Which Borderlands Games Are Crossplay: Full Guide by Platform

Many Borderlands titles have captivated players with their unique blend of shooter and RPG elements, but not all support crossplay. Only Borderlands 3 and Borderlands 4 offer crossplay, allowing gamers across multiple platforms to join forces seamlessly. Earlier entries like Borderlands 1, 2, and the Pre-Sequel do not support this feature.

Borderlands 3 enables crossplay across PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Borderlands 4 expands on this, supporting cross-platform multiplayer across all major current systems, including PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. This trend reflects a growing emphasis on connectivity in modern gaming.

Key Takeways

• Only Borderlands 3 and 4 support crossplay between platforms.
• Crossplay covers major consoles and PC for these supported titles.
• Players need updated versions and relevant accounts to access crossplay features.

Borderlands Games With Crossplay Features

Crossplay availability varies across the Borderlands series, with newer titles offering broader cross-platform support. The most recent game, Borderlands 4, launches with full cross-play, while Borderlands 3 introduced this feature after its initial release. Earlier installments lacked crossplay entirely.

Current Crossplay Support in Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 supports full cross-platform play from launch. Players on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S can join multiplayer sessions together seamlessly. Gearbox Software opted to prioritize crossplay over cross-save at launch to ensure a stable multiplayer experience.

Crossplay in Borderlands 4 requires a SHiFT account, which manages matchmaking and friend lists across platforms. Local split-screen is also available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, allowing side-by-side play within crossplay sessions. Cross-save and cross-progression are planned for future updates but are not available at release.

Borderlands 3 and Other Recent Titles

Borderlands 3 was the first in the series to implement crossplay, arriving as an update months after its 2019 release. It supports cross-platform play on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Mac, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

While effective, Borderlands 3’s crossplay rollout took time to stabilize, requiring players to enable the feature and create a crossplay display name for SHiFT matchmaking. Other recent titles, like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, also offer full crossplay among major platforms, following the precedent set by Borderlands 3.

Lack of Cross-Platform Play in Earlier Games

Earlier Borderlands games, including the original Borderlands and Borderlands 2, do not support crossplay. These titles restrict multiplayer experiences to their respective platforms, meaning players on Xbox cannot join those on PlayStation or PC.

This platform separation limited the multiplayer community and match-making pools. Gearbox Software’s later focus on crossplay addresses these limitations, reflecting industry trends and player demand for unified gaming ecosystems across PC and consoles.

Enabling and Using Crossplay in Borderlands

Borderlands offers crossplay functionality that allows players across various platforms to join forces. This requires specific account setups, is limited by certain progression features, and depends on stable server connections to ensure a smooth gameplay experience.

SHIFT Account Requirement and Setup

To participate in crossplay, players must create and link a SHiFT account, which acts as the central hub for cross-platform interactions. This account is mandatory for all supported platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Linking platforms to the SHiFT account enables friends lists, matchmaking, and shared session visibility. The setup process involves registering online, confirming email, and linking each gaming platform in the SHiFT account settings.

Without a linked SHiFT account, cross-platform matchmaking and friend management are disabled. Additionally, SHiFT offers in-game rewards and bonuses that persist across platforms, encouraging account integration.

Supported Platforms and Compatibility Details

Crossplay in Borderlands covers the major current-generation consoles and PC launchers. Players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch 2 can all join sessions together.

Crossplay supports up to four players in cooperative sessions. Split-screen mode is available only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, allowing local co-op with either vertical or horizontal splits.

Players must enable crossplay in the Session Settings menu to allow or restrict users from other platforms from joining their games. Compatibility depends on game version updates being consistent across platforms to avoid matchmaking issues.

Cross-Progression and Cross-Save Limitations

While crossplay allows for seamless multiplayer sessions, full cross-progression and cross-save options are not fully implemented. Progression, including character level, inventory, and story completion, currently remains tied to the individual platform account and does not fully synchronize across platforms.

This limitation means players switching platforms cannot continue exactly where they left off without manual transfer or starting fresh on the new system. Gearbox Software opts to focus on crossplay stability initially, with potential future improvements planned for cross-progression features.

Players should plan accordingly if they intend to switch platforms frequently or want their game progress mirrored across devices.

Server Stability and Gameplay Experience

Server stability is crucial for maintaining quality in Borderlands crossplay sessions. Gearbox Software and 2K have invested in backend infrastructure to support cross-platform connectivity, with servers designed to handle mixed-platform groups.

Still, players may encounter occasional matchmaking delays or latency spikes due to hardware or network differences across platforms. Steam and Epic versions rely on their respective services combined with SHiFT servers for authentication and session management.

Overall, gameplay synchronization is consistent, with minimal reported issues on major platforms such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. For the best experience, stable internet and updated game versions are recommended.