Top 40 Multiplayer Games For Consoles | 2025 Edition

The console multiplayer gaming scene has grown lively and varied, offering something for every social playstyle. A key shift is moving away from one-size-fits-all modes to focus on what players really want.

Cross-platform play is now standard, helping build big, active communities. Reward systems are smarter, reducing clashes and fitting different play styles. Developers are also handing players creation tools, turning games into platforms that grow through community ideas.

Cooperative PvE Experiences

1. It Takes Two

This adventure game isn't just for two people, it needs two people. You play as a couple trying to fix their relationship and every single puzzle, jump and challenge requires both players acting together at the exact right moment.

One player might create a bridge while the other crosses it, then switch roles instantly. There’s no solo path, the whole story and how you play it are completely tied together. You have to cooperate to move forward.

2. Deep Rock Galactic

Grab three friends and become space dwarves mining through dangerous, ever-changing caves. Your team must combine special skills, one digs tunnels, another sets up turrets, another heals and so on.

To blast through rock, one dwarf holds the drill while another powers it. Facing giant bugs, someone distracts them while another sets explosives. It’s all about using your specific tools to help the whole team succeed, making it feel like a team shooter against swarms of enemies, not a slow building game.

3. Destiny 2 Raids

After finishing the main story, Destiny 2 throws its toughest challenges at six-player teams raids. These aren't simple fights. You enter a massive, confusing space with no instructions.

Figuring out what to do, solving puzzles, dodging traps, learning boss patterns, takes serious talking and planning. Getting through can take hours over multiple tries. The game helps by letting you easily find other players ready for this challenge, connecting newer players with experienced ones.

4. Monster Hunter Rise

This game smartly separates your journey. Early quests are just for you, letting you learn combat and gear without pressure. Once you're ready, head to the Gathering Hub for multiplayer hunts.

The game automatically adjusts the monster's strength based on how many hunters join, so a solo fight is manageable, but four hunters face a much fiercer beast. Finding your crew is simple too, with tools that match you with players wanting the same challenge.

5. Gears 5 Horde Mode

Gears 5 Horde Gameplay Features & Everything You Need to Know

Gears 5 offers exciting team modes. In Horde, five players build walls and turrets between waves of enemies, spending points earned from kills to fortify your position against 50 increasingly tough attacks.

Then there's Escape, your whole team sprints through a map, racing against a deadly cloud, needing perfect coordination to trigger escape points before time runs out. One mode is steady defense, the other is pure adrenaline teamwork.

6. Helldivers

This shooter has a fun idea, you and friends are soldiers spreading "managed democracy" across planets. The best moments happen when everyone combines fire, covers each other, and fights back-to-back against overwhelming odds.

On the hardest settings, many players feel you don't actually need that teamwork to win. You can sometimes rush ahead alone, making the deep cooperation the game seems to promise feel less essential when the pressure's highest.

7. Warhammer 40,000 - Space Marine 2

Play as a mighty Ultramarine Space Marine fighting terrifying Tyranid bugs. This action game lets you team up with up to two friends. Work together to smash enemies with swords and blast them with heavy weapons.

The tougher the fight gets, the more you need to stick together. One person might draw the bugs' attention while others attack from the sides. It feels just like playing the classic Warhammer board game, packed with the universe's intense stories.

8. Left 4 Dead 2

Team up with three friends to survive a zombie outbreak. You'll run through scary campaigns where special zombies keep you on your toes. You absolutely must talk to each other constantly, covering teammates' blind spots is the only way to escape huge zombie crowds.

The game smartly changes the challenge as you play, sending more zombies or dropping helpful items depending on how well your group is doing. This makes every run exciting and different, proving that sticking together beats trying to be a lone hero.

9. Outriders

OUTRIDERS Gameplay Demo 12 Minutes 4K 60FPS

Join a squad of three others as super-powered humans battling aliens on a strange planet. This loot-focused shooter has you taking on the main story or special expeditions together.

Each class, like the fire-wielding Pyromancer, has special skills that work well with teammates. You all get good gear when enemies drop loot, but watch out , you can accidentally hurt each other.

10. Remnant 2

Adventure with one or two friends through ever-changing worlds filled with creepy, otherworldly monsters. This challenging shooter mixes tough combat with fun. Playing together changes how many enemies appear and what loot you find, encouraging you to try different character builds.

One player might hold the line while others target weak spots from a distance. Unlocking special character types creates powerful teamwork effects, turning difficult sections into satisfying victories.

Competitive And High-Stakes PvP

11. Rocket League

Picture soccer, but you're driving rocket-powered cars. It’s super easy to jump in and have fun right away , just hit the ball and score. But getting really good takes serious practice.

