Core Keeper
- 4–8players
- Evenings at a time
- PC
- PS5
- Xbox
- Switch 2
- Switch
Wake in an underground cavern and mine, farm, fish and build outward while bosses wait deeper in the dark.
Who can play
- No split-screen on any platform.
- Online for up to 8 players on PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 and up to 4 on Switch.
- Crossplay between Switch 2 and Switch. PC stores play together, as do PS4 with PS5 and Xbox One with Series; PC and consoles do not. Switch players can join a Switch 2 host's world of up to eight.
- Each player online needs their own copy.
How it plays
Up to eight players share one cave, which suits groups who like to split up: one farms, one tunnels, one cooks.
Boss fights pull everyone together, but most of the game is easy to chat through.
Each player needs a copy and their own screen.
Is it good
92%
Very positive on Steam
- 86MetascoreMetacritic (Metascore; opens Metacritic in a new tab)
- 86Top criticsOpenCritic · Feb 2026 (OpenCritic top critic average, 21 reviews, as of Feb 2026; opens OpenCritic in a new tab)
- 95%RecommendOpenCritic · Feb 2026 (OpenCritic critics who recommend it, 21 reviews, as of Feb 2026; opens OpenCritic in a new tab)
4.3k playing on Steam, counted dailySteam Deck Verified
Every way to play together
Crossplay between Switch 2 and Switch. No split-screen. Online for up to 8 on PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 and up to 4 on Switch.
- 8
- 4
The original Switch version hosts four players online; Switch players can also join a world of up to eight that a Switch 2 player hosts.
Quick facts
- Developer
- Pugstorm
- Publisher
- Fireshine Games
- Platforms
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Aug 27, 2024 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Oct 17, 2024 on PS4, Xbox One and Switch
- Jan 28, 2026 on Switch 2
- Controllers
- Full controller support on PC
- Languages
- Text in 13 languages
In these lists
Answers
- Does Core Keeper have couch co-op?
- No. Core Keeper has no same-screen multiplayer; play it together online instead.
- How many players can play Core Keeper together?
- Online co-op for up to 8 on PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch 2. Online co-op for up to 4 on Switch.
- Is Core Keeper crossplay?
- Yes. Crossplay between Switch 2 and Switch. PC stores play together, as do PS4 with PS5 and Xbox One with Series; PC and consoles do not. Switch players can join a Switch 2 host's world of up to eight.
- One of 190 crossplay games
- Do you need two copies of Core Keeper?
- Yes. Each player online needs their own copy.
- Can you play the Core Keeper story together?
- Yes: the main campaign is playable together online.
- What platforms is Core Keeper on?
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
- One of 290 co-op games on PS5
- Does Core Keeper work on Steam Deck?
- Yes: Steam rates it Verified for Steam Deck.
- Is Core Keeper free?
- No, it's a paid game.
