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For many gamers, the holidays are about more than just getting together with friends and loved ones to celebrate. They’re also about showing off your gamer skills (or lack thereof) with a series of party games. Some titles make better party material than others, of course, and you’re not likely to see much of Alan Wake 2 or Starfield at your next family gathering. The right game at the right time, however, can do just as much to coax out the holiday spirit as some eggnog and mistletoe. Here are 10 fun party games to play this Christmas, in no particular order.
10. Just Dance 2023
The Just Dance series is a party game classic, bringing as much full-body energy to the scene as most fighting games do. With 40 songs by popular artists such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, Just Dance 2023 is packed with content to keep you grooving away. Having rhythm helps, but the game is fun even if you and your friends struggle to keep a beat. You can bring up to five friends into the mix for a fun and chaotic experience, making this one of the best party games to play this Christmas.
9. Jackbox Party Pack 8
Jackbox Party Pack 8 has “party” in the name, which is fitting for a game that lets up to 10 players join in on the action. You won’t even need a ton of extra controllers lying around to get in on the minigame action. Players can use their phones, tablets, or other devices to participate, which makes Jackbox Party Pack 8 one of the most accessible party game entries. Whether you like drawing, trivia, or social deduction, there’s a little bit here for everyone.
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Best Shooters of 20238. Gang Beasts
Gang Beasts is a fighting game but only in the loosest sense. Yes, you and your friends will take control of cute and cuddly creatures to do battle, but the action here is anything but serious. Between the adorable costumes, ragdoll physics, and absurd fighting arenas, you’ll have no trouble getting lost in the silliness. Beneath the cuddly exterior lurks a surprisingly fun fighting game for those who want to learn more than the basics, but button-mashers will do fine here too.
7. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Bomb disposal doesn’t scream “party activity,” but in this case, it should. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is an unusual co-op game that tasks one person with defusing a bomb while their partner reads them instructions about how to do it. It’s a game about communication, controlling your nerves, and blowing up when everything goes sideways. Whether your friends are teaming up as bomb experts to give you instructions or just laughing in the background, it’s an explosive good time that’ll have you feeling like a CSGO operator.
6. Overcooked 2
Overcooked 2 takes players back to the Onion Kingdom for couch co-op or online action for up to four players. This whimsical cooking game can get pretty intense when the orders start stacking up, and you’ll need your wits about you if you want to nail every recipe. Whether you and your friends are working together or going head-to-head on some sushi, Overcooked 2 delivers. Dynamic kitchens keep the action as fresh as the produce, making Overcooked 2 one of the most fun party games to play for Christmas or the holidays.
5. Among Us
The reason everything is now sus, Among Us is arguably the best social deduction game around. You and your friends play as crewmates working to save their ship from disaster. Not everyone can be trusted, however, as there’s an Imposter in the mix, secretly sabotaging systems and even murdering their crewmates. It’s a fun and lethal guessing game that can quickly devolve into politicking and social manipulation, which makes it that much better.
4. Fall Guys
Though visually similar to Gang Beasts, Fall Guys is its own breed of party game. Rather than pit players against one another in direct combat, Fall Guys challenges players to compete in a series of dastardly minigames. These typically take the form of frantic races and absurd obstacle courses, and the large number of players means things are sure to fall apart in no time. If you’re looking for large-scale chaos and excellent minigames, Fall Guys is one of the most fun games you can play this Christmas.
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart has been a staple of the party game scene since the SNES and for good reason. Whether you’re tearing down the beach as Shy Guy or trying to leap Bowser on Rainbow Road, the creative tracks and power-ups make every race a spectacle. With Blue Shells and other tricks in play, there’s always a way for players to overtake the leader, keeping every race exciting until the very end. Though there are other great party games, there’s probably none better when it comes to racing titles.
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The Smash Bros. franchise is a dream come true for many gamers, with a sprawling roster that includes characters ranging from Sephiroth and Sora to Mario and Banjo & Kazooie. Whether you’re a “no-item” fighting game purist or prefer to chuck Pokeballs every chance you get, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers tremendous variety in gameplay. Fights can be as silly or serious as you want. That’s pretty much ideal for a party, easily making this one of the most fun games you can play this Christmas.
1. Mario Party Superstars
Board games have an even older track record as party favorites than video games do. It’s no surprise that a boardgame-inspired title like Mario Party Superstars would be a hit. There’s a huge variety of minigames here, keeping things fun and flexible whether you jump in for a single round or fight it out until the last star is counted. Just because things can get fiercely competitive doesn’t mean they have to, and with luck, Bowser will be the only one breathing fire after the final round with Mario and the gang.
