The best cross-platform games for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC and Switch

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What are the best cantankerous-platform games to play? It depends entirely on what you mean by "cross-platform games."

The term refers to ii distinct, but related, concepts, and both involve playing the same game across multiple platforms.

But whether you want to buy a game that's available on several different systems, or play multiplayer games with your Xbox Serial 10 friends when you take a PS5, we'll assist you effigy out how to do so.

Cantankerous-platform games vs. Cantankerous-play games

When the Tom's Guide team outset fix out to inquiry this article, nosotros encountered a curious puzzler. It turns out that a lot of readers search for "cross-platform games" when what they actually desire to play is "cantankerous-play games." We'll explain the difference briefly.

Cantankerous-platform games are, merely, titles that are available on multiple platforms. Think near a game such equally Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, or Curiosity's Guardians of the Milky way, which is bachelor on all of those systems, as well equally the Nintendo Switch.

Compare and dissimilarity these games to titles such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which is available only on PS5, or Halo Infinite, which is available only on Microsoft platforms, such as Xbox and Windows. (Although — not to make matters more than disruptive — Halo Infinite may technically be a cross-platform game, since it's available on more than i organization. Y'all come across only how broad the definition can be.)

Cross-play games, on the other mitt, are ordinarily what people desire to acquire about when they search for "cantankerous-platform games." All cross-play games are cross-platform games, but not all cantankerous-platform games are cross-play games. Here's the distinction:

A cross-play game is a title that lets people on different platforms play the multiplayer mode together. In other words, if you have a PS5 and your first friend has an Xbox Series X, while your second friend has a PC, a cantankerous-play game will permit yous all play together. Many multiplayer games — even cross-platform ones — restrict multiplayer modes to other players on the same console family.

This was a big trouble in previous console generations, when friend groups would have to confer with each other beforehand to ensure they all bought PlayStations, or Xboxes, or PCs. Thankfully, multiplayer games from recent years tend to support cantankerous-play as a rule, and volition even allow you lot carry over your multiplayer stats from system to system.

What are the best cross-platform games?

If yous've read the previous section, and so y'all'll know that "what are the best cross-platform games?" is something of an arbitrary question. Since most games are cantankerous-platform, in that location'due south no way to narrow down which the "best" ones are without knowing each reader'south personal gaming preferences.

The best we can do is direct yous to our "all-time games" lists for each platform. Some of these games are sectional, but most are available on multiple platforms. If yous see i that you like, get for information technology:

Best PS5 games
Best PS4 games
Best Xbox Series Ten games
Best Xbox One games
Best PC games
All-time Nintendo Switch games

What are the all-time cantankerous-play games?

Cantankerous-play games are much more common now than they were in the past. There'southward no mode to definitively list every single cross-play title, peculiarly since you could technically define a game that works on both the PS4 and the PS5 as "cross-play." (They are, indeed, two split up consoles.) Wikipedia has a useful-just-incomplete list, and even that contains almost 300 entries.

Equally such, rather than just list every single cross-play game, we've singled out a scattering that are worth trying, then included a longer choice beneath that. While first-person shooters (understandably) make up a lot of cross-play selections, we've decided instead to highlight a number of dissimilar genres, from social deception games, to RPGs, to sims, to lath games.

For the purposes of this article, we've also elected to set our definition of a cross-play game as "any multiplayer game that allows players on at least three distinct systems to play together." These systems could be PC, PS5 and Xbox Series 10; they could be iOS, Android and Switch. For each game, we list the systems that support cantankerous-play, so be sure to double-cheque those before you lot and your friends run out to buy multiple copies.

Among Us

Y'all've probably seen the adorable astronauts from Among Us, even if y'all've never played information technology. In this elementary social deception game, a group of players on a spaceship or alien earth have to determine which crewmember is secretly a baddie. The invader has to surreptitiously kill the crew; the rest of the players take to suss out the murderer before information technology's too late. If you've ever played Mafia or Werewolf at a real-life party, you already know the general idea. Among Us is available on a ton of platforms, and information technology's not very expensive, making it a good choice for a remote-play game night.

