Chained Beasts Local Coop and Split Screen: Couch Co-Op Setup, Controllers and Tips
✓ Last verified 2026-10-16 · How we check facts
Quick answer
Chained Beasts local coop supports up to 4 players on one screen. It is shared screen rather than true split screen, and at least one gamepad is required. Every platform supports couch co-op.
Chained Beasts local coop is one of the best reasons to buy the game. Up to four friends can sit on the same couch, share one screen and get physically chained together in arena fights. This guide explains how Chained Beasts local coop works, whether it is split screen, what controllers you need and how to keep a four-player couch session from turning into chaos.
How Chained Beasts Local Coop Works
The Steam store lists "Shared/Split Screen Co-op" and the Xbox store lists "Xbox local co-op (2-4)." The developer's launch post describes it simply as couch co-op. Everyone appears in the same arena on one screen, and the camera follows the group.
| Detail | Local co-op |
|---|---|
| Players | Up to 4 |
| Screen | One shared screen |
| Controllers | At least 1 gamepad required |
| Platforms | Steam, PS5, Xbox, Switch |
Is It Split Screen?
Players searching for Chained Beasts split screen usually want to know whether the screen divides. Gameplay shows a single shared camera. One reviewer noted that players can drift to different sides of the arena and lose sight of each other, but because everyone is chained, that is less common than in other co-op games. Expect shared screen, not separate panels.
Controller Setup
The Steam requirements state that at least one gamepad is required for same-screen co-op. In practice, a four-player session needs four controllers, or three plus one player on keyboard and mouse on PC. Steam lists Xbox and PlayStation controller support.
| Players | PC setup | Console setup |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Keyboard plus 1 gamepad, or 2 gamepads | 2 controllers |
| 3 | 2 or 3 gamepads | 3 controllers |
| 4 | 3 or 4 gamepads | 4 controllers |
Tips for Couch Sessions
- Use the biggest screen you have. A creator who played on a large TV said it worked well and that a small screen could make it hard to see what is happening.
- Agree on who handles the chain in each layout, since some arenas link everyone in a line and others pair players off.
- Share potions fairly. The healing pool is shared, so talk before taking the strong ones. See our afflictions guide.
- Expect friendly fire. Previews showed teammates hitting each other in the chaos.
Local Plus Online
If one friend cannot come over, Steam's Remote Play Together lets them join your local session over the internet, and full online co-op supports cross-play. Read our crossplay guide and the main co-op guide.
Official Source
See the Chained Beasts Steam page for the co-op feature list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Chained Beasts have local coop?
Yes. Chained Beasts local coop supports up to four players on one screen.
Q: Is Chained Beasts split screen?
It uses a shared screen with one camera rather than separate split panels.
Q: How many controllers do I need for Chained Beasts local coop?
At least one gamepad is required, and in practice one per extra player.
Related Guides
Up next →
Chained Beasts Player Count: How Many Players, Co-Op Limits and Launch Player Numbers
Chained Beasts player count: 1-4 players in solo, local and online co-op, plus the Steam concurrent player numbers seen around launch and what they mean.
Co-Op Guide
Chained Beasts coop guide: how the chain works with 1-4 players, local and online options, cross-platform support, team roles and tips for surviving arenas together.
Crossplay
Chained Beasts crossplay explained: online cross-play across Steam, PS5, Xbox and Switch, subscription rules, local versus online play and how to find partners.
Single Player
Chained Beasts single player guide: how solo runs replace teammates with a ball or arena anchor, what changes without co-op, reviewer opinions and solo tips.