Apple Silicon changed what is possible on a Mac. The M-series chips are fast enough to run modern AAA games at playable settings, and Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit gave compatibility layers a serious DirectX 12 path. CrossOver, the commercial Wine fork from CodeWeavers, folded that work into its pipeline and now runs a long list of Windows-only games on macOS without any tinkering with Terminal commands.
We installed CrossOver on an M3 Pro MacBook Pro and an M2 Air, ran each title for at least an hour, and checked CodeWeavers’ own compatibility database for community ratings before committing each game to this list. These are the eight Windows games that hold up best in 2026. Each entry covers what to expect on Apple Silicon, where the experience falls short of a native build, and the simple settings adjustments that make the biggest difference.
What to look for before you start
A few rules apply to every CrossOver install. They will save you a frustrating evening.
- Use Apple Silicon. Intel Macs technically still work, but DXVK, MoltenVK, and the Game Porting Toolkit translation layers are tuned for M-series GPUs. An Intel Mac with an integrated GPU will struggle with anything past indie titles.
- Check the CodeWeavers compatibility database. The ratings (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) reflect real install reports. A Gold rating with recent confirmations is the green light. A Silver rating usually means some manual fiddling.
- Pick a 14-day trial first. CodeWeavers offers a free trial with no payment up front. Install the games you actually want before you pay $74 for the licence.
- Steam works inside CrossOver. The Windows Steam client runs cleanly inside a CrossOver bottle, which means cloud saves, Steam Workshop mods, and Remote Play all carry over. Battle.net and Epic Games Store also run, with a slightly higher chance of small UI glitches.
- Disable shader pre-caching where it makes things worse. A few games hang on first launch while compiling shaders through MoltenVK. Letting it finish once is usually all it takes.
- Keep an eye on storage. AAA installs are 80 to 150 GB now. CrossOver bottles, prefix folders, and shader caches add another few gigabytes per title. A 256 GB MacBook is too tight for more than a couple of these games at once.
Quick comparison
| Game | Genre | CrossOver compatibility | Native Mac version | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Open-world RPG | Playable, medium settings on M2/M3 | No | $59.99 |
| Elden Ring | Souls-like RPG | Playable with FPS unlock mod off | No | $59.99 |
| Diablo IV | Action RPG | Playable, online stable | No | $69.99 |
| Hogwarts Legacy | Open-world RPG | Playable, lower textures recommended | No | $59.99 |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | Open-world RPG | Playable on Next-Gen patch | Old build only | $39.99 |
| Lies of P | Souls-like | Playable, smooth on M3 Pro | No | $59.99 |
| Age of Empires IV | Real-time strategy | Playable, 1080p comfortable | No | $59.99 |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition | Open-world RPG | Playable with most mods | No | $39.99 |
1. Cyberpunk 2077, the headline test for Apple Silicon
Cyberpunk 2077 is the title that put CrossOver on the map for Mac gamers. CD Projekt Red has no plans for a native macOS port, but the Windows build runs through CrossOver on M-series chips at medium settings, 1080p, with frame rates in the 40 to 55 FPS range on an M3 Pro. The Phantom Liberty expansion runs the same way, and the path-traced Overdrive mode is, predictably, not realistic on any current Mac.
Ray tracing on Reflections is doable on M3 Max, but it tanks frame rates by about 30 percent. Most players will get a better experience leaving ray tracing off, capping the frame rate at 60, and using FSR set to Quality. Save files transfer in and out cleanly via Steam Cloud, so a Windows desktop and a Mac can share progress.
Where it falls short: the in-game benchmark sometimes crashes on first run while the GPTK shader cache builds. Skip it, load a save, and the game itself is stable. Cutscenes can stutter for a second on first viewing as shaders compile.
How to buy: Steam, GOG, or Epic Games Store. The Steam version is the smoothest path because the Windows Steam client already runs well in CrossOver.
Bottom line: the marquee CrossOver game on Mac, and the one that sells the licence to a lot of people. Buy it on a deep sale and run the trial first.
2. Elden Ring, the souls-like that proved DirectX 12 works
Elden Ring and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion both run under CrossOver on Apple Silicon at locked 60 FPS in most areas. FromSoftware caps the frame rate at 60 on PC by design, which works in CrossOver’s favour because the M-series GPUs do not have to chase higher numbers. Open areas like Limgrave and the Land of Shadow drop into the 45 to 55 FPS range on M2, but the M3 family holds 60 nearly everywhere.
The biggest fix is to disable Easy Anti-Cheat for offline play. CrossOver supports EAC for some titles but Elden Ring’s online mode is hit or miss, and offline runs are perfectly stable. Cloud saves through Steam carry your character.
