Some of my favourite gaming memories come from playing alongside or against friends and family, whether it’s online or in some fun couch co-op games. Since its launch, the PlayStation 5 has built up an excellent multiplayer library that covers almost every type of experience, from competitive shooters and fighting games to cooperative RPGs and couch co-op adventures.
I’ve rounded up some of the best multiplayer PS5 games in 2026, including online, co-op, two-player, split-screen, competitive, and family-friendly options. Let’s jump into my top picks for the best multiplayer games of 2026 and a few exciting titles on the horizon.
What makes a great multiplayer PS5 game?
For me, the best multiplayer games are easy to pick up and play but offer enough depth to keep you coming back. Factors like player count, online versus local multiplayer, crossplay support, skill level, session length, and replayability are all worth considering.
If you’re considering a PlayStation 5 for your gaming setup, read the Blog’s PS5 buying guide.
Difference between co-op and competitive play
There is also an important difference between cooperative and competitive play. Games such as Helldivers 2 reward communication and teamwork, while fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 are about testing your skills against another player. Meanwhile, games like Split Fiction build the entire experience around two people working together to continue to pull back the layers of a story. Before choosing a multiplayer game, it’s important to consider how many people will be playing, whether everyone will be in the same room, and how much time your group wants to invest.
Quick list of the best multiplayer PS5 games
| Game | Players | Best for |
| Split Fiction | 2 | Overall two-player co-op |
| Fortnite | Online | Free-to-play multiplayer |
| Helldivers 2 | Up to 4 online | Squad co-op |
| Diablo IV | 2 local / 4 online | Co-op RPG |
| Rocket League | Local / online | Quick competitive matches |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | 2 local / up to 4 online | Story-driven RPG co-op |
| Minecraft | Local / online | Families and creativity |
| Marvel Rivals | 6v6 online | Hero shooter |
| Overcooked! All You Can Eat | Up to 4 | Couch co-op |
| Street Fighter 6 | 1-2 local | Competitive fighting |
Best online multiplayer PS5 games
Fortnite
Fortnite remains one of the easiest multiplayer shooter games to recommend because it is free-to-play, cross-platform, and constantly evolving. Its Battle Royale and Zero Build modes are still major attractions, but the huge selection of creator-made experiences means there is far more here than one style of game.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
If you prefer a traditional first-person competitive shooter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 delivers fast multiplayer built around its Omnimovement system. It offers increased freedom of movement, along with the familiar weapon progression and multiplayer modes the series is known for.
Rocket League
Few games capture “easy to understand, difficult to master” better than Rocket League. Its rocket-powered soccer cars are instantly accessible, but aerials, passing, positioning, and shooting create plenty of competitive depth. I also love the fact that short matches make it perfect for quick gaming sessions.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends blends tactical shooter action with unique character abilities and strong teamwork, all in a battle royale format. Its fast-paced movement and squad-focused combat give every match a unique challenge, and it’s cross-play, so it has a wider player base.
EA Sports FC 26
For soccer fans, EA Sports FC 26 offers everything from quick matches to extensive online competition. Modes such as Clubs are especially appealing for groups looking to create a team and compete together over a longer period.
Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals combines a huge Marvel roster with fast-paced 6v6 hero-shooter gameplay. Team-Up abilities encourage you to think about how heroes complement one another rather than simply choosing your favourite character. Its free-to-play model makes it easy for a group to jump in.
Exciting upcoming online multiplayer PS5 games
Dune: Awakening
Release date: September 22, 2026
Dune: Awakening brings a very different kind of online multiplayer experience to PS5. Funcom’s open-world survival RPG lets you explore Arrakis with friends on shared servers or venture into larger public spaces supporting dozens of players.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Ace Combat 8 is making a bigger push into multiplayer, with competitive online battles supporting up to 8 players alongside its larger Air Base hub.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 looks like a very exciting major multiplayer release, with new 6v6 maps, Gunfight variants, evolving environments, and the return of DMZ-style squad play.
Best co-op games on PS5
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is one of my top recommendations for four-player co-op. Missions are chaotic, unpredictable, and often hilarious because friendly fire and poorly placed Stratagems can turn a perfect plan into a disaster in seconds. The best moments usually come from situations no one planned, and that unpredictability gives the game tremendous replay value.
Diablo IV
Diablo IV is ideal if your group wants something with much longer-term progression. Hunting demons, experimenting with character builds, and chasing increasingly powerful loot creates an addictive co-op loop. You can tackle the adventure together online, while couch co-op makes it particularly attractive for two players sharing the same PS5.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Few cooperative games give players as much freedom as Baldur’s Gate 3. You can adventure together, build completely different characters, and approach quests from dramatically different directions.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds turns enormous creature battles into rewarding cooperative challenges. Preparing equipment, learning monster behaviour, and combining different weapon types gives group hunts plenty of tactical depth. I’ve had a blast taking down a difficult monster with a coordinated team of friends, and it’s incredibly fun and satisfying.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is less about following a linear path and more about creating your own stories. Sailing with friends, hunting treasure, battling other crews, and occasionally watching a carefully planned voyage collapse spectacularly are all part of the experience. It’s a great choice if your group values exploration and unexpected multiplayer moments.
