DualShockers’ Best Multiplayer Games of 2025

From dusty cartridges to cloud gaming, 2025 displayed just how much video games have evolved over the last few decades, showcasing a long list of amazing nominees ranging from cut-throat extraction shooters to perfect platformers.

With this many incredible titles, there's only one true winner: the gamers. The ones who end up spending countless hours exploring virtual worlds and appreciating the masterpieces that have been created by passionate game developers

The competition for best multiplayer game in 2025 included some serious heavy-hitters, and while ARC Raiders came away with the win at The Game Awards, there were some gems that didn't make the cut.

Luckily, the talented team of writers here at DualShockers has compiled our own list of the best multiplayer games from 2025, including multiple games we felt deserved a bit more time in the spotlight.

10 Borderlands 4

Loot Lovers Rejoice

Where would the looter-shooter genre be without Borderlands? Developed by Gearbox Software, Borderlands 4 introduces four new Vault Hunters, skill trees that allow you to customize your playstyle, and a seemingly endless amount of weapons and loot to discover.

Explore the world of Kairos solo, or with up to three of your friends, and conquer enemies in intense, high-mobility co-op action full of dynamic events, engaging quests, and memorable characters—it's multiplayer mayhem at every step, and it's absolutely magnificent.

9 PEAK

Climb The Mountain, Test Your Friendship

PEAK is a unique co-op climbing game where you find yourself stranded on a mysterious island, and in order to escape from it, you'll need to survive the elements, scavenge for food, and scale a massive mountain located at the center of the island.

Ascend through four different biomes using a variety of tools like climbing spikes and ropes to overcome challenging obstacles. Use voice chat to strategize with your teammates, as you make your way through a hilarious, nail-biting, mountain-climbing adventure that's good for the soul.

8 Monster Hunter Wilds

Intense Co-op PvE

Looking to slay some terrifying beasts with a group of your most trusted allies? In Monster Hunter Wilds, you'll explore the Forbidden Lands—where constantly shifting weather patterns have forced the monsters and wildlife to adapt.

Action-packed combat has always been the bread-and-butter of Monster Hunter games, which is complemented by a wide selection of weapons and armor options. Monster Hunter Wilds does the series justice by introducing new combat mechanics, dynamic environments, and outstanding monster design.

7 Kirby Air Riders

Delightfully Chaotic

Nintendo's lovable pink puffball is back on the racing circuit in Kirby Air Riders, and there's a ton of content and exciting features to sink your teeth into. Choose from a long list of riders such as King Dedede, Magolor, or Meta Knight, and find what vehicle best suits your racing style with options like the wheelie bike, chariot, or the warp star.

The City Trial allows up to 16 players to compete in free-for-all battles, where riders must collect power-ups, survive field events like boss battles and meteors, and compete against the opposition in intense mini-games like skydiving, drag races, or battle arenas. When it comes to multiplayer racing games, Kirby Air Riders is a must-play.

6 Rematch

Run It Back

Rematch is an incredibly fun and accessible football (soccer) game that was designed from the ground up for online multiplayer, allowing you to squad up with friends and compete in fast-paced 5v5 matches.

With a third-person camera view, one-player control, and no player stats, there's a completely level playing field in Rematch, which means it's all about split-second decision-making and trusting your teammates to be in the right place at the right time—it's exhilarating, addictive, and easy to get into.

5 Mario Kart World

Racing Royalty

BLUE SHELL INCOMING! The Mario Kart franchise took the world by storm in 1992 with its first game, Super Mario Kart, which was released for the Super Nintendo System. After decades of technological advancements, Mario Kart World brings the beloved kart racing series to shocking new heights with a long list of features and a seamless world that connects all of the race tracks.

Take on challenging new courses, drift your way around familiar-looking tracks that have been reimagined, and chat with your friends as you enjoy a more casual road trip in the Free Roam mode.

Being able to instantly connect, chat, and compete against Mario Kart enthusiasts from around the world is pretty amazing, and the added open-world experience is the cherry on top.

4 Elden Ring Nightreign

Roguelike Revolution

Elden Ring Nightreign takes the core design of the series in a new and exciting direction, which allows gamers to join forces in 3-player co-op. Forge your own path, and form powerful synergies with your teammates by choosing a uniquely skilled Nightfarer that suits your playstyle.

From summoners and witches to archers, tanks, and stealthy fighters, Nightreign takes the challenging, complex combat that Elden Ring fans love and reinvents it with a roguelike progression system that makes for some extremely fun multiplayer gameplay. Experimenting with different weapons, heroes, and team compositions gives Nightreign an immense amount of replayability.

3 Split Fiction

Creative Co-op Concept

Split Fiction brings one of the most creative game concepts in recent history to life, as gamers play as two writers who have become trapped in their own stories. After being hooked up to a machine made to steal their ideas, Mio, a sci-fi writer, and Zoe, a fantasy writer, must now work together to conquer obstacles and escape their own creations.

This heartfelt co-op adventure has been praised for its stunning visuals, immersive level design, and challenging gameplay that makes teamwork absolutely essential. When it comes to two-player, split-screen adventures, Split Fiction has raised the bar incredibly high. One moment you're taming dragons, and the next, you're a cyber ninja—it's a beautiful, wild ride, filled with wholesome moments.

2 Battlefield 6

Tactical Military Combat

If you're looking for an all-out military experience with every vehicle, gun, gadget, and feature you can possibly imagine—Battlefield 6 is the way to go. Become a fighter jet pilot, drive tanks, squad up with other players, and use the destructible environment to your advantage as you fight for survival in large-scale multiplayer wars.

BF6 offers a variety of modes, including large-scale games like conquest, breakthrough, and rush, and fast-paced matches like king of the hill, domination, and payload. There's also a global-scale campaign, and a sandbox mode called Battlefield Portal that lets you create your own experience.

1 ARC Raiders

Our Multiplayer Game Of The Year

ARC Raiders is a new extraction shooter developed by Embark Studios that has taken the video game world by storm in 2025 with unpredictable AI and unforgiving gameplay. Taking place in a dystopian future Earth where killer drones dominate the surface and resources are scarce, ARC Raiders will have you feeling a wide array of emotions, as pretty much anything goes.

From fulfilling, cinematic, PvE battles in large groups, or the frustration of having all of your loot stolen at the extraction point, it's a thrilling, roller-coaster ride that will have you coming back for more. An extensive list of craftable weapons and gadgets like ziplines, mines, and barricades, mixed with a fully customizable skill tree, gives Raiders full control over how they want to play the game.

Will you come to the aid of your fellow Raiders and battle the ARCs together? Or will you lurk in the shadows and camp the extraction point? The choice is yours, Raider. Choose wisely.