Where it falls short: multiplayer summon signs and invasions can fail to connect in some regions, because the anti-cheat layer routes through CrossOver’s Wine networking stack. Solo and co-op via password rooms work better than open-world summons.
How to buy: Steam.
Bottom line: the second most-played Windows game on Mac via CrossOver, and the smoothest souls-like in the catalogue.
3. Diablo IV, the most stable Blizzard title on Mac in 2026
Diablo IV is the cleanest Blizzard game to run on Mac via CrossOver. Battle.net installs without surprises, the Diablo IV launcher recognises the install path on first try, and the Vessel of Hatred expansion is fully playable. On an M2 Air, the game runs at 1080p medium settings around 50 FPS. On an M3 Pro it climbs to a stable 60 FPS at 1440p with high textures, which is where it should live.
Battle.net’s launcher updates and game patches occasionally hang for a few seconds while CrossOver maps Windows file paths. Letting the launcher sit for a minute usually resolves it. Voice chat in parties does not work, so use Discord on the Mac side instead.
Where it falls short: the season pass UI in Battle.net sometimes loads slowly, and the in-launcher news ticker can flicker. Both are cosmetic. Combat itself is rock solid.
How to buy: Battle.net (the standalone Windows installer for Battle.net works inside CrossOver’s Diablo IV recipe).
Bottom line: the right pick if you want the best loot grind on Mac and you do not mind Battle.net’s occasional UI quirks.
4. Hogwarts Legacy, big open world that still hits 60
Hogwarts Legacy is one of the more demanding titles on this list, but it runs better on CrossOver than the system requirements would suggest. Hogwarts itself, the most GPU-heavy area in the game, holds 45 to 55 FPS on an M3 Pro at 1440p with high textures. Drop to 1080p and Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest stay above 60.
Volumetric fog and ray-traced reflections are the two settings to turn off first. Both are expensive in DXVK and add little visually compared to baseline high settings. Frame generation through FSR 3 is also worth turning on if you can tolerate the very slight ghosting on broomsticks and spell effects.
Where it falls short: loading times into and out of Hogwarts are noticeably longer than on a native Windows install on equivalent hardware, by 15 to 30 seconds. Once the world is loaded, gameplay is smooth.
How to buy: Steam or Epic Games Store. Steam is more reliable inside CrossOver.
Bottom line: if you want a recent open-world AAA on Mac and you have an M3 Pro or better, this is the one to play.
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the Next-Gen update that the old Mac port never received
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has an old native Mac port from 2016, but the 2022 Next-Gen update with ray tracing, improved textures, and quest fixes was Windows and console only. CrossOver runs the Next-Gen Windows build cleanly on Apple Silicon at 1440p, around 50 to 60 FPS with most of the new effects on. Ray tracing remains expensive, so leave it off for a comfortable experience and turn on the Next-Gen visual upgrades that do not cost much.
Mods from Nexus Mods install the way they would on Windows, because the Windows file structure is what CrossOver presents to the game. The Script Merger tool also works.
Where it falls short: the GOG Galaxy launcher is slightly less stable than Steam in CrossOver. Use the Steam version if you have a choice. GOG offline mode is a workable fallback.
How to buy: Steam or GOG.
Bottom line: the cleanest way to play the Next-Gen edition of one of the best RPGs ever made on a Mac, mods included.
6. Lies of P, the souls-like that runs surprisingly well
Lies of P has become a favourite among CrossOver users because it runs unusually well for a recent UE4 game. On M3 Pro it holds 60 FPS at 1440p with high settings, and on M2 it sits in the 45 to 55 FPS range at 1080p high. The combat hit-stop timing is preserved correctly, which is the thing souls-like fans care about.
The Overture DLC released in 2025 runs the same way as the base game. Save files in cloud sync without issues, and the DualSense rumble and trigger effects from the Windows version are forwarded through CrossOver if you connect a controller via USB.
Where it falls short: very rarely the in-game lighting in the Krat Hotel hub flickers for a few frames after fast travel. Walking out and back fixes it. No crashes in the run we logged.
How to buy: Steam or Epic Games Store. Steam is the smoother install.
Bottom line: the best non-FromSoftware souls-like on Mac and one of the smoothest CrossOver experiences right now.
7. Age of Empires IV, the strategy game Mac never got
Age of Empires IV has no Mac version and Microsoft has not announced one. CrossOver runs the Windows build well, and Age IV’s relatively modest hardware requirements mean a base M2 Air can handle 1080p medium with 60 FPS in skirmish matches. M3 Pro hits 1440p high comfortably.
