Save file · Overwatch
Overwatch
First release on record 24 May 2016 · first-person shooter, science fiction
Overwatch is Blizzard Entertainment's team-based hero shooter. The original paid game went live on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on 23 May 2016, arrived on Nintendo Switch on 15 October 2019, and left service on 3 October 2022. On 4 October 2022 Blizzard launched a free-to-play successor, first sold as Overwatch 2 and now listed as Overwatch, on Battle.net, Steam (from 10 August 2023), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch. The live client costs $0. Optional US add-ons include the Invasion Story Missions bundle at $14.99 and the Season 5 Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle at $39.99. It is an always-online 5v5 shooter (stores also list 6v6) with cross-play, and it suits players who will use a Battle.net account and who accept ESRB Teen violence, blood, and tobacco.
Researched from the official pages · Updated
| First release | 23 May 2016 on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch; Steam PC from 10 August 2023 |
| Developer | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Publisher | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Price | Free to play; Invasion Bundle $14.99; Season 5 Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle $39.99; Season 5 Starter Pack $9.99; 500 Overwatch Coins $4.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Modes | Online 5v5 (stores also list 6v6); PlayStation 10 online players; Xbox multiplayer 2–12 and co-op 2–6 |
| Age rating | ESRB Teen; PEGI 12 (original editions) / PEGI 16 (live digital); USK 16 (Origins Edition) / USK 12 (live) |
| PC needs | Minimum on Steam: Windows 10 64-bit, 6 GB RAM, 50 GB storage, DirectX 11; recommended 8 GB RAM |
| Account | Battle.net account on every platform; linked mobile phone number required on Battle.net shop pages; Steam lists a Battle.net account as required |
Can you still play the original 2016 Overwatch?
The original Overwatch client is not something you can buy or log into in 2026. Blizzard took the 2016 servers down on 3 October 2022 so a free-to-play successor could go live on 4 October 2022, and owners of the paid game were moved onto that live service. That successor launched as Overwatch 2 in a 5v5 format with 35 heroes and 22 maps across 6 modes; Nintendo later noted the store title changed from Overwatch 2 to Overwatch. US store pages describe the live game as a 5v5 or 6v6 brawl with more than 40 heroes. Training, a practice range, and Play vs. AI were in the 2016 launch notes, but there was no boxed campaign then either.
Where can you get it, and what does it cost in the US?
The live game is free. Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo present Overwatch as a free-to-play download in the United States as of 29 October 2026. Steam added the PC client on 10 August 2023, still requiring a Battle.net account. Optional US prices on that date include the Invasion Story Missions bundle at 14.99 USD, a Season 5 starter pack at 9.99 USD, and the Season 5 Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle at 39.99 USD. Overwatch Coins start at 4.99 USD for 500 coins on Xbox and PlayStation. Invasion is the paid PvE pack: three co-op missions, 1,000 coins, and a Sojourn skin, first sold on 10 August 2023. A Battle.net account and a linked mobile phone number are required.
Which platforms did it launch on, and which ones run the live game?
The 2016 game went live on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on 23 May 2016. The US Xbox store still prints that date on the current listing, which differs from the Wikidata lead of 24 May 2016. Nintendo Switch received Overwatch Legendary Edition on 15 October 2019 at a suggested 39.99 USD, with 31 heroes, 28 maps, gyro aiming, and 6v6 modes. The free-to-play successor launched on 4 October 2022 for Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. PlayStation lists separate PS4 and PS5 editions. Xbox lists Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The US Nintendo page marks the current Switch listing incompatible with Nintendo Switch 2.
How do cross-play, match size, and accounts work?
Blizzard's site says you can team up regardless of platform and carry unlocks and progress across devices. Cross-progression and account merge arrived with the 4 October 2022 launch. Steam players still connect a Battle.net account so they can play with other platforms. PlayStation lists 10 online players and says online play is required. Xbox lists online multiplayer for 2 to 12 players and online co-op for 2 to 6. Live marketing copy calls 5v5 the main brawl and also mentions 6v6. Xbox lists console keyboard and mouse. PlayStation lists DualSense vibration. The 2019 Switch edition added gyro aiming. Steam's store page did not show a Steam Deck compatibility rating on 29 October 2026. Steam lists 13 supported languages; Xbox lists 14; PlayStation lists 15 screen languages.
What should PC and Switch players check before installing?
Steam publishes minimum and recommended PC specifications for the live client; those figures sit in the PC requirements table. Steam requires a 64-bit operating system and a Battle.net account. Battle.net shop pages for current packs also require a linked mobile phone number. The US Nintendo listing reports a 25.2 GB download for Switch. PlayStation states that online play is required.
