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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Vampire Survivors supports two separate co-op modes, local couch co-op and online co-op, each for up to four players. Local co-op shares a screen and needs an input device for every player. Online co-op uses separate devices and room codes or Xbox invites, and lets players roam independently. You cannot mix the two modes in one session.
Choose local or online co-op
| What to compare | Local couch co-op | Online co-op |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Up to four | Up to four |
| How you play | Players share local play and a screen. | Each player uses their own device and can roam independently. |
| Setup | Connect an input device for each player, then switch to co-op before a run. | Host a room and share its code, or join with a code; Xbox also supports platform invites. |
| Platforms | Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, Android, and iOS, according to poncle’s Local Co-Op FAQ. | PC and supported consoles; not mobile at launch, according to poncle’s Online Co-Op FAQ. |
| Cross-play | Not stated in the Local Co-Op FAQ. | Supported within specified ecosystems: Xbox Series X|S with Microsoft Store/Game Pass PC, and PS4 with PS5. Cross-play between different ecosystems, such as Xbox and PlayStation or consoles and Steam, is not supported, per poncle’s Online Co-Op FAQ. |
Both modes are separate options: an online player cannot join a local co-op run as an additional player. The platform and cross-play details above are version-sensitive; check poncle’s live FAQs if you are coordinating across systems.
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How to start local co-op
Set up the players and devices
Local co-op is for people playing together in the same location. Before starting, connect one compatible input device per player. Poncle’s Local Co-Op FAQ lists Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, Android, and iOS as supported formats. On mobile, use Bluetooth controllers for the additional players and turn the device to landscape orientation.
For PC, a controller is a straightforward choice when several people are sharing a computer. The Steam listing for Vampire Survivors confirms controller support. Check that your controllers are compatible with the device you plan to use.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
Switch from single-player to co-op
- Connect an input device for each player.
- Before starting a run, choose co-op from the game’s menu.
- Select available characters and begin the run.
You can switch between single-player and co-op before each run without starting a new save. Unlocks earned in a local co-op run carry over to the single-player save. Players cannot choose duplicate copies of the same character in one run.
How to start online co-op
- From the main menu, select Online.
- Choose whether to host or join a game.
- If hosting, share the room code with the people you want to play with. On Xbox, you can also use platform invites.
- If joining by code, enter the host’s room code. Each player needs their own device and copy of the game.
Online co-op is designed for inviting people you know; the game does not provide random matchmaking. A session supports up to four players. Unlike local co-op, online players can move around independently rather than staying on one shared screen.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Cross-play and platform availability
Poncle’s Online Co-Op FAQ says online play is available on PC and supported consoles, but not on mobile at launch. It lists cross-play within certain ecosystems: Xbox Series X|S can play with PC players using Microsoft Store/Game Pass, and PS4 can play with PS5. Cross-play between different ecosystems is not available; poncle gives Xbox-to-PlayStation and consoles-to-Steam as examples.
These details can change with game updates or platform support. If your group is on different systems, confirm that your exact platform combination is supported in poncle’s Online Co-Op FAQ before arranging a session.
Rank #3
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
DLC, subscriptions, and saved progress
What each player needs
- Base game: Every online player needs a device and a copy of Vampire Survivors.
- Online subscription: Poncle says online play is free on its side, but console players may need the usual online subscription for their platform. Check the platform’s current policy.
- DLC: You do not need DLC just to join an online session. To play DLC content together, every player needs to own the relevant pack. Poncle’s Local Co-Op FAQ also says a player can play DLC in local co-op if they own it.
Which save controls the run?
In online co-op, each player brings characters and unlocks from their own save, while the host’s save determines which stages and items are available to the session. Pickups, gold, and achievements are collected as a group. At the end, each player chooses whether to save progress to their own file.
How co-op changes a run
Local co-op mechanics
- The Friendship Amulet can give all players a level-up, assigning it to a random weapon or, once weapons are maxed, a passive.
- A downed player can revive after a countdown in a coffin, though enemies can interfere.
- Each player has fewer weapon slots as the number of players increases. Poncle says local co-op balance was adjusted to keep runs challenging.
Online disconnects
Enemies do not scale according to the number of online players. If the host disconnects, the session ends. If a client disconnects, that player’s weapons are redistributed and the run continues; the disconnected player cannot rejoin mid-run but can join again after the run.
Rank #4
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
Can you play local co-op remotely?
Poncle does not officially support playing its local co-op mode online, but suggests Steam Remote Play Together on PC as an unofficial workaround. Steam lists Remote Play Together as a feature on the Vampire Survivors store page. This is an alternative way to share a local co-op session remotely; it is not required for online play, which the game now supports natively. Poncle notes that third-party remote-play services may have flaws outside its control.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
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