Online Multiplayer: Ranked, Private Rooms, Subscriptions and Connection Fixes

The three Versus modes

Mode	Where	Who
Regular Match	Online, worldwide matchmaking	One opponent, ranked or free
Private Match	Online, invite-only room	One friend
Offline Match	Same console	A friend on a second controller, or the CPU

Regular Match is the only mode with any progression: Bandai Namco describes it as switching between ranked and free with a single button, and has published nothing about ranks, points or seasons. Offline Match needs one controller per player.

You can put your custom player into any team you have unlocked and take that team online. You cannot build a squad from players across teams — the whole team is the unit, which is why the team builder exists outside the game.

What each platform needs

Platform	Subscription	Anti-cheat
PS5	PS Plus	—
Xbox Series X|S	Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate	—
Nintendo Switch	Nintendo Switch Online	—
PC (Steam)	None	Easy Anti-Cheat, kernel level

The anti-cheat is the PC story of launch week. Steam’s own Deck report marks the game Unsupported because of it, so Steam Deck and Linux cannot run it; and it stays installed after uninstalling the game unless you remove it by hand, which Steam’s listing says outright.

Cross-play: not announced, not listed

Bandai Namco has not announced cross-platform play, Steam’s feature list does not carry the cross-platform tag every cross-play game shows, and no store page mentions it. Until one of those changes, plan on PS5 players playing PS5 players: a friend on Switch will not find you from PC in Private Match.

Bandai Namco’s own connection advice

The Versus page doubles as the official troubleshooting guide, and it is specific:

• Set the matching range to “Near”. That is the recommended setting. Only widen it to “All” if matches take too long, and expect a less stable game when you do.
• Read the antenna. After Regular Match finds an opponent it shows a signal indicator for the connection between the two of you. Fewer than three bars means lag; cancel and match again. The indicator is not shown during the match itself.
• Use a wired connection. Bandai Namco recommends wired LAN and warns that old-standard LAN adapters can cause stutter. Switch owners get a pointer to Nintendo’s wired-connection guide.
• Check your NAT type. Open or Moderate is recommended; Strict may fail to match at all.
• Then the usual: check PSN, Nintendo, Xbox Live or Steam status pages, ask your ISP, and as a last step reinstall the game data.

The fair-play policy

Bandai Namco’s site lists what gets a player pulled out of normal matchmaking or suspended: tampering with game data, using unauthorised tools, deliberately disconnecting during a match, and idling through one. Reports go through the in-game report function or the contact form; your opponent’s details are shown on the match-start and result screens.

PC quirks reported at launch

• After Regular Match finds an opponent, confirm with the controller. Players report that pressing start on the keyboard leaves you playing the match on keyboard.
• Some players see a “transmission error” that blocks online while Story Mode works; Bandai Namco’s only public response so far is the PC crash thread for launch crashes.
• A black screen after the anti-cheat splash on Windows 11 has been reported alongside the crash issues.

Online FAQ

Is there online co-op — two players on one team?

No. The maximum is two players per match, one each side. The previous game’s 2v2 is not in this one.

Does the Switch version need Nintendo Switch Online?

Yes, for Regular and Private Match. Offline Match and the whole Story Mode do not.

Does Steam need a subscription?

No. Steam is the only platform with no online membership requirement — and the only one with kernel-level anti-cheat.

Can I use my custom player online?

Yes, inside any unlocked team. Bandai Namco’s Versus page says so directly.

Are there online achievements?

No. Every achievement can be earned offline — see the achievements list.