Crossplay All Day: Top Games to Play with Friends Across Platforms

🎮 Why Crossplay Is a Game-Changer

Gaming used to be divided by hardware. If you owned a PlayStation and your friend had an Xbox, your choices were limited. Add in PC and mobile, and friend groups often found themselves locked into separate ecosystems. Crossplay changes that. It allows players across platforms to share the same servers, compete, and collaborate without barriers.

According to Newzoo’s 2024 gaming report, nearly 70% of gamers now consider crossplay support a deciding factor when choosing new titles. For Gen Z, gaming is as much social as it is competitive, and being able to squad up regardless of device is a massive selling point.

At NerdChips, we see crossplay not as a gimmick but as the foundation of modern multiplayer culture. Let’s dive into the top games where crossplay actually delivers.

🏗️ Minecraft: Endless Creativity, Together

Minecraft is more than a game—it’s a sandbox for imagination. Whether building castles, recreating real cities, or surviving against mobs, the real magic is sharing worlds with friends. With crossplay, you can be on PC while others join from Xbox, PlayStation, or even mobile.

The beauty lies in persistence. A shared Minecraft server means your group’s creations grow over time, like a living digital town. Many content creators have used Minecraft to host community events, workshops, or even classroom lessons. The blocky graphics may look simple, but the collaborative creativity is unmatched.

Crossplay ensures that no device excludes anyone. If one friend only owns a phone, they can still join the group adventure seamlessly.

🔫 Fortnite: The Crossplay Pioneer

When people think crossplay, Fortnite often comes first. Epic Games’ battle royale redefined accessibility by connecting players across PC, console, and mobile in one unified ecosystem.

Fortnite thrives because it constantly evolves. New seasons, creative modes, and cultural events—from Travis Scott concerts to Marvel tie-ins—make it a hub for more than just competitive play. The ability to drop in as a squad regardless of platform has kept its player base resilient.

Beyond gameplay, Fortnite sets a business standard. Its free-to-play model, paired with crossplay, made it a global phenomenon. In fact, Epic reported that crossplay accounted for over 60% of daily active users in 2023.

Fortnite also sets a powerful precedent in the free-to-play space. Unlike many titles that push aggressive monetization, it maintains balance by keeping paid cosmetics separate from gameplay advantages. This fairness has fueled its longevity and popularity in crossplay lobbies. For more examples of titles that respect the “play fair” principle, see our breakdown of the Top 10 Free-to-Play Games That Aren’t Pay-to-Win.

⚽ Rocket League: Soccer Meets Cars

Rocket League combines the simplicity of soccer with the chaos of rocket-powered cars. While mechanics are easy to grasp, mastering aerial shots or defense rotations requires teamwork.

Crossplay shines here because skill—not hardware—determines performance. Whether you’re on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, or PC, the experience feels balanced. This makes Rocket League one of the fairest competitive crossplay titles available.

The game also integrates with esports. RLCS tournaments welcome players regardless of platform, showing that crossplay isn’t just for casual fun—it’s competitive at the highest levels.

🪓 Call of Duty: Warzone

Warzone brought battle royale intensity to the Call of Duty franchise, and crossplay made it a cultural force. Groups of friends can drop into Verdansk or Al Mazrah together, regardless of whether they’re using mouse-and-keyboard precision or console controllers.

Crossplay also allows Warzone to maintain massive player pools, reducing matchmaking wait times. With constant content drops—new maps, weapons, and modes—crossplay ensures nobody feels left behind.

It also raises unique debates: some console players feel PC’s precision creates imbalance. But Activision introduced input-based matchmaking, where controller players are grouped separately from keyboard users, balancing competition without killing inclusivity.

While Warzone is a stellar example of a large-scale shooter that thrives with crossplay, some players still prefer the depth and precision of titles that are exclusive to PC ecosystems. Games like strategy-driven MOBAs or hardcore survival sims may not support cross-platform play but still deliver amazing co-op experiences. If you’re curious about PC-only gems that shine in multiplayer sessions, we’ve covered them in detail in Top PC Games to Play with Friends Online.

🧙 Apex Legends: Tactical Squad Battles

Apex Legends is all about team synergy. Each legend’s unique abilities—from healing drones to teleportation portals—push players to communicate and strategize. Crossplay ensures no teammate is left out, whether on PC or console.

What makes Apex special is its pace. Unlike slower battle royales, Apex is fast, vertical, and punishes poor coordination. Crossplay makes it easier to maintain consistent squads, building trust and chemistry over time.

In Best Co-Op Indie Games on Steam for 2025, we highlighted how smaller titles can benefit from teamwork. Apex is proof that AAA shooters thrive on the same principle.

🏰 Final Fantasy XIV: Crossplay in an MMO

MMOs have traditionally struggled with cross-platform integration, but Final Fantasy XIV changed that. PC and PlayStation players share the same servers, forging friendships across devices.

The game’s community is famously welcoming, and crossplay expands that inclusivity. Raiding, crafting, or even just hanging out in bustling hubs feels richer when everyone can participate.

Square Enix’s decision proved visionary. By uniting players instead of segregating them, FFXIV created one of the most cohesive MMO experiences ever, helping it surpass 30 million registered players by 2024.

🎲 Among Us: Social Deception Everywhere

Few games exploded culturally like Among Us. Its success came from simplicity—anyone could learn in minutes—and accessibility. Crossplay between PC and mobile meant friend groups could play instantly without worrying about cost or platform.

The real magic is in the conversations. Debating who’s “sus” around the table is as much fun as the tasks themselves. In a way, crossplay made Among Us the digital equivalent of a board game night: simple, social, and inclusive.

If you enjoy the social deception vibes of Among Us but want a darker twist, horror titles offer a unique kind of thrill when played with friends. Some horror experiences have already embraced crossplay, allowing players to team up (or betray each other) across PC and consoles. For a deeper dive into terrifying but fun multiplayer picks, check out our guide on Best Multiplayer Horror Games to Play with Friends.

🧩 Why Crossplay Strengthens Friendships

The biggest value of crossplay isn’t technical—it’s social. Games are at their best when shared, and removing platform barriers means fewer excuses and more memories. Whether exploring Minecraft worlds, surviving Apex firefights, or laughing through Among Us accusations, crossplay deepens bonds.

In Best Co-Op Games for Couples: Play, Bond, and Level Up Together, we argued that games build relationships. Crossplay extends that idea beyond couples to entire friend groups, regardless of hardware.

🕹️ Casual vs Competitive Crossplay: Choosing the Right Vibe

Not every crossplay game serves the same mood. Some titles are perfect for laid-back sessions with friends where laughter matters more than skill. Others demand coordination, sharp reflexes, and a competitive mindset.

This distinction matters because it prevents mismatched expectations. If one friend wants serious tactical play while another just wants to chill, friction follows. Picking the right title ensures everyone leaves the session satisfied.

🔄 Crossplay vs Cross-Progression: Know the Difference

Many gamers confuse crossplay (playing together across platforms) with cross-progression (carrying your progress, unlocks, and purchases across platforms). Both are game-changers, but not all titles support both.

For example, Fortnite not only allows crossplay but also ensures your skins, V-Bucks, and stats follow you whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, or mobile. Minecraft, too, lets you maintain progress across devices with a unified Microsoft account.

By contrast, some games restrict progression. You might be able to play with friends on another console, but your unlocks and achievements stay tied to your original platform. Knowing this difference saves frustration—especially in games where cosmetics or grind-heavy unlocks matter.

⚠️ Challenges in Crossplay Gaming

While crossplay breaks barriers, it introduces unique challenges. Balancing fairness between PC and console is one of the most debated issues. Keyboard-and-mouse players often enjoy faster aiming precision compared to controller players. To address this, developers like Activision implemented input-based matchmaking in Warzone, ensuring more balanced lobbies.

Cheating is another concern. PC platforms are more vulnerable to hacks, and when lobbies mix with consoles, it exposes players to risks they wouldn’t normally face. Anti-cheat measures must be robust, but community complaints show it’s still a work in progress.

Finally, technical disparities—such as frame rates or field-of-view differences—can make matches feel uneven. A Switch player in Rocket League simply doesn’t have the same performance ceiling as a PC player at 120 FPS. Developers continue to refine balance, but these challenges are part of the crossplay evolution.

🔮 The Future of Crossplay: Toward Universal Gaming Ecosystems

The next frontier is not just crossplay but platform-agnostic ecosystems. Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW already blur the lines. Soon, the question won’t be “Which console?” but simply “Which account?”

We may see AI-moderated lobbies that adjust for skill discrepancies across devices, ensuring fairer matches. Subscription services could unify even further, where one pass grants access to crossplay libraries across PC, console, and mobile.

In three to five years, the concept of exclusivity may shrink dramatically. Instead of buying into hardware ecosystems, gamers will buy into universal communities. For multiplayer culture, that’s the logical next step.

🚀 Starter Picks: First-Time Crossplay Gamers

If you’re new to crossplay, it’s best to start with titles that have low barriers to entry and welcoming communities. Minecraft is the perfect gateway: intuitive controls, low technical requirements, and endless creativity. Among Us works well for casual groups, letting anyone join via phone without a steep learning curve.

For those wanting a taste of competitive crossplay without overwhelming complexity, Rocket League is ideal. Matches are short, mechanics are accessible, and the community is vast. It also scales beautifully: beginners can have fun, while experts can chase mastery.

Starting small ensures your first crossplay experiences are about fun, not frustration. From there, stepping into shooters like Apex Legends or Warzone becomes easier once you’re comfortable with the ecosystem.

🧠 Nerd Verdict

Crossplay represents more than convenience—it’s the cultural glue of modern gaming. It turns hardware silos into open playgrounds, ensuring friends stay connected. At NerdChips, we see it as a non-negotiable standard for future multiplayer titles. The next step isn’t asking if a game has crossplay—it’s demanding why any modern game wouldn’t.

❓ FAQ: Nerds Ask, We Answer

💬 Would You Bite?

What’s your go-to crossplay game with friends? Are you more into competitive shooters like Apex or laid-back sessions in Minecraft? Drop your pick—we’d love to know.