Minecraft Dungeons II supports parties of up to four players online, in couch co-op on one system, or a mix of both, and online play is cross-platform across PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Switch and Switch 2. The choice to get right happens at character creation: reviewers report that a hero made as “offline” can never go online, and an online hero cannot be switched to offline.
Below we cover every co-op mode, what each platform requires, how to find a party, how couch co-op handles guests, and what is and is not confirmed about cross-progression. This guide covers the launch version (September 29, 2026), verified against Mojang’s gameplay systems article, Xbox Wire and the official store pages.
Every Co-op Mode at a Glance
Mojang’s article says the game supports “local play through couch co-op and teaming up online through cross-play,” plus “mixed co-op, which allows two or more players on the same console or PC to fight alongside additional players online.” The party cap is four in every mode.
| Mode | Players | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Couch co-op | Up to 4 on one system | One controller per player |
| Online co-op | Up to 4 | An online hero, plus a subscription on console |
| Mixed co-op | Up to 4 in total | Couch players and online players in one party |
| Matchmaking | Up to 4 | An online hero |
Mixed co-op is new to the series. Mojang design director Laura De Llorens said on the Official Xbox Podcast that “you can now mix couch co-op and online play,” something the first game did not have.
What Each Platform Needs for Online Play
- Xbox Series X|S: the Xbox Store says online console multiplayer requires Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate.
- PS5: the PlayStation listing says “PS Plus required for online play” and supports up to four online players.
- Switch and Switch 2: Nintendo requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account for online features.
- PC (Steam or the Xbox app): no subscription is listed, but the Steam page requires a Microsoft account, which can be linked to your Steam account.
Online or Offline: The Choice That Locks You In
Reviewers describe an online or offline choice when you create a hero. GamesRadar+ reports that “characters created as ‘offline’ cannot go online and vice versa.” DayOne’s review says an offline hero is limited to “single player and couch co-op,” while an online hero can use crossplay, group with friends or strangers, and still use couch co-op.
The trade-off, per DayOne, is that an online hero depends on your connection even when you play alone; its reviewer blamed a run of late-game deaths on a lagging connection. Based on those reports, make your main hero online if there is any chance you will play with friends remotely, and keep offline heroes for strictly solo or couch saves.
How to Find a Party
Mojang lists these ways to team up:
- Party codes: Mojang says you can “connect to games via party codes,” the simplest way to get a specific friend into your session.
- Matchmaking: new to the series, it lets you find heroes looking for a party and “jump into their session and right into action.”
- Teleporting: once you share a world, the world map lets you “teleport to a nearby friend.”
Drop-in play is built in. De Llorens said that when someone joins mid-session, “the session would adapt to us being two people,” and it scales back when they leave. GamesRadar+ adds that currency is split 50/50 and loot drops for each player separately, so a new player cannot grab a veteran’s high-level gear, and friends far apart in level can still play together.
There are no classes to coordinate: roles come from gear, as our guide to Minecraft Dungeons II classes and builds explains, and enchantments are where builds really split apart.
Couch Co-op on One Screen
Couch co-op works on every platform, including PC, where Steam lists Shared/Split Screen Co-op and Remote Play Together (Steam’s feature for sharing a local session over the internet). Nintendo’s listing supports one to four players on a single system in TV, tabletop and handheld modes, and notes that “multiplayer requires one compatible controller per player.”
Three details make couch sessions smoother:
- Guests need no account. DayOne reports that couch players “can hop in as a guest with ease” and can even copy the main player’s build and level when joining mid-playthrough.
- Inventories do not stall the group. Xbox Wire’s gamescom preview explains that pressing up on the D-pad opens the full inventory, while holding it opens a mini menu on screen, so every player can swap gear at the same time.
- Account rewards follow the account. The Hero Cape counts couch play only for the Microsoft account that is signed in; our capes guide has the details.
Crossplay and Cross-Progression
Crossplay is confirmed. Mojang calls online play “cross-play,” the Xbox Store lists cross-platform multiplayer and co-op, Nintendo tags the game with cross-platform play, and Steam lists Cross-Platform Multiplayer. De Llorens put it simply: “no matter where you were or in what platform you played, you could play together.”
Cross-progression is less settled:
- Xbox and PC are covered. Xbox Play Anywhere lets you “play it on both console and PC at no additional cost,” per Xbox Wire, and Game Pass includes the game on both from day one.
- Other platforms are unconfirmed. Mojang has not published a cross-progression FAQ for the sequel as of launch. The first Minecraft Dungeons added cloud saves that moved heroes between platforms on one Microsoft account, and several player guides say Dungeons II syncs online heroes the same way. Those guides also warn that platform purchases, such as Deluxe Edition extras, may not follow you.
To check console support, see whether it is on Switch 1 and PS4. Our how long to beat guide collects reviewer playtimes, and our launch coverage and Minecraft Dungeons II hub have the rest. For more games to play as a group, see the best Switch 2 co-op games of 2026 and best PC co-op games of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Minecraft Dungeons II together? Four. Mojang confirms a party of up to four whether you play online, on one couch, or mixed.
Is Minecraft Dungeons II crossplay? Yes. Online co-op works across PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Switch and Switch 2, per Mojang and the store listings.
Is Minecraft Dungeons II split-screen? Xbox Wire describes couch teams sharing a single screen, and Mojang has not mentioned a separate split-screen view.
Can I switch an offline character to online? Reviewers report that you cannot: GamesRadar+ says offline characters cannot go online and vice versa. Create an online hero if you plan to play remotely.
Do I need Game Pass, PS Plus or Nintendo Switch Online for co-op? Only for online play on consoles. Couch co-op needs no subscription, and the PC versions list none for online play.