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The Best Party Games

Last updated on June 23, 2023

We looked at the top 16 Party Games and dug through the reviews from 29 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Party Games.

Our Review Process

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There are a lot of great party games out there that can provide hours of entertainment for your guests or for your family the next time game night rolls around. However, with so many options, it can be tough to decide which types of fun are right for you and your group. Fortunately, knowing the types of games you usually prefer can help narrow down the options.

For one thing, you could go for card games. If you prefer off-color, adults-only games, you can break out Cards Against Humanity and get ready to laugh all night. If you want something a bit more family friendly, Apples to Apples is a great go-to. These games are versatile and easy for large numbers of people to play together. Apples to Apples and games like it are a bit easier to keep PG, while Cards Against Humanity falls to the dark side almost no matter what you do.

Do you like to stretch your mental muscles a bit more? If you love Scattergories, try to find other word-based options that will make you think. Love art? Pictionary is of course an excellent option. And, of course, there’s the ever-popular Cranium if you want a little bit of everything.

You can also try something newer, like Exploding Kittens, Herd Mentality or What Do You Meme? Games like these are great for groups that want to have a good time and don’t mind getting a little silly. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s bound to be a party game out there that’s perfect for you and your group.

When planning a party or game night, there are some other things to consider. First, the game should be appropriate for the ages of the players. The game you choose for your college buddies will almost certainly not be the one you select to play with your teenager and her friends.

It is also important to choose a game that everyone can play together without feeling left out. Card games or team games are excellent for this reason. Lastly, the game should be something that everyone will enjoy and have fun playing. If someone in the group hates trivia, don’t pick a game that requires vast knowledge of movies or sports. If younger kids are involved, avoid games with a lot of big words or complicated rules.

Here’s a tip for saving time and getting right to the fun: If you’re the host, read the rules ahead of time. Be ready to explain them to your guests or your family.

Many games sold today have an after-dark vibe or are marketed as drinking games. If you are serving alcohol at your party, set some rules that ensure that everyone drinks responsibly. For example, you can limit the number of drinks people are allowed per hour, or you could require guests to leave their car keys with a designated, non-drinking person.

You should also provide plenty of non-alcoholic options for your guests to choose from, and make sure to have plenty of food available to control the effects of alcohol. By following these tips, you can ensure that everyone has a wonderful time without drawbacks.

Our Picks For The Top Party Games

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick
10.0

Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Party Games

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Exploding Kittens

Throw Throw Burrito Party Games

Everyone is bound to love Throw Throw Burrito, by the makers of the popular favorite Exploding Kittens. It's a card-style game, but you get to have flying burrito battles with these cute Tex-Mex toys. Kids and adults alike will revel in the ridiculous fun.

Overall Take

Lively Entertainment for AllHave a blast as you toss these burritos at your family in this fun card-based dodgeball game.

 Best Overall

What Do You Meme?

What Do You Meme

Party Game

For the best overall and the best value game for game night, you’ll definitely want What Do You Meme!. You will find it is easy to explain and understand. and memes are all the rage right now. Everyone can enjoy this game for hours.

Overall Take

For the best overall and the best value game for game night, you’ll definitely want What Do You Meme!. You will find it is easy to explain and understand. and memes are all the rage right now. Everyone can enjoy this game for hours.

Pros
" Easy-to-follow rules make starting the game quick and easy"
Cons
"$44.99 seems an excessive amount of money, especially one where you need three or more players to play."
 Runner Up

WHAT DO YOU MEME? Incohearent Party Games

WHAT DO YOU MEME?

Incohearent Party Games

If you were a fan of Mad Gab back in the day but want something fresh and more mature, this is the game for you. Try to sound out nonsense phrases on a card while under pressure from a timer. The words all add up to a pop culture phrase you almost certainly know.

Overall Take

New-Age Mad GabGuess the gibberish phrases with your friends and see how quickly you'll start laughing.

 Strong Contender

DSS Games You Laugