Updated November 2026. The best multiplayer game depends on how many friends you have, whether you are in the same room or online, and how competitive the group is. This list is organized that way, with games that have stayed popular for years alongside newer hits, and notes on cross-play so friends on different devices can join.
Quick picks
| If your group wants… | Play | Players |
|---|---|---|
| A story you play together, two players | Split Fiction or It Takes Two | 2 |
| Chaotic cooking teamwork on one couch | Overcooked! 2 | 1–4 |
| A relaxed, open-ended world to build in | Minecraft or Stardew Valley | 2–8+ |
| Party games where only one person owns the game | Jackbox Party Packs | 3–8+ |
| A big group in a team shooter | Fortnite or Helldivers 2 | 2–4 per squad |
| Cheap, hilarious online horror with friends | Lethal Company, R.E.P.O. or Peak | 2–4+ |
| Kart racing on Nintendo Switch 2 | Mario Kart World | 1–4 local, more online |
Best co-op games for two
- Split Fiction (2025) and It Takes Two (2021) are built entirely around two players working together, each with different abilities. Both support a Friend’s Pass, so only one person needs to buy the game to play online together.
- Portal 2‘s co-op campaign is still one of the best puzzle games for two, and it runs on almost any PC.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 supports up to four players in a full campaign, ideal for a group that likes story and tactics.
Best couch and party games
- Overcooked! 2: short, frantic kitchen levels that reward communication and produce a lot of shouting.
- Jackbox Party Packs: drawing, trivia and bluffing games where everyone plays on their own phone through a browser. Only the host needs to own the game, which makes it great for gatherings.
- Mario Kart World and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo households.
Best games for building and hanging out
- Minecraft: still the default sandbox for friends of any age, with cross-play between consoles, PC and mobile in the Bedrock edition.
- Stardew Valley: a calm farming game with co-op for up to eight players.
- Valheim: Viking survival and base building, best with three to five players on a shared server.
Best team action games
- Fortnite: free to play with full cross-play, and its building, battle royale and creative modes give groups plenty of variety.
- Helldivers 2: four-player co-op shooter where friendly fire and teamwork are the point.
- Deep Rock Galactic: four dwarves mining and fighting through caves, with one of the friendliest communities in gaming.
- Rocket League: soccer with rocket-powered cars, free to play with cross-play.
Best cheap online games for a laugh
A wave of low-cost indie co-op games has become a favourite for groups of friends: Lethal Company, R.E.P.O. and Peak are inexpensive, run on modest PCs, and rely on proximity voice chat for much of their comedy. Among Us is still a good choice for larger groups.
Tips for playing with friends in Canada
- Check cross-play before buying, so friends on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and PC can actually play together.
- Check online subscriptions. Online play on consoles usually needs PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate, or Nintendo Switch Online. Free-to-play games such as Fortnite and Rocket League are the exception on most platforms.
- Mind the latency. Playing with friends overseas works best in co-op games; fast competitive games feel worse at high ping.
- Look for sales. Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox and Nintendo eShop all run regular sales, and many of the games above drop well below full price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free multiplayer game? Fortnite and Rocket League, both free with cross-play on all major platforms.
What can we play if only one person owns the game? Jackbox Party Packs, and Split Fiction or It Takes Two with the Friend’s Pass.
What is the best game for a group of eight or more? Jackbox, Among Us or Minecraft on a shared server.
