As of 2026, Resident Evil 5 on PC officially supports local split-screen co-op through a native update, making it much easier to set up a keyboard and controller mix without complex mods. Native Setup (No Mods Required)
The game now detects local players automatically when a second input is activated during gameplay.
local co-op (split screen) - Resident Evil 5 - Steam Community
| Aspect | Rating | Notes | |--------|--------|-------| | Input Lag | Good | No noticeable lag on either device (wired recommended). | | Screen Flicker | Fair | The mod can cause minimap flicker on some AMD GPUs. | | Cutscenes | Bad | Both players control the same character during cutscenes – hilarious but immersion-breaking. | | Quick-Time Events | Poor | If P1 uses keyboard, QTEs show Xbox button prompts. You must memorize keyboard equivalents. | | Pause Menu | Terrible | Opening inventory pauses for both players – ruins real-time co-op tension. |
Do not buy RE5 on PC expecting native split-screen. If you already own it, the modded keyboard + exclusive controller setup is playable for a single playthrough on Normal difficulty. For a serious co-op experience, either play online (which works perfectly) or buy the console version. The PC split-screen mod remains a "proof of concept" – functional, but frustrating.
Native local split-screen co-op for Resident Evil 5 was officially added to the PC version in a February 2023 update (v1.2.0), removing the previous requirement for third-party mods. You can now play using a keyboard/mouse and a controller simultaneously on the same screen How to Enable Keyboard & Controller Split-Screen
To start a local co-op session with mixed input methods, follow these steps during gameplay: Start a Solo Game : Begin any chapter in "Solo" mode using your controller Trigger Split-Screen : Once you have control of your character, press the key on your keyboard.
: The game will divide the screen. Use the mouse/keyboard to click "Ready" on the left side and the controller’s button on the right side to begin. Key Technical Details Version Requirement : Ensure your game is updated to at least . This update also removed the legacy Games for Windows Live (GFWL) requirement. Input Separation
: The game natively distinguishes between the two devices. The keyboard/mouse typically controls Player 1 (left/top), while the controller controls Player 2 (right/bottom). Alternative Method
: If starting with the keyboard, you can often join by pressing the button on the controller once the mission begins. Steam Community Troubleshooting & Legacy Solutions
If the native update does not work for your specific configuration, older community-driven methods still exist: NucleusCoop As of 2026, Resident Evil 5 on PC
: A powerful tool that can force split-screen by running two instances of the game and assigning inputs (keyboard to one, controller to the other). GFWL Beta Branch
: Some users prefer the original "Original GFWL version" found under the tab in Steam properties, combined with older split-screen mods NucleusCoop
if the native split-screen update isn't working for your setup? How To Play Resident Evil 5 Split Screen PC (Very EASY!) 24 Dec 2023 —
Native split-screen support for Resident Evil 5 on PC has been restored in recent updates (v1.2.0 and later), officially allowing local co-op without the need for complex mods
. While the game historically favored two controllers for local play, users can now frequently trigger a "Keyboard + Controller" split-screen setup by specific input sequences. Native Setup: Keyboard & Controller
For the most stable experience using the latest Steam version, follow these steps to bypass the standard "multiple controller" requirement: : Connect one controller and launch the game. Initialization
: Begin the game with the controller only. Once you are in-game and can control your character, press on your keyboard. Activation
: This often triggers the split-screen prompt, assigning the keyboard to one player and the controller to the other. Alternative for Update v1.2.0 : Press the
(or Select) button on a connected controller to invite a second player. Advanced Modding (For Legacy or Complex Setups)
If the native method fails or you want more control (such as 4-player co-op or independent mouse control), external tools are required: Nucleus Co-op Step 4: Launching
: This application opens multiple game instances simultaneously and assigns specific inputs (Keyboard/Mouse to Instance A, Controller to Instance B). Configuration : Select the Resident Evil 5 Script
in Nucleus Co-op and drag your Keyboard/Mouse and Controller icons into separate screen partitions. Limitation
: It is generally recommended to use controllers for all players in Nucleus, as keyboard inputs can sometimes leak across multiple instances. Parsec/Co-op Fix : Some community members use
alongside a "Widescreen/Splitscreen Fix" to play online with a joystick and keyboard simultaneously. Steam Community Key Troubleshooting & Settings
Try this exclusive method tonight with a friend. Share your experience in the comments—did you beat the Executioner on Veteran with mixed controls?
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Resident Evil 5 for PC historically lacked local co-op, recent official updates and third-party tools now make split-screen possible Playing with a Keyboard/Mouse for Player 1 and a Controller
for Player 2 is the most requested "exclusive" setup, though it requires specific steps to prevent "mixed inputs" where one device controls both characters Method 1: Official Native Split-Screen (Update v1.2.0+) February 2023 update
, Capcom natively restored local split-screen to the Steam version of Resident Evil 5. Launch the Game
: Ensure your game is updated to the latest version on Steam. Start a Session : Begin a "New Game" or "Continue" in Solo mode. Activate Player 2 Once you are in-game and can move Chris, press the Start/Options button on your controller. Alternatively, press Launch the game from Steam
on your keyboard to open the pause menu and look for the split-screen option. Assign Controls
: The game should automatically assign the Keyboard/Mouse to Chris (Player 1) and the detected Controller to Sheva (Player 2). Method 2: Nucleus Co-op (For Advanced Control Isolation)
If the native version causes "input bleed" (where the keyboard also moves the controller's character), use Nucleus Co-op to isolate the devices. Steam Community How To Play Resident Evil 5 Split Screen PC (Very EASY!)
For Resident Evil 5 on PC, native split-screen functionality was officially restored in the February 28, 2023 update (v1.2.0), though it primarily focuses on dual-controller support. Using a keyboard and controller combination is still often a "mod-heavy" or workaround-based process because the game traditionally groups the keyboard/mouse and the first controller as Player 1. Native Method (Updated Version)
If your game is updated to the latest version on Steam, you can attempt to trigger local co-op without third-party mods:
Initialization: Launch a "Local Co-op" game from the main menu.
Player 2 Join: Once you are in-game and controlling your character (Chris), press START on your controller or ESC on your keyboard to have the second player (Sheva) join.
Note: Users often report that the game may default both inputs to the same player. If this happens, you may need a Steam Input template like "RE5 Default Layout (Disabled Co-op on Pause)" to help the game distinguish between the two devices. Third-Party Solutions
For more reliable "exclusive" control where one player is strictly keyboard/mouse and the other is a controller, modders recommend:
Keyboard Splitter: A tool available on GitHub that can emulate a virtual Xbox controller from your keyboard. This tricks the game into seeing two controllers instead of a keyboard/controller mix.
Nucleus Co-op: This popular local multiplayer tool allows you to split the game into two separate instances on the same PC, which is highly effective for assigning a keyboard to one screen and a controller to the other.
Gold Edition/GFWL Beta: Some players prefer reverting to the original "GFWL" version via the BETAS tab in Steam properties and using the legacy Maluc Split-screen Mod. Summary Table: Setup Requirements Native (v1.2.0+) Modded (Nucleus/Splitter) Requirement Latest Steam Update External Software P1 Input Keyboard/Mouse or Controller Keyboard/Mouse P2 Input Second Controller preferred Controller or Virtual Controller Ease of Use High (built-in) Moderate (setup required)