The 10 Best Cross-Platform Games for Connecting with Friends

With the rise of cross-platform games, playing alone and with friends across different devices is easier than ever, making game time more inclusive and engaging. Playing across different platforms wasn’t always possible, but these days, you can play a variety of games from many different devices, keeping track of game progress and meeting other players online.

Below, discover the top 10 best cross-platform games and dive into your next adventure.

The Best Cross-Platform Games at a Glance

Although cross-platform games are flexible, not every cross-platform game is available for every platform. When choosing the right game to play, you should consider factors such as platform availability and the style of gameplay itself.

Game	Best for	Platforms
Minecraft	Players looking for a simple cross-platform game with open-world exploration and sandbox aspects	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Fortnite	Cross-platform players looking for various game modes in a single title	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Rocket League	Soccer fans looking for a unique multiplayer gaming experience with easy-to-learn but hard-to-master mechanics	Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Call of Duty: Warzone	Fans of the Call of Duty series, players looking for cross-platform battle royale gameplay for over 100 players	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
Apex Legends	Fans of hero shooters looking to play alone or with friends in several different game modes	Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Destiny 2	Fans of the original Destiny, players looking for a science fantasy-based game with options for multiplayer story mode or PvE and PvP modes	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)	Xbox and PlayStation players looking for a cross-console battle royale game, fans of gun-based combat gameplay	PlayStation, Xbox
Among Us	Players searching for a casual party game with high replayability to play on mobile, console, or PC	Windows, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox
No Man’s Sky	Players looking for an open world to explore and develop through building, crafting, trading, and combat	Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox One
Dead By Daylight	Cross-platform players looking for quick, casual games with high replayability, fans of horror	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Android, iOS

1. Minecraft

It’s amazing to think that a concept as simple as Minecraft could become one of the greatest cross-platform games of all time. Minecraft is a sprawling sandbox that gives players a lot of creative control over how they play the game. It’s available on all major devices and has always received high critical acclaim.

In Minecraft, you can play alone or team up with friends to explore its vast open world and various Minecraft mods. There are several ways to play, from a challenging experience focused on survival and combat to creative mode with unlimited building capabilities. If you choose to host your own server, known as a Realm, you can play with up to 10 people at a time. Because of its building capabilities, Minecraft is also ranked as one of the best city-building games, especially because you can craft and build with friends.

2. Fortnite

Fortnite was first released in 2017 and quickly became a global sensation. This battle royale offering from Epic Games has a player base of more than 350 million. The great thing about this entry to the bustling list of cross-platform games is that it receives regular updates that constantly improve aspects of the title and keep players engaged.

From a sandbox mode to practice building to an intense battle royale featuring 100 players battling on an island, Fortnite offers easy-to-learn mechanics fit for beginner and veteran players alike. This makes it great for players trying out a new platform for the first time or introducing friends to the game.

3. Rocket League

One of the most innovative cross-platform games of recent times is Rocket League, which cleverly fuses soccer and high-powered vehicles. Users play a game of the much-loved sport using cars instead of feet to move the ball around. It was initially available on consoles only but later broke out onto mobile to expand its audience further.

Rocket League is one of the best crossplay games, as it’s easy to learn but involves time and teamwork to master. It encourages highly collaborative play, as the team’s success depends on players working together. As a result, it’s one of the best games to play with friends online.

4. Call of Duty: Warzone

The Call of Duty franchise has been going strong since the first title in 2003. Most of the entries in the series have been cross-platform games, but the recent Call of Duty: Warzone is the most accessible of them all. In fact, along with PC and consoles, there’s also a mobile version. It’s free to play and has been downloaded more than 100 million times since its release in 2020.

Besides being available on many major platforms, Call of Duty: Warzone encourages high player engagement through its battle royale mode. Although traditional battle royale games cap player support at 100, up to 150 players across PC, console, and mobile can take part in this large-scale free-for-all.

5. Apex Legends

Battle royale titles work best as cross-platform games because they can appeal to players on lots of different devices. Apex Legends is another entry into the growing genre, and it’s best known for its diverse characters. It was released in 2019 and attracted more than 70 million players in its first month, offering a large player base to engage with.

Because it offers solo, double, and trio game modes, Apex Legends can be fun to play alone, keeping your game progress across different platforms, or teaming up with friends. Because your data stays with your account no matter where you’re logged in, you can also access your in-game purchases whether you’re playing on PC or console. As a result, this is one of the best crossplay games players can enjoy on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

6. Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is a hugely popular sci-fi first-person shooter that also blends some MMO elements. The rich universe is available on major consoles and Windows. 

