Testing: On a mid-range PC (GTX 1660, i5-9400F, 16GB RAM), Nucleus Co-Op runs Kino der Toten at a stable 50-60 FPS per player. The single-instance mod runs at near 90 FPS per player.
If Player 2 spawns but cannot look around:
To play split-screen on PC, you must mod the game. The community has created a mod that forces the game to load two player profiles simultaneously and stretches the viewport to fit two screens.
Prerequisites:
If you get the split-screen working, playing zombies is straightforward:
Summary
Installation experience (community split-screen solutions)
Performance & stability
Controls & input
Multiplayer & network
Visuals & UI
Pros
Cons
Verdict If you’re comfortable with modding and troubleshooting, community solutions make local split-screen Zombies on PC possible and entertaining — but it’s a hobbyist route, not a polished, officially supported feature. For a plug-and-play split-screen experience, consoles remain the simpler option.
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Unlike its console counterparts, the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 does not natively support split-screen out of the box for the Steam version. Enabling this feature requires modifying configuration files to unlock developer commands and properly mapping secondary input devices. This paper outlines the step-by-step process to enable two-player local cooperative play.
Activision may never officially patch split-screen into the PC version of Black Ops 1. But the modding community has proven that where there’s a will – and a couple of USB controllers – there’s a way.
Whether you’re reliving your high school sleepovers or introducing a new generation to the terrifying beauty of a zombie horde on Kino der Toten, this setup is your ticket to nostalgia. So grab a friend, pack a bowl (of Juggernog), and see how many rounds you can survive.
And if you run into any issues, revisit this guide, join the Nucleus Co-Op Discord, or leave a comment below. The zombies may be endless, but so is the ingenuity of PC gamers.
Now go install. And remember: the only thing worse than a horde of zombies is a horde of zombies with no split-screen partner.
Word count: ~2,200. Last updated: May 2026. Tested on Windows 11 23H2, NVIDIA RTX 3060, Steam build 45.1.2.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 does not natively support split-screen on PC. To enable this feature for Zombies mode, you must use third-party tools like Nucleus Co-op, which creates multiple game instances and maps them to separate controllers. Requirements
Game Version: Confirmed to work with the Steam version of Black Ops 1.
Hardware: Multiple gamepads (controllers) or a combination of one mouse/keyboard and a gamepad. Software: Nucleus Co-op (free, open-source tool). Step-by-Step Installation Guide Install Nucleus Co-op: Download the latest version from the Nucleus Co-op website.
Extract the files to a dedicated folder (e.g., C:\NucleusCoop).
Right-click NucleusCoop.exe, select Properties > Compatibility, and check Run this program as an administrator. Download the Black Ops Handler:
Open Nucleus Co-op and navigate to the Download Game Handlers section.
Search for "Black Ops" and download the official handler for the first Black Ops title. Add the Game: black ops 1 zombies split screen pc install
In Nucleus Co-op, click Add Game and locate your BlackOps.exe file, usually found in your Steam library folder (.../steamapps/common/Call of Duty Black Ops/). Configure the Layout: Select Black Ops from the list.
Assign your controllers to the screen split of your choice (e.g., Top/Bottom or Left/Right).
Note: If using a mouse and keyboard for one player, move the mouse to make it appear for assignment. Set Game Options: Click the arrow next to Play to see the handler options. Select Zombies as the game mode.
Set the Number of Players so the match waits for all instances to connect before starting.
Choose your preferred graphic settings (Low/Med/High/Extra). How to Start the Match
Click Play in Nucleus Co-op. The program will open, resize, and position multiple instances of the game.
In the first instance, navigate to Zombies > Find Match (or Private Match) and select your map.
Press F2 (or the designated hotkey in the handler notes) to start the connection process for the other instances.
Once all players have "readied up" and joined the lobby, the match will begin. Key Commands F2: Inject/Start match and connect instances. F3: Quick restart match.
End Key: Lock/Unlock mouse and keyboard input (required if playing with a mouse). Ctrl + Q: Close all game instances and Nucleus Co-op.
Call of Duty Black Ops 1 split screen on PC with Nucleus Co-op
Nucleus Co-Op is an open-source tool that allows split-screen by launching multiple instances of the game and automatically resizing them.
