If there's one thing in the games industry that separates players, it's console exclusivity– where meaningful connections could be made over a shared interest in a game, incompatibility between systems leaves you locked to people using your flavor of gaming machine.
While many multiplayer games on the Game Pass have servers exclusive to either PC or Xbox, there are thankfully a great many that support crossplay on even non-Microsoft platforms. If a lack of compatibility with friends is what's holding you back from grabbing the Game Pass, then it might be worth looking at some of the service's best crossplay options to see if it's worth it for you.
10 Minecraft
Minecraft is arguably one of the most important games in history, being responsible for the survival crafting fervor that seems to crop up every year. There was once a time when PC and console players would argue about which version of the game was better, but thanks to Java and Bedrock becoming permanently paired, crossplay is now the norm.
While Bedrock was once considered inferior due to a lack of custom content, the addons system has allowed for it to become just as dynamic as Java– and since Bedrock is on Switch and Playstation as well, you can enjoy Minecraft with anyone who owns it.
9 Among Us
You might be surprised to find out that 2018's Among Us is not only a part of the Game Pass, but also completely crossplay compatible no matter the console you choose. This includes even iOS and Android devices, meaning that almost anyone can participate in the fun regardless of their experience with gaming.
Thanks to its explosion in popularity, you and your friends won't ever run out of people to play with; the simplistic gameplay is especially great for crossplay, as it calls for less mechanical dexterity and therefore limits the effect of hardware differences.
8 Spelunky 2
Spelunky 2 takes the gameplay of the original Spelunky and improves it in nearly every way, creating an experience worth returning to again and again. The improvements don't stop at the single-player campaign, though; where Spelunky only had local multiplayer, Spelunky 2 offers online multiplayer that works between platforms.
Multiplayer bouts turn the single-player gameplay's tests of knowledge and ability into wonderfully chaotic messes, where your friends are as much of a threat as the enemies designed to kill you. Adding three more players might mess with the balance of the game, but it's undeniable that it adds to the fun factor.
7 Guilty Gear Strive
It's not too unnatural for a fighting game to be cross-platform, but it's still great to see Guilty Gear support the feature and keep the pool of available players healthy.
Being able to play against a diverse selection of combatants gives you a better chance at getting good at fighting games, so creating as few hardware boundaries as possible within a community allows for the best competitive experience. Even if you aren't looking to become a pro player, the wider base of casual players means less time fighting people outside your skill level.
6 Dead By Daylight
Dead By Daylight exists as one of the best asymmetric multiplayer games available, offering a fun gameplay loop that doesn't forget to service fans of the horror genre. With characters from classic slashers to Silent Hill, you're sure to find a gameplay style you enjoy for both sides of the chase.
Crossplay only helps the game's accessibility, as it can be tough at times to get into when trying to jump in by yourself– if you want to play with a friend on the Playstation, you don't have to worry about grabbing a whole new console for a bit of horrifying fun.
5 Halo Infinite
Though Halo Infinite isn't as associated with multiplayer as its predecessors, it still does well to bring the classic Halo arena gameplay to the ninth generation of consoles. Along with updating the classic deathmatch systems, weapons, and even game modes, Halo Infinite also has crossplay between PC and the Xbox.
One might assume that controller players would be at a natural disadvantage when playing against those using mice and keyboards, but the Xbox Series X allows you to set up gyro aiming similar to that of Splatoon 3.
4 Deep Rock Galactic
If you're looking for a great co-op FPS, Deep Rock Galactic might be exactly what you're looking for. The destructible environments, hordes of aliens, and sprawling caves create the perfect mix of chaos to entertain a party of up to four people.
The catch to Deep Rock Galactic's crossplay is that it only works between the Windows 10 and Xbox versions, meaning that friends owning the Steam or Playstation versions sadly can't join in. Still, bridging the gap between PC and Xbox makes Dwarven co-op more fun and accessible than ever.
3 Quake
Quake is one of the most important first-person shooters in the history of gaming, and it's better than ever thanks to its enhanced re-release in August 2021. One of the most influential aspects of the game was its deathmatch mode, preserved for modern audiences via Bethesda's servers.
Quake's multiplayer can be played across PC, Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, allowing for quite a broad audience to fill up available rooms. Modern shooters like Fortnite may outpace Quake visually, but nothing can quite match the feeling of the Quake arena.
2 Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves has always been the place to go if you're looking for a sprawling multiplayer experience, offering up PVP and PVE interactions that let you tell your own stories. Though you can certainly play Sea of Thieves by yourself, it's so much more fun to have a crew of friends to watch your back.
Since Sea of Thieves is a Microsoft product, the only consoles available for crossplay are PC and Xbox– thankfully, this also comes with cross-platform saves, meaning that you can move from Xbox to PC and back without needing to start over again.
1 Mortal Kombat 11
Like Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Kombat 11 gains a lot from its cross-platform functionality, providing a great selection of players for you to improve with. Mortal Kombat fills a different niche in fighting games, preferring a slower pace than anime fighters.
On top of being playable between different consoles, it also boasts a large helping of single-player content to help you settle into the gameplay before sending you to the vast multiplayer scene. If heavier fighters like Tekken are your bag, Mortal Kombat 11 is perfect for you.