Party Games are always a favorite for game nights. Theoretically, they are games that can be enjoyed with less raging and stress. Of course, we all know that’s not always the case. Just think about the last time you played UNO or Monopoly without someone getting yelled at.
Still, party games are great to get a controller into the hands of those that otherwise aren’t into gaming. Last generation’s consoles had a sleuth of good party games. Here are the top choices from the Two Average Gamers.
Overcooked & Overcooked 2
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Windows, Mac, Linux, Amazon Luna
Release: Summer 2016 and Summer 2018
Any party games list excluding Overcooked is simply incomplete. Overcooked is a chaotic cooking experience where you and up to 3 of your friends try to manage silly kitchens and complete multi-ingredient orders. You’ll be cooking or preparing everything from burgers and salads to sushi and pizza. Pools of lava, spaceship doors, and even thief rats stand in your way!
I often introduce it as a game that is great for gamers and “non-gamers” alike. Party games should be easy to pick up and difficult to put down. Following the success of Overcooked, Overcooked 2 improved upon practically every aspect. Between the two, they were nominated and even won in categories including Best Family Game, Best Cooperative Game, Best Social Game, and Best Multiplayer Game. Even more recently, Overcooked released a version for Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 called Overcooked! All You Can Eat which gives you all the content from the first two games and then much more!
Among Us
Platform(s): Windows, Android/iOS, Nintendo Switch
Release: Summer 2018
If you were somehow put into a coma for 2020, congratulations. You missed a ton. However, you also missed the party game that meteorically rose to catch everyone and their mama’s attention.
Among Us is a social deduction game that involves asimple concept that made it the most popular thing of 2020’s summer. A game where 1-3 imposters try to blend in and execute the other innocent crewmates without detection is an experience that anyone can enjoy. If you are a good (or bad) liar, your deception skills will be put to the test as you will often be in situations where you must justify behaviors that other players find sketchy or “sus”.
The fact that it was originally released in 2018 is a lesson in perseverance. The developers said they had practically moved onto different projects when all of a sudden the world seemed to be playing their party game. Since then, they’ve decided for and then against working on a sequel to the game. Now we are receiving updates to the base game and should expect a new map to be released in the next few weeks!
TowerFall Ascension
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Linux, Android, PlayStation Vita, Ouya
Release: Summer 2013
TowerFall Ascension is the party game that is an ode to those that grew up as 80s or 90s kids. The retro-style graphics, provided by an indie developer, feature up to four archers as they battle in single-screen arenas. Clearly inspired by the final game in our best party games list, TowerFall has a boatload of customization options that can make the experience completely different.
The most popular game is the multiplayer free-for-all, but TowerFall also features a story mode that can be completed in a solo or co-op experience. What makes this a great party game is not just the tight controls and pixelated graphics. The physics and powerups in this game are hilarious. There are bomb arrows that often result in suicide, laser arrows that richotect around the arena, and even a cloak that makes you invisible when not moving. Best of all, the replay system on final kills leads to side-hurting belly laughs!
Super Smash Bros: Ultimate
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Release: Winter 2018
Closing out our list of the best party games, is Super Smash Bros: Ultimate. Properly named, this most recent Smash aims and delivers in providing the best entry yet. Boasting a constantly growing roster of 78 fighters, virtually any character across Nintendo franchises and beyond is selectable.
Smash Bros began on Nintendo 64 as the idea of who would win a fight between Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Samus, and Pikachu, etc. Fast forward a couple of decades later and we have a refined fighting game that gamers of all skills levels can enjoy.
The game is deep enough to be competitively enjoyed by professional gamers with mechanics like throws, parries, aerial dodges, combinations, etc. In less serious situations, gamers can enjoy using their favorite video game heroes and simply beating up friends.
What did we miss?
When Yoshyaes and I picked our favorite party games from the last generation, we did so blindly. And still, we picked these same four video games. That’s partly due to the fact that we play games together almost daily but also our confidence in the four.
What party games would you pick if you had to choose the best party games from PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch? Let us know in the comments below!
If you liked this article, check out more from our TAG Mount Rushmore series here!
