Best Games to Play With Friends in 2026 — Online & Local

Why Playing With Friends Still Matters

Solo gaming is great, but nothing beats the chaos of playing alongside people you know. Whether you are crammed on a couch or linked up across continents, the right game transforms a casual hangout into a lasting memory. In 2026, the options are better than ever — cross-play has erased platform walls, mobile gaming has made everyone a potential teammate, and the indie scene keeps delivering gems that punch well above their weight. Here are 20 games that reliably deliver when you load them up with friends.

Online Multiplayer — PC & Console

1. Fortnite (Free — PC, Console, Mobile)

Epic's battle royale titan is still the easiest entry point for mixed-skill friend groups. The zero-cost barrier means no one is left out, and the constant content updates give you new things to talk about every few weeks. Squad mode (up to 4 players) is where the real fun lives.

2. Helldivers 2 (PC, PS5)

The runaway hit of 2024 that keeps delivering in 2026. Dropping into chaotic bug-hunting missions with three friends, friendly-fire fully on, is one of the most laugh-out-loud experiences in co-op gaming. The galactic war meta adds a community layer that keeps sessions feeling purposeful.

3. Baldur's Gate 3 (PC, Console)

Larian's RPG masterpiece supports up to 4-player co-op through its entire campaign. Playing through the story with friends, watching your choices collide and contradict each other, is the closest a video game has come to running a tabletop campaign. Budget 200+ hours minimum.

4. Apex Legends (Free — PC, Console, Mobile)

If your friend group leans competitive, Apex is the premier squad shooter. Its movement system has a high ceiling that rewards practice, and the legend roster means every player can find a role that suits their style.

5. Valorant (Free — PC)

Riot's tactical shooter has become the go-to 5v5 game for friend groups who take aim seriously. Agent abilities add strategic depth beyond pure gunplay, and the ranked mode gives competitive friend groups a shared ladder to climb.

6. Deep Rock Galactic (PC, Console)

Four dwarves, infinite caves, and enough bugs to fill a nightmare. Deep Rock Galactic's co-op loop — mine, fight, extract — sounds simple but creates genuine teamwork moments. The classes complement each other perfectly, making every loadout feel deliberate.

7. Overcooked! All You Can Eat (PC, Console, Mobile)

No game tests friendships quite like Overcooked. Coordinating a chaotic kitchen with friends who all have different ideas about task priority is equal parts hilarious and infuriating. The All You Can Eat bundle includes both games plus all DLC, making it exceptional value.

8. Sea of Thieves (PC, Xbox, available on PS5)

Microsoft's shared-world pirate adventure remains unmatched for emergent storytelling. Sailing a ship with friends, engaging in naval battles, and deciding on the fly whether to trust or betray that other crew you just met — there is no scripted game that can replicate it.

Local Multiplayer — Couch Co-op & Party Games

9. It Takes Two (PC, Console)

Josef Fares' co-op masterpiece won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 and remains the gold standard for two-player experiences. Each chapter introduces an entirely new mechanic, keeping the 12-hour campaign perpetually surprising. The Friend's Pass lets one person play without buying a second copy.

10. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)

The evergreen party game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports 4 players locally on one Switch, and online for up to 12. The balance between skill and chaos — the Blue Shell still causes arguments — makes it accessible regardless of gaming experience.

11. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo Switch)

Eighty-nine playable characters covering decades of gaming history. Smash Ultimate's local multiplayer is still the fastest way to turn a living room into a competitive arena. The stock mode suits serious players; the chaotic items-on brawl mode suits everyone else.

12. Jackbox Party Packs (PC, Console, Mobile)

Jackbox games use phones as controllers, eliminating any hardware barrier for new players. Quiplash, Drawful, and Trivia Murder Party are the perennial favourites, but each new pack delivers at least two or three reliable hits. Perfect for mixed gaming/non-gaming groups.

13. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (PC, Console)

Pure beat-em-up nostalgia executed with modern polish. Up to 6 players can brawl through levels together, and the campaign is short enough (around 2-3 hours) to complete in a single session. Revisiting childhood with friends does not get much better.

Mobile — Play Anywhere

14. Among Us (Free — PC, Console, Mobile)

The social deduction phenomenon hasn't faded — it's just migrated into steady rotation rather than viral frenzy. Among Us works in any setting where you can group-call, and the cross-play means everyone can join regardless of device. Still one of the sharpest free games available.

15. Pokémon GO (Free — Mobile)

Walking around a city to raid legendary Pokémon with friends is genuinely fun in 2026. Niantic has expanded the social features significantly, and the seasonal event calendar gives friend groups regular reasons to meet up in the real world.

16. PUBG Mobile (Free — Mobile)

The mobile adaptation of the original battle royale remains technically impressive and free. Squad matches with friends work smoothly even on mid-range devices, and the graphic settings scale generously for older phones.

17. Clash Royale (Free — Mobile)

For friend groups who enjoy head-to-head competition, Clash Royale's 2v2 mode is a constant draw. The clan system makes it easy to stay connected, and the game's age means the meta is deep enough to be interesting without being impenetrable.

Hidden Gems Worth Knowing

18. Lethal Company (PC)

The lo-fi horror co-op that took streaming by storm in late 2023. Your crew explores abandoned moons collecting scrap for a faceless corporation while genuinely terrifying creatures patrol the dark. The horror is sharpest when something goes wrong and you have to decide whether to rescue a teammate or cut your losses.

19. Phasmophobia (PC)

Ghost hunting as a team, each member managing different equipment, piecing together clues in increasingly hostile environments. Phasmophobia's horror is collaborative rather than individual, making it perfect for groups who want to be scared together rather than alone.

20. Stardew Valley (PC, Console, Mobile)

Up to 4 players can share a farm in the multiplayer mode. Stardew Valley's co-op is slower and more contemplative than everything else on this list, which is exactly why it belongs here. Some of the best friend gaming sessions aren't about competing — they're about building something together.

How to Pick the Right Game for Your Group

Before loading up anything, answer three questions: How competitive is the group? How much time do you have? Does everyone own the same hardware? For mixed-hardware groups, Fortnite, Among Us, and Jackbox remove all friction. For serious players with time to invest, Baldur's Gate 3 or Sea of Thieves reward commitment. For quick sessions, Mario Kart and Smash are perennially reliable. The best game is the one every person at the table actually wants to play.