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The 25 best party video games

Jeux.ca

There’s nothing better than a video game party with friends! Whether it’s online or on the same screen, video game parties are great for making new friendships… or breaking them forever

Finding good party games that can be played with many people is not an easy task. So here’s a list of the 25 best party games to try with several of your friends.

THE JACKBOX PARTY

PACK

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Jackbox Party Packs are the ultimate party games for family and friends. Each Jackbox Party Pack contains 5 fun and accessible games, such as Quiplash, Trivia Murder Party, Guesspionage, Fibbage, etc. The advantage of having a Jackbox Party Pack game on your video game console is that you don’t have to buy multiple controllers to play together. Each player simply pulls out their smart phone, enters the game code into their web browser and voila, you’re in the game!

MARIO KART 8 DELUXE

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Mario Kart has been a classic party game since its debut on the SNES in the 90s. The 8th installment of the franchise is no exception and is a must have if you have a Nintendo Switch. The Switch Deluxe version takes the original game released on the Wii U while adding several characters and an improved Battle mode. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is so successful that Nintendo recently announced the Booster Course Pass, DLC that will add 48 new race tracks between March 2022 and the end of 2023.

  • Number of players: up to 4 players on the console or 12 players online
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch

GANG BEASTS

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Developed by small British studio Boneloaf, Gang Beasts has become a huge hit in party games since its release in 2017. The concept is simple and takes after the King of the Mountain, just push your opponents down the arena to eliminate it and be the last survivor. All this with characters not easy to control and physics that makes no sense. Guaranteed fun at your video game parties!

ROCKET LEAGUE

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A game that is easy to access, but difficult to master, Rocket League has become one of the biggest global video game hits in recent years. It’s a soccer game, but instead of controlling humans, you have to score goals with a small car equipped with several rockets that allow you to temporarily fly. Mix that with crazy physics and many game modes, the game is a real pleasure to play. Moreover, the game is free-to-play since 2020, making Rocket League a must-have party game for your evenings with friends.

DON’T STARVE TOGETHER

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“Enter a strange and unexplored world filled with strange creatures, dangers and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures to suit your survival style. Play your way through the mysteries of this strange land. Cooperate with your friends in private play or take a chance with strangers online. Collaborate with other players to survive this challenging environment, or go it alone.” – Xbox

HEAVE HO

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“In Heave Ho, up to four players face a simple challenge: avoid the deadly fall! You’ll use both hands and your buddies’ outstretched arms to swing chorus-like over the void and make your way through each level to victory. Grab your buddies’ saving hands in extremis, climb on them as they hang from dizzying heights, and hurl your buddies toward land before joining them in a merry mess of tangled arms and hands. Customize your virtual alter ego with a host of super-class accessories and zany gear in the vain hope of remembering who you are and which of your hands is the only thing that will save you from a spectacular tumble.” – Xbox

THE DARK PICTURES ANTHOLOGY

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Developed by the studio behind Until Dawn on PlayStation 4, The Dark Pictures Anthology games take the “interactive horror movie” gameplay, but this time in multiplayer, making this game perfect for a small gaming party. It can be played cooperatively, either in two-player online or in local co-op for up to five players (each passes the controller around when his or her character appears on screen). As of this writing, 3 games of the franchise are available(Man of Medan, Little Hope and Houses of Ashes), but the studio Supermassive Games plans to release 8 games in all.

  • Number of players: up to 5 players on the console or 2 players online
  • The Dark Pictures Anthology games are available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

MOVING OUT

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Moving Out is a party game that is often compared to the popular Overcooked. It plays as movers who must complete moving tasks (such as transferring furniture to the moving truck) within a set time limit. What makes the game really fun is the physics of the objects that are really exaggerated and the ridiculous obstacles that we have to avoid. In order to succeed in our move, we have to communicate and work as a team, which can strengthen friendships… or destroy them forever!

SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE

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A classic that only Nintendo can pull off. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game where (almost) all of Nintendo’s characters are present in one game. The success of the Super Smash Bros. franchise is such that several characters from other companies are also present in the game, like Sonic, Banjo-Kazooie and Pac-Man. The concept is similar to King of the Mountain, you have to fight in order to make your opponents fall down the arena, the last survivor wins. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Nintendo Switch contains 89 playable characters (from 40 different franchises) and over a hundred stages. No need to tell you that this is a great party video game to play with your friends.

  • Number of players: up to 8 players on the console
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch

TOWERFALL

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One of the few good games originally developed for the OUYA in 2013, Towerfall thankfully made its way to conventional consoles some time later. This 2D action game features 4 players in an arena and they must seek to neutralize their opponents by jumping on them or using an arrow. The player who has neutralized the most opponents wins the game. Several modes are available, including a 2 vs 2 mode that will be perfect if you have a little party game with friends.

PARTY GOLF

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Party Golf is a very accessible party / golf game developed by the Australian studio Giant Margarita. The concept of golf is simplified to its extreme, because you just have to put the golf ball in the hole to win points. But beware, the physics of the game will get in the way, guaranteed! The players who manage to get the ball in the hole the fastest and with the fewest strokes possible win the most points. A winner is chosen after several levels. A little game to have on your console during your Party Game with friends!

