A friend on PlayStation and a friend on PC can only team up when their game supports cross-play, not just when both own a version of it. Cross-play is the feature that lets players using different platforms join the same online game. The best crossplay games make it easier for a mixed gaming group to play together, but each title sets its own rules.
A game can launch on several platforms without letting those platforms connect online. Compatibility can also change by edition, platform, or online mode. That matters when your friends own different systems, or when one person wants to join from a phone.
Below, you’ll find picks for building, co-op adventures, fighting matches, horror, sports, and team shooters. Each suits a different group, from two friends to a full squad. Check the details before you commit to a long campaign or plan a match night.
Pick by the platforms your group actually uses, then confirm the game’s specific cross-play rules.
Key Takeaways
- Cross-play lets friends on different platforms play the same online game.
- Some titles support cross-play in certain modes but not others.
- Check each game’s edition and system rules before inviting friends.
- Choose a game that fits your group’s size and preferred play style.
- Cross-play and cross-progression are separate features.
- In-game friend lists or accounts may help connect players.
Best Crossplay Games for Building Across Devices
Minecraft is the best all-around choice for friends who want one shared world for building, exploring, and survival. Its wide platform range suits groups with consoles, computers, and phones, while its different play modes let each player find a role.
Players must use the same edition, Java or Bedrock, to play together. Minecraft supports cross-play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile, subject to that edition match.
Before joining, make sure everyone has the same Minecraft edition: Java or Bedrock.
| Platform group | Systems | Cross-play condition |
|---|---|---|
| PC | PC | Use the same edition |
| PlayStation | PS4, PS5 | Use the same edition |
| Xbox | Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Use the same edition |
| Nintendo | Switch | Use the same edition |
| Mobile | Mobile | Use the same edition |
How the Java and Bedrock editions affect cross-play
Java and Bedrock are separate editions, so owning the game does not alone settle compatibility. Check the edition name on each player’s copy before creating a shared world. The same-edition cross-play rule is the key detail for a mixed-device group.
For Nintendo Switch owners, online play differs from local split-screen. A separate guide to multiplayer Switch games can help you compare those setups.
When Minecraft fits a mixed-platform group
Creative mode suits friends who want to build without focusing on survival needs. Survival mode gives the group shared goals, such as gathering materials, finding shelter, and exploring the open world.
Grounded is another option to consider if your group prefers survival action. It supports cross-play on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with a narrower range than Minecraft.
Some players may want a computer for games like these. A guide to a gaming PC under $1,000 can help compare systems and costs.
Before joining, have everyone check that they are using the same Minecraft edition.
Can Marvel Rivals Keep Console and PC Friends Together?
Marvel Rivals is a free pick for PC and console friends who want to team up in casual matches. The hero-based combat works well for a group that enjoys coordinated multiplayer action without making ranked play its main goal.
Casual cross-play supports PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Ranked matchmaking separates console and PC players, so the same mixed group cannot rely on playing ranked matches together.
Casual matches bring the platforms together
In casual modes, friends on those three systems can join the same match. Each hero brings a different role and combat style, so a team can choose characters that suit its approach.
That flexibility makes Marvel Rivals one best fit for a group that wants lively team fights and does not need every session to affect a ranked ladder. The game is free to play, which lowers the barrier to trying it together.
When your friends want more options for PS5 nights, a PS5 games guide can help you compare other styles of multiplayer play.
Ranked play draws a line between PC and console
Ranked play uses different matchmaking groups for PC and console players. That restriction matters if your friends want to compete as one fixed team rather than switch modes.
Casual matches keep the focus on team combat and character choices. The PC player can join console friends there, while ranked sessions call for a group using the same platform category.
If the group’s priority is ranked play across PC and console, choose a different title.
Which Crossplay Shooter Works Across Xbox and PC?
ARC Raiders is a direct fit for Xbox Series X/S and PC friends who want to enter the same extraction-shooter sessions. PS5 players can join them too, so the supported cross-play platforms cover all three systems.
ARC Raiders supports cross-play on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. For Xbox and PC friends, that means the listed Xbox Series X/S version, not every Xbox generation.
Both PS5 and PC are included in ARC Raiders’ supported cross-play platforms. The extraction-shooter format centers on entering a dangerous area, facing combat, and trying to make it back with what you found.
If your group is weighing other PC shooters, match the exact game version to the systems your friends own. No Man’s Sky is another title to check individually; do not assume every possible platform pairing works alike.
Use this quick setup checklist before the first session:
- Confirm that each friend’s platform is supported.
- Install the same game on each system.
- Check the in-game cross-play settings.
- Add friends through the game’s social or invite system.
An extraction shooter can suit friends who enjoy risk and shared action more than relaxed building. If someone in the group needs a computer for PC games, compare the parts and total cost in a gaming PC buying guide.
