One of the most fun aspects of the internet is that no matter what time it is, no matter where you are, you can hop online and find dozens—if not hundreds!—of people who are eager to play the same game you want to play, right now. Whether you want to rank up in competitive games, work your way up to the esports scene, or just play some chill games with your online friends, these are our favorite online multiplayer games. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. Survive the Wasteland (and Woo Some Ghouls) Fallout 76 If you liked Amazon’s rather excellent Fallout TV series that dropped earlier this year, then Bethesda’s ongoing online game, Fallout 76, might be the perfect way to stay engaged with the post-apocalypse. While it was kind of a mess when it first came out, it’s gotten much better over the years. The game emphasizes the community-building and customization aspects of games like Fallout 4, while adding survival sim features that feel more pronounced in a multiplayer game than they did in some of Bethesda’s solo entries in the series. Available for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. Dive Into Hell From Deep Orbit Helldivers 2 Helldivers 2 is easily one of the hottest new multiplayer games of 2024. While its faced some technical issues during its initial rollout, the game has a Starship Troopers vibe, pitting four players against waves of alien bugs, all with a satirical tone that never really turns off. Sony stirred up a bit of controversy a while back by announcing that a PSN account would be require for new and current players, but fortunately the company has backed down on this decision. Available for PC and PlayStation 5. Be the Last Shooter Standing Fortnite It’s almost impossible not to have heard of Fortnite by now, but it’s still a worthy inclusion on our list. The classic battle royale game pits 100 players against each other in an ever-shrinking arena. The unique building mechanics add an element of creativity to fights that make it engaging, and the ongoing seasonal updates (and Battle Pass rewards system) give players plenty of reasons to fire up the game regularly. And probably encourage you to buy some V-Bucks while you’re at it. Available for PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS (via direct download). Answer the Recall to Save the World Overwatch 2 One of my personal favorites, Overwatch 2 is a 5v5 team shooter with a roster of superpowered heroes that would make an Avengers movie blush. Players can swap heroes to counter the strengths of their enemies, making matches dynamic and adding an almost chess-like strategic element that goes far beyond simply clicking heads. Available for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Smash. Just Smash. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate There are few childhood joys that were greater than getting together with a group of your friends for a rousing Smash game. Now, with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you don’t have to wait until everyone can sit on the same couch. Ultimate brings every character ever put in a Smash game into one roster, for a total of 89 playable characters. With a Switch Online subscription, you can get matched with up to three other players for a competitive game any time. Available for Nintendo Switch. Run Like a Ninja Warframe Digital Extremes’ Warframe is an utterly unique game with a beautiful art style and constant stream of updates that have given it a vibrant community for over a decade. The game is centered around procedurally generated PvE missions that give players a roster of powerful armors (called Warframes), each with different abilities and weapons, to plow through wave after wave of enemies. It’s particularly characterized by fast-paced, parkour-like movement that feels incredibly satisfying, no matter how many times you play. Available for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.