Is It Takes Two Cross Platform? Crossplay Guide 2026
Alex Mercer|No, It Takes Two does not support cross-platform play. While this co-op adventure is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch, players can only team up with others on the same platform family.
It Takes Two Cross-Platform Support Explained
Despite being one of the most celebrated co-op games in recent years, It Takes Two lacks true cross-platform functionality. You can play with a friend locally through split-screen on any platform or connect online with someone who owns the same console family as you.
The platform families that work together are limited to within the same ecosystem. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can connect with each other, and Xbox One players can join Xbox Series S/X players. However, you cannot cross the lines between PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
This limitation is particularly noticeable since It Takes Two is designed as a cooperative experience. The game requires two players to progress through its story, making platform compatibility a significant factor when deciding where to purchase it.
Which Platforms Can Play Together?
Here’s the complete breakdown of platform compatibility for It Takes Two:
| Platform | Crossplay Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam/Origin/Epic) | No | PC players can only connect with other PC players |
| PlayStation 4 | Limited | Can play with PlayStation 5 players only |
| PlayStation 5 | Limited | Can play with PlayStation 4 players only |
| Xbox One | Limited | Can play with Xbox Series S/X players only |
| Xbox Series S/X | Limited | Can play with Xbox One players only |
| Nintendo Switch | No | Switch players can only connect with other Switch players |
Why It Takes Two Doesn’t Have Crossplay
Hazelight Studios and Electronic Arts haven’t provided official reasons for the lack of cross-platform support in It Takes Two. However, several factors likely contributed to this decision during the game’s development in 2019-2021.
Technical complexity plays a significant role. Implementing crossplay requires extensive backend infrastructure to handle different platform authentication systems, friend lists, and networking protocols. For a smaller studio like Hazelight, focusing development resources on perfecting the core gameplay experience may have taken priority.
Platform holder restrictions and certification processes also add layers of complexity. Each platform has specific requirements for online functionality, and coordinating simultaneous updates across six different platforms can be challenging without dedicated live service infrastructure.
Friend Pass and Platform Considerations
It Takes Two includes a unique “Friend’s Pass” feature that partially addresses the platform limitation issue. If you own the full game on any platform, you can invite a friend to play the entire campaign with you for free, even if they don’t own the game.
The Friend’s Pass works within the same platform family. This means if you own It Takes Two on PlayStation 5, your friend can download the Friend’s Pass version on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 and play the complete game with you at no cost.
This feature makes the platform restriction less painful since only one person in your duo needs to purchase the full game. However, both players still need to be on compatible platforms to use this feature.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Beyond the obvious cross-platform restrictions, there are other limitations that affect your multiplayer experience in It Takes Two. The game doesn’t support cross-progression, so your save data won’t transfer between platforms if you decide to switch.
Performance differences between platforms can also impact the experience. The Nintendo Switch version runs at lower resolution and frame rates compared to PC and current-gen consoles, which might create slight timing differences during precise platforming sections.
Local split-screen is available on all platforms, but the experience varies significantly. PC players get the best visual quality and performance, while Switch players face more limitations in handheld mode due to the smaller screen size.
If you’re planning to play It Takes Two with someone, coordinate your platform choice before purchasing. With over 12,000 active players on Steam alone, finding online partners within the same platform isn’t typically difficult, but having a specific friend in mind requires matching platforms.
Can I play It Takes Two with a friend on a different console?
No, you cannot play It Takes Two with friends on different console families. PlayStation and Xbox players are separated, and neither can connect to PC or Nintendo Switch players. You can only play with someone on the same platform family – PlayStation 4 with PlayStation 5, or Xbox One with Xbox Series S/X.
Does the Friend’s Pass work across different platforms?
The Friend’s Pass only works within the same platform family. If you own the full game on PlayStation 5, your friend can use the Friend’s Pass on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. However, if your friend is on Xbox, PC, or Switch, they cannot use your Friend’s Pass and would need to find someone with the full game on their platform.
Will It Takes Two ever get cross-platform support?
There’s no official word from Hazelight Studios or Electronic Arts about adding cross-platform support to It Takes Two. Given that the game launched in 2021 without crossplay and hasn’t received any major multiplayer updates since, it’s unlikely that cross-platform functionality will be added. Your best bet is to coordinate with friends to play on the same platform.
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Alex Mercer
Alex Mercer is the Gaming News Editor at Explosion.com with over 8 years of experience covering the gaming industry. He previously wrote for several gaming publications and has attended E3, Gamescom, and The Game Awards as press. Alex specializes in breaking news coverage, studio analysis, and tracking industry trends. When not writing, he's grinding ranked matches in Valorant or exploring the latest RPG releases.
