Party games
What makes a good party game, and what to look for when buying one for a group.
Party games are designed for several people playing together in the same room, usually in short rounds, with rules simple enough that someone who has never held a controller can join in immediately.
The genre is built around a social situation rather than a mechanic: the game is the excuse, the people are the point.
What makes a good one
Instantly understandable. If explaining the rules takes longer than a round, it is the wrong game for a party.
Short rounds. Two to five minutes, so nobody waits long and anyone can join between rounds.
A skill gap that does not ruin it. The best party games let a beginner beat an experienced player occasionally, through luck or a mechanic that closes the gap.
Local multiplayer for four or more. This is the essential requirement and the one most often missed.
Something to watch. Good party games are entertaining even when it is not your turn.
What are the best party games for groups?
Mario Kart is the reference point — easy to grasp, competitive, and built so that the player in last place is never out of it. Super Smash Bros., Mario Party, Overcooked, Just Dance and Jackbox Party Pack are the other regulars.
Jackbox is worth a note: players use their phones as controllers, so you only need one copy and no extra controllers. That makes it the cheapest way to get a large group playing.
What to check before buying
How many players locally? Some games support four on one screen, others two. Read the box specifically for local players, not online.
How many controllers do you need? Four-player games need four controllers, which can cost more than the game. Budget for them.
Does it need online? Some titles marketed as party games are primarily online, which is not the same thing.
Platform note
Nintendo dominates this category, and the Switch has a practical advantage: each Joy-Con can act as a controller on its own, so a single console supports several players without buying extra controllers. That is a real consideration when buying a console for a family.
See our Nintendo Switch page, or call 16280 and tell us how many people play — we will suggest something that fits the controllers you already have.