Competitive multiplayer games have been a key part of gaming since its inception. Gamers have been using games to compete since the days of Pong in the 70s through the era of split-screen with GoldenEye 007 to the online battles of mega FPS franchises like Halo and Call of Duty. Competitive multiplayer remains a key selling point for many games today, and a fresh batch of new PvP titles are released every year.
Of course, not every PvP game delivers on its promises. There are some competitive multiplayer games that take the market by storm and become mainstays, but there are others that come and go without much fanfare. Some competitive multiplayer games start out hot but fizzle out, while others are played for years to come.
For anyone looking for a newer competitive multiplayer experience, these games are the best 2024 had to offer. Keep in mind that we only included brand-new releases, so live-service games like Fortnite and Overwatch 2 weren't eligible. It's also worth keeping in mind that this list is presented in alphabetical order.
Call of Duty has featured PvP modes since the very first game released in 2003, but the franchise's competitive offerings didn't really take off in a massive way until Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Call of Duty 4 completely changed the face of competitive multiplayer and drafted the blueprint that the franchise still follows to this day. Due to their annual release schedule and adherence to the established formula, many Call of Duty games feel a little "samey," and while that's true for Black Ops 6, the latest game in the long-running franchise also features some significant new features that help shake things up quite a bit. The biggest example is Black Ops 6's omnimovement feature, which adds an exciting new dynamic to multiplayer encounters.
Black Ops 6 gives competitive multiplayer fans significant bang for their buck, with plenty of new content on the way. Fans can enjoy the standard Call of Duty multiplayer modes in Black Ops 6, plus the return of the beloved 2v2 Gunfight mode. Since Black Ops 6 is a live-service game, fans can expect plenty more new modes, maps, weapons, and more in the months leading up to the 2025 Call of Duty game, whatever it may be.
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
Many fighting games are built entirely around the concept of balanced competition, and while that can't be said for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the game's PvP is still a blast. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero's overpowered characters and design choices have kept the game from being taken seriously on the tournament stage, but those looking to simply have fun with their friends can't go wrong. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero features a massive roster of characters pulled from all corners of the Dragon Ball franchise, ridiculous over-the-top moves that are fun to pull off, and though it's limited in its features, an offline split-screen mode for those that want to relive the Budokai Tenkaichi days.
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO takes the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and raises it to whole new levels. Become a super warrior and experience the earth-shaking, limit-breaking power of DRAGON BALL battles!
Unleash the strength of over 180 fighters from DRAGON BALL Z, DRAGON BALL Super, DRAGON BALL GT, and selected DRAGON BALL movies, all in the base game! Each character comes with their own signature abilities, transformations, and techniques.
Make the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL yours!
Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks.
Challenge other players online to test your skills, or sit down with friends offline to hone your skills exclusively in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! Fight your way to become a champion across various tournament modes and victory conditions.
Conquer the action-packed battles from the beloved original story, or discover and unlock new encounters for your favorite Z-Fighters and more. Relive your favorite moments from the series through cutscenes you can experience from the perspectives of eight characters!
Recreate your favorite battles from throughout the DRAGON BALL story, or set up your dream story battle with your favorite characters! Share your creations with other fans and experience the battles brought to life by imaginations around the world.
College football fans have been waiting over a decade for a new game, and EA Sports finally delivered with 2024's EA Sports College Football 25. With record-breaking sales and largely positive reviews, it's safe to say that EA Sports College Football 25 has blown away all expectations. One reason for its success is its PvP multiplayer, which lets players compete in local or online games. College Football 25 is quite easily the best football game on the market, and so football fans with a competitive itch really can't go wrong with it. It's certainly a step up from the recent Madden offerings, if nothing else.
In EA SPORTS™ College Football 25 experience explosive gameplay variety across 134 FBS schools and immerse yourself in the iconic atmospheres of college football as you chase college greatness. CampusIQ™ Immerse yourself in authentic, fast-paced, college football gameplay with CampusIQ™. Test your strategic decision-making with an all-new composure system, player Wear & Tear, screen-shaking homefield advantages and dozens of diverse play styles across 134 FBS teams. Iconic Atmospheres From The Big House to The Swamp. From Tuscaloosa to College Station. Experience the decibel-shaking soundscape of college football putting you inside the stadium, alongside all the iconic rituals and traditions that make you feel right at home. Bring Glory Home Set a new standard for college football greatness in classic modes like Dynasty and Road To Glory. Recruit a winning roster, develop a coaching staff, and lead your program to the Championship as a created coach, or balance student-athlete life and take home the Heisman as a player.
EA's soccer franchise has consistently delivered some of the most hard-to-put-down multiplayer experiences there are, and EA Sports FC 25 is no exception to the rule. The award-winning EA Sports FC 25 features both offline and online PvP options typical of EA's sports games, and it even introduces a new competitive multiplayer mode to the mix. EA Sports FC 25's new 5v5 Rush Mode makes for an exciting addition to the game's already comprehensive competitive multiplayer options, giving players even more reason to pick up the latest entry in the annual sports series.
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