Download Nucleus Co-Op: Ensure you have the latest version (v2.4.1 or higher). Add the Game: Open Nucleus Co-Op and select Download Game Handler.
Search for "Call of Duty: Black Ops" and download the handler.
Locate your BlackOps.exe file (typically found in your Steam local files) to link the game. Setup Controllers:
Assign your controllers (gamepads, mouse, or keyboard) to different screen segments in the setup configuration.
For Zombies mode, select the number of players in the handler settings to ensure the match doesn't start until everyone is connected. Launch & Sync: Click Play. Multiple instances will open and resize.
In the first instance, set up an Online Private Match (even for local play).
Press F2 on your keyboard (or Select+X on a gamepad) to automatically connect the other instances. If you need to quickly restart a match, use F3. Alternative: ModDB "Splitscreen PC" Package
A standalone package specifically for split-screen is available on ModDB by the group Cod_Split.
Current Support: Version 1.0 supports two-player Zombies mode offline.
Installation: Download the v1.0 file from ModDB and follow the included instructions to replace specific game files.
Future Updates: A four-player update for Zombies is planned for this specific package. Essential Technical Tips
Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 does not officially support split-screen on PC, you can achieve it using third-party tools like Nucleus Co-Op
. This tool works by launching multiple instances of the game and syncing them to separate controllers. How to Install and Setup Split-Screen To get started, you will need the latest version of the Nucleus Co-Op app and the specific game "handler" for Black Ops 1. Download Nucleus Co-Op : Get the latest version from the official Nucleus Co-Op website Add Black Ops 1 Open Nucleus Co-Op and select Download Game Handlers
Search for "Call of Duty: Black Ops" and download the handler (ensure it supports Zombies). Point the app to your BlackOps.exe file, typically found in your Steam library folder. Configure Controllers
Connect your controllers (Xbox, PlayStation, or generic Xinput). Testing: On a mid-range PC (GTX 1660, i5-9400F,
In the Nucleus interface, drag and drop the controller icons into the split-screen layout you want (e.g., top/bottom or left/right). Launch the Game
. Nucleus will launch two or more instances of the game and automatically resize them to fit your screen. Zombies Mode Entry : Once the instances load, use the first player to set up a Private Match in the Zombies menu. Connecting Players : Depending on the handler version, you may need to press
on your keyboard to force the other instances to join the host. Essential Tips for a Smooth Experience Controller Setup : If you are using PS4 or PS5 controllers, you may need DS4Windows to ensure they are recognized as Xinput devices. Antivirus Warnings
: Some antivirus programs flag Nucleus Co-Op's "injected" hotkeys (like F2) as false positives. You may need to add an exception for the Nucleus folder. Performance
: Since you are running the game multiple times, ensure your PC has at least 12GB of RAM and a decent GPU to maintain a stable frame rate. Keyboard & Mouse
: If you want to use one keyboard/mouse and one controller, you must "lock" the input by pressing the
key once the game starts so the mouse doesn't move across both screens. How to PLAY SPLIT SCREEN ZOMBIES on BLACK OPS 7
Officially, Black Ops 1 does not support split-screen on PC. However, you can achieve this using community-made tools like Nucleus Co-op, which essentially runs multiple instances of the game and syncs them for local play. Installation Guide: Nucleus Co-op Method
This is the most reliable way to play 2-player (or more) Zombies on a single PC.
Download Nucleus Co-op: Get the latest version from the Official GitHub or Splitscreen.me. Add the Game Handler: Open Nucleus Co-op and click Download Game Handlers.
Search for "Call of Duty: Black Ops" and download the script.
Note: Some versions (like Plutonium) might require a specific modded handler found via community guides. Link Your Game:
Click Search Game and point the app to your BlackOps.exe file (typically found in your Steam common/cod blackops folder). Configure Input & Screen:
Assign your controllers (gamepads) or keyboard/mouse to each player by dragging them to the split-screen layout. Set the number of players to 2 for Zombies in the settings. Launch & Sync: Press Play. Nucleus will open two separate game windows.
In the first window, go to Zombies > Find Match (or Private Match) and select a map.
Press the Start button or F2 (depending on the handler) to connect the second instance to the lobby. Alternative: Plutonium T5 Mod
If you want a more modernized experience with server browsers and custom mods, many players use the Plutonium T5 client.
