5 Best Multiplayer Games Of 2026 (So Far)

While gaming is perfectly fine to engage in alone, there really is a special kind of magic when it's done with friends. Here at SVG, we've talked about the best co-op games to play with friends, and competitive games bring their own fun-filled energy to the medium, too. 2026 has brought plenty of entertaining multiplayer games in that regard, both for people looking to work together or go head-to-head. From social simulators and squad shooters to racing and fighting games, there have been a lot of impressive games released this year to play with friends.

We're taking a look at the multiplayer games released in 2026 that stand a clear cut above the rest of the competition this year. While there may be other games with a solid single-player experience in addition to a multiplayer component, what we're focusing on here is how well they handle their multiplayer modes. That shared fun factor is the defining criteria for the games that we're including in this particular article. These are the five best multiplayer games of 2026 so far, each best enjoyed with friends rather than solo.

A social simulator around Pokémon seems like a no-brainer, especially from the company that also develops and publishes "Animal Crossing." The Nintendo Switch 2 game "Pokémon Pokopia" recognizes and draws from that previously untapped potential to create a community-building experience to share with friends. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of the Kanto region, players control a Ditto who takes on a humanoid form. The player character then creates a thriving habitat to support a variety of Pokémon, accommodating their respective needs.

There's always been something inherently cozy about Pokémon, and "Pokémon Pokopia" thrives by moving away from the franchise's penchant for cutesy animals beating each other up. Like "Animal Crossing," players can build their own communities just for them to immerse themselves in, but the experience is elevated with friends. There is an undeniable pleasure in entertaining guests or visiting friends' communities as players get to compare notes on how their respective communities are going. A fun and subtle reinvention of what Pokémon can be, "Pokémon Pokopia" is a laidback experience that only Nintendo could pull off.

"Forza Horizon 5" was enthusiastically well-received by critics when it launched in 2021, leaving big shoes for the racing franchise's sequel to fill. Fortunately, this year's "Forza Horizon 6" delivered on expectations and proved to be worth the five-year wait. Set in an open-world version of Japan, players rise through the automotive ranks racing around the country, with competitions becoming increasingly ambitious. The game has a variety of modes to choose from, including the usual racing and vehicular combat modes to enjoy online.

"Forza Horizon 6" is another big step forward for the franchise and stands as the best racing game released so far this year. There are multiplayer modes available for players of virtually every skill level, from spec racing and mountain drifting to party games like hide-and-seek. And with the game launching with around 550 vehicles to choose from, players have a whole wealth of options at their disposal. Another fantastic entry in the series, "Forza Horizon 6" mixes both realistic and over-the-top high-octane fun.

Going into the year, "Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls" was one of the most anticipated games of 2026 because of the team involved and its premise. Developer Arc System Works had previously worked on popular fighting games "Dragon Ball FighterZ" and "Guilty Gear Strive," while Marvel has had a long history of superb fighting games. The resulting game didn't disappoint, with its fast-paced 4v4 mechanics and vibrantly rendered anime-inspired redesigns of Marvel's biggest heroes and villains. There are casual, ranked, and an arcade-inspired rumble mode for players to get into with opponents online.

The big caveat for this game's inclusion is that it's currently best enjoyed on PlayStation 5 despite also being available for PC. Unfortunately, "Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls" lost the majority of its players on PC because of performance issues linked to that version's DRM safeguards. But the PS5 version works beautifully and that extends to its multiplayer experience, with performance operating well — at least when playing against other PS5 players. The best new fighting game of the year to date, "Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls" is a hard-hitting joy to challenge friends over.

While "Aliens: Fireteam Elite" received mixed critical reception upon its release in 2021, it was successful enough to receive a direct sequel. "Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2" is an all-around improvement over its predecessor, and, in some ways, it's what the first game should've been. Like the 2021 game, the real appeal is the cooperative multiplayer and the coordinated teamwork associated with it. The game also adds many more customization options, including loadouts and a specialist class that lets players mix elements from other returning character classes.

With its gameplay revolving around teams wiping waves of incoming enemies in arena-like zones throughout each level, "Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2" is the heir apparent to "Left 4 Dead." And unlike its predecessor, the gameplay doesn't feel quite as repetitive this time around, handling the players' attention more consistently this time around. That comes from a more pronounced sense of challenge, more engaging level design, and combat mechanics that just feel more rewarding in their execution. A squad-based shooter that really excels when you've got a great team working together, "Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2" is a lot of pulse-pounding fun.

After making the huge honking success "Untitled Goose Game," House House maintained its quirkiness with its latest project. The aptly titled "Big Walk" has groups of players work together to traverse an expansive open-world map. Players have to coordinate as they complete challenges and solve puzzles to advance, with the parameters changing depending on the size of the group. Players can communicate through proximity chat as well as nonverbal cues while trying to figure out what they need to do to proceed.

"Big Walk" is all about cozy teamwork and, between the fun-filled challenges and the characters' cartoonish designs, it's a blast getting each task done. There is a surprisingly heartwarming quality to the overall experience, with players really feeling like they accomplished something together as they progress. At the same time, the developer's signature sense of humor is present throughout the game, lest one worry that the game could take itself too seriously. An indie darling that stands as one of the most endlessly enjoyable co-op games in recent memory, "Big Walk" is a pure joy to play.