The best thing about the title from Bungie is that it gets regular expansions. As a result, there are still plenty of players to interact with in this 2017 action-packed game, as well as new content to explore no matter what platform you’re playing on.

7. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)

There are dozens of cross-platform games in the battle royale genre now, but the title that made it famous was PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. First released on PC, this game gained global attention when it was ported to consoles and mobile devices. In some markets, the 2017 release is still one of the most played games.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds focuses on battle royale gameplay for up to 100 players. As you engage in thrilling tactical combat with people across a variety of platforms, you can choose your perspective options and play in a way that best fits your preferred style.

8. Among Us

One of the best mobile games, Among Us is a unique offering in that it challenges players to use their powers of deduction. The aim of the 2018 title is to work out who the imposter is based on social clues. There have been over 530 million downloads to date, making it one of the most popular cross-platform games of all time.

In Among Us, players on all platforms can come together in a lobby that can support up to 15 players. There are different settings to choose from, each one creating a new style of gameplay that can introduce new challenges. There are also in-game cosmetics you can purchase and access across all platforms, so long as you sign in to the same account.

9. No Man’s Sky

Survival is easier with others, a point proved true in No Man’s Sky, a 2016 action-adventure game that focuses on survival in an open-world universe.

In this title, you can team up with up to three friends and enter a universe filled with unique and biologically diverse planets. However, you and your friends won’t be alone, as the universe can host up to 28 other people outside your team. 

In No Man’s Sky, you must explore, craft, and trade to find the resources you need and survive. However, in a universe that hosts tons of planets, people, and fauna, not everyone or everything you encounter will be peaceful, requiring teamwork and combat.

10. Dead by Daylight

In Dead by Daylight, you and other players can engage in a lethal game of hide-and-seek that’ll keep you immersed regardless of platform. With each lobby supporting five players, one player finds themselves as the killer, while the other four survivors must work together to escape with their lives by finding and activating five generators across the map.

You can play Dead by Daylight with friends or alone, as any party with less than five people will fill with other players looking to play, regardless of their platform. This game offers high replayability, with a different set of survivors and a killer chosen for each match, known as a trial.

How To Choose a Cross-Platform Game

With so many unique options available, it can be difficult to know what titles would suit you best. When choosing the best cross-platform games for you, keep this criteria in mind:

• Consider your preferred gaming platform: When playing a cross-platform game, you’ll be able to choose between multiple platforms. Considering what platform you prefer can be helpful when picking a game to play when bored, but you can easily switch to a different console whenever you want with cross-platform games.
• Research active player base and community engagement: One of the benefits of cross-platform gameplay is being able to play with more people. Take time to see how active the player base is to get a better idea of what to expect when playing, especially for multiplayer games.
• Identify preferred genres with strong cross-play support: The genre possibilities for cross-platform games are endless. To narrow down your search, think about what genres you’d like to play and then search for the right game for you.
• Look for cross-platform features: Not all cross-platform games offer the same features. Some allow you to connect with certain platforms but not others, and others may not always sync data between your platforms.

Join Your Friends in Thrilling Adventures

Cross-platform games allow players to connect seamlessly, offering flexibility and convenience and creating multiplayer experiences no matter your preferred platform. If you’re looking for games to play, cross-platform games provide the opportunity to gather your friends across different devices and dive into a thrilling collaborative adventure.

FAQ

Because cross-play is a type of player support instead of genre, no two games are alike. Some cross-platform games are single-player and offer multi-platform data syncing. Others are multiplayer and allow players from different platforms to connect and play together. Because there are so many differences in cross-platform games, you may have additional questions.

What Are Cross-Platform Games?

If a game is cross-platform, it can refer to two different characteristics. 

Most commonly, it means players on different systems can play with each other. For example, mobile Among Us players can play games with PC players.

However, cross-platform can also refer to a game that is available on different platforms with data syncing, regardless of whether players can join servers or lobbies together.

Do All Cross-Platform Games Support Cross-Play Between Consoles, PC, and Mobile?

Not all cross-platform games are available across consoles, PC, and mobile. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), for example, is available on PC, mobile, and console. However, cross-platform play is only available for those on Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

Is Game Progress Shared Across Platforms in Cross-Platform Games?

In many games, progress is shared across platforms through your account. For example, if you have an account for Among Us and make an in-game purchase on PC, you’ll find the same items available on mobile, so long as you use the same account.

However, each game can vary in its progress sharing, with some games offering separate accounts or save progression for different platforms.