Multiplayer through Microsoft’s matchmaking works, including ranked queues. The Anniversary Edition update from 2024 and the more recent civilisation packs all install without extra steps. Mods from the official mod browser also load.
Where it falls short: the launcher requires a Microsoft account sign-in that occasionally fails on first run. Restarting the launcher usually clears it. Cinematic cutscenes between campaign missions occasionally drop frames, but missions themselves run smoothly.
How to buy: Steam or Microsoft Store. Steam is more reliable in CrossOver.
Bottom line: the best modern RTS on Mac if you want something beyond StarCraft II’s native client.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, the modding king
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition has no native macOS build, but the Windows version runs almost flawlessly under CrossOver on Apple Silicon, including the 2024 Anniversary Edition content and the bulk of the Nexus Mods catalogue. M2 Air handles 1080p ultra at 60 FPS, M3 Pro handles 1440p ultra. Modlists like Nolvus and Wabbajack take effort to install (because they assume Windows paths), but a single-mod or LOOT-managed install is straightforward.
Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) works as long as the version matches your Skyrim build. Most ENB presets do not work on Apple Silicon because the underlying graphics extensions are Windows-specific, but Reshade and most lighting overhauls do.
Where it falls short: ENB is the headline limitation. If your modding life depends on ENB, this is not the path. For everything else, including SkyUI, AE-compatible Creation Club content, and most quest mods, the experience matches Windows.
How to buy: Steam.
Bottom line: the most flexible RPG on Mac in 2026, and the one that justifies CrossOver’s licence on its own for Skyrim modders.
How to pick one
- If you have an M2 or older Apple Silicon Mac: start with Lies of P or Skyrim Special Edition. Both run at 60 FPS without compromise.
- If you have an M3 Pro or M3 Max: Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy are the showcase titles. The eight cores of GPU compute are what these games need.
- If you want online multiplayer: Diablo IV and Age of Empires IV are the most stable. Elden Ring online is workable but inconsistent.
- If you have a small SSD: Lies of P and Age of Empires IV are the smallest installs. Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy will eat 90 GB each.
- If you already own these on Steam: the trial of CrossOver costs nothing for 14 days. Install the Windows Steam client inside CrossOver and your library shows up.
CrossOver vs. the alternatives
CrossOver is not the only way to play Windows games on a Mac. The other options are worth knowing.
- Whisky is a free GUI on top of Wine and the Apple Game Porting Toolkit. It runs many of the same games CrossOver does, but development paused in early 2024 and CodeWeavers’ staff now contribute most upstream Wine fixes. It still works, but the gap with CrossOver is widening.
- Apple Game Porting Toolkit itself is a free download from Apple, but it is a developer tool and requires command-line setup. CrossOver wraps it with a friendlier UI and adds its own optimisations.
- Parallels Desktop runs Windows in a VM with full DirectX 11 emulation. Performance is lower than CrossOver because games run inside a guest OS rather than translated calls. Use it for productivity Windows apps, not gaming.
- GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming stream the same titles from a remote server. Latency is higher, but the Mac’s GPU is doing nothing, so battery life is better. See our guide to streaming PC games to Android for the full picture, since the same services run on Mac.
FAQ
What is the best Windows game to play on Mac with CrossOver?
For most people, Cyberpunk 2077 is the headline title and the one most often used to demo CrossOver on Apple Silicon. For souls-like fans, Elden Ring or Lies of P. For RPG modders, Skyrim Special Edition. For online action RPG players, Diablo IV.
Does CrossOver run all Windows games?
No. CodeWeavers maintains a compatibility database that rates each game from Platinum (perfect) down to Bronze (some issues) and Untested. Anti-cheat is the most common blocker, particularly kernel-level systems like BattlEye and EAC in online modes. Single-player titles work the most reliably.
Is CrossOver free?
CrossOver Mac costs $74 for 12 months of support and updates, with a 14-day free trial. The trial does not require payment up front. Whisky is a free open-source alternative built on the same core technology.
Do I need an Apple Silicon Mac?
Strongly recommended. CrossOver still installs on Intel Macs, but the Apple Game Porting Toolkit DirectX 12 layer targets Apple Silicon GPUs and translation overhead is much higher on Intel. Most of the games on this list will not be playable on Intel hardware.
Can I use Steam with CrossOver?
Yes. The Windows Steam client installs cleanly in a CrossOver bottle. Cloud saves, the Steam Workshop, and Remote Play all work. Steam is the most reliable launcher inside CrossOver, more so than Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, or Battle.net.
Will CrossOver damage my Mac?
No. CrossOver is a sandboxed Wine fork. Each game lives in its own bottle, which is just a folder. Uninstalling a game removes the bottle without touching macOS. There is no kernel extension and no system-level modification.
