Gaming with friends used to be complicated. If you owned a PlayStation but your friends were on Xbox or PC, you either had to buy another console or accept that multiplayer nights weren’t happening.
Now, cross platform games have completely removed that barrier. Whether someone’s playing on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or mobile, crossplay lets everyone join the same lobby, match, or world — no console compromise required.
And this isn’t just a “nice-to-have” feature anymore. Crossplay has become the standard for multiplayer titles, especially for games that want strong player bases and long-term success. Many of today’s biggest multiplayer hits are also the best cross platform games for friend groups because they’re built around team play, shared experiences, and quick matchmaking.
In this guide, you’ll find the best cross platform games you can play with friends right now — including shooters, party games, co-op adventures, and RPGs. You’ll also learn how crossplay works, how it differs from cross-progression, and what to do if crossplay isn’t working.
What Are Cross Platform Games?
Cross platform games are games that allow players on different systems to play together in the same online session. That could mean:
- PC + Xbox
- PlayStation + PC
- Xbox + Switch
- Mobile + Console
- Or all of them together
Many titles now support cross-platform matchmaking using shared accounts and platform linking systems. That’s why you’ll often see crossplay supported through services like Epic, EA, Activision, or Microsoft accounts.
Cross Platform vs Crossplay vs Cross-Progression (Don’t Confuse These)
Before picking a game, you should understand these terms:
Cross Platform / Crossplay
This means you can play with friends across different platforms.
Cross-Progression
This means your progress (levels, cosmetics, unlocks, saved data) carries across platforms.
Some games support crossplay but not cross-progression. Others offer both. Many of the games include crossplay, while cross-progression depends on each game’s account system and platform policies.
Best Cross Platform Games You Can Play With Friends (Top Picks)
Below are the best cross platform games for friend groups — chosen for gameplay quality, replay value, community strength, and crossplay reliability.
1. Fortnite
Best for: Squad battles, casual fun, competitive action
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile
Fortnite is still the most universally accessible crossplay game on the planet. It’s free-to-play, easy to download, and supports full cross-platform matchmaking. Whether you’re playing Battle Royale, Zero Build, creative maps, or limited-time events, Fortnite is always evolving — and always social.
It’s also one of the best games for mixed-skill groups. Even if your friends aren’t great at shooters, the game’s variety makes it fun for everyone.
2. Minecraft (Bedrock Edition)
Best for: Survival worlds, creative building, long-term gameplay
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile
Minecraft is one of the best cross platform games for friend groups that want long-term fun. In Bedrock Edition, you can join the same worlds across different devices, build together, and keep the experience going for weeks or months.
If your group likes relaxed gameplay with endless creativity, Minecraft is the safest recommendation.
3. Rocket League
Best for: Competitive fun, short sessions, “one more match” energy
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Rocket League is a perfect friend-group game because matches are quick, gameplay is easy to understand, and it gets addictive fast. Crossplay works smoothly across platforms, and the skill curve keeps things fun whether you’re a beginner or competitive.
It’s also one of the best games if your squad wants something competitive that doesn’t require long hours to enjoy.
4. Call of Duty Warzone
Best for: Tactical squad gameplay, competitive FPS fans
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Warzone is one of the biggest cross-platform shooters and remains a top pick for squad-based FPS action. It’s intense, strategic, and built around teamwork — especially in trios and quads.
If your friend group loves communication-heavy games where every match feels high-stakes, Warzone is a strong pick.
5. Apex Legends
Best for: Fast-paced squad combat, strategic abilities
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Apex Legends is one of the best cross platform games for competitive squads. It focuses heavily on movement, teamwork, and ability-driven combat. It’s also one of the most rewarding games to master as a team.
Apex has a faster tempo than most shooters, and it’s great for groups that enjoy improving together.
6. Destiny 2
Best for: Co-op missions, raids, long-term progression
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Destiny 2 is built for cooperative play. If your friend group loves leveling up together, grinding loot, tackling raids, and playing story missions, Destiny 2 delivers endless content.
This is less of a casual “jump in and leave” game and more of a “we’re building a squad” experience.
7. Sea of Thieves
Best for: Co-op adventure, storytelling, chaotic teamwork
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Sea of Thieves is one of the best friend-group games ever made. Your crew sails together, hunts treasure, fights enemies, and deals with unpredictable players — all while trying to survive the chaos of the sea.
It’s hilarious, unpredictable, and one of those games where every session becomes a memorable story.
8. Dead by Daylight
Best for: Horror fun, party nights, suspense + laughs
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Dead by Daylight is perfect for groups who want something different. One player becomes the killer, and the others must survive. Every match becomes a mini horror movie, and it’s even better when you’re playing with friends in voice chat.
It’s especially fun for friend groups that don’t want competitive shooters but still want intense gameplay.
9. Among Us
Best for: Party gaming, social chaos, quick rounds
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile
Among Us is still one of the funniest cross platform games because it’s not about skill — it’s about lying convincingly and accusing your best friends of sabotage.
