Only Borderlands 3 features cross-platform play, but it’s limited to certain platforms.
Want to squad up with your friends across different consoles or PCs? Many gamers wonder which borderlands games are cross platform. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a blanket “yes” for the whole series.
While the idea of playing Borderlands with anyone sounds awesome, only one main game currently offers a cross-platform option. This can be frustrating for fans hoping to play with friends on varying systems.
So, the question of which borderlands games are cross platform has a simple, but somewhat restrictive, answer. The series has been slow to embrace full crossplay, but that could change in the future.
Which Borderlands Games are Cross Platform?
So, you’re ready to jump into the crazy world of Borderlands with your friends, but you’re all playing on different gadgets? That’s a common question when you’re talking about games these days. Cross-platform play, or crossplay, lets you play with people even if they have a different game system than you do. It means a friend with a PlayStation can play with someone who has an Xbox or a PC, and everyone can have a blast together. Let’s take a closer look at which Borderlands games let you do this.
Understanding Crossplay in Borderlands
Before we dive into which games are cross platform, it’s good to understand how crossplay works in general. Imagine you and your buddies are all trying to play tag, but some of you are in a big, grassy park, and others are in a fancy indoor playroom. Crossplay makes it so everyone can play tag in the same space, even if their actual game area is different. For Borderlands, this means that if your friend is using a gaming PC and you’re on an Xbox, you can still join each other in the same game. It’s like magic, but it’s actually clever computer coding. This feature is great because it helps you find more people to play with and spend more time having fun with your friends, no matter what console they’re using.
Not every game has this feature, because it takes a lot of work for the game makers to make it possible. Games need to talk to each other, even when they’re on different types of machines. Some Borderlands games allow crossplay between certain platforms, and some don’t. We will explain all of this further in the below sections.
Borderlands 3: The Crossplay Pioneer
When we talk about crossplay in the Borderlands series, the first game that really comes to mind is Borderlands 3. This game made a big leap in the series by adding crossplay, but it wasn’t as simple as flipping a switch. The game initially launched without crossplay, but the game makers heard the players’ requests and added the feature later. This is one reason why it was so exciting for many players.
Which Platforms are Crossplay Compatible in Borderlands 3?
Borderlands 3 supports crossplay between the following platforms:
- Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One: Players on any Xbox console in this family can play with each other.
- PC (Steam and Epic Games Store): If you have the game on your PC, whether through Steam or Epic Games Store, you can play with other PC gamers.
- PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5: Players on PS4 and PS5 can play together.
- Mac: Mac users can join in the fun with PC players
However, there is one main limitation to keep in mind: Xbox and PC players can crossplay with each other, but PlayStation players cannot play with Xbox or PC players. This means that if you’re playing on a PlayStation, you can only play with other PlayStation players, and not with your friends on other systems. Hopefully, this could change in the future, as the developers keep making improvements to the games.
How to Enable Crossplay in Borderlands 3
If you want to play with your friends on other platforms in Borderlands 3, here is how to get it done:
- Make sure your game is updated: You must have the most recent version of the game. Game updates are important for crossplay to work properly.
- Go to the game’s social menu: Find the section where you can see your friends list and invite players. This area has information about which players you can connect with across different platforms.
- Enable crossplay: Usually, there will be a setting you must switch on to begin playing with others on different gaming platforms. You will need to make sure your game profile is set to “open” or “friends only,” depending on who you want to play with.
- Send invitations or accept invites: Once you enable crossplay, you can send out game invites to your buddies or accept invitations they send.
Remember that even when crossplay is enabled, sometimes there are hiccups like internet issues that might stop you from getting connected. It’s good to have your connection be steady, otherwise, you might get dropped from the game. If you are using WiFi, check if your connection speed is as fast as needed. You could test your internet using a site or an app that can determine this for you.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Crossplay
Now, let’s look at Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. This game was released before Borderlands 3, and, unfortunately, it does not offer any crossplay features. That means if your buddy is playing on an Xbox and you’re using a PlayStation, you can’t play together on The Pre-Sequel. All players would need to be on the same gaming platform to play together.
Borderlands 2 and Crossplay
Like The Pre-Sequel, Borderlands 2 also does not support crossplay. It’s disappointing for many players, as it is still one of the most popular games in the series. If you and your friends want to play Borderlands 2 together, you’ll all need to be using the same type of system. For example, if one person is on an Xbox and the others are on PlayStation, you won’t be able to play in the same group.