Upcoming couch co-op PS5 games
Rayman Legends Retold
Release Date: December 3, 2026
Rayman Legends Retold could be one of the most interesting upcoming local multiplayer games. Ubisoft’s reimagining of Rayman Legends supports four-player couch co-op throughout the adventure, along with the returning Kung Foot competitive mode.
Best 2-player PS5 games
Split Fiction
One of the best and most creative 2-player PS5 games is Split Fiction. Developer Hazelight constantly introduces new mechanics as you play as Mio and Zoe, moving between science-fiction and fantasy worlds. The entire adventure is designed around cooperation; my son and I had a blast playing, and neither of us felt like we were simply tagging along.
It Takes Two
Hazelight’s It Takes Two remains an essential cooperative experience. Every challenge is designed for two players to work together, and the constant shifts between platforming, puzzles, action, and mini-games keep the adventure moving. Much like Split Fiction, it’s one of those games where discovering the next gameplay idea becomes part of the fun.
A Way Out
A Way Out offers a more cinematic, mature, two-player experience built entirely around cooperation. Its prison-break premise eventually expands into a much larger adventure, while the split-screen presentation lets you see both characters’ perspectives simultaneously.
Unravel Two
For something quieter, Unravel Two combines beautiful environments with clever puzzle-platforming built around two “Yarnys.” These characters are connected by a single thread, making teamwork essential to progress. Its local co-op design makes it particularly good for playing side-by-side.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is approachable enough for newer players while still offering plenty of clever platforming. Multiple players can explore together, and several levels place an even greater emphasis on cooperation.
Best couch co-op and split-screen PS5 games
Couch multiplayer still has a special kind of energy, especially when everyone is in the same room.
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat is one of my favourite party choices. Coordinating increasingly ridiculous kitchens with several local players creates exactly the kind of controlled chaos that makes couch multiplayer memorable.
- Minecraft remains one of the most flexible family multiplayer experiences available. You can build, explore, survive, or simply give everyone a different project within the same world.
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight are other excellent options, particularly for younger players. If you are looking for retro-style action TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge delivers fast arcade fun that is easy to pick up.
For something more action-heavy, Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box offers an enormous amount of looter-shooter content. Human: Fall Flat, meanwhile, turns intentionally awkward physics and cooperative puzzles into plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Best competitive multiplayer games on PS5
Fighting games are an excellent choice when competition is the priority, whether you are online or looking for local 2-player action.
- Tekken 8 combines technical depth with spectacular presentation, while its aggressive combat systems reward players who constantly pressure opponents.
- Street Fighter 6 is another standout because it does an excellent job of welcoming newer players without sacrificing the depth longtime fighting-game fans expect.
- Mortal Kombat 1 is a strong alternative if you prefer cinematic presentation, recognizable characters, and the series’ signature over-the-top combat.
- MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls puts a fresh spin on the genre with fast 4v4 tag-team battles featuring iconic Marvel heroes and villains. Its accessible controls make it easy to jump into, while team composition, assists, and character combos offer plenty of competitive depth.
Upcoming competitive multiplayer PS5 games
EA Sports FC 27
Release Date: September 25, 2026
EA SPORTS FC 27 should offer plenty of competitive variety with online matches, Ultimate Team, Clubs, and The Grounds. Ultimate Edition early access begins September 18, followed by the worldwide Standard Edition launch on September 25.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Star Wars: Galactic Racer offers something different from shooters and fighting games: high-speed Star Wars racing that supports up to 12 players online, customizable vehicles, and courses across familiar planets.
Best family-friendly multiplayer PS5 games
For families, I would start with Minecraft, or one of the many LEGO games. All are relatively easy to understand and provide room for players with different experience levels. Human: Fall Flat is another entertaining option because failure is often just as funny as success. Overcooked! All You Can Eat can also be fantastic for families, although I recommend starting with its more forgiving options before turning the kitchen into complete chaos.
How to choose the right multiplayer PS5 game
- Start with who you are playing with and how you plan to play. There is a range of games meant for younger gamers and families all the way up to mature audiences.
- For two people sharing a couch, Split Fiction and It Takes Two are difficult to beat. A regular online group should look toward Helldivers 2, Diablo IV, or Monster Hunter Wilds. Competitive players have excellent options in Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Rocket League, and EA Sports FC 26.
- Finally, it’s a good idea to consider how much time everyone has. A Rocket League match can fit into a short break, while an adventure such as Baldur’s Gate 3 could become your gaming group’s focus for months.
Finding the best PS5 multiplayer game for your group
The PS5 multiplayer library has something for almost every type of player. Whether you are looking for a competitive match, a long cooperative adventure, or something everyone can enjoy together on the couch, there are more great options than ever.
Frequently asked questions about PS5 multiplayer games
For two-player co-op, my overall pick is Split Fiction because of its excellent gameplay variety and cooperative design. For larger groups, Helldivers 2 is one of the strongest cooperative choices, while Fortnite remains an incredibly flexible free-to-play option.
You generally need PlayStation Plus to play online multiplayer in paid PS4 and PS5 games. Many free-to-play games do not require a PlayStation Plus membership for online multiplayer. Local multiplayer can typically be played without a subscription.
Some excellent choices include Split Fiction, It Takes Two, Minecraft, Diablo IV, Baldur’s Gate 3, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Overcooked! All You Can Eat, and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Fortnite, Apex Legends, Marvel Rivals, and Rocket League are among the strongest free-to-play multiplayer games available on PlayStation 5.
