Online multiplayer gaming has changed considerably since this list first appeared. Mobile games now move easily between phones, tablets and computers, while several major titles offer native PC editions or browser versions that make an Android emulator unnecessary.
Among Us, Minecraft, 8 Ball Pool and Clash of Clans still represent four very different approaches to multiplayer play: social deduction, open-world creativity, competitive sport and long-form strategy. If you want to move from a small touchscreen to a larger display, here is what each game offers and the best way to approach PC play today.
Among Us
Few multiplayer games turn a group of friends against one another quite as efficiently as Among Us. Developed by InnerSloth, the social deduction game places Crewmates and Impostors together in enclosed environments where cooperation quickly gives way to suspicion.
Crewmates complete tasks and attempt to identify the Impostors, while the opposing side sabotages the environment and eliminates players without exposing itself. Emergency meetings transform the game into a social contest: accusations fly, alibis collapse and sometimes an innocent Crewmate disappears through the airlock.
The original article suggested using an Android emulator for PC play, but that is no longer necessary. Among Us has an official PC version, making native desktop play the cleaner option. InnerSloth has also continued expanding the universe, including the separate narrative title Among Us Story: On Guard.
Minecraft
Minecraft remains difficult to reduce to a single genre. It is simultaneously a survival game, construction sandbox, multiplayer meeting place and enormous canvas for player creativity.
A new world can begin quietly: trees, open terrain and a few blocks collected before darkness arrives. From there, players can build homes, farms and sprawling settlements, explore underground environments, gather resources and confront hostile creatures. Multiplayer turns those systems into collaborative projects or shared survival adventures.
PC players should use the official Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC rather than emulating the mobile edition. Bedrock Edition is particularly useful for groups spread across different hardware because it supports cross-platform multiplayer between compatible Windows PCs, consoles and mobile devices.
8 Ball Pool
8 Ball Pool takes a much narrower idea and makes it remarkably competitive. Miniclip’s multiplayer pool game revolves around short matches against friends and other players, with cues, tables, tournaments and progression adding structure around the familiar rules of pool.
Its simplicity remains part of the appeal. There is no enormous world to understand before playing. You line up the shot, consider the angle, control the power and hope the cue ball behaves.
It is also one of the easiest games on this list to access from a computer. Miniclip continues to provide an official 8 Ball Pool web experience, so there is little reason to install an Android emulator simply to play it on PC.
Clash of Clans
Clash of Clans operates at a different pace. Rather than relying primarily on rapid individual matches, Supercell’s strategy game asks players to construct and defend a village, develop troops and plan attacks against other players.
The long-term attraction comes from progression. Buildings improve, defenses become more complicated and armies develop as the player moves forward. Joining a clan adds the social layer that helped transform the game from a village builder into a lasting multiplayer community.
The strategic rhythm also makes it suited to larger screens. Base layouts are easier to inspect, attack routes become clearer and managing a developed village benefits from additional display space.
Do You Still Need an Android Emulator to Play Mobile Games on PC?
Not necessarily. That is the biggest change from the original version of this article. An emulator such as BlueStacks can still be useful when a game has no suitable desktop alternative, but it should no longer be treated as the default route.
Among Us and Minecraft have dedicated PC versions, while 8 Ball Pool can be played through its official web experience. Before installing an emulator, check whether the developer provides a native Windows version, browser edition or another officially supported PC option.
Which Multiplayer Game Should You Play?
The answer depends on the atmosphere you want. Among Us works particularly well for groups that enjoy conversation, deception and chaos. Minecraft provides almost limitless room for exploration and building. 8 Ball Pool delivers fast competitive matches, while Clash of Clans rewards players who enjoy strategy and gradual progression.
What connects them is accessibility. A multiplayer session no longer needs to stay confined to the device in your pocket. In many cases, moving to PC is now supported directly by the games and platforms themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play mobile games on a PC?
Yes. Depending on the game, you may be able to use an official PC edition, a browser version or an Android gaming environment. Check for an official desktop option first.
Can you play Minecraft mobile with PC players?
Yes, when compatible players are using Minecraft Bedrock Edition. Bedrock supports cross-platform multiplayer across several platforms, including Windows and mobile.
Can you play 8 Ball Pool on PC?
Yes. Miniclip maintains a web version of 8 Ball Pool, allowing the game to be played from a computer without relying solely on mobile emulation.
Do you need BlueStacks to play Among Us on PC?
No. Among Us has an official PC edition, so an Android emulator is not required for standard PC play.