IMPORTANT: You need to disable the "Follow Gamepads API Indexes" setting in the Players tab in Nucleus Co-op's settings for gamepads to work properly.

Freeware. Download the game here.

◦ Supports xinput gamepads and multiple mice and keyboards.

◦ Read the handler notes in the UI carefully.

◦ Authors and Contributors of this handler: Zensuu. A special thanks to the Nucleus Co-op and Split Screen Dreams communities.

About Marathon 2: Durandal

Marathon 2: Durandal is the sequel to the first Marathon. Although the engine is similar to Doom in most respects (2.5D maps, bitmap sprites instead of polygons, etc.), Marathon 2 distinguishes itself with such features such as a rudimentary inventory system, ambient sound, multiple fire modes for each weapon, allies who aid the player, enemies belonging to different factions which will attack each other, a more developed plot (gradually narrated to the player at various computer terminals scattered throughout the levels). The Xbox 360 version of the game presents a revised HUD and provides support for both 4-player split-screen play on the same console and 8-player Xbox Live gameplay. This version also supports 16:9 screen resolutions, high-definition output at 60 frames per second (compared to the original 30) as well as upgraded models and graphics

Summary from IGDB