Split-screen on PC

Spelunky

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

2Verified handler

Handler “Spelunky” by Zensuu, version 1

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 2 players can play Spelunky together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers or keyboard and mouse. The free community handler “Spelunky” by Zensuu does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 1, updated 18 Nov 2024. Spelunky is a platformer, adventure and indie game from 2012.

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

How to play Spelunky 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 Spelunky handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Spelunky and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Spelunky 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 Spelunky 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
Spelunky 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 Spelunky, 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

Requires Spelunky Steam edition version 1.4 (you can downgrade via the "betas" tab in Spelunky properties on Steam). The game already has native local co-op for 4 players, but this allows up to 2 players to have their own separate screen or monitor. Thanks to sashavol for Frozlunky, which is included in this handler.

◦ Supports xinput gamepads and one mouse and keyboard.

◦ Read the handler notes in the UI carefully.

◦ Authors and Contributors of this handler: Zensuu and Talos91. A special thanks to the Nucleus Co-op and Split Screen Dreams communities.

About Spelunky

Spelunky (also known as Spelunky HD) is a remake of Spelunky (now known as Spelunky Classic), an open source indie platformer video game created by Derek Yu and originally released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run through the game unique. Spelunky is one of the first examples of a roguelike-like, borrowing concepts from the roguelike genre, and was the influence for many later roguelike-like games.

Summary from IGDB