Top players pull off wild aerial tricks and fancy ball control that looks impossible. It’s free to start, works on any console or PC, and the player base is huge worldwide. The developers keep things fresh with new fields to play on and special competitive modes added regularly.

12. Call Of Duty - Black Ops 6

This shooter shakes things up with smoother movement. You can sprint and slide in any direction instantly, making matches feel faster and more intense. Settings help newcomers learn without feeling overwhelmed, while veterans get deeper tactical options.

Jump in at launch with sixteen new maps , twelve built for classic 6-on-6 team fights, and four perfect for quick 2-on-2 duels. Plus, you can rewatch your matches from any angle using the returning theater mode in gameplay, great for spotting what went right or wrong.

13. Apex Legends

This free battle royale has you teaming up in squads of two or three. Pick a special character called a Legend with special skills that fit your style. The real magic is how easy it is to work together.

Just point at anything, enemies, weapons, objectives and your teammates instantly know what you mean, no voice chat needed. It cuts through the usual online chaos. Test your skills fairly in ranked matches against players at your level, where your rank goes up or down based on how well you actually play.

14. Mortal Kombat 1

This fighting game adds a fresh layer with its Kameo system. Pick a main fighter plus a secondary character who jumps in to help during battles. This opens up crazy new combo possibilities and lets you cover your main fighter's weaknesses.

But not everyone loves it. Some players feel certain main characters seem less complete without their Kameo, and a few support moves create situations that feel unfair or frustrating.

15. Tekken 8

Tekken shakes up its famous fighting style with the Heat System. Go on the offensive aggressively and you'll build up the chance to enter a powered-up state once per round.

This unlocks stronger attacks and boosts, but it’s a smart choice you make tactically, attacking or defending. With 32 different fighters to master and a dedicated online lounge just for serious matches, it’s built for competitive play.

16. Fall Guys

Don't let the cute beans fool you – this is pure, chaotic competition. Up to 32 players race through wacky obstacle courses and mini-games, with only one winner standing at the end.

It’s free to play, works across all major platforms, and stays exciting because every season brings a whole new theme – new courses, fresh challenges, and fun costumes. It’s the perfect mix of easy fun and "I need to win this one" tension.

17. Rainbow Six Siege

This tactical shooter is all about smart teamwork in 5-on-5 matches. Attackers try to complete an objective, while defenders try to stop them and almost everything in the environment can be blown apart.

You can jump into casual Quick Play or basic modes for free, but unlocking the full competitive Ranked experience and all the specialist operators requires buying the game. This keeps the player pool large while supporting the dedicated community that plays seriously.

Shared-World Social Sandboxes

18. Sea Of Thieves

The Best Way to Play Sea of Thieves

Pirate adventures on the high seas, but you share the ocean with real people. There are no fixed jobs like captain or cook. You decide on the spot, team up with that other ship, race them or try to sink them.

The best moments come from totally unplanned encounters like helping strangers fight off a sea monster or getting chased after stealing someone's treasure chest. Players often say the real fun is just who you meet out there.

19. Minecraft

This is the classic world of blocks. You can play alone, but it shines with friends. Jump into Creative Mode to build amazing castles, cities or even working computers with unlimited blocks.

Or switch to Survival Mode where you need to find food, mine resources and stay safe from monsters at night. The beauty is switching between these freely. One day your group might design a huge castle together. The next, you're all gathering wood and fighting zombies as a team.

20. Forza Horizon 5

FORZA HORIZON 5 New Gameplay Demo 4K 60FPS

The huge map of Mexico is there just for driving around, enjoying the scenery. Grab your friends, form a convoy, and cruise together. You can invent little stories, one person plays taxi driver, another acts as police or you just go through hidden roads.

Plus, you can build your own races or challenges using the EventLab tools and share them. It turns the whole world into your personal playground.

Read Also: Top Interactive Learning Games That Make Education Fun

21. No Man's Sky

Fly through billions of planets alone, but you can meet friends out there. You might build a base together on a weird alien world, share cool discoveries like rare creatures, or just visit each other's bases.

The main story missions aren't always easy to do as a team since they might send you to different star systems. But finding something amazing and shouting "Hey, come see this" is a huge part of why people play together.

22. Stardew Valley

Run a farm with your friends. You share the land, the crops, and the animals. But each person has their own tools, energy, and even their own friendships with the town folks. You decide if money is pooled together or kept separate.

The farm layout actually works better for groups. The real fun comes from splitting up the work, one person tends crops, another mines for ore, someone else takes care of the cows. Doing it together makes the daily farm chores feel like a real team effort.