Confirm the exact console generation in your group before everyone commits to a session.
Which EA Sports FC 26 Platforms Can Join Online?
EA Sports FC 26 supports cross-play for Xbox players on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, along with the listed PlayStation and PC versions. That makes it a practical soccer pick for many Xbox groups, but Nintendo Switch 2 is not supported.
Cross-play works in most online modes, with mode-specific limits. A shared platform list does not mean every online match type can connect every listed system.
Supported systems and the Switch 2 exception
Supported systems are PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. Nintendo Switch 2 does not join cross-play in this title, so a friend using that console cannot join the listed platform groups.
| Platform group | Systems | Cross-play status |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | PS4, PS5 | Supported |
| Xbox Series | Xbox Series X/S | Supported |
| Xbox One | Xbox One | Supported |
| PC | PC | Supported |
| Nintendo | Switch 2 | Not supported |
Why cross-play can vary by mode
Online soccer includes several kinds of matches and activities. Cross-play is available across most online modes, but the mode itself can set limits on which players connect.
For a group that wants to play together, choose the online mode first, then confirm that it supports the group’s systems. This avoids assuming a compatible console guarantees every multiplayer option.
Check the specific online mode and console version your group plans to use before setting up a match.
Does Borderlands 4 Let Friends Loot Across Platforms?
Borderlands 4 suits friends who want to fight through a looter-shooter together on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X/S. Its cooperative action pairs combat with loot, giving players new gear to use as they move through the game.
The listed cross-play platforms are PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. PC support does not by itself confirm that every storefront build uses the same account setup.
A looter-shooter mixes shooting and action with a steady stream of gear to collect. Friends can take on enemies together, compare what they find, and build characters around the weapons and equipment they prefer.
That loop can keep a campaign moving, but it is different from a short match-based shooter. A group that likes trying new gear may enjoy the shared combat, while friends seeking quick sessions may prefer a lighter game.
For players searching for the best cross-play games on Steam, the important point is that PC is supported. Still, check the current version and account setup for the storefront you use.
PC, PlayStation, and Xbox Series X/S players are the supported groups named here. Steam is a PC storefront, but the PC listing alone does not promise a specific storefront build or friend-account flow.
Friends should also agree on how much time they want to spend on a shared campaign. A game built around combat and loot rewards a group that enjoys returning to the same characters and progress.
Match your group’s preferred co-op style to the game before choosing it for a long-running campaign.
Can Street Fighter 6 Match Friends Across Consoles?
Street Fighter 6 lets friends on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 face off across platforms. It suits players who want direct combat, familiar fighting-game rounds, and a roster of distinct characters.
Street Fighter 6 includes Nintendo Switch 2 in its supported cross-play systems. Brawlhalla is a separate, simpler platform fighter with a broader listed range: PC, iOS, Android, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Street Fighter 6 is a fit for a group that wants to learn moves, read an opponent, and play short competitive matches. Brawlhalla offers a lighter style, with characters fighting on platforms rather than using the same traditional format.
Use these points to choose between the two:
- Prefer Street Fighter 6’s more traditional fighting format.
- Choose Brawlhalla for a lighter platform-fighter style.
- Compare the platforms your friends own.
- Confirm the exact game version before inviting the group.
The platforms matter, but so does the kind of competition your friends enjoy. A familiar fighter may suit players who like learning a character, while a platform fighter can feel easier to pick up for a casual match.
For a friend group spread across older and newer systems, compare Brawlhalla’s listed platform range before settling on a fighter.
Is Split Fiction the Right Two-Player Crossplay Adventure?
Split Fiction is the clearest fit here when exactly two friends want a cross-platform co-op adventure. The game is designed for a pair, and cross-play lets the second player use a different platform.
Split Fiction is built for exactly two players. That makes it a focused choice for adventure friends who want to solve problems and move through a story as a team.
The game is built for a pair
The two-player design gives each friend a clear place in the group. You do not need to fill extra party slots, but the setup is not meant for a larger regular team.
Cross-play helps when one player owns a different platform. The two friends can still share the co-op experience, rather than needing matching systems to play the same adventure.
Cross-play lets the second player use another platform
Fall Guys is a separate option for a larger group that wants quick, playful rounds. Its listed cross-play systems are PC, iOS, Android, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
That wider list may suit friends who want to bring more players into a party. It offers a different pace and style from a two-person story adventure, so group size can guide the choice.
If your regular group is larger than two, choose a game built around a bigger party.
Can Three Friends Play Remnant 2 Across Platforms?
Remnant 2 fits a three-player group because its co-op supports three players and cross-platform play. The full co-op group can tackle action together, making it a better match for shared combat than competition between friends.
