What Borderlands Games Are Crossplay Complete Multiplayer Compatibility Guide
The Borderlands franchise has long defined cooperative looter-shooter gameplay, bringing millions of players together across multiple generations of gaming consoles and PC platforms. Understanding which titles support crossplay is essential for gaming groups hoping to embark on vault-hunting adventures without being separated by hardware boundaries. As the series has evolved, developer Gearbox Software has increasingly prioritized cross-platform functionality to unify its player base.
Full Crossplay Integration in Modern Titles
Borderlands 3 stands out as a major milestone for the series by offering comprehensive crossplay functionality across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac platforms. Players can seamless join co-op sessions using Gearbox's integrated SHiFT matchmaking service regardless of their individual gaming hardware. The upcoming Borderlands 4 expands on this foundation, providing day-one full crossplay support across next-gen consoles, PC storefronts, and future hardware releases.
Legacy Titles and Storefront-Only Compatibility
Older entries in the franchise, including Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, do not support crossplay across different console ecosystems. Players on Xbox or PlayStation platforms are restricted to matching within their specific console networks. However, PC gamers enjoy storefront crossplay, allowing users on Steam and the Epic Games Store to team up seamlessly.
How SHiFT Services Enable Cross-Platform Play
Connecting across platforms requires players to establish and link a free Gearbox SHiFT account to their platform profiles. Upon launching supported games, players create a unique Crossplay Display Name that serves as their universal identifier in multiplayer lobbies. Managing these account settings properly ensures smooth matchmaking and prevents party connection errors during co-op sessions.
Cross-Progression and Switch Platform Exceptions
While crossplay allows players to fight side-by-side, cross-progression remains significantly more limited across the entire franchise. Saved character data and looted equipment generally stay locked to the original platform on which they were created. Additionally, handheld ports like Borderlands 3 on Nintendo Switch operate within isolated online networks due to unique hardware constraints.