23. Street Fighter 6

Learn the ropes with 18 classic fighters in this fresh take on the series. A new move system lets you push hard on opponents or perfectly block their attacks.

Play serious ranked matches online, jump into casual lobbies with friends, or create your own custom fighter look. The solo World Tour mode helps beginners pick up the basics, so you can jump into competitive fights feeling ready.

24. Overwatch 2

Team up in fast 5v5 battles where everyone picks a role tank, damage, or support – to win objectives together. Choose from over 40 heroes, each with cool skills like Reinhardt’s big shield or Tracer’s quick teleport.

Play modes like Push or Control, get new heroes and maps regularly, and jump into games fast with cross-play. Climb the ranks or watch top players compete in big esports events.

25. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Gather up to eight players for wild brawls across moving stages packed with crazy items and help from other characters. Pick from more than 80 fighters straight from Nintendo’s history.

Play anywhereat home with friends using local rules, or online in tournaments. Use motion controls for fun or plug in classic GameCube controllersfor serious competition. Perfect for game nights or skillful matches.

26. For Honor

Fight fiercely as knights, vikings or samurai in close combat that feels super real. Block attacks from specific directions and trick opponents with fake moves. Work with your team in 4v4 battles to capture points, or test your solo skills in ranked duels.

Your choices in the ongoing faction war affect your progress, unlocking new gear and flashy finishers as you play. It’s a special fighter with a bold, historical edge.

The Best Of Local And Party Play

27. Kitchen Mayhem - Overcooked

Grab up to three friends for pure kitchen pandemonium. Orders fly in fast. Someone chops veggies, another flips burgers, someone tries to plate it all. You'll be yelling "Tomatoes over here" while the soup catches fire.

It’s total chaos where constant chatter is your only hope. Yeah, you might bicker about who forgot the salt, but that’s the fun part. When the timer stops and the kitchen looks like a war zone, you'll be laughing harder than if you actually won. It’s the shared disaster that makes it special.

28. Baldur's Gate 3

Ain't No Party Like a Goblin Party - Baldur's Gate 3 Honor Mode Walkthrough Ep. 20 [Dark Urge Bard]

This big fantasy game lets two players team up on one screen. You don’t have to stay glued together. One of you can sneak through a dark cave while the other talks to a wizard across town.

When you meet back up, the game just merges you back into the same adventure. You see each other’s big story moments and even help pick what your characters say. It feels like you’re building the story side-by-side, not just following along.

29. Streets Of Rage 4

Relive those old side-scrolling brawlers where you punch endless bad guys, but way better with friends. Up to four people can jump in locally. The real joy is the team combo meter, you keep it building by working together, setting each other up for huge moves.

You might accidentally knock your buddy off a cliff , friendly fire is on. With its smooth cartoon look and amazing music, it’s made for passing controllers and high-fives.

30. Human Fall Flat

Control a silly, floppy character trying to solve puzzles. Grabbing ledges, swinging on ropes, throwing boxes, everything feels slippery and unpredictable. Now picture doing this with up to seven other people.

Someone might pull a lever too soon, or the whole group could tumble off a cliff trying to climb a wall. The fun comes from the crazy, unplanned moments when everyone figures things out together.

31. Gang Beasts

Think of this as a silly fight club where physics rules. Players wobble around weird places like giant cakes or floating islands, trying to shove each other off.

Punching and grabbing feels deliberately clumsy, leading to wild, unexpected tumbles. One second you're winning, the next you're tangled with a friend, both falling off the edge. You'll be howling with laughter.

32. Jackbox Party Pack

Jackbox Party Pack 6 Gameplay Review (5 Games)

Up to eight players use their phones as controllers for trivia, drawing games and crazy quizzes. Games like Quiplash give you hilarious prompts to answer, while Tee K.O. turns your doodles into T-shirt designs. No extra controllers needed, perfect for big groups where quick jokes and shared laughs drive the fun.

33. Super Mario Party Jamboree

Roll dice on colorful boards with up to four players. Mini-games test your skills with motion controls like hammer throws or rail races.

Choosing paths and using item shops adds smart choices to the luck. Online play extends the local fun. It’s a bright, cheerful return to Mario’s party roots, mixing competition and teamwork for family fun.

34. Sackboy - A Big Adventure

If you're hunting for the best adventure puzzle games for PC and console players, this one’s a standout. Jump through imaginative handmade worlds with up to four friends right beside you on the couch. Stack Sackboys to crack clever puzzles or team up against huge bosses that’ll have you laughing through the chaos.

Swap costumes on the fly and go into fresh levels that keep ideas flowing. Easy restarts get you back in the action fast, turning every challenge into a lighthearted group victory. It’s the kind of game where teamwork feels effortless and every moment sparks joy.

Loot-Driven And RPG-Centric Multiplayer

35. Diablo IV

Diablo IV is built for playing with others, especially when tackling dungeons and hunting monsters. One smart move they made is making all loot personal. What you find stays yours, no one else can snatch your best legendary gear.

To get you grouping up, the game gives small rewards like extra experience points when you stay close to your party members. It’s a smooth way to team up without the usual loot fights.

36. Borderlands 3 & Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

These games tackle the "loot ninja" problem head-on by letting your group pick how loot works. You’ve got two clear choices. Pick "Cooperation" mode and everyone sees their own personal loot drops. Enemies also adjust to each player’s level, so it’s fair for all.

Or go for "Coopetition" mode if you like friendly competition, here, loot drops for everyone to grab, and enemies match the host’s strength. This setup works if your group wants pure teamwork or a bit of playful search for the best gear.

37. Elden Ring

Elden Ring handles multiplayer differently. You don’t run around the world together constantly. Instead, players get pulled in temporarily to help with tough spots, mostly boss fights.

To make this happen, you activate special markers and use items to either leave a sign asking for help or see signs from others needing help. This means you jump into someone else’s world for a quick, high-pressure battle, then go your separate ways. It’s cooperative, but only for those critical moments.

38. The Division 2

The Division 2 mixes shooter action with RPG elements. While the main story and standard co-op missions focus on fighting AI enemies, the Dark Zones change everything.

These are walled-off areas in Washington D.C. where other players can turn on you at any second. You’re hunting valuable loot, but so are they – and they might shoot you to take it. It’s tense, unpredictable, and keeps you watching your back constantly.

39. Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV is all about structured group play. Key activities like dungeons ("duties") and major boss battles ("raids") need teams of four to eight players. Everyone must fill a specific role. Tank (absorbs damage), Healer (keeps everyone alive) or Damage Dealer (DPS).

The game makes finding a group easy with its Duty Finder and Party Finder tools. They automatically match players by role and experience level, so you can jump into any challenge without the headache of organizing a team yourself.

40. Path Of Exile 2

PATH OF EXILE 2 New Gameplay Demo 18 Minutes 8K

Path of Exile 2 drops you into a fantasy world where you can team up with up to five others. Get into crafting powerful character builds using a huge skill tree, all while hunting rare gear.

Special "Delirium" encounters throw wild challenges at your group, ramping up the difficulty but offering special rewards. It’s free to play, with regular seasonal content pushing deep endgame strategies. Success comes from smart team coordination during map runs and boss fights, all driven by the hunt for better loot.

FAQs About Top Multiplayer Games For Consoles

What's The Difference Between Playing Together On The Same Couch Versus Online?

Playing on the same couch means everyone’s in one room, laughing and reacting together as you play. Online play connects you with people anywhere in the world, so you can team up with pals who live far away or meet new players globally.

How Do Games Stop Players From Fighting Over Treasure?

Games like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands let your group pick how loot works. Choose "Cooperation" mode and everyone gets their own gear drops, no snatching allowed. Enemies also adjust to each person’s level, so it’s fair for all.

What Makes A Co-op Game Different From An Open-world Sandbox?

Co-op games push you to work together on a clear goal, like beating a tough boss or solving a puzzle you couldn’t handle alone. Sandbox games like Sea of Thieves or Minecraft give you tools and space to create your own fun building bases or messing around with friends without a set mission.

How Does Multiplayer Work In A Solo-focused Game Like Elden Ring?

Elden Ring doesn’t let you roam the world together constantly. Instead, you can call in a friend for quick help on hard boss fights. Drop a sign near a special statue and someone else can pop into your game just for that battle. Once the boss is down or you both die, you go back to playing solo.

How Do Free Games Keep So Many Players Playing?

Games like Apex Legends or Fall Guys stay free to download, so anyone can jump in. They’re easy to start but hard to master new players won’t feel lost, but veterans keep coming back to improve.

Can Players Make Their Own Levels Or Challenges?

Games like Halo Infinite give you full editing tools to build custom maps, game modes, or wild new rules, almost like being a developer. Forza Horizon 5 lets you design your own races and stunts to share with friends.

Final Thoughts

Console multiplayer gaming has grown into a big, varied world. The real hits are games that get how people like to play together. Some build tight co-op stories, others offer ever-changing competitive play and some give players total freedom to create their own fun.

Games focusing on the player, working across all devices and using different ways to make money will keep leading the way. The future is all about connected social play. The best games will use tech in smart ways to bring people together.

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