A full Remnant 2 co-op group has three players. Cross-platform co-op lets those friends join from different systems, so the group can play together without everyone using one platform.
Remnant 2 combines combat, exploration, and survival pressure. Friends who like working through dangerous areas as a team may enjoy planning their approach and helping each other through fights.
Before planning a longer session, check the group’s party setup:
- Confirm all three players use supported versions.
- Make sure each player has co-op access set up.
- Test the party invite before planning a longer session.
Three-player co-op gives each friend a place without requiring a large squad. That size can work well when your usual group has three active players and prefers cooperative action.
Count everyone who plans to join before choosing a game with a smaller party size.
Does Phasmophobia Support Crossplay on PC and Consoles?
Phasmophobia supports cross-play for friends on PC, PS5, Xbox, and PSVR2. It suits groups that want cooperative ghost investigation rather than a conventional shooter.
PC, PS5, Xbox, and PSVR2 are the listed systems. Friends can share an investigation across those platforms, with the group working around the same supernatural mystery.
Instead of focusing on standard gun combat, Phasmophobia puts players into a shared investigation. The group gathers clues and tries to identify what is haunting a location.
That premise gives the session a different mood from a competitive horror match. Friends can talk through what they notice and decide how to approach the investigation together.
Its cooperative structure makes it a distinct multiplayer choice for a group that enjoys tense sessions. The point is shared discovery, not simply defeating an opposing team.
Check that each friend’s exact platform is on the supported list before arranging a session.
Is The First Descendant a Free Crossplay Co-op Pick?
The First Descendant is a free cross-play option for a group of three friends split between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Its action and character progression suit players who want to team up rather than compete against one another.
The First Descendant supports cross-play across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Three friends on those platform families can form a cross-platform group, though that does not set the game’s maximum party size.
Players can take on action together and build characters as they progress. The game’s hub offers a place to manage the next steps before heading back into combat.
Genshin Impact is another free cross-play option to investigate if your group wants a different adventure. Check the supported versions each friend owns rather than assuming every platform connects.
A group of three can make The First Descendant a useful choice for shared action. Before settling in, make sure the group agrees on the game and the version each person will use.
Check the current party setup and platform version before organizing a longer co-op session.
Is The Finals a Good Free Crossplay Shooter?
The Finals is a free-to-play cross-play pick for friends who want a team shooter. Its multiplayer focus suits a group that enjoys coordinated action and quick decisions during matches.
The Finals supports cross-play and is free to play. Those features make it a clear option for a team that wants to try a shooter without buying the game first.
A shortlist of the best crossplay games in 2025 needs a current check before your group chooses a title. Game updates can change the experience, while your platform mix and matchmaking settings affect who can join.
Compare this pick with your group’s needs:
- Your group’s platform mix.
- Your preferred team-shooter pace.
- Whether everyone wants a free-to-play title.
- The current game and matchmaking settings.
The Finals is strongest for friends who like team play and fast action. A group that wants a calm open world or a slow exploration session may prefer another style.
Choose it when the group wants coordinated team action, not a slower exploration session.
Can Call of Duty: Warzone Bring a Cross-Platform Squad Together?
Warzone is a free battle royale pick for friends on PS5, PC, and Xbox who want to play together. Its large-scale matches suit a squad looking for a last-team-standing contest.
Warzone supports cross-play across PS5, PC, and Xbox in the listed example. The title is free to play, which can help a group try the battle royale format together.
In a battle royale, your team competes against other squads while trying to stay in the match. Friends who like planning a landing spot, sharing gear, and moving as a unit may enjoy the format.
Call of Duty includes different titles, and Black Ops games should not be assumed to share the same cross-play rules. Warzone is the specific game to check for this setup.
Groups can use a team shooter for direct combat, while Warzone adds the pressure of a shrinking fight and many rival squads. The exact mode also shapes how a session feels.
Check the precise Call of Duty title and mode your friends plan to use rather than relying on the franchise name alone.
Does Dead by Daylight Work Across PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC?
Dead by Daylight brings PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch players into the same cross-play matches. The game uses a five-player format, with one killer facing four survivors.
Each match has one killer and four survivors. The players do not form one cooperative team; the survivors try to escape while the killer hunts them.
| Platform family | Systems named | Cross-play supported |
|---|---|---|
| PC | PC | Yes |
| Xbox | Xbox | Yes |
| PlayStation | PlayStation | Yes |
| Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | Yes |
The uneven sides give each match a different feel from a team-versus-team shooter. Four survivors work toward escape, while the lone killer tries to stop them.
That format can suit a group that likes suspense, pursuit, and changing roles. A party can play with friends on different supported platforms, but the match still pits the killer against the survivors.