Supported systems: PC, iOS, Android, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Serial X/South, Switch

Purchase Amidst The states: Steam , iOS , Android , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series Ten/S , Switch

Brawlhalla

best free steam games — (Image credit: Valve)

Fighting games and multiplayer go hand-in-hand, which is why it's always a bummer when these games limit your online opponents to players in your same panel family unit. Brawlhalla isn't the deepest fighting game around, merely when it comes to cross-play compatibility, it's available on a staggering number of platforms. In addition to consoles and PC, this one also plays nicely with macOS, iOS and Android. The premise is pretty elementary: Take control of a colorful avatar (there are 54 available), then customize your loadout and fight against up to three other players equally yous effort to knock each other off a platform, Super Boom Bros.-style.

Supported systems: Mac, PC, iOS, Android, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Buy Brawlhalla: Steam , iOS , Android , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Serial X/Due south , Switch

Genshin Bear on

Ane of the odder games on this list, Genshin Impact came out of nowhere two years ago to become one of the well-nigh attainable and pop massively multiplayer online games on the market. In this activity/RPG, you recruit a squad of adorable anime characters, so set out to explore a large, open world, more than than a little flake inspired by The Fable of Zelda: Jiff of the Wild. What's especially impressive near Genshin Affect is that you tin can play it on a smartphone with relatively footling loss in quality, then pick upwards where you left off on a PC or panel after.

Supported systems: PC, iOS, Android, PS4, PS5

Purchase Genshin Impact: PC , iOS , Android , PS4 , PS5

Gwent

Everyone loves The Witcher lately, but most Witcher stories toll money. You can't read the books, play the games or lookout the Netflix bear witness for gratuitous — simply you can play Gwent. For those who oasis't tried information technology, Gwent is the addictive collectible carte game that debuted in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In it, you build a deck of soldiers and monsters, and so compete against other players to come across who tin can survive the longest. Gwent is at present a standalone game, and like most CCGs, it requires an agreeable mix of strategy and luck to master.

Supported systems: PC, iOS, Android

Purchase Gwent: Steam , iOS , Android

Minecraft

Minecraft needs no introduction. It's 1 of the oldest and most dearest cantankerous-play games in existence. In this building and exploration sim, you take command of a blocky avatar, assemble resources and build whatever y'all can imagine. With cantankerous-play, you tin can collaborate with your friends and family, whether you desire to fight off monsters in adventure style, or construct castles in creative fashion. Since cantankerous-play works across computers, consoles and smartphones, information technology's easy for parents and kids to play together, which is always a big draw. Just be enlightened that you'll have to buy multiple copies of the game, since "cross-play" doesn't ordinarily mean "cross-buy" every bit well. Also note that if you're playing on PC, you lot'll need the Boulder edition to play with others on mobile or consoles, not the PC-merely Java version. Our guide to how to download Minecraft has more data near that.

Supported systems: PC, iOS, Android, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series Ten/South, Switch

Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition

10 games to play together for virtual hangouts — (Image credit: Beamdog)

Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition breathed life into an old game whose premise was always a bit more aggressive than its execution. Information technology'southward a Dungeons & Dragons game with a traditional unmarried-histrion adventure, but that mode isn't anything to write home about. Where NWN excels is in its multiplayer manner, which lets a Dungeon Primary construct and run homebrew D&D scenarios, just like the pencil-and-newspaper game. Cheers to cantankerous-play, you can get together up a whole party and live out your wildest adventures, provided you take someone who'southward willing to build them in the starting time identify. (Fair alarm: That role is easier on the PC version.)

Supported systems: Linux, Mac, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Rocket League

Rocket League has an unusual premise, but it's remarkably easy to describe: "Soccer, but with cars." In this bizarre competitive sports games, 2 teams of up to four players apiece drive all over a stadium, bumping around an enormous ball until they can land it in an opponent'due south goal. That's information technology. That's the whole game. And even so, the game tin can be either deep and demanding or random and chaotic, depending on how your group of friends likes to play. Rocket League's cross-play features support PC and all the major consoles, and the game is costless-to-play, so it'due south easy to give information technology a endeavor.