Borderlands 1 and Crossplay
The original Borderlands game, the one that started it all, also does not have crossplay. Back when Borderlands 1 was made, crossplay wasn’t a common feature in games. So, just like with Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel, all players need to be on the same platform to play together.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: A Spin-off with a Twist
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which is a fun spin-off game set in the Borderlands universe, has some good news regarding crossplay. The good news is that Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands offers crossplay between most gaming platforms. So, if you’re playing on a PlayStation 5 and your friend is on an Xbox Series X, you can absolutely join up for some chaotic fantasy action.
Which Platforms are Crossplay Compatible in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands?
Here’s a list of platforms that support crossplay for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands:
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5: Players on both PS4 and PS5 can play together.
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S: Players on any Xbox consoles can team up.
- PC (Steam): Players using Steam on their PC can also join the crossplay.
- PC (Epic Games Store): Those who have the game via Epic Games can play with others.
Unlike Borderlands 3, all these platforms can play together. There are no separate groups like PlayStation only players or Xbox only players in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. It is a game that embraces crossplay and has been successful at connecting players from all systems.
How to Enable Crossplay in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Enabling crossplay in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is a straightforward process, much like in Borderlands 3. Here’s what you need to do:
- Update your game: First, make sure your game is up to date with the latest version. Game updates often include bug fixes and important changes needed for crossplay to work correctly.
- Go to the Social menu: Find the section where you can access your friends list and manage the game’s social settings. This area will have options for crossplay settings.
- Enable Crossplay: Locate the crossplay switch and turn it “on”. This allows you to play with people on different gaming platforms.
- Manage your in-game friends list: You will be able to see a list of friends that play on different systems, and from here, you can send out game invites or accept invites from others.
Remember, if there are any problems with connecting to the game or having the crossplay feature working, double check that everyone’s game is updated. Restarting the game can sometimes solve the issue as well. Another thing to check is your network settings. Some routers might have certain settings that could stop crossplay from working correctly.
Why is Crossplay Important?
You might be wondering why crossplay is so important for gamers. Well, it’s all about playing with your friends no matter what system they have. It means your group of buddies won’t have to worry about buying the same gaming system to play together. Crossplay also helps games have more players, especially as it brings different gamers together. This could mean more people to match up with for online gaming. It’s also good for game makers, as they can get more players and create communities that are even more connected. For you, it means more action, more excitement, and more time playing with friends.
Future of Crossplay in Borderlands
It’s always fun to look ahead and think about the future. Crossplay is becoming more common in newer games, and it’s likely that if there are more games in the Borderlands series, they will include crossplay. The gaming world is always evolving, and game developers are aware that crossplay is a good way to keep players happy and to help connect everyone.
The move toward crossplay also means game makers need to develop more efficient tools for game servers. These are the computers that host all of the online action. As more and more players from different platforms connect, these systems will need to become more efficient to handle the traffic.
Crossplay is definitely a feature many gamers now value. The goal is for games to be able to connect all players regardless of where they are playing from. It will be exciting to see how the next Borderlands games will keep improving their crossplay feature, and how the feature will grow within the gaming community.
In summary, here’s a quick guide:
- Borderlands 3: Crossplay between Xbox (all platforms) and PC (Steam & Epic). PlayStation can only play with other PlayStation players.
- Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: Crossplay is available between PlayStation, Xbox and PC players.
- Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel: No crossplay available.
Playing with your friends in Borderlands should be simple. Always check to see if a game supports crossplay when you’re getting ready to play online with your buddies. Be sure that your game is up-to-date, and keep a watch on any new features that game makers are adding to their games.
Borderlands 2 Cross Play | Where Is It?
Final Thoughts
Borderlands 3 fully supports crossplay between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. This means friends can play together, regardless of their chosen gaming platform.
Unfortunately, other games in the main series, like Borderlands 1, 2, and The Pre-Sequel, lack cross-platform functionality. So, only Borderlands 3 allows gamers to play together across different systems.
Therefore, for those wondering which borderlands games are cross platform, the answer is just Borderlands 3 at the moment. The other titles remain platform-exclusive in their multiplayer modes.



