25 Best Cross-Platform Games (By Genre)

In this post, we’ve put together a large list of the best cross-platform games to help you find a fun new title to try out with your friends.

Cross-platform play is a holy grail feature that has tremendous benefits for gamers. Playing titles that have cross-platform functionality means that you and your friends don’t necessarily need to have the same system/device in order to enjoy them together.

What’s more, they open up communities instead of siloing them due to their devices of choice.

What is Cross-Platform Play?

Cross-platform play, or cross-play, is a feature that allows games to connect for multiplayer regardless of device. It effectively enables device-agnostic connectivity. For instance, a gamer with Fortnite on PC can play and join groups that are on a console or mobile device.

Cross-play shouldn’t be confused with cross-save. Though the majority of games will have both options, it’s entirely possible that a game may not transfer progression between devices. Cross-platform play involves purely connecting players together for multiplayer.

Are There Downsides to Cross-Play?

While cross-play is a significant boon for gamers, it does come with a few caveats, especially for specific title genres.

For one, gamers playing on specific devices may have advantages due to their default control schemes and peripherals. For example, a first-person shooter player will typically have a significant advantage when playing on a keyboard and mouse versus one who’s on a console controller. The same can apply to battle royales and MMORPGs.

Furthermore, some devices may have technical limitations that can place you at a minor disadvantage. In fighting games, for example, every frame counts. When playing on a high-end gaming PC or a specific console, your input lag may be lower than your opponent’s, who’s on another weaker device, allowing you to have faster reactions.

FPS Games with Cross-Play

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Black Ops Cold War was 2020/2021’s offering from the highly popular Call of Duty series. As with other titles in the series, it’s characterized by a balance of fast-paced gameplay and realistic gunplay. Cold War takes the series to a time of espionage and covert missions, sending you on missions across the globe in an effort to stop a spy known as Perseus. Beyond the campaign, Black Ops Cold War has a slew of multiplayer modes and maps to test your skills. You’ll engage in more traditional 6v6 CoD matches as well as larger modes that involve teams of twelve. This title also introduced a brand-new mode called Fireteam, where ten teams of four compete to fulfill objectives.

Destiny 2

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

The legendary looter shooter by Bungie, Destiny 2 has become a much better game since it received crossplay. In this sci-fi FPS, you take on the role of a Guardian, a mighty warrior capable of wielding the Light to fight against intergalactic enemies who threaten the last remnants of humanity. In Destiny 2, you build a character based on one of three distinct classes, each with its own unique ways of bending the Light to its will. You can then develop your Guardian’s strength by participating in PvP and PvE activities with tons of loot and rewards.

Overwatch

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

Overwatch is the title that popularized the hero shooter subgenre of FPS games. This multiplayer-first title is a team-based game where you select from a slew of heroes, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. Characters are categorized based on the role they can fill in a team, namely tank, support, and damage. Teams consist of six players and duke it out with another team in a host of different map types. The game is primarily based on objectives that include taking and holding specific positions on the map, escorting payloads, controlling territory. Overwatch also has an Arcade mode that contains a rotation of modes that have radically different rules from the traditional maps.

Battle Royale Games with Cross-Play

Fortnite

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, iOS, Android

Fortnite is the biggest battle royale title, if not the biggest game in the world today. Since the release of its BR mode, it has become an entirely different beast that goes beyond being a PvP game about being the last person standing and enters the realm of being a social network in its own right. And you can enjoy it on pretty much every platform under the sun. The defining mechanic that sets it apart from other games in the genre is the ability to gather resources and build structures. These creations can be used to give you an advantage in battle and traverse across the game’s vast map. Apart from raging matches, Fortnite plays host to other events, including virtual concerts featuring famous musicians.

Apex Legends

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

Cemented in the world of Titanfall, Apex Legends features many recognizable elements from the mecha FPS franchise. While you can’t call down a giant robot to bulldoze your opponents with, you’ll get to use some of the most iconic weapons from the series. Apex Legends takes a cue from Overwatch by featuring characters with distinct powers. After picking your Legend, you team up with two other players and dive into a vast map where you need to survive and be the last squad remaining. Though it doesn’t feature any of the parkour elements of Titanfall, Apex is still a fast-paced BR game filled with high-octane moments.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Call of Duty’s “me too” attempt to carve out a slice of the battle royale pie, Warzone has become a powerhouse in the genre. Featuring the same fast-paced yet realistic gameplay, this BR title brings a lot of unique features to the table. Its most defining mechanic is its money and gear purchasing system. As you make your way through the map, you can build up your bank by killing enemy players and completing Contracts. Once you have enough money, you can buy a variety of boons, including a supply drop that contains a pre-determined gear loadout you’ve set beforehand.

Fighting Games with Cross-Play

Fantasy Strike

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch

Fantasy Strike comes from the mind of legendary game designer David Sirlin. It follows an easy-to-learn-yet-hard-to-master ethos that makes it accessible to newcomers to the genre without compromising competitive merit. Its intuitive HUD makes it more transparent how much damage you can deal, while its simple control scheme allows anyone to pick up the game and play without needing a training room. Apart from having full cross-play across all of its available platforms, it also has some of the best user experiences with a unique UI that takes you straight into matches with a single button press. Best of all, it’s free and comes with all characters unlocked.

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid

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

It’s morphin’ time in this 3v3 fighting game that brings the frantic format of MvC2 to the masses. Featuring highly accessible gameplay, you’ll be pulling off crazy team combos without the need to spend hours in a training room. Its character roster spans across a multitude of Power Rangers series, with plenty of fan favorites duking it out for ultimate supremacy. Battle for the Grid features some of the best online netplay the genre has to offer and has a well-established dedicated player base.

Brawlhalla

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

Smash Bros may be the game that popularized the platform fighter subgenre, but Brawlhalla took it to another level. At its core, it plays similarly to the storied Nintendo series. However, it has a few essential differences. For one, it’s a free-to-play game on Steam, featuring a character rotation akin to that of MOBAs. Each of its brawlers can be played in two different ways depending on the weapon they have equipped. Finally, Brawlhalla has an entire esports scene of its own where anyone can participate. Brawlhalla also makes it relatively easy to pick up new characters as the weapons are standard across the cast and are designed based on pairs of each armament.

Action Games with Cross-Play

Dauntless

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

Monster Hunter is one of the best action series of all time, but what if you could play it for free? That’s the call Dauntless has answered. Dauntless still has you challenging massive brutes while wielding massive weapons, though not as methodical. Compared to its Capcom-developed older brother, the game feels snappier and more accessible, with tons of activities to engage with. There are also a ton of customization options and some challenging endgame content if you’re looking to take your skills to the next level.

Chivalry 2

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

If you’ve ever wanted to swing a halberd around in an all-out medieval war, then Chivarly 2 is the game for you. In this multiplayer action game, you’re a knight within a massive army engaged in combat against another, and it’s every bit as hectic as you’d expect. It’s one of the games where cross-play is a massive boon given the size of the game’s teams. What makes Chivalry 2 exceptionally entertaining is its physics-based combat that leads to some spectacular death animations.

Knockout City

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

A blend of action and sports, Knockout City is a unique multiplayer title full of fast-paced gameplay. The game is a spin on dodgeball where you pick up balls and try to smash them into your opponents to rack up points. There are several different types of balls that can alter how you play. For instance, the Moon Ball will make you jump higher and float in the air longer, while the Bomb Ball will cause explosions where it lands. The game features several modes across more than five maps that also contain environmental hazards.

Exploration & Survival Games with Cross-Play

No Man’s Sky

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Despite suffering a disastrous launch, No Man’s Sky has had quite the redemption arc over the past several years. Today, it’s an incredible game that goes beyond exploring a vast galaxy. From building bases to space dogfights to riding mechs, this title feels like it’s the all-encompassing game of pretty much every gamer’s dream. It can even be played in VR. Thanks to cross-platform play, it has a massive playerbase, so you’ll be running into other explorers more often than you think.

Minecraft

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android

A title that needs no introduction, Minecraft is the ultimate creative game where you can craft your very own world. This title was made for cross-play as it’s pretty light in terms of hardware requirements, so grabbing your friends to play together is a breeze regardless of device. What makes Minecraft even more remarkable is its endless modability. Modders worldwide comprise a massive online community that continuously elevates what is possible in Minecraft. Beyond the game aspect, Minecraft is also an excellent educational tool that teachers can utilize to teach various topics. (Check out these awesome Minecraft builds.)

Ark: Survival Evolved (Partially)

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, iOS, Android

Survival of the fittest takes a whole new dimension when you toss in dinosaurs. In Ark: Survival Evolved, you find yourself stranded on an island where prehistoric lizards roam. Your objective, of course, is to survive and build yourself a base to keep yourself sheltered from harm. What makes Ark so unique is that you can reach a point where you can tame dinosaurs and ride them. The downside of this title is that its cross-play has limitations, meaning that console versions can only connect within their own ecosystems.

RPG Games with Cross-Play

Final Fantasy XIV

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Mac

The MMORPG that dethroned WoW, Final Fantasy XIV has become a staple in the online RPG space. What gives this game a leg-up over its Blizzard rival is its cross-play capabilities between the Playstation consoles, PC, and Mac. One of its best features is that you only need to create one character because they can be all classes. You’ll still have to level them individually, but it’s a far cry more efficient than making new avatars for different classes you want to play. FFXIV also has an incredibly robust housing system and is one of the friendliest gaming communities.

Genshin Impact

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Android, iOS

One of the unexpected hits from the past couple of years, Genshin Impact has taken the gamersphere by storm. It looks and feels similar to Zelda: Breath of the Wild because of its cartoony art style and open-world gameplay. However, it plays nothing like the Nintendo title. For one, it’s a free-to-play gacha-style game, meaning you collect characters. You can then roster them into a squad and swap between your assigned characters on the fly, even during combat.

Genshin features a fun elemental-based combat system and a slew of activities to undertake that borderline feel MMO-like.

Phantasy Star Online 2

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Though it was released a good long while ago, recently, Phantasy Star Online 2 has seen a resurgence, thanks to Microsoft. By bringing it to the Xbox console family, the tech mega-corporation allowed the game to be experienced by western players finally. It also received a next-gen facelift along with some changes to its gameplay and story structure. Its action-based combat system is highly customizable, making the grind across its instanced missions feel engaging. Best of all, the game is free-to-play and has a pretty sizeable community around it.

Other Games with Cross-Play

Rocket League

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

Rocket League puts an entirely unique spin on football by replacing athletes with zippy cars. You zoom across the pitch, trying to get the giant ball into your opponent’s net before they can do the same. To accomplish this, you’ll hit the pedal to the metal, pulling off stunts and taking to the air, whether you’re on offense or defense. The game’s learning curve can feel somewhat steep due to the number of experienced players you’ll encounter, even at lower ranks. However, the community is filled with veterans who’d be more than happy to show you the ropes.

Overcooked: All You Can Eat

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

This frantic party game where you try to cook meals while also managing insanely laid-out kitchens is now made even better with cross-platform play. Getting your friends in on the craziness has never been easier. You team up to put together dishes and fulfill orders as they come in, while also making sure you’ve got clean plates and you’re keeping up with the tickets. What makes Overcooked so much fun is that you inevitably end up in situations of absolute chaos that’ll have you either rolling on the floor laughing or fuming from frustration because your teammates never heard your pleas for a plate or ingredient.

GRID Legends

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Arcade racing games feel like they’re getting fewer with every passing year. Luckily, GRID is back to pick up the slack. In many ways, it’s like the Call of Duty of driving titles as it features gameplay that retains some realism while remaining as accessible as an arcade racer. Featuring several different competition styles, you’ll go from drifting down a Japanese mountain pass to taking pole position in Formula E competitions.

Smite

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Smite brings the tri-lane action of MOBAs to the third dimension. Instead of having a top-down perspective, in this battle arena of the gods, you control your character from behind them like a regular action game. Your abilities also need to be aimed, and you’ll also need to have your head on a swivel to avoid being ganked. This difference in perspective allows the game to have its own unique takes on the MOBA genre, including mechanics that are only possible due to its camera perspective.

Dead by Daylight

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

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetric horror multiplayer game that has developed a cult following. One player takes the role of a killer while the rest are survivors. The obvious objectives here are for the former to hack, slash, and brutalize the puny survivors while the latter have to use their whits to stay alive and complete objectives. Over the years, Dead by Daylight has added famous killers to its roster from slasher movies, psychological horror films, and, naturally, horror video games. The concept may sound horribly imbalanced, as the murderous brutes can feel overpowered. However, survivors are given plenty of ways to outmaneuver them.

Farming Simulator ‘22

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

The farming life doesn’t have to be a lonely one. That’s why Farming Simulator ‘22 features cross-platform play, so you and your friends can sow the land together regardless of device. At first blush, this unusual simulator game sounds boring as it’s hard to imagine working a farm has any enjoyment to it. In reality, Farming Simulator ‘22 is a robust replication of the nuances and economics of cultivating the land with modern means and keeping the business afloat. At the same time, it’s one of the most relaxing games to enjoy with others. There are no enemies to fight, no bosses to bash your head against like a brick wall. It’s just you, your tractor, and the land.

Star Wars: Squadrons

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Back in the earlier years of gaming, some of the best Star Wars titles were space simulators X-Wing and TIE Fighter. After decades, these legendary games have made a return thanks to Star Wars: Squadrons, a multiplayer space combat experience that puts you in the cockpit of some of the most iconic games in film history. Team up with your friends regardless of device as either a Rebel or Imperial pilot in a multitude of modes. The game features fast-paced dogfighting combat mechanics and can even be enjoyed in VR for the ultimate Star Wars space simulator experience.