Supported systems: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Splitgate

"What if Halo were likewise Portal" is a question that nosotros didn't even realize needed answering until Splitgate came along. This innovative first-person shooter combines the bright colors and weird weaponry of Halo with the heed-bending physics of Portal, and it's just as addictive as information technology sounds. Splitgate matches are sometimes fiercely competitive, and sometimes unpredictably zany, and you won't actually know which you prefer until yous jump into a few matches and play for yourself. Since the game is free-to-play, it's piece of cake to jump in and run across whether you and your friends want to make information technology part of your regular rotation.

Supported systems: Linux, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Purchase Splitgate here: Steam , PS4 , Xbox Series Ten/S

Star Wars: Squadrons

Star Wars: Squadrons is a skillful, old-fashioned space sim, in the vein of Ten-Wing or TIE Fighter from back in the '90s. And, like any self-respecting infinite sim, information technology has both a detailed single-histrion campaign and an expansive multiplayer mode. The multiplayer mode is actually where Star Wars: Squadrons gets really interesting, equally information technology allows you to customize your protagonist and all of your ships, provided you rack up enough in-game rewards to do so. The all-time mode to exercise that is to cooperate and compete with your friends, which you tin do across PC, PlayStation and Xbox. May the Force be with you.

Supported systems: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Southward

Tetris Effect

Tetris has had a multiplayer component going all the style dorsum to the '80s. Information technology'south no surprise, and so, that Tetris Effect excels in its multiplayer offerings, or that it supports cross-play betwixt PC and all three major console families. The gameplay involves clever spins on the classic Tetris formula, such as clearing more 4 lines at a time, and setting down blocks in time with the music. It'due south an extremely arctic feel — or an extremely competitive 1, if you want to test yourself against your friends and rivals. You tin fifty-fifty play this one in VR, if you have a PSVR or an Oculus device.

Supported systems: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series 10/S, Switch

Ticket to Ride

While virtual lath games volition never quite supervene upon physical ones, they're not without their charms. They require no setup, no cleanup and no table space. A computer adjudicates the rules for you, and you tin play with your friends, even if they can't make the trek to your house. Ticket to Ride, a game near constructing and maintaining railroad lines, is one of the most pop lath games on the marketplace today, and the digital version is a true-blue recreation of the analog experience. Yous tin can play with maps of the United States, Europe and Asia, and you can invite players to join you across computers, smartphones and PlayStation consoles.

Supported systems: Linux, Mac, PC, iOS, Android, PS4, PS5

Purchase Ticket to Ride for PS4 / Android / iOS / Mac / Steam

Cross-play games listed

If the game you're looking to play isn't in our picks above, here'due south a longer list of games that definitely support cantankerous-play on multiple platforms.

Among United states (PC, iOS, Android, PS4, PS5, Xbox I, Xbox Serial X/Due south, Switch)
Apex Legends (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Serial Ten/S, Switch)
Back 4 Blood (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series 10/Southward)
Borderlands 3 (PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series 10/Due south)
Brawlhalla (PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, iOS, Android)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (PS4, PS5, Xbox Ane, Xbox Serial X/S)
Call of Duty: Black Ops Common cold War (PS4, PS5, Xbox Ane, Xbox Serial X/Due south)
Destiny 2 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Ane, Xbox Series X/S)
Dirt 5 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Serial X/S)
Eve: Valkyrie (PC, PS4, PS5)
Fortnite (PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Southward, Switch, Android)
Genshin Affect (PC, PS4, PS5, iOS, Android)
Gwent (PC, iOS, Android)
Hearthstone (PC, Mac, iOS, Android)
Just Trip the light fantastic toe (PS4, PS5, Xbox Ane, Xbox Series X/Southward, Switch)
Minecraft (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox 1, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, iOS, Android)
Minecraft Dungeons (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)
Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition (PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox I, Xbox Series X/South, Switch)
No Human'southward Heaven (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series 10/Due south, Switch)
Overwatch (PS4, PS5, Xbox 1, Xbox Series Ten/Southward, Switch)
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Southward, Switch)
Roblox (PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, iOS, Android)
Rocket League (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Serial 10/S, Switch)
Splitgate (PC, Linux, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series Ten/S)
Star Wars: Squadrons (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Serial 10/S)
Tetris Result (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Ane, Xbox Series Ten/S, Switch)
Ticket to Ride (PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, iOS, Android)

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing groundwork, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. After hours, y'all can find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi.