PokeBonk multiplayer and Co-op Beta

Is PokeBonk multiplayer now?

The current official main menu shows “Co-op — With friends — 2–4 — BETA.” The next screen repeats the 2–4 trainer limit and offers separate paths to create a room or join with a code. That is direct current-client evidence of shared co-op; clans, rankings and friend lists are separate online features.

• Status: live in the current client and explicitly labeled Beta.
• Party size shown now: 2–4 trainers.
• Scope: co-op with friends, not a verified PvP mode.

Create or join a Co-op room

From the official game, enter as Guest or sign in, then select Co-op on the main menu. The Create a room panel says the creator picks the map and difficulty and invites friends. The alternative Join with a code panel uses four character boxes and says the room creator gives you the code.

A Guest session reached this Co-op entry screen during the October 26 check. We did not submit Create room, so account-specific invite limits and the complete post-creation sequence remain untested in this review.

• Creator: choose Create room, then use the room’s current invite or sharing controls.
• Joining player: enter the four-character room code supplied by the creator.
• Everyone: update to the same current version before trying to start.

What the official room flow supports

Official release notes describe a room with its destination, team, chat and friend invitations. They also document sharing the room by link, live Ready and chat updates, and a Start check that waits until every player is connected. The room only allows maps and difficulties unlocked by the whole team and identifies who is missing an unlock.

• v0.8.30: redesigned room, visible invites, friend list and shareable room link.
• v0.8.38: Ready, chat and teammate changes update live.
• v0.8.32–0.8.33: connection, version and shared-unlock checks before starting.

What changes during a co-op run

The official notes document shared map discoveries, per-player damage in pause and the final summary, reviving a nearby teammate by holding E, and returning to the same room after a run. v0.8.47 also allows a player to visit the Lab from the room and return without leaving the group.

• Stay on the same version so the room can complete its compatibility check.
• Move next to a downed teammate and hold E to revive, as documented in v0.8.31.
• Use the current room and in-game prompts because Beta behavior can change between builds.

Fix common Co-op connection problems

First compare the version under the PokeBonk logo for every player. Official v0.8.42 notes say an out-of-date teammate receives a reload warning. If a network blocks direct player connections, v0.8.32 says the game can relay through the project server, while v0.8.34 adds an explanation when the browser blocks player-to-player connections.

If a room still does not start, keep the room code private, record the exact visible error and current version, then use the official report or support path. This guide does not prescribe router changes, firewall exceptions or third-party downloads without a matching official error message.

• Version mismatch: reload the official game until everyone shows the same build.
• Stuck connecting: read the current room warning before changing browser or network settings.
• Player left: current release notes include cleanup and re-invite fixes, but Beta rooms can still change quickly.

Current limits and older claims

An October 11 creator forum post described co-op for up to eight players. The current v0.8.55 game UI instead says 2–4 trainers, so this guide uses the newer in-game limit. We did not complete a full shared run, test every browser pair, verify cross-device account recovery or confirm PvP in the current client.

• Use 2–4 as the current room limit until the official UI changes.
• Treat old videos, posts and screenshots as version-dated evidence.
• Do not treat clans or leaderboards as proof of a specific co-op rule.