Given all of the different consoles and gaming devices on the market today, the concept of crossplay is a boon for multiplayer gaming. It lets people play games together across different platforms. And for anyone who grew up unable to play with friends because they had different consoles, crossplay games open up new, exciting worlds.
Most major multiplayer games come with crossplay support these days. It’s easier than ever to enjoy co-op and competitive gaming with your friends. You’ll find six of the best titles right here, so read on, start your downloads, and get into the action.
1. Fortnite
Epic Games’ Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world, and it’s no surprise that it works on almost everything with an internet connection. You can play it on Nintendo Switch, the latest PCs, next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 (as well as Xbox and PS4), and Android and iOS mobile devices.
If you’re not familiar with Fortnite, the concept is simple. One hundred players skydive onto a colorful island, scavenge for weapons and fight until only one remains. You can build structures for defense and customize your character, which is perfect for adding a personal touch. And, because Fortnite is so viral and unbelievably popular, it’s had massive crossovers with franchises like Marvel, DC, and Star Wars.
2. Apex Legends
This battle royale title offers a very different experience to Fortnite. Apex Legends is a first-person shooter (FPS) that encourages play in squads of three or two, though there are sometimes single-player (aka solo) modes available, too. Before entering the fight, you’ll choose from bold, outgoing characters with unique abilities and personalities.
As with other battle royale games, you start each match by searching for weapons and equipment. New seasons introduce new characters, multiplayer modes, and events, so you’ll never get bored.
If you’d like to play this FPS battle royale title, you can drop in on all consoles (PS4 and PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S) and PC.
3. MLB The Show 21
This isn’t just Major League Baseball’s annual game, because MLB The Show 21 marks the first time Sony’s game studios have developed and released a game for Xbox Series X|S. Considering the fierce competition between Sony and Microsoft, that’s a big deal, and it emphasizes the importance of crossplay functionality.
There’s a lot to like beyond the crossplay here, too. It’s the best baseball simulation around, and includes new options for designing your own ballpark. And who hasn’t wanted to beat their friends in their own personal stadium?
Unfortunately for other gamers, MLB The Show 21 isn’t available on gaming PCs or Nintendo Switch.
4. Call of Duty: Warzone
It took a little while for Call of Duty to deploy to the battle royale arena, but when it happened with Warzone, it was well worth the wait.
In Warzone’s battle royale mode, 150 players are dropped into the stunning 1980s Verdansk map, as of the latest update in April 2021. Then it tasks them with completing missions, escaping poisoned gas, and being the last shooter standing. The super-fun Plunder mode is a race where teams have to gather the most cash.
Aside from those options, Warzone also includes the Gulag, where players fight in one-on-one combat for the right to re-enter a game. No battle royale game is as intense as this, and it’s available on almost all the major gaming platforms (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC).
While Warzone is not on the Nintendo Switch, you can enjoy some handheld battle royale mayhem with Call of Duty: Mobile on iOS and Android devices.
5. Rocket League
Rocket League is one of the more unique multiplayer games around. It’s bold, it’s fast, and it involves gamers playing soccer using tiny, rocket-powered cars.
Five-minute matches make the action frantic. Gamers can customize their rides, and mutator options keep things fresh with reduced gravity, faster balls, and electrified floor modes.
Rocket League offers huge fun without the serious atmosphere of other titles. It’s available on every mainstream platform (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC). They’re even bringing a mobile-exclusive version to iOS and Android devices, so keep an eye out for that.
6. Minecraft
If you’re looking for a more constructive crossplay experience, then you can’t go wrong with a session in the revolutionary and record-breaking Minecraft.
You can join your friends to explore vast open worlds, or work together in Creative mode to build anything you can imagine. Artistic gamers have created full-scale models of Middle Earth and Westeros, and players have designed working computers, Minecraft versions of classic video games, and recreations of the world’s most famous monuments.
It’s a virtually infinite sandbox that you can share with friends, and it works on every major gaming platform (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, iOS, and Android).
Looking for more gaming inspiration? Check out the 10 Best Free Nintendo Switch Games in 2021 and the Best Video Games to Play When You’re Stuck Indoors.
Feature photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash
