So, get jotting down our list of 50 (yes, five-zero) top-tier multiplayer games for a system near you and get downloading, playing and winning in no time!

Oh, and we’ve even broken them down into categories for you, too, because we’re cute like that…
 

1. Frantics

Available to play on PlayStation 4 and Android

Fifteen utterly bizarre (but brilliant) minigames await the four players mad enough to give this cracking party game a go. Hilarious customisable characters and no shortage of carnage/weirdness lie in store. It’s a good time waiting to happen, basically.

2. Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes

Available to play on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Android and iOS

Communication is key to this one. One person has the means of deactivating a bomb – but the other players have the manual needed for them to do so… and therein lies the problem (depending on your friendship group, anyway). Funny and infuriating in equal measure, this is an insanely entertaining game. Just remember to have a lie down afterwards.

3. The Jackbox Party Pack 6

Available to play on Mac, PC and Android

If you like game shows, you’ll like this game. If you like game shows and are convinced that you’re far, far funnier than your friends, then you’ll love this game. Five hilarious minigames allow groups from two to ten players to compete in increasingly nonsensical challenges that are sure to have you all rolling on the floor laughing. The best kind of weird.

4. Overcooked! 2

Available to play on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Mac and PC

If you and your mates’ shared passion for Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares has you plotting your own restaurant endeavour, then allow Overcooked! 2 to shatter those dreams. Teams of up to four players must prepare, cook and send out orders to customers in a series of surreal restaurants. Sounds simple? Ohh, just wait. You haven’t known stress until you play Overcooked!

5. Nidhogg II

Available to play on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac

We love Nidhogg. Why? Because the goal is simple: get from one side of the map to the other, and get past your friend to do so. From throwing knives at them, whacking them with a sword, hitting them with arrows or steaming past them like an Olympic fencer, every match is a riot of violence, stupidity, and fun. Well worth a try.

6. Super Mario Party

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

Yes, everyone’s favourite cartoon Italian plumber-slash-gaming icon is back with another set of mind-blowingly addictive party games for you and your mates. And, with this latest offering on the Switch, he and his plethora of pals have never looked better.

7. Houseparty

Available on iOS, Android and Mac

It’s just you, your mates, and the simple pleasure of ripping into them (and being ripped into, of course) or, if you’re a normal human being, having a nice chat over Houseparty’s brilliantly simple app. But hit up the dice icon on the top of the screen for games including Quick Draw and Christmas classic Heads Up.

8. Snipperclips

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

When out-and-out competitiveness threatens to turn your mates against one another, this brain-tickler of a puzzle game that has you working together to solve a number of cute and colourful puzzles should help to mend those rifts.

9. Uno

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS and Mac

If, like us, your set of IRL Uno cards were lost in a freak boating accident back in 1993, then this equally amazing video game version is a more than suitable substitute.

10. Super Mario Maker 2

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

Challenging as even the toughest of Super Mario levels may be, the sheer number of player-made courses in Super Mario Maker 2 is astounding. From easy paths for beginners to mind-boggling platforming mazes for Mario pros, Super Mario Maker 2 is sure to reveal who is the best amongst your friends. Oh, and you can build courses of your own, too. Amazing.

11. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

Available to play on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

There is, quite simply, no better way to ruin a long-lasting friendship than obliterating your mate in a cartoon kart-racing game. With this 2019 reboot of the PS1 classic, doing just that has never been so fun. Gorgeous visuals, intuitive controls and forgiving yet ferocious racing ensure this is one of those games you can lose entire evenings to. Ridiculously good.

12. Push Me Pull You

Available to play on PS4, PC and Mac

Things get freaky with this one. Before they wowed the world with Untitled Goose Game, developers House House had people rolling, pulling and pushing one another with this bizarre party game that sees two sausage-like “people” (each controlled by two players) try to push, pull and wrestle a small ball into a circle to score points. It’s like football but far weirder and, well, not remotely like football.

13. 51 Worldwide Games

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

In a game that does exactly what it says on the tin, this handy little title offers up a jaw-dropping 51 separate card, board and parlour games to enjoy.

14. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

Mario really is the OG of party games… and yes, you’re right, this technically isn’t a party game, but shut up. It might as well be for the trust-ruining rifts it can open up between friends. If you think you know someone, just wait until they send a blue shell careering into your rear as you race around beautifully designed tracks. There’s no telling to how many laughs are to be had with this one.

15. Mario Kart Tour

Available to play on Android and iOS

A Mario Kart game… on mobile?! Indeed, this is in fact a thing. And if you haven’t yet given it a go, then you’re well and truly missing out. Think classic Mario Kart fun in the palm of your hand, and you’ve a good idea of what to expect.

16. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

It took the world by storm in 2020, and deservedly so. From creating your own utopias or checking out those built by friends, catching 14,000 sea bass or customising your own “fire” wardrobe of threads, there’s plenty to do, so many people to do things with, and soooo much time to do it all in. Again, you’ll lose hours to this one. But is that such a bad thing?

17. Minecraft

Available to play on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC, iOS and Android 

Minecraft couldn’t be a more apt, calming way to spend time with friends you haven’t seen for some time. Its twinkly soundtrack and pleasing gameplay combine to create one of the most calming gaming experiences any group of friends can have… unless you take a certain satisfaction in blowing up your mates’ creations with copious amounts of dynamite. In which case, it’s still pretty fun.

18. Sea Of Thieves

Available to play on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S

Either form a crew of treasure-stealing pirates with mates or individually sail the seas as a warring band of, well, pirate enemies, in this bonkers but truly brilliant open-world action-adventure title from Rare. Easily remains one of the best, most enjoyable experiences you can have on a console.

19. Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

Available to play on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S

For those too frightened to sail the seven the seas, then you can always take to the skies with Microsoft’s latest (and undoubtedly greatest) flight sim. Fly in formation with friends across the world or prove a problematic air traffic controller as they try to “butter the bread” at Heathrow. Some serious fun is to be had, with this game. Read more on it here!

20. SnowRunner

Available to play on PC, PS4 and Xbox One

A slow-burner with the potential to suddenly turn incredibly tense, SnowRunner works on every level. From the single-player campaign to riotous (if quite slow) expeditions with friends online, who knew navigating tough, snowy trails in a plethora of off-roaders could be so darn addictive?

21. Destiny 2

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Stadia

This stellar sequel to the action-RPG masterclass that was Destiny is an absolute blast to enjoy with friends. If you can cobble together a good group of mates, there is a smorgasbord of planets for you all to investigate, plunder, explore and do battle on in this ma-hoo-sive sci-fi smash-hit.

22. Minecraft Dungeons

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch

Mincecraft’s trademark open-world gameplay gained a dungeon-crawler revamp with this spin-off title that sees players either individually or co-operatively adventuring their way through countless procedurally generated caves, dungeons, dwellings and landscapes. Finding treasure, weapons, and preventing an evil force from taking over the land is the aim of the game. Great stuff. Read all about it here!

23. Among Us

Available to play on PC, Android and iOS

This 2018 indie title suddenly shot into the gaming stratosphere in 2020, creating suspicion-induced rifts between friends as each player scurries through a space station looking to complete tasks and, they hope, find the imposters tasked with killing the rest of the crew. Lying to your friends has never been so much fun.

24. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Available to play on PC and PS4

If you’ve ever watched Takeshi’s Castle and thought, “If only there were a loud, colourful, cartoonish game equivalent of it that I could play with (or against) my mates…?” Well, enter Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. It’s mental, but boy is it fun.

25. Agar.io

Available to play on browsers, Android and iOS

Correct – this one can be played on a browser! So, as well as enjoying one of the most infuriatingly competitive gaming experiences you can (in which you, quite simply, start as a small blob amongst many and try to become the biggest blob in town by absorbing all the other blobs… it’s honestly far better than it sounds), with friends, you can also revert back to your 14-year old self by sneakily playing games in one tab whilst ignoring all the work you should be doing in the other!

26. Splatoon 2

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

In another game that be enjoyed co-operatively with mates or pit you against one another like modern-day Gladiators… (OK, maybe not), Splatoon 2’s madcap, platforming/PVP gameplay sees you attempt to cover (or splat) maps with your chosen colour of paint and is an absolute blast.

27. Fortnite: Battle Royale

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and Mac

This one you’ve probably heard of. Another title in which you can easily band together with or infuriate your friends, the main aim is to survive an encroaching storm and be the last person standing in an initial lobby of 100.

28. Outriders

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Stadia

Imagine a strange, multiparented lovechild of Mass Effect, Destiny, Gears Of War and Borderlands and you’ve got a slightly weird but half-decent idea of what this third-person sci-fi RPG has to offer, as you attempt to save humanity’s future and investigate a mysterious, storm-ridden alien planet. Missions can be played co-operatively or on your own, and the PVP elements are well worth a look.

29. League Of Legends

Available to play on PC and Mac

Chances are you’ve heard of League Of Legends before, but never dipped into it. If so, then that needs to be rectified now. No really, we mean right now. As online battle arenas go, this is pretty much the best… ever. Tense, tactical and oh-so addictive, perfect for enjoying with mates.

30. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Since its release in 2015, Siege has been an absolute smash-hit with gamers. And for good reason. Its edge-of-your-seat tension and infuriating yet gratifying realism make it a perfect test for a tight-knit group of gaming friends as they attack and defend objectives… or trap one another in that part of the “Presidential Plane” map.

31. Dead By Daylight

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, Android and iOS

Smash-hit horror flicks like Halloween and Evil Dead are given a serious nod of inspiration with this ingenious multiplayer survival horror game that pits one uber powerful “killer” against a group of survivors who look to evade their clutches and make it out of the maze-like maps alive. So, so good.

32. Gang Beasts

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mac and Wii U

If there’s a more satisfyingly harmless but slightly violent way to vent some of those good ol’ friendly frustrations than Gang Beasts, in which you kick, punch, throw and generally duke it out as soft, cuddly “beasts” in various environments, we haven’t heard of it.

33. Anthem

Available to play on PC, PS4 and Xbox One

Much like Destiny, Anthem sees you explore futuristic planets alongside your pals and embark on all manner of adventures and action-packed missions, all while wearing ridiculously cool-looking exosuits, too.

34. Valorant

Available to play on PC

Effectively a combo of Overwatch’s cartoonish characters and abilities and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s tactical gameplay, maps and realistic weapons, Valorant is fast, fun, action-packed and incredibly enjoyable as you and a team of friends attack, defend and leg it between objectives whilst blasting the other team way. Speaking of Counter-Strike…

35. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Available to play on PC, PS3 and Mac

A true gaming golden-oldie, CS:GO took the world by storm many moons ago and remains one of the best tactical shooters on the market. Much like the aforementioned CS:GO-inspired Valorant, this title sees two teams duke it out in a multitude of tactical game modes.

36. Marvel’s Avengers

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia

As if being able to assume the role of one of your favourite world-defending comic book characters wasn’t cool enough, with Marvel’s Avengers’ Destiny-style co-op gameplay, you can do so alongside your mates, too! Find all our Marvel’s Avengers coverage here. 

37. Star Wars: Squadrons

Available to play on PC, PS4 and Xbox One

This one’s a blast. Whether you jump into its immersive single-player campaign or hop into some of its spin-tastic PVP game modes, there’s a ludicrous amount of fun to be had with Squadrons. Read everything you need to know about it here!

38. Worms W.M.D

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Mac

The latest – and potentially greatest – addition to the long-running series of tactical artillery games, W.M.D proves the franchise hasn’t lost any of its goofy, fun-filled charm.

39. PlayerUnkown’s Battlegrounds

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, iOS and Android

Effectively the title that created the battle royale craze back in the mid-2010s, PUBG takes the cloud-shrinking battle arena-type gameplay of Fortnite and gives it a realistic, pulse-racing overhaul. Fight alongside one another or hunt each other down – if you’ve never tried this with mates, do so as soon as you can.

40. Call Of Duty: Warzone

Available to play on PC, PS4 and Xbox One

Much like PUBG and Fortnite, Warzone feature the same battle royale-esque premise – in which a 100-strong army of groups or individuals duke it out to be the last one standing – but includes the fast, fluid gameplay the Call Of Duty has long been associated with.

41. Apex Legends

Available to play on PC, PS4 and Xbox One

Designed by the brains behind Titanfall and a handful of Call Of Duty titles, Apex Legends strikes an interesting middleground between the battle royale genre’s better-known (and aforementioned) franchises like Fortnite and PUBG. Stunningly quick gameplay, cartoonish characters and visceral weapons make this battle royale title a must-play if the others didn’t tickle your fancy.

42. Overwatch

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch

Take the rapid, action-packed gameplay of Team Fortress 2 and stuff it with fantastical characters and countless, game-changing abilities and you’ve a recipe for one of the best multiplayer PVP experiences out there. Luckily, that’s exactly what Blizzard has done with Overwatch. It’s great. Play it.

43. Super Smash Brothers Ultimate

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

Smash, alongside the Mario Kart series and, well, anything to do with Mario, really, has long been a fixture of Nintendo’s roster of acclaimed franchises and titles. Ultimate proved to be a more than worthy successor to its predecessors, firmly placing the Super Smash series back to the top of the fighting game rankings.

44. GTA Online

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

While many fans are crying out for Rockstar to announce GTA VI, Online remains the perfect place to wait with a group of friends until such an announcement materialises. Pull off daring heists, race F1 cars on Hot Wheels-style tracks in the sky, compete in nerve-wracking deathmatches or simply go for a walk in the mountains… There really is no shortage to what you can get up to in GTA Online.

45. Red Dead Online

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia

Much like GTA Online, Red Dead Online takes the stunningly detailed gameplay and map from Red Dead Redemption 2’s single-player campaign and transports them into the online realm. Have duels with strangers or form a posse of cowboys with your mates. Hell, sit round the campfire and retell school stories that never fail to amuse. It’s a blast, this one.

46. Rocket League

Available to play on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Mac

Literally football but with miniature cars that can hop, skip, jump and smash their way round the colourful pitch and into one another, Rocket League is a great leveller for those who could never quite get to grips with FIFA, but ache to put their footballing skills to the test.

47. Mario Tennis Aces

Available to play on Nintendo Switch

It’s impressive that, as well as being a great Mario game, Mario Tennis Aces also manages to be one of the most entertaining tennis games we’ve played in years. Cartoonish, colourful and just fun, we can’t recommend this one enough.

48. FIFA 21

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia and Nintendo Switch

The latest in the long-running FIFA series, whether it’s playing against one another on one of the many versus modes, or banding together to form your own team on Pro Clubs, this remains a must-play for any football-obsessed group of friends.

49. NBA 2K21

Available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Stadia

Much like FIFA, the 2K Games’ NBA series provides an almost unprecedented level of b-ball opportunities for like-minded mates who, while outside courts remain very much off limits, long to shoot some hoops with one another.

50. What The Golf?

Available to play on PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Mac

As you can probably tell from the above trailer, What The Golf? is many, many things, but a pure golf sim it isn’t… which we think is great. Regardless of how you and your mates feel about golf, with a game this wacky, varied and entertaining, it really doesn’t matter when you have that much fun.