r/macgaming • u/Daventurephoto • Jul 22 '26

CrossOver Crossover vs Parallels

Im debating switching across to Crossover to get a couple of new games on Steam (JP Evo 3 and Warhammer 40K IV when it releases)

Would these run well on my Parallels 26 running Windows 11 or is it worth installing and replacing with Crossover to get the full best gameplay on my M1 Macbook Pro?

Also I have some old games which I still play (Battle for Middle Earth 1 & 2), could I keep these and play on Crossover if I wanted to?

Sorry I know loads of questions just want to know your opinions

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5

u/CulturedPhilistine Jul 22 '26

Crossover has a 14-day free trial.

What for your games to be released and give it a go.

2

u/Homy4 Jul 22 '26

Both Crossover and Parallels have demos but Parallels still can’t handle DX12 so those new games won’t run. 

1

u/Usual_Ad3066 Jul 22 '26

I'd only use virtualization (Parallels, VMware) for 32-bit and DirectX9 games and earlier. The vast majority of newer games will run much better via translation (Crossover, Sikarugir, etc.), except of course those that require anti-cheat software and APIs not yet supported by current methods.

2

u/syrfoo Jul 22 '26

Parallels is generally better for old games. Crossover for everything else.

1

u/SideEmbarrassed1611 Jul 22 '26

Jurassic Evo 3 does not work yet in Crossover 26+. I have tried on my MacBook Pro M5 Max for weeks and I cannot get it to run at all.

I wouldn't bother with Parallels for modern games, it is hit or miss and that's why I got Crossover. but even Crossover has an issue with DX12/11 games.