Setup: Create a Plutonium account, download the launcher, and link it to your Black Ops 1 files.
Split-screen: You still generally need Nucleus Co-op alongside Plutonium to handle the multi-instance split-screen layout. Pro Tips for Performance
Window Management: Once the game starts, use Ctrl+Q to close all instances quickly.
Input Locking: If you are using a keyboard and mouse for one player, press the End key to lock the mouse to that specific game window.
Antivirus: Game handlers often trigger "false positive" virus warnings because they inject code to manage window positions; you may need to add an exception for Nucleus Co-op.
Are you looking to play with controllers only, or do you need a setup for one keyboard and one gamepad?
Call of Duty Black Ops 1 split screen on PC with Nucleus Co-op
Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 remains a masterpiece of the zombie genre, but PC players have long faced a frustrating hurdle: the native version of the game does not include a split-screen mode. While console players can simply plug in a second controller, PC users must rely on community-made mods to unlock this feature.
This guide will walk you through the most reliable method to install and run split-screen zombies on PC using the Black Ops 1 Resolution Fix and script injectors. Prerequisites Before starting, ensure you have the following ready:
A legitimate copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 installed on Steam. If Player 2 spawns but cannot look around:
Two XInput-compatible controllers (Xbox 360, Xbox One, or PS4/PS5 controllers with DS4Windows).
The "Black Ops 1 Split Screen Mod" files (commonly found on GitHub or specialized modding forums like ZMMods). Step 1: Install the Resolution Fix
The biggest issue with forcing split-screen on PC is the UI stretching and aspect ratio bugs. You need a resolution fix to ensure both players have a playable view.
Download the Black Ops 1 Resolution Fix (often included in split-screen mod packs).
Locate your game folder (usually SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Call of Duty Black Ops).
Copy the fix files into the main directory where BlackOps.exe is located.
Run the configuration tool to set your monitor's native resolution. Step 2: Configure the Split-Screen Script
Since BO1 PC doesn't have a menu button for a second player, you must use a script to "inject" a second local client into the game session.
Download the BO1 Split Screen Script (often a .bat or .exe launcher). Place the script in your game directory.
Open the script configuration file (usually a .txt or .ini file) to assign controller IDs.
Ensure Player 1 is set to Controller 0 and Player 2 is set to Controller 1. Step 3: Launching the Game
To get both players on screen, you cannot launch the game through Steam normally.
Connect both controllers to your PC and ensure they are recognized by Windows. Run the Split Screen Launcher as an Administrator.
The game will boot into a windowed mode or a specialized split-screen view. Navigate to the Zombies menu using Player 1's controller. Select your map (Kino Der Toten, Five, or DLC maps). Step 4: Optimizing Performance
Running two instances of the game engine on one screen is taxing. If you experience lag:
Lower Graphics Settings: Drop textures and shadows to medium.
Cap Frame Rate: Use the in-game console (~) and type /com_maxfps 60 to stabilize performance.
Vertical Split vs. Horizontal: Most mods allow you to toggle the split style. Horizontal is generally better for 16:9 monitors. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Controller Not Moving: Ensure no other peripherals (like flight sticks or steering wheels) are plugged in, as they can hijack the "Player 1" slot.
Black Screen on Launch: This is usually a resolution mismatch. Double-check your Resolution Fix settings to match your desktop.
Steam Overlay Errors: It is recommended to disable the Steam Overlay for Black Ops 1 when using external scripts to prevent crashes.
By following these steps, you can transform the PC version of Black Ops 1 into the ultimate couch co-op experience, enjoying classic maps like Ascension and Moon with a friend right next to you.
Here is the solid content regarding Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 Zombies Split Screen on PC.
1. Aspect Ratio & Screen Size Because Black Ops 1 was never meant for split-screen on PC, the UI does not scale perfectly.
2. Performance Issues Split-screen effectively renders the game twice. This puts a heavy load on your CPU and GPU.
3. Audio Audio is often a point of failure. The game may mix Player 1 and Player 2 audio together into both speakers, or pan them hard left/right. There is rarely a fix for this; you generally have to accept that you will hear the other player's game sounds.
4. Controller Issues If the second controller does not connect:
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