Riot Games’ tactical first-person shooter, VALORANT, is an exhilarating experience on PC and offers some of the best esports action for fans to watch. Unsurprisingly, gamers from all platforms will want to play this fantastic title that features unique Agents, fast-paced gameplay, and brilliant cartoonish graphics. But where can you actually play it?
Let’s discuss VALORANT’s availability across the different gaming platforms.
What can you play VALORANT on?
Windows PC And Laptop
VALORANT is a PC title that runs brilliantly on Windows 10 and 11, as long as your gaming rig meets the required specs. The good news is that there’s a low barrier for entry if you don’t mind playing at 30 frames per second (fps).
We’ve outlined the official VALORANT minimum and recommended PC specs below.
Minimum VALORANT PC Specs (30 fps)
- OS: Windows 10 (Version 2004 / Build 19041 or higher) or Windows 11 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (Intel) or Athlon 200GE (AMD)
- RAM: 4GB
- GPU: Intel HD 4000 or Radeon R5 200
- Available Storage Space: 30GB
Recommended VALORANT PC Specs (60 fps)
- OS: Windows 10 (Version 2004 / Build 19041 or higher) or Windows 11 64-bit
- CPU: Intel i3-4150 (Intel) or Ryzen 3 1200 (AMD)
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: Geforce GT 730 or Radeon R7 240
- Available Storage Space: 30GB
We recommend going further and playing VALORANT at a stable 144 fps, which requires a 144hz monitor for a silky-smooth experience. Check out the specs we suggest competitive VALORANT gamers play on below.
VALORANT PC Specs (144 or higher fps)
- OS: Windows 10 (Version 2004 / Build 19041 or higher) or Windows 11 64-bit.
- CPU: Intel i5-9400F (2,9 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon R7 370
- Available Storage Space: 30GB
For those on Windows 11, VALORANT requires TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. While the official PC specs note 4GB RAM, we recommend 16GB for optimal experience and an SSD, which is standard for any modern gaming PC. An official post contains the full VALORANT specs details, which Riot Games periodically updates.
We highly recommend connecting a comfortable gaming mouse if you use a laptop. Using a laptop’s trackpad to aim is possible, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should!
What About Apple Computers?
There’s a way to install VALORANT on your Macintosh computer, but it takes extra work. VALORANT only works on Windows, so to get it working on your Mac, you must use Boot Camp. This is a multi-boot utility on Apple’s macOS that allows you to install multiple operating systems, including the version of Microsoft Windows you would like. For VALORANT, again, that means you need to install Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Please note: The process only works on Intel-based Mac systems. Use Boot Camp at your own risk. We are not responsible for any possible technical issues from attempting to get VALORANT working on your Mac.
Due to how VALORANT’s anti-cheat system (Riot Vanguard) functions, you cannot run the game on a Virtual Machine, which emulates a Windows install.
Other Platforms And Consoles
In 2020, Riot Games’ executive producer on VALORANT, Anna Donlon, said in an interview with GameSpot that they are “definitely prototyping” a console port. Fast-forward to late 2024, and VALORANT has finally made its way to the current generation (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X).
Let’s discuss individual console platforms and what we know about VALORANT’s availability.
Is VALORANT on Handheld Systems?
Since the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion GO, and MSI Claw run on Windows 11, you can play VALORANT on all these devices and other high-power handhelds.
Yes, you can also play VALORANT on Valve’s Steam Deck. However, getting the game to run requires a lot of technical know-how, patience, and a bit of luck. VALORANT is not available directly on the Steam store, so the process goes beyond what most users would attempt.
Playing VALORANT on handheld systems running Windows 11 is much easier, as you can simply download and run the game via the Xbox Store.
Is VALORANT On Xbox?
Yes, VALORANT is available on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles. You can download the game for free right now via the Xbox Store.
VALORANT is not available on the Xbox One family of consoles, including the more powerful Xbox One X. There’s no indication that Riot Games will ever bring their popular tactical shooter to previous-gen consoles.
When Did VALORANT Release on Xbox?
Following a quick early access period, VALORANT officially released on Xbox Series X|S consoles on Aug. 2, 2024.
Is VALORANT on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, VALORANT has been on PC Game Pass since 2022, when it was added as Riot Games and Xbox communities came together. Since Aug. 2, 2024, VALORANT is also available on Xbox Game Pass for players on Xbox Series X/S.
Benefits of VALORANT for Xbox Game Pass subscribers include:
- All current Agents
- Day-one access to every new Agent added to the roster
- 20% Match XP boost applied to Battle Pass and Event content
Even more exclusive content could become available in the future.
Is VALORANT On PlayStation?
Yes, VALORANT is available on the PlayStation 5 (PS5). You can download it for free from the PS Store. The game also supports the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback.
VALORANT is not available on the PS4 or PS4 Pro.
When Did VALORANT Release on PlayStation?
Riot Games unleashed VALORANT for PS5 on Aug. 2, 2024.
Does VALORANT Support Crossplay?
VALORANT supports crossplay between Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 consoles, which means players on both consoles can play together. You can also enjoy cross-platform progression if you decide to play the game on console and PC. However, because of fair play concerns in competitive gaming, Xbox and PlayStation gamers can’t play against PC players and they can’t use the mouse and keyboard combo.
Is VALORANT On Mobile?
Thanks to some leaks, we know that VALORANT mobile is in development. The game is reportedly in its alpha stage, and at the time of writing, it is unclear what the device specs or OS version requirements are for top-tier performance.
When Is VALORANT Coming To Mobile?
There is no official release date for VALORANT on mobile devices. Riot confirmed that development continues and may give some updates late in 2024. Don’t fall for the videos and guides that try to bait you with headlines such as “how to download VALORANT mobile in three easy steps.” They’re all fake.
Is VALORANT On Nintendo Switch?
No, the game is not available on Nintendo Switch.
When Is VALORANT Coming To Nintendo Switch?
There’s no indication that VALORANT will ever be released on the Nintendo Switch. There is, however, a chance that the game could appear on Nintendo’s next console.
The Future Of VALORANT
Given Riot’s plans to share “solid updates” about VALORANT on other platforms before the end of 2024, there’s a lot of excitement and renewed hope amongst esports fans worldwide. On PC alone, VALORANT has an estimated 18 to 20 million players per month and millions of viewers on Twitch.
If the game does make it to all major platforms, the “Skye” is the limit in terms of its success and player base.
For more ways to enjoy Riot’s FPS, you can visit our VALORANT betting section. Enjoy competitive odds, live streams of the latest events, and access to our various promos!