It’s easy to play, lightweight, and works great for mixed-platform groups, especially if someone joins from mobile.
10. Fall Guys
Best for: Casual friend groups, funny chaos, stress-free fun
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Fall Guys is perfect when your squad wants laughter more than strategy. It’s beginner-friendly, silly, and great for mixed-skill friend groups because even losing feels funny.
It’s also one of the easiest cross platform games for casual gamers to enjoy instantly.
11. Diablo IV
Best for: Co-op dungeon crawling, loot grinding
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Diablo IV is a top-tier co-op game for players who love action RPGs. It’s built around progression, loot, and teamwork, which makes it highly addictive in co-op.
If your friend group enjoys grinding together and building powerful characters, Diablo IV is a great pick.
12. No Man’s Sky
Best for: Exploration, base building, chill long sessions
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
No Man’s Sky is a fantastic option for friend groups who want slow-paced co-op exploration. You can travel together, build bases, explore planets, trade, fight enemies, and spend hours just wandering through space.
It’s one of the best cross platform games for players who prefer “experience” over competition.
13. Overwatch 2
Best for: Team-based combat, fun competitive matches
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Overwatch 2 is a great choice if your group enjoys character-based shooters. Each hero has a role, and teamwork makes the difference. It’s fast, fun, and designed for social play.
Crossplay also ensures matchmaking is always active, and it’s easy to party up with friends.
14. Roblox
Best for: Variety, casual co-op, mini-games
Platforms: PC, Xbox, Mobile
Roblox is one of the most versatile cross-platform experiences because it’s not just one game. It’s thousands of games inside one ecosystem.
Friend groups can jump into roleplay games, racing games, shooters, adventure maps, and more. It’s a great crossplay platform for mixed-age friend groups or casual gaming sessions.
15. Warframe
Best for: Co-op action, grinding, long-term gameplay
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Warframe is one of the most content-rich co-op games available. Missions are fast, progression is deep, and playing with friends makes the grind more fun.
It’s a great pick for groups who like Destiny-style gameplay but want more freedom, builds, and customization.
Best Cross Platform Games by Genre
If you already know the vibe your group wants, these picks make it easier.
Best Crossplay Shooters
- Fortnite
- Apex Legends
- Warzone
- Overwatch 2
Best Cross Platform Co-op Games
- Minecraft
- Destiny 2
- Sea of Thieves
- Warframe
- No Man’s Sky
Best Cross Platform Party Games
- Among Us
- Fall Guys
- Rocket League
- Roblox
Why Cross Platform Games Are So Popular Today
Cross platform gaming isn’t just a feature anymore — it’s becoming the default expectation for multiplayer games. A few years ago, crossplay was something only a handful of titles offered. Now, it’s one of the biggest reasons certain games stay successful for years.
The reason is simple: cross platform games solve real-world gaming problems that almost every player experiences. Friends have different devices, players switch consoles, and multiplayer games need large active communities to stay fun. Crossplay fixes all of that.
Let’s break down exactly why it has become such a massive part of gaming today.
1. Friends Don’t Need the Same Console
This is the biggest reason cross platform games exploded in popularity.
Before crossplay, multiplayer gaming came with a frustrating limitation: everyone had to own the same platform. If you had a PlayStation but your friends were on Xbox or PC, you couldn’t play together — no matter how badly you wanted to.
That meant:
- Some friends got left out
- Friend groups split into smaller gaming circles
- Players had to buy another console just to join in
Cross platform games remove that problem completely. Now your group can stay connected no matter what device each person prefers — which makes gaming more social, inclusive, and effortless.
2. Faster Matchmaking and Better Match Quality
Crossplay doesn’t just benefit friend groups — it improves matchmaking for everyone.
When a game supports cross platform play, it combines multiple player pools into one larger community. Instead of dividing players by platform (like PS-only, Xbox-only, PC-only), you get a single, bigger matchmaking pool.
This leads to:
- Faster matchmaking (less waiting)
- More balanced matches (because the system has more players to work with)
- Better regional availability (especially in smaller regions or late-night hours)
This is especially important in competitive games where slow matchmaking can kill the experience. Crossplay helps keep matches flowing smoothly, even years after launch.
3. Multiplayer Communities Stay Alive Longer
Many multiplayer games die for one main reason: their player base gets too small.
When games are limited to one platform, their community shrinks faster over time because:
- Players quit
- New players stop joining
- Matchmaking becomes slow
- Competitive modes become unplayable
Cross platform games prevent that by keeping the player base large and active across multiple platforms. Even if one platform’s community drops, the game still stays alive because the overall community is shared.
That’s why crossplay has become a huge advantage for multiplayer games that want to last for years instead of months.
4. More Flexibility for Players (Especially With Cross-Progression)
People don’t game the same way forever. Players:
- upgrade from console to PC
- switch from PS4 to PS5
- move from Xbox to PC
- start playing on mobile while traveling
- shift between devices depending on convenience
Crossplay makes this transition easier — but it gets even better when the game also includes cross-progression.
