Palworld does not have split screen on any platform right now

Palworld does not offer split screen multiplayer on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or Nintendo Switch. If you want to play with someone else on the same TV, you cannot do it by connecting two controllers to one console or PC. The game requires each player to have their own copy and their own device.

This is a common question because Palworld is a creature-catching game that feels like it should support couch co-op, and because some similar games do offer split screen. But as of now, Pocketpair (the developer) has not built that feature in, and there is no announced plan to add it.

Key Takeaways

  • Palworld has no split screen mode on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or Nintendo Switch.
  • Each player needs their own copy of the game and their own device to play together online.
  • You can play online multiplayer with up to four people on the same server, but everyone plays from a separate screen.
  • If you want to play on one TV with one copy of the game, you would need to take turns rather than play at the same time.
  • The developer has not announced any plans to add split screen in future updates.

How multiplayer actually works in Palworld

Palworld uses online servers instead of split screen. You create or join a server with up to four players total, and everyone plays from their own device. This means one person on a PC, another on a PlayStation 5, and a third on an Xbox Series X|S can all play together on the same server at the same time — but each person sees their own full screen.

The server can be hosted by one of the players (called a "player-hosted server") or rented from a hosting company. If you host it yourself, your game acts as the server, so you need to keep your device running and connected to the internet for others to play. If you rent a server, it runs separately and everyone connects to it.

This setup means you cannot sit next to someone on the same couch and both play Palworld together on one TV. You would each need your own screen, or you would need to take turns playing on the same screen.

Why split screen is not available

Split screen requires the developer to build the game in a way that renders two separate camera views at once, splits the screen in half (or quarters for four players), and handles input from multiple controllers connected to the same device. Palworld was designed from the start as an online multiplayer game, not a couch co-op game, so that feature was never built in.

Many modern games skip split screen entirely because online multiplayer is more common now. Developing split screen also takes extra work and testing, and Pocketpair chose to focus on the online server system instead. The developer has not announced any plans to add split screen in future updates.

Alternatives if you want to play together on one TV

If you have two devices in the same room — like a PC and a PlayStation 5, or two PCs — you can set them both up facing the same TV and play side by side. Each player uses their own controller and sees their own full screen on a monitor or TV. This is not split screen, but it lets you play together in the same physical space without needing to take turns.

Another option is to take turns. One person plays for a set amount of time, then hands the controller to the other player. This works if you are playing casually and do not mind pausing the game between turns. You can also set goals for each player's turn — like catching a certain number of Pals or reaching a specific area — to make turn-based play feel more structured.

If you have a streaming setup, one player could also stream their game to a second screen while playing online together, though this adds latency and requires extra equipment like a capture card or streaming software.

What platforms Palworld supports

Palworld is available on PC (Steam and Game Pass for PC), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Cross-platform play works between all of these — a PC player can join a server with a PlayStation player, for example. The game runs on all these systems with the same online multiplayer structure.

None of these versions have split screen. The feature limitation is the same across all platforms, so your choice of device does not change whether split screen is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Palworld with two controllers on one PC?

No. Palworld does not support two controllers on one device, and it does not have split screen. Each player needs their own copy of the game and their own device to play together online.

Will split screen be added later?

Pocketpair has not announced any plans to add split screen to Palworld. The game was built around online multiplayer servers, and there is no public roadmap showing this feature coming in the future.

Can I play Palworld on Nintendo Switch with split screen?

No. The Nintendo Switch version of Palworld also does not have split screen. You need two separate Switch devices and two copies of the game to play together online.

What is the maximum number of players on one server?

Palworld supports up to four players on a single server. Each player needs their own device and their own copy of the game, but they can all play together online at the same time.

Can I play Palworld solo without internet?

Yes. You can play Palworld as a single-player game offline on any platform. You only need internet and another device if you want to play with other people.