The 33 best multiplayer video games to play while staying at home

Read Time:10 Minute, 4 Second

By Nick Schwartz | April 3, 2020 7:07 pm ET

Earlier this week, we shared our picks of the 28 best single-player games to play while we all stay at home to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. If you prefer a bit of friendly competition, though, we’ve got you covered.

From the best Battle Royale games in 2020, to the top sports simulations, and everything in between, here are 33 of our favorite multiplayer video games to dive into while you’re stuck at home, with picks for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Many of these games are free to play, so if you’ve got any one of those consoles or a PC, there’s going to be something for you!

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1. Call of Duty: Warzone
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Call of Duty’s second attempt at the Battle Royale genre has turned into a smash hit, as the game is a much more enjoyable blend of classic COD multiplayer action and BR mechanics. Best of all? It’s free. Share

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2. Fortnite
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Fortnite has, for now, been supplanted at the top of the Battle Royale heap, but if you prefer a more cartoony look or you just enjoy frantically building structures, Fortnite is for you. Share

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3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Platforms: Switch
The biggest and best Smash Bros. entry yet, with great online or local multiplayer play. Share

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4. Rocket League
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Turbo-charged car soccer. If that doesn’t sound awesome already, I’m not sure what to tell you. Share

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5. Teamfight Tactics
Platforms: PC, Mobile
A League of Legends themed auto-battler that is accessible, deep, addiciting and free. Side note: League of Legends is also great on its own, but only if you’re prepared to spend a LOT of hours learning the game. Share

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6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Platforms: Switch
The best Mario Kart yet plays very well online with others. Share

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7. Apex Legends
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Another excellent free-to-play Battle Royale option. Share

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8. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
If you’re looking for a slower-paced and slightly more relistic Battle Royale option, PUBG is for you. Share

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9. FIFA 20
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
FIFA 20 has a wealth of multiplayer options, from various friendly options, to co-op seasons, to grindy Ultimate Team modes. Share

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10. NBA 2K20
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
The best (and only) basketball sim around, with plenty of options for regular online games, seasons, or park play. Share

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11. Madden NFL 20
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
It may be a while before we see actual on-field action, but you could always create or download the current draft class to get a head-start on Madden 21. Share

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12. Overwatch
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
A beloved hero-based shooter, but brace for the potential online toxicity. Share

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13. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platforms: Switch
Animal Crossing is primarily a single-player game, but it’s made much more enjoyable by interacting with your friends online. Visit their island, hang out together, send each other presents and live the good life. Share

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14. Overcooked 2
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
A brilliant cooking simulator that demands multiple players work in harmony to produce various dishes on a deadline. Great for in-home team building, or potentially for starting fights. Share

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15. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
A unique shooter MMO with plenty of normal arena multiplayer modes on offer, Destiny 2 is at its best when you’re playing with friends. If you can get three or four to start with you, you’ll have a blast. Share

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16. Tom Clancy’s Rainbox Six Siege
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
A deep, tactics-focused FPS where teamwork is paramount. Share

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17. World of Warcraft
Platforms: PC
It’s one of the better times to revisit WoW if you’re an old player, or start the journey for the first time if you’ve never played it. The newest expansion for modern WoW is set to release sometime in 2020, but a subscription also grants you access to WoW Classic if you prefer the OG MMO experience. Share

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18. Mario Party
Platforms: Switch
A great couch party game for up to four players, but sadly with no online play. Share

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19. Sea of Thieves
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Role play as a pirate! Definitely best expeirenced with a few friends you know. Share

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20. A Way Out
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
A brilliant two-person co-op experience where you work together with another player to break out of prison. Share

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21. Minecraft
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, phones and tablets
Mine and craft to your heart’s content alone or with pals. Share

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22. Grand Theft Auto V
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Rockstar is still adding new things to do in GTAV Online, which now has heists, a casino, and most recently, open-wheel racing. Share

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23. Red Dead Redemption 2
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Or if you prefer your GTA-style game in a jaw-dropping western setting, Red Dead Online has made some major strides since launch. Share

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24. Borderlands 3
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Borderlands 3 offers some of the best campaign co-op you can find in 2020. Share

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25. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Platforms: PC
On the PC side, there’s no better FPS than CS:GO. Share

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26. iRacing
Platforms: PC
You’ll need to invest in a wheel and pedals, but if you love racing games, there’s no better or more realistic online experience. Share

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27. Any Jackbox Party Pack
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Phones/Tablets
The GOAT party games, which allow for long-distance multiplayer with your friends using smart devices as controllers. Each party pack offers a different lineup of games, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Share

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28. Mortal Kombat 11
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
All the gloriously over-the-top violent fighting action you could want. Share

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29. Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
… Or, if you want to avoid all the ridiculous gore of Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter Share

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30. Final Fantasy XIV
Platforms: PS4, PC
If you’re a Final Fantasy fan who has never ventured into an MMO, FFXIV is a very accessible and highly polished entry that can be enjoyed solo or along with other people. Share

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31. Magic: The Gathering Arena
Platforms: PC
There are countless free-to-play card games vying for your attention, but my favorite of the bunch is Magic: Arena, which successfully made arguably the greatest collectible card game created more accessible than ever. Also consider: Legends of Runeterra. Share

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32. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
This game had a troubled launch, but has since been fixed and is being revamped for PC. If you want to re-live the Halo 2 and 3 glory days, or play though all the campaigns with a friend, it’s all here. Share

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33. The Division 2
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
An online shooter RPG set in a beautifully imaged post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. Playing online with friends is essential to your enjoyment. Share

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