Playing video games alone is fine, but playing video games with friends elevates the experience to a whole new tier of enjoyment. There’s nothing better than competing with or against your friends, whether it’s in the same room on a shared console game like Mario Kart, on an online game like Call of Duty, a sports simulator like FIFA or in an RPG like World of Warcraft.
The video game industry goes through trends just like every other cultural industry. For a while, there was a push for solo games and puzzle games. These games are fantastic but they don’t have the community element that makes gaming so special. We’re now seeing a return to multiplayer games, which is great news for players who want to spend time playing with friends and who feel like they’ve played all of their old favorites for too many hours.
Below are some of our favorite new multiplayer games from the last few years for you and your friends to try in 2025. Grab your buddies, controllers and gamer fuel and get ready for some awesome times with any of the games on this list.
Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 is the latest game in the classic arcade series and is perfect for friends looking for some good, old-fashioned nostalgic battle gaming action. Plus, this cross-platform game is available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, so it’s super accessible for any gamer.
There are three game modes for Street Fighter 6 – Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub. World Tour is the only mode that is strictly single-player. Fighting Ground has local and online battles as well as a helpful training mode for players who want to hone their skills. Battle Hub is the online lobby mode where players can compete in casual or ranked battles.
Another cool new feature is the real-time commentary. Nothing gets players more hyped up than hearing their fights narrated live. It makes it feel like every match is an epic esports combat. There is color commentary as well as play-by-play. The other option is to add your own while your friends are playing. It’s a real skill, so be ready for some crazy fun as you try to keep up with the action!
Online casino games
Online casinos might not technically fit the definition of multiplayer games but they do allow friends to have the same gaming experience while spending time together, so we believe they belong on this list. Players can chat while they all play the same slots, discuss poker or blackjack strategies, and occasionally even play at the same table in a live dealer game.
CasinoTopsOnline has detailed reviews for all of the new online casinos that have been launched in the last 18 months. Reading reviews makes it easier to choose the best online casino for you and your friends. What factors matter most will depend on your friend group and what their gaming preferences are.
Live dealer games are one of the most fun ways to spend time with friends in an online casino setting. If you’re lucky, you’ll get placed in the same game and can actually play with each other. The new live dealer games by developers like Evolution Gaming bring in elements from classic board games, making them even better for group game nights.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Tetris as a multiplayer game? Sure, it sounds ridiculous but trust us on this one. Lots of people are already familiar with multiplayer, competitive Tetris. In that version, each player has their own Tetris board that they compete to empty. Tetris Effect: Connected adds a few new multiplayer variants. This includes one where each line you clear sends garbage blocks to your opponent’s board, adding a huge strategic twist to the game
The most innovative mode in Tetris Effect: Connected is, unsurprisingly, Connected mode. In this version, three players team up to beat an AI bot boss. At a certain point in each game, all three grids combine to give players a massive playing field. You can put your blocks anywhere on the grid, which can create some serious intensity. There’s also the Versus mode, where a player takes the place of the AI bot. This mode is only available once a week, so keep an eye out and plan ahead.
The stress of trusting someone else with your Tetris board might outweigh some of the positive mental health effects of the game. It is, however, a great way to build trust with friends while enjoying a classic game. Also, the background visuals and music are pretty relaxing and chill.
EA FC 25
Another year, another addition to the EA FIFA lineup. The game has been rebranded as EA FC, though it is still essentially the same soccer simulator that players have loved for decades. One of the best changes that has been made is that the PC version now includes cross-platform play, so everyone playing can be on different brand console systems and still enjoy the action.
Football Ultimate Team is a new mode that lets the player build their dream team from thousands of players in leagues around the world, including young players who have the potential to become the big stars of the future. Games can be played solo or against friends. This mode is a great way to compare strategies. Participating in weekly challenges adds an extra layer of competitiveness to an already intense game.
For gamers who don’t have an interest in soccer but love sports simulators, there are a few other options. NBA 2K25 is a great option for basketball fans. The series has attracted some heat for its emphasis on micro transactions but can still be played without spending any extra money. Madden NFL 25 also has multiple modes so you can enjoy the classic football simulator with friends. Franchise Mode and Ultimate Team mode are both popular, with Ultimate Team being the mode of choice for Fantasy Football fanatics.
Last thoughts
The best game to play with your friends is the game that you all enjoy playing. This can take some trial and error to find. It should be a game where everyone is at roughly the same skill level – or excited about getting there.
Making sure that everyone in the group is engaged and enjoying themselves is more important than only playing the newest or the hardest games. This list is full of ideas that should inspire every gaming friend group to find their perfect gaming fit.