With cross-progression, you don’t lose your:
- level progress
- unlocked items
- skins and cosmetics
- seasonal rewards
- game stats
So even if you change platforms, your gaming “identity” stays intact.
This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons modern players prefer cross platform games. It allows gamers to play how they want, when they want, without restarting or losing everything they’ve built.
5. Crossplay Has Become a Standard Feature in Modern Gaming
Crossplay used to be rare, but now it’s becoming a core part of game development — and you can see that clearly when you browse store sections dedicated to cross-platform titles.
For example, many gaming platforms now have curated cross-platform collections, like the Epic Games Store’s crossplay catalog, because crossplay is no longer a niche feature — it’s a selling point. This also means game developers are actively building multiplayer systems around:
- shared servers
- cross-platform accounts
- in-game friend systems
- unified matchmaking
As a result, cross platform games are smoother, more stable, and more common than ever before.
How to Turn On Crossplay
In most modern cross platform games, crossplay is enabled by default — meaning you can instantly play with friends on other consoles or PC without doing anything extra.
However, if you’re unable to join a friend’s lobby, can’t find them in your party list, or keep getting matchmaking errors, crossplay may need a quick manual fix.
Here are the most common ways to turn on crossplay and troubleshoot issues fast.
1. Enable Crossplay in the Game Settings
The first thing to check is the game’s settings menu. Some multiplayer titles — especially competitive shooters — include a toggle that allows players to turn crossplay on or off.
If crossplay is disabled, you may experience:
- missing friends across platforms
- restricted matchmaking (only your platform)
- party invite failures
Look for crossplay settings under:
- Gameplay settings
- Account settings
- Online / Multiplayer settings
Once enabled, restart the game to make sure the change applies properly.
2. Make Sure Everyone Is Using the Latest Version
Cross platform games require all players to be on the same game build. Even one person using an older version can stop parties from forming or prevent matchmaking from working.
If crossplay suddenly stops working:
- check for updates
- download the latest patch
- restart the game after installation
This is one of the most common reasons crossplay breaks — especially after big seasonal updates or new game releases.
3. Link the Right Account (Epic, EA, Activision, etc.)
Many crossplay games don’t rely on your console friend list alone. Instead, they use a shared account system to connect players across platforms — such as:
- Epic Games (Fortnite, Rocket League)
- EA Account (Apex Legends)
- Activision Account (Warzone)
- Ubisoft Connect (some Ubisoft titles)
If your friend isn’t showing up in your console friends list, try:
- adding them through the game’s in-game friend system
- searching by username / ID inside the game
- confirming that both accounts are properly linked
Account linking issues are also a common reason invites fail or cross-platform friends appear offline.
4. Check NAT Type and Network Connection
Crossplay can fail even when settings look correct — especially if someone has a strict network configuration.
A Strict NAT type can cause issues like:
- being unable to join parties
- voice chat not working
- connection timeouts
- friends appearing unreachable
If possible:
- switch to a wired connection
- restart your router
- enable UPnP (if you know how)
- contact your ISP if strict NAT persists
Even one player with network restrictions can prevent the full party from connecting properly, especially in peer-to-peer party systems.
5. Understand Platform Limitations (Especially PC vs Console)
Not all cross platform games offer fully open crossplay.
Some titles restrict crossplay to avoid unfair advantages — particularly between PC and console. That’s because PC players often have:
- faster aiming with mouse & keyboard
- higher frame rates
- performance advantages
As a result, some games:
- separate PC and console matchmaking
- allow crossplay only in certain modes
- let players opt out of crossplay entirely
So if crossplay isn’t working, it may not be a technical issue — it could be a platform rule based on game design.
Quick Checklist (If Crossplay Isn’t Working)
Before you waste time troubleshooting, run through this simple checklist:
- Crossplay enabled in settings
- Everyone updated to the latest version
- Correct accounts linked (Epic/EA/Activision, etc.)
- Friends added inside the game system
- NAT type set to Open/Moderate
- Platform restrictions checked
In many cases, crossplay issues are solved within minutes by fixing just one of these.
Final Thoughts: Cross Platform Games Make Multiplayer Better
Cross platform games have completely changed how we play with friends. You no longer need everyone to own the same console or be locked into one device just to enjoy multiplayer nights together. With crossplay becoming more common across the biggest titles, it’s now easier than ever to squad up, build worlds, compete, or simply laugh through chaotic matches — no matter where your friends are playing from.
And as gaming becomes more social and culture-driven, it’s also inspiring creators and entrepreneurs to build communities, brands, and merch around what they love — something Spocket makes easier by helping sellers source quality products without managing inventory.
Whether your group wants fast shooters like Fortnite and Apex Legends, co-op adventures like Minecraft and Sea of Thieves, or party games like Among Us and Fall Guys, the best cross platform games are the ones that keep everyone connected. Pick a game that matches your friend group’s vibe, enable crossplay if needed, and you’ll spend less time figuring out compatibility — and more time actually playing.