How is Overwatch rated?
ESRB rates the original Overwatch Teen for Blood, Use of Tobacco, and Violence. Current US Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo pages still use Teen and add Mild Language plus Users Interact and In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items). PEGI rated the original Legendary Edition and Game of the Year Edition 12 for non-realistic violence. The live digital product on PEGI's site is PEGI 16 because of paid random items after a June 2026 criteria change; that page also notes moderate violence and bad language. USK rated Overwatch Origins Edition 16, with an exam date of 10 February 2016, and rated Overwatch 2 and Overwatch (2026) 12 for fantasy violence, with chats and in-game purchases noted on the 9 February 2026 listings.
What paid content sits on top of the free download?
PvP downloads at 0 USD. The paid PvE pack is the Invasion Bundle at 14.99 USD on Steam and Xbox, first sold on 10 August 2023. It grants permanent access to three story missions set in Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, and Gothenburg, plus 1,000 Overwatch Coins. Seasonal spending is separate: the Season 5 Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle is 39.99 USD, listed on Steam with a 6 October 2026 date and 80 reward tiers. Cosmetic packs on that DLC list include Sweet Brigitte at 9.99 USD and Spooky Winston at 19.99 USD, both dated 8 September 2026. Battle.net's Season 5 Battle Pass page states that the product contains loot boxes, which differs from the 4 October 2022 patch note that loot boxes had been removed.
Release dates by platform
| Platform | Date | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows | 23 May 2016 | worldwide | Released |
| PlayStation 4 | 23 May 2016 | worldwide | Released |
| Xbox One | 23 May 2016 | worldwide | Released |
| Nintendo Switch | 15 Oct 2019 | worldwide | Released |
| PlayStation 5 | 04 Oct 2022 | worldwide | Released |
| Xbox Series X|S | 04 Oct 2022 | worldwide | Released |
| Nintendo Switch | 04 Oct 2022 | worldwide | Released |
| Microsoft Windows (Steam) | 10 Aug 2023 | worldwide | Released |
Prices and editions
| Store | Edition | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle.net (US) | Overwatch (live client) | Free | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Steam (US) | Overwatch (live client) | Free | 29 Oct 2026 |
| PlayStation Store (US) | Overwatch (PS5 / PS4) | Free | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Xbox (US) | Overwatch | Free | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Nintendo eShop (US) | Overwatch (Switch) | Free | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Steam (US) | Invasion Bundle | $14.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Xbox (US) | Invasion Bundle | $14.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Steam (US) | Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle 2026: Season 5 | $39.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Xbox (US) | Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle 2026: Season 5 | $39.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| PlayStation Store (US) | Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle 2026: Season 5 | $39.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Steam (US) | Starter Pack 2026: Season 5 | $9.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Xbox (US) | 500 Overwatch Coins | $4.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| PlayStation Store (US) | 500 Overwatch Coins | $4.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Xbox (US) | 1000 Overwatch Coins | $9.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
Prices change often; each is the store's own price on the day shown.
PC requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit with latest service pack | Windows 10 64-bit with latest service pack |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650 | Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 |
| Memory | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 series or AMD Radeon HD 7000 series | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or GTX 1650, AMD R9 380 or RX 6400, or Intel Arc A770 |
| Video memory | — | — |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
| DirectX | 11 | 11 |
From the game's official store page, read 29 Oct 2026; summarised in our own words.
