Plants vs Zombies Replanted: How to Play Online Co-Op

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted does not feature native online multiplayer matchmaking or dedicated online servers. Officially, the remaster developed by PopCap Games and The Lost Pixels only includes local shared-screen co-op and local player-versus-player (PvP) modes. However, players can bypass this limitation to play together over the internet using platform-level tools, specifically Steam Remote Play Together on PC and Share Play on PlayStation 5.

Does PvZ Replanted Have Native Online Co-Op?

Official store listings and developer patch notes confirm that Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted was built exclusively around local couch play. The game's Steam page categorizes its multiplayer options strictly under "Shared/Split Screen Co-op" and "Shared/Split Screen PvP." There is no in-game friend lobby, cross-platform invite system, or public matchmaking netcode included in the base package.

Despite launching in 2025 at a standard price of $19.99, PopCap and EA chose not to develop native network code for two-player modes. Players looking to defend the lawn with distant friends must rely entirely on external streaming workarounds provided by their hardware platforms.

How to Play Online Co-Op on Steam (Remote Play Together)

Following community feedback after launch, the development team officially enabled Steam Remote Play Together in Patch v1.4.0. This feature streams the host’s screen and inputs to a friend over the internet, effectively tricking the game into treating the remote session as local couch play.

To set up an online session through Steam:

1. Launch Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted on the host PC.
2. Open the Steam Overlay by pressing Shift + Tab.
3. Open your Friends List, right-click the friend you want to invite, and select "Remote Play Together."
4. Once the invited friend accepts through their Steam client, adjust controller permissions within the Steam Overlay Remote Play settings.
5. In the game’s main menu, select Co-op or Versus mode to begin.

Key Steam Remote Play Requirements

• Only the host needs to own and install the game on Steam; the second player joins the stream for free.
• Player 2 is required to use a physical controller. The game does not support two players sharing the same keyboard simultaneously.
• While Steam allows up to four devices to connect to a Remote Play stream, the developers recommend limiting active input devices to two, as Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted only supports two active players.
• Gameplay fluidity depends directly on the host's upload speed and the guest's connection latency.

How to Play Online Co-Op on PlayStation 5 (Share Play)

Console players on PlayStation 5 do not have official patch-supported streaming toggles like Steam, but they can achieve the same result using the built-in PlayStation Network Share Play system.

1. Create a PlayStation Party with your friend on PS5.
2. Open the party menu, select "Share Screen," and choose "Start Share Play."
3. Select "Visitor Plays as You" or "Play with the Visitor." To play cooperative multiplayer, choose "Play with the Visitor."
4. Boot up Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted and navigate to the multiplayer menu.
5. Assign the visitor as Player 2 using their PS5 controller.

Because Share Play streams the session directly from hardware, the console registers the remote friend as a locally connected second controller. This method requires a steady internet connection on both ends.

Multiplayer Game Modes in Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted

The multiplayer modes in Replanted were adapted from earlier console ports, such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions. Once two player inputs are connected locally or via streaming, players have access to three primary modes:

• Adventure Co-Op: Two players take on standard story levels together. While Player 1 manages traditional plant placement, Player 2 can assist directly on the lawn, utilizing tools such as buttering oncoming zombies to slow their advance or operating the shovel.
• Traditional Co-Op: Both players select distinct plant sets and work side-by-side to defend the lawn against escalating waves. Players must coordinate resource management and collect dropping sunlight collaboratively.
• Versus Mode: An asymmetric head-to-head battle. One player controls the defending plants with the objective of destroying three zombie target cutouts, while the second player controls the zombie horde aiming to breach the house.

Patch v1.4.0 also brought substantial quality-of-life additions that improve multiplayer coordination, notably the "Sun Vacuum" mechanic (activated with Spacebar on keyboard, or R2/ZR on controllers), which lets players collect all visible sunlight instantly rather than clicking each sun individually.

Multiplayer Support by Platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play cross-play co-op between PC and console?

No. Because the game has no online servers or centralized cross-network accounts, cross-play between different platforms is not possible. Remote play workarounds only operate within their respective ecosystems (Steam-to-Steam or PlayStation-to-PlayStation).

Can two players play on PC using one keyboard and one mouse?

No. The official patch notes for update 1.4.0 state that Player 2 must use a separate controller.

Are Mini-Games, Puzzles, and Survival Endless playable in co-op?

In the current release, full co-op functionality is limited to Adventure Co-Op, standard Co-Op mode, and Versus mode. Player reviews note that standalone Puzzle levels, Limbo Page bonus mini-games, and modes like Cloudy Day Endless do not feature cooperative play options.

Will native online multiplayer be added in a future patch?

The developers have not announced any plans to develop native online lobbies or server infrastructure. Official post-launch updates have focused on stability fixes, dynamic audio restoration, accessibility features, and integrating Steam Remote Play Together to address online requests.