If you’ve ever scrolled short-form video and seen clips of flying cars slamming giant soccer balls into nets, you’ve probably wondered what all the hype is about, and what is Rocket League on so you can join the fun. I’ve been playing the game casually for 6 years now, and I’ve tested it on almost every device it supports, from old consoles to budget laptops. It’s one of the few games that works seamlessly across almost every modern gaming system, so there’s a good chance you already own a device that can run it without any extra cost.
What is Rocket League on? Full Breakdown of Supported Platforms
Psyonix, the developer of Rocket League, has made the game accessible to as many players as possible since it went free-to-play in 2020. The core 3D version of the game works across most major consoles, PC, and cloud gaming services, plus there’s an official mobile spin-off for on-the-go play. I’ve listed every supported platform below with key details to help you figure out which option works for you:
- PlayStation 4 & 5: Runs at 4K 120FPS on PS5, includes exclusive PS Plus cosmetic rewards for subscribers, no extra subscription needed for single-player or private matches.
- Xbox One, Series X & S: 4K 120FPS on Series X, 1080p 120FPS on Series S, included with Xbox Game Pass for no extra cost, supports cloud streaming on mobile for Game Pass Ultimate members.
- Nintendo Switch: Runs at 1080p 60FPS docked, 720p 30FPS handheld, perfect for casual play on the go, though graphics are lower than other consoles.
- PC (Epic Games Store & Steam): Fully customizable graphics settings, supports 8K resolution and uncapped FPS for high-end builds, free to claim on Epic Games Store permanently.
- Cloud gaming services (GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming): No local download needed, works on low-end laptops, phones, or even smart TVs as long as you have a stable 15Mbps internet connection.
- Mobile (Rocket League Sideswipe): The official 2D mobile spin-off, free on iOS and Android, designed for touch controls with shorter 2-minute matches for quick play sessions.
One thing to note here is that the core full 3D Rocket League game is not available as a native mobile app right now. A lot of fake app listings pop up on app stores claiming to be the full game, so don’t download those – they’re almost always malware or low-quality knockoffs. Sideswipe is the only official mobile version from Psyonix, and it’s a ton of fun even if it’s not the exact same as the desktop/console release.
Crossplay Support Across All Rocket League Platforms
One of Rocket League’s biggest strengths is its universal crossplay support, which lets you play with friends no matter what device they own. I’ve played matches with friends on PS5, Switch, and PC all in the same lobby, and the connection stays smooth almost every time. You don’t have to do anything special to enable crossplay, it’s turned on by default when you first launch the game.
All your in-game items, rank progress, and customization unlocks carry over across every platform once you link your Epic Games account, so you don’t have to start over if you switch from PS5 to PC, for example. I swap between my PS5 when I’m playing with friends on the couch, and my laptop when I’m traveling, and I never have to worry about losing my limited edition Octane decal I earned back in 2021. That cross progression feature is one of the biggest reasons the game still has such a large active player base 8 years after launch.
If you don't want to play against PC players who use mouse and keyboard, you can disable crossplay in settings, but that will increase your queue times a lot, especially in higher ranks. Most players leave it on, since the skill difference between controller and mouse and keyboard players evens out at most rank levels.
Which Platform Should You Pick to Play Rocket League?
You don’t need to buy new hardware to play Rocket League well, so if you already own any of the supported devices, just start with that. But if you’re trying to decide which device to use for the best experience, it all depends on how you prefer to play, and whether you’re a casual or competitive player.
PC or PS5/Xbox Series X are the best picks for competitive players who want to climb the ranked ladder. They support higher FPS and lower input lag, which makes a huge difference when you’re trying to hit fast aerials or make split-second saves. Mouse and keyboard on PC gives you more precise control for tricky mechanics, but a lot of pro players still use controllers too, so it’s really personal preference. I play with a controller on PS5 and I’ve made it to Champion rank, so you don’t have to switch to mouse and keyboard to be good.
For casual players who play on the go a lot, Nintendo Switch or Sideswipe on mobile are great choices. The Switch version runs well enough for casual matches with friends, and Sideswipe is perfect for 5 minute play sessions while you’re waiting for a bus or in a waiting room. I play Sideswipe almost every day on my commute, and it’s just as addictive as the full game.
If you don’t own any gaming hardware and don’t want to spend money, check if you have access to a cloud gaming service. Xbox Cloud Gaming is included with Game Pass Ultimate, which a lot of people already have for other games, and GeForce Now has a free tier that works for short play sessions. Just make sure you have a wired internet connection if you’re playing via cloud, because even a small amount of lag can make it almost impossible to hit shots or make saves.
Common Rocket League Platform Issues and How to Fix Them
Even though Rocket League is pretty well optimized across all platforms, you might run into small issues every now and then. I’ve dealt with almost every common problem over the years, so I’ve listed the easiest fixes below to get you back playing fast.
If you’re getting low FPS on PC, turn off background recording in Windows settings, and lower the anti-aliasing and shadow settings first – those two have the biggest impact on performance without making the game look noticeably worse. You don’t need a high-end gaming PC to run Rocket League well – even a 5 year old budget laptop with an integrated graphics card can run it at 60FPS on low settings.
If you’re playing on Switch handheld mode and noticing input lag, turn off the Wi-Fi if you’re playing offline, that cuts down on input lag a lot. Also, make sure your joycons are fully charged, because low battery can cause delayed inputs that make it hard to control your car. I used to have this problem all the time until I started keeping my joycons charged between play sessions.
If you can’t join a friend’s lobby who’s on a different platform, make sure both of you have crossplay enabled in settings, and that your Epic Games account is linked properly. If that still doesn’t work, restart your game and your router – that fixes 90% of crossplay connection problems in my experience.
If you’re getting lag on cloud gaming, close all other apps that are using your internet, and move closer to your router if you’re on Wi-Fi. Wired ethernet is always better for cloud gaming if you have the option, but a strong 5GHz Wi-Fi connection works almost as well for most matches.
At the end of the day, there’s no wrong answer when you’re figuring out what is Rocket League on that works for you. The game is designed to be accessible for everyone, no matter what device you own, and the crossplay and cross progression features mean you never have to worry about being locked out of playing with friends. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s completely free to play on almost every platform, so there’s no risk in downloading it and giving it a shot. You might just find your new favorite casual or competitive game to play for years to come.
