You can play Palworld on PC, on Xbox and on PlayStation 5, and on Xbox it’s even part of Game Pass, so you don’t have to pay for it separately. The road to each platform wasn’t the same, though, and there are still differences worth knowing before you buy the game. In this article you’ll find where the game runs, since when, and what to expect on each platform.
Where Palworld runs
| Platform | Available since | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | 19 January 2024 early access, version 1.0 since 9 July 2026 | Windows only |
| Xbox Series X|S | 19 January 2024 | Included in Game Pass |
| PlayStation 5 | 24 September 2024 | Enhanced version for PS5 Pro |
| Mac, Linux, Steam Deck | – | Steam lists Windows only |
| Nintendo Switch | – | Not announced |
The PlayStation delay is worth noting. While Palworld launched on PC and Xbox right away in January 2024, PS5 owners had to wait eight months. The release came on 24 September 2024 and was announced practically on the same day it came out.
Xbox and Game Pass
This is the most convenient way to get the game. Palworld is in Game Pass, so if you have a subscription, the game costs you nothing extra, either on Xbox or on PC. It’s also the reason the game had such an explosive start: it reached a huge number of people who didn’t have to buy anything.
Keep in mind, though, that a game only stays in Game Pass for as long as the publisher wants it there. How much Palworld costs if you want to buy it outright is covered in a separate article.
PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro
The game has been on PS5 since September 2024, and with the arrival of version 1.0 it got an enhanced version for PS5 Pro. If you own a Pro, the difference is noticeable mainly in smoothness when you have a lot of active Pals at your base, which is exactly the situation where the game struggles even on PC.
The PC version: Windows only
Steam lists Windows only for Palworld. No macOS or Linux version has been announced, and you can’t count on it running on Steam Deck. If you have a weaker computer, note that the game’s requirements include one unusual condition: it requires an SSD, and according to the developers, performance varies with how many Pals you have active at the moment.
Can players on different platforms play together?
Yes. Steam lists cross-platform multiplayer for the game. We cover who it applies to and where the limits are in our article on crossplay.
Which version to choose
If you have Game Pass, start on Xbox or PC through it. It costs you nothing, and you’ll find out whether the game hooks you. If you want to own the game for good and care about performance and mods, go with PC on Steam; it’s the only platform where community-made translations work and where the game has a Workshop. PS5 is the most comfortable option for playing on the couch, and even smoother on the Pro.
FAQ
Yes, since 24 September 2024. PS5 Pro owners get an enhanced version.
Yes, on both Xbox and PC. With an active subscription, you pay nothing extra for the game.
A Switch version has not been announced.
No. Steam lists Windows only for the game.
On 9 July 2026, roughly two and a half years after early access began.
According to the official requirements, yes. An SSD is listed as a requirement, not a recommendation.