Modes and features
| Feature | On record | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| single-player | Tutorial, Practice Range, and Play vs. AI at the 2016 launch; no boxed campaign. Invasion Story Missions are a paid co-op pack of 3 missions | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| online multiplayer (max players) | Live game marketed as 5v5 (stores also list 6v6). PlayStation: 10 online players. Xbox: online multiplayer 2–12, online co-op 2–6. October 2022 launch notes: 5v5 with 35 heroes on 22 maps across 6 modes. 2019 Switch edition: 6v6 | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| local or split-screen | not listed on the US store pages read | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| crossplay | Yes. Official site: team up with friends regardless of platform. Steam players connect a Battle.net account, which enables cross-platform play | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| cross-progression | Yes on the live client. Added with the 4 October 2022 launch, including account merge onto one profile | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| controller support | Xbox lists console keyboard and mouse. PlayStation lists DualSense vibration. 2019 Switch edition added gyroscopic motion controls. Steam page did not list a controller feature flag | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch |
| Steam Deck rating | not shown on the Steam store page read on 29 October 2026 | Microsoft Windows |
| cloud saves | not listed on the US store pages read | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| supported languages | Steam: 13 languages. Xbox: 14. PlayStation: 11 voice languages and 15 screen languages. Nintendo US lists 10 languages | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| always-online / account | PlayStation: online play required. Battle.net account required on every platform, including Steam. Battle.net shop pages require a linked mobile phone number. 2019 Switch launch required Nintendo Switch Online | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch |
| Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility | US Nintendo store marks the current Switch listing incompatible with Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo Switch |
DLC and expansions
| Name | Released | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Invasion Bundle (Invasion Story Missions, 1,000 Overwatch Coins, Vigilante Sojourn skin) | 10 Aug 2023 | $14.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle 2026: Season 5 | 06 Oct 2026 | $39.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Starter Pack 2026: Season 5 | 06 Oct 2026 | $9.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Lucio Complete Mythic Weapon Skin Bundle | 06 Oct 2026 | $39.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Sweet Brigitte Bundle | 08 Sep 2026 | $9.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Spooky Winston Bundle | 08 Sep 2026 | $19.99 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
Age ratings
| Board | Rating | Content descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| ESRB | T (Teen) | Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence, Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB |
| ESRB | T (Teen) | Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) |
| PEGI | PEGI 12 | non-realistic looking violence towards human-like characters, mild blood |
| PEGI | PEGI 16 | Paid random items, moderate violence, bad language, in-game purchases |
| USK | USK 16 | — |
| USK | USK 12 | Fantasy violence, Chats, In-game purchases |
FAQ
Do you need a phone number to play on PC?
Battle.net shop pages for the Invasion Bundle and the Season 5 Battle Pass state that a mobile phone number must be linked to the Battle.net account to play Overwatch.
Is there a single-player campaign in the free download?
The free client is built around online matches. The 2016 launch offered a tutorial, a practice range, and Play vs. AI. The three Invasion story missions are a paid co-op bundle.
Does the US Nintendo Switch listing run on Switch 2?
The US Nintendo store page marks the current Overwatch Switch listing as incompatible with Nintendo Switch 2.
Are loot boxes still sold?
The 4 October 2022 Overwatch 2 patch notes retired loot boxes. The 2026 Season 5 Battle Pass shop page says that product contains loot boxes, and PEGI's live listing cites paid random items as the reason for PEGI 16.
Did Nintendo Switch players need Switch Online at the 2019 launch?
Blizzard's Switch launch checklist required a current Nintendo Switch Online membership to install and play on 15 October 2019.
Our take
The live free-to-play Overwatch is the only version you can start in 2026. Pick the platform your friends already use. Use PC on Battle.net or Steam for mouse and keyboard, PlayStation or Xbox for the controller features those stores list, and Switch only on Switch hardware, because the US listing is marked incompatible with Switch 2. Plan for always-online play, a Battle.net account, a linked phone number on PC, and optional Season 5 or Invasion purchases. Do not buy expecting the 2016 6v6 servers or an offline campaign.
Best for: players who want a free online 5v5 hero shooter; groups split across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch; people who owned the 2016 game and were moved to the live client.
Not for: anyone who wants the original 2016 6v6 servers as a standalone product; players who need offline play; US Switch 2 owners using the current Switch listing.
Which version: The live free-to-play Overwatch on the platform your friends already use; Battle.net or Steam on PC if you want mouse and keyboard.
Built only from the official facts above. We don't review games we haven't played, and nothing here is paid.
Sources
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Valve / Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Microsoft / Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Sony Interactive Entertainment / Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo / Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Entertainment Software Rating Board read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) read 29 Oct 2026
- PEGI S.A. read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Valve / Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
- Blizzard Entertainment read 29 Oct 2026
The record
Every line has its source and the day it was read- Dates on record
- 24 May 2016 Wikidata · read 26 Oct 2026
- Developer
- Blizzard EntertainmentWikidata · role not verified
- Publishers on record
- Blizzard Entertainment Wikidata
- Genres
- first-person shooter, science fiction video game, hero shooter Wikidata
- Modes
- multiplayer Wikidata
- Age ratings on record
- Wikidata
- Series
- Overwatch Wikidata
- Engine
- proprietary engine Wikidata
- Platforms on record
- WindowsPS4Xbox OneSwitch on Wikidata · on Wikidata without a reference. A platform missing here is not proof it is absent.
Facts: Wikidata Q18515944 (CC0), revision 2550169759, read 26 Oct 2026, researched by VGKami Games Research (VGK-WIKIDATA-CENTRE-20261028-V3d). Spotted a wrong fact? Tell us.
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