Split-screen on PC

Saints Row 2

Up to 2 players on one PC, with controllers or keyboard and mouse.

2Verified handler

Handler “SaintsRow2” by Talos91, version 1

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 2 players can play Saints Row 2 together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers or keyboard and mouse. The free community handler “SaintsRow2” by Talos91 does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 1, updated 16 Nov 2022. Saints Row 2 is a shooter, racing and adventure game from 2008.

Players2
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceNot supported
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Saints Row 2 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 Saints Row 2 handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Saints Row 2 and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Saints Row 2 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 Saints Row 2 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
Saints Row 2 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 2 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Saints Row 2, 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

Tutorial:

Split-screen setup guide. Tested with latest legit Steam version.
Set your main game to windowed before running this, also set your res there to 1920x1080 if you want the handler to fix stretching in split-screen.
Start a Co-op LAN game in one instance and join in the other, FULLY disconnect from the internet or you will not be able to connect the instances, the second instance should see the host server IP as 127.0.0.1.
If you launch an instance with the keyboard icon alt-tab to it to control it. Reduce graphics settings in your main game to improve performance.
Read the FAQ if you have any further questions and want to know more about Nucleus Co-op.
Handler by Talos91. Please support the Nucleus Co-op team if you like my Nucleus handler work.
Big thanks to rip3535 from the Split Screen Dreams discord for solving connecting the instances in the same PC.

About Saints Row 2

After the events of the first game, the protagonist awakens from a coma to find that the Third Street Saints have all but disappeared. Much like Saints Row, you are charged with retaking the city from three rival gangs, only this time as the leader of the saints. While fighting the Sons of Samedi, The Brotherhood, and The Ronin, the Saints also antagonize the Ultor Corporation, which seeks to eradicate gang violence in Stilwater once and for all.

Summary from IGDB