AMONG US

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The big game that has become extremely popular during the many confinements. Released in 2018 to little notice, Among Us is now one of the best party video games. A team of astronauts must repair their ships quickly. However, imposters have infiltrated the team and are desperate to kill them. The problem is that nobody knows who is an impostor or a simple crew member. Among Us is a game where paranoia is king and the best liars win. Because after a few minutes of making repairs, you’ll have to vote on whether or not to kick someone off the ship. A great party game that may end friendships…

OVERCOOKED

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Overcooked opuses are the party games par excellence! Playable up to 4 players in local or online co-op, they are simulation games where you all have to manage a kitchen. The goal is to cook as fast as possible the orders of the demanding customers of the restaurant. You will have to communicate regularly to share tasks in order to be as productive as possible!

SACKBOY: A BIG ADVENTURE

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Sackboy is back in a brand new adventure! Gone is the 2.5D aspect of the previous trilogy, this new game now adopts a party gameplay very similar to what you can find in the Super Mario 3D World game. You will have to collaborate (or put obstacles in your teammates’ way if you are that kind of friend) in order to get through the levels and defeat the terrifying Vex. Sackboy: A Big Adventure can be played by up to 4 players simultaneously, locally or online.

  • Number of players: up to 4 players on console or online
  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure is available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5

MARIO PARTY SUPERSTARS

“All in all, Mario Party Superstars ranks among the best in the series, not only for its undeniable beauty, but rather for its set of mini-games meticulously chosen to give us the best experience. The boards are few and far between, but the ones included are all fun and memorable.” – Games.ca reviewMario Party games have been destroying friendships for over 23 years now! The latest in the franchise, Mario Party SuperStars, takes the best mini-games in the franchise and adapts them to the brand new Nintendo Switch.

  • Number of players: up to 4 players on console or online
  • Mario Party SuperStars is available on Nintendo Switch

LOVERS IN A DANGEROUS SPACETIME

Playable with up to four players, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime places you in a spaceship where there are several control stations (shield, engine, weapons, maps, etc.) You’ll have to work together to navigate the ship through the unknown space and work as a team to defend yourself against enemies who seek to destroy you. This party game includes four different campaigns with four levels each and a boss fight.

KEEP TALKING AND NOBODY EXPLODES

Developed by the Canadian studio Steel Crate Games, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is the ultimate party game. In order to play this game with several players, group 1 must be on the screen in order to communicate the specifics of the bomb to group 2, which does not see the screen, but has an instruction booklet that allows them to defuse the bomb correctly. You will have to communicate and keep your cool, because a timer is present at all times to remind you that the bomb will soon explode!

JUST DANCE

The series needs no introduction. With over 20 games released in the last decade, Ubisoft’s Just Dance franchise is a great party game for a night out with friends. If you’re playing on Nintendo Wii or Switch, the controllers are perfect for detection while on other consoles, you can use your smart phone to detect your movements.

WARIOWARE: GET IT TOGETHER!

Already the tenth installment in the Wario franchise, Warioware: Get it Together! is a compilation of party mini-games perfect for a night out with friends. These mini-games are very similar to those found in games like Mario Party, but much more focused on the crazy humor of the Wario character. A party game to have in your Nintendo Switch collection!

  • Number of players: up to 4 players on console
  • Warioware: Get it Together! is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch

STIKBOLD! A DODGEBALL ADVENTURE

Remember dodgeball games in elementary school? Imagine this game in a groovy 70’s theme and you have the excellent party video game Stikbold: A Dodgeball Adventure! This unconventional dodgeball game comes with multiple game modes and the ability to play as a team to see who your friends are better at dodgeball. A must have digital party game on your home console!

HALO INFINITE

“As hope dies and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, the Major is about to face his most formidable enemy yet. The legendary Halo saga returns with a Major-centric story of unparalleled depth.”–XboxHalo is finally back! The franchise has always been perfect for LAN parties with friends back in the day. The new Halo Infinite available on Xbox consoles remains just as accessible for big intergalactic battles with friends. Plus, the multiplayer mode is completely free, so there’s no excuse not to connect with your friends over the internet.

FALL GUYS

“Dodge and dive your way to victory, on the pantheon of clumsiness! Beginner or pro? Solo or in a group? Fall Guys is concentrated, ever-changing fun. The only thing more important than winning is looking as silly as possible while doing it. Put on your wackiest costume and jump in line: the show is about to start!”–Epic Games StoreA cross between a battle royale and the game show Takeshi’s Castle, Fall Guys was a surprise hit when it was released during Pandemic 2020. You are 60 players competing and only one player will manage to get the famous winner’s crown. In each round, one part of the players is eliminated and the other part can advance to the next round, and so on. Fall Guys recently became free for all, so there’s no reason not to play this party game.

PUMMEL PARTY

“Pummel Party” is a party game for 4 to 8 players in online and local multiplayer. Roll your friends or AIs of moves with a series of absurd objects in the board mode and participate in the destruction of friendships in a unique collection of mini-games.” –SteamA game greatly inspired by the Mario Party franchise, exclusively for PC players.

  • Number of players: up to 8 players online
  • Pummel Party is available on PC

WORMS

W.M.D

“Worms are back in the most destructive game ever released. With its hand-drawn 2D look, new weapons, crafting, vehicles and buildings, and the return of the beloved weapons and gameplay, Worms W.M.D. is the best game in the series.” –Steam

RAYMAN LEGENDS

A sequel to the excellent Rayman Origins, Rayman Legends was originally a Wii U exclusive, cleverly using the Nintendo console’s unique controls to its advantage. The game was later ported to several other consoles. Playable with up to 4 players in local co-op, Rayman Legends is an excellent platformer. In addition to the story mode, the Kung Foot mode allows for small 2 vs 2 soccer games.

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A text by Antoine Vinette-Lambert of Jeux.ca