Dead by Daylight is a best crossplay games option for friends who prefer an uneven horror contest over a standard shooter. Its one-versus-four setup defines the session.
Choose it when your group enjoys an uneven chase-and-escape setup rather than a team-versus-team shooter.
Can Final Fantasy XIV Friends Share a World Across Platforms?
Final Fantasy XIV lets friends on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S play on shared servers, but it requires a subscription. The shared-server setup lets players meet in one persistent online role-playing world.
All three listed platforms support shared-server cross-play, and each requires a subscription. That ongoing cost is part of the group’s decision before anyone starts.
Friends can create characters, explore, and take part in an ongoing adventure together. The persistent world gives the group a reason to return and keep building its shared experience.
| Platform | Shared-server cross-play | Subscription required |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Yes | Yes |
| PS5 | Yes | Yes |
| Xbox Series X/S | Yes | Yes |
That makes Final Fantasy XIV different from a game built around short, separate matches. A group can make it a regular social space, though each player needs to accept the subscription requirement.
The Xbox Series version joins the same shared-server setup as PS5 and PC. Friends can choose their preferred system while playing in the same online world.
Make sure the whole group is comfortable with the subscription requirement before starting together.
Is Fortnite Still a Strong Crossplay Pick for Mixed Platforms?
Fortnite is the broadest fit here for a group spread across PC, mobile, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Its cross-play list includes PC, iOS, Android, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Fortnite covers a wide mix of current and older systems. That can help when your friends do not share the same console generation or device type.
Choose the game by the style your friends want to play, not platform count alone.
Fortnite centers on battle royale, while Apex Legends offers squad-based battle royale. Rocket League takes a different path with car-soccer matches on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Each game fits a different mood. Fortnite and Apex Legends suit groups looking for squad combat, while Rocket League turns sports play into fast matches with cars.
Compare these details before choosing:
- Your group’s console generations.
- Whether PC or mobile players will join.
- Your preferred battle-royale or sports style.
- Whether the group wants a quick party game.
- The exact title each friend already plays.
Fortnite can bring friends together across many platforms, but the other games may better match your group’s usual style. The longest platform list is not always the best fit for a regular game night.
Pick the format your friends will return to, not just the title with the longest platform list.
Conclusion
The easiest choice is the game that fits both your group’s platforms and the way you want to play. A mixed-platform group has many styles to choose from, so start with the kind of session everyone wants.
The Microsoft Store Xbox cross-platform-multiplayer filter shows 141 games. Its listed titles include Minecraft, Gears 5, Deep Rock Galactic, Grounded, Rocket League, No Man’s Sky, and The Finals.
Agree on a play style, confirm each friend’s platform, and settle on a title together. Ask your friends which platforms they use, then pick one title and check its cross-play rules before you download it.
FAQ
What is the difference between cross-play and cross-progression?
Cross-play lets players on different systems play together, while cross-progression carries supported saves or unlocks between systems. The two features are separate, so a game can offer one without the other. For example, you might join friends from another platform but still need to start a new save there. Check the game’s account and save rules before changing systems.
Can cross-play work without linking an in-game account?
Sometimes, but many games use an in-game account or friend ID to connect players across systems. The exact setup depends on the title. A friend list on one console may not show someone playing on a computer unless both accounts are linked. Check the game’s setup steps and invite process before your group plans a session.
Can I turn cross-play off?
Some games offer a cross-play setting, while others do not. Its location and effect can vary by game and platform. Turning it off may limit which players appear in matchmaking or which friends you can invite. Check the game’s own settings menu for the available options, and make sure everyone understands the change before starting a party.
Does cross-play mean PC and console matchmaking is always mixed?
No. A game can support cross-play in one mode and separate platforms in another. Marvel Rivals, for example, allows casual cross-play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, but ranked play separates console and PC players. Check the mode’s rules when your group wants to play together, especially for ranked or competitive matches.
Can friends use voice chat across platforms?
Not always. Cross-play lets players join the same game, but it does not guarantee every platform’s party chat will work together. Some games include in-game voice chat, while other groups use a separate voice service. Check the voice options before a session, especially if your friends play on consoles and computers with different chat tools.
Do I need to pay extra just to use cross-play?
Cross-play is a game feature, but it does not remove every other cost or online requirement. A game may need a subscription, or a platform may have its own rules for online play. Final Fantasy XIV, for example, requires a subscription. Check the game and platform requirements as a group before deciding what to install or play.
How can I find more cross-platform multiplayer options on Xbox?
The Microsoft Store Xbox cross-platform-multiplayer filter shows 141 games. Its listed examples include Minecraft, Gears 5, Deep Rock Galactic, Grounded, Rocket League, No Man’s Sky, and The Finals. Use the list to find more titles, then check the specific game’s supported systems and mode rules before your friends choose one.
