Palworld has split screen on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, but not on PC

Palworld supports split screen on console versions only. Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 both let two players share one screen in the same room, using separate controllers. The PC version does not have split screen — you need two separate computers and two copies of the game to play together locally on PC.

Split screen works in both single-player and multiplayer modes on console. You can play the campaign with a friend on the same couch, or join online multiplayer sessions while a second player watches or takes turns. The feature is built into the base game and requires no additional purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 versions include split screen for two players using one TV and two controllers.
  • PC players cannot use split screen and must run the game on separate computers to play together in the same room.
  • Split screen works in both the campaign and online multiplayer modes on console versions.
  • Each player on console needs their own controller; the game does not support keyboard-and-controller combinations for split screen.
  • Xbox Series X and Series S do not currently have split screen support, though the game is available on those platforms.

How to start split screen on Nintendo Switch

Launch Palworld and reach the main menu. Select New Game or Continue to load a world. Once you are in the game world, press the minus button on the first controller to open the menu, then look for the Player 2 Join option. The second player presses any button on their controller to join the session.

Both players will appear on the same screen. The camera follows the first player by default, but you can adjust camera settings in the options menu to change how the view behaves when players move apart. Split screen on Switch runs at a lower resolution than handheld mode to maintain performance with two players.

How to start split screen on PlayStation 5

Start Palworld and load into a world from the main menu. The first player uses the primary controller. To bring in the second player, go to the Settings menu within the game and select Player 2 Join. The second player presses any button on their controller to connect.

PlayStation 5 split screen displays at a higher resolution than Switch because of the console's more powerful hardware. Both players can explore, catch Pals, and build together. If one player leaves, the other can continue solo without losing progress.

Why PC does not have split screen

Palworld on PC is designed around online multiplayer rather than local couch play. The game runs through Steam and does not include the controller detection and screen-splitting code that console versions have. Adding split screen to PC would require significant rework of the graphics engine and input system.

If you want to play Palworld with someone else on the same PC, you have two options: use remote play software like Steam Remote Play to stream the game to another device, or run two separate instances of the game on two different computers connected to the same network. Neither method is as straightforward as console split screen.

What you need for split screen on console

You need one copy of Palworld, one TV or monitor, and two controllers. On Nintendo Switch, you can use Joy-Con pairs, Pro Controllers, or a mix of both. On PlayStation 5, you need two DualSense controllers or compatible third-party controllers.

Both players must be on the same account or linked accounts on the console. If you are playing on a shared console, the second player can use a guest account. Internet connection is not required for split screen in single-player mode, but you do need it if you want to join online multiplayer sessions while playing split screen.

Split screen performance on each console

Nintendo Switch split screen runs at 30 frames per second in handheld mode and docked mode. The resolution drops to maintain this frame rate with two players on screen. If you are sensitive to frame rate, the experience is noticeably slower than single-player.

PlayStation 5 split screen runs at 60 frames per second with a higher resolution than Switch. The performance is much closer to single-player, making it the better choice if you want smooth gameplay. Xbox Series X and Series S versions of Palworld do not support split screen at all, even though the hardware could handle it.

Switching between split screen and single player

The second player can leave a split screen session at any time by pressing the menu button and selecting Leave Game. The first player continues playing solo without losing any progress or items. You can bring the second player back in later by using the Player 2 Join option again.

If the first player leaves, the session ends for both players. The second player cannot take over as the host. This is different from online multiplayer, where any player can be the host and the world persists when others leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play split screen online with other players at the same time?

Yes. On console, you can have two players on the same screen using split screen, and those two players can join an online multiplayer server together. The online server can hold up to four players total, so you could have two split screen players plus two remote players in the same world.

Does split screen work in co-op mode?

Yes. Split screen works in both single-player worlds and online multiplayer servers. If you create a multiplayer server, you can use split screen to have two players on one console join that server alongside remote players on other devices.

What happens to my progress if the second player leaves?

The first player keeps all progress, items, and Pals. The second player's progress is also saved if they were playing in a multiplayer world, but they lose any items they were carrying if they leave a single-player world without dropping them first.

Can I use a keyboard and controller together for split screen?

No. Split screen on console requires two controllers. You cannot mix keyboard and controller input. On PC, split screen is not available at all, so this is not an option.

Is split screen available on Xbox?

No. Palworld on Xbox Series X and Series S does not support split screen. You would need two separate Xbox consoles and two copies of the game to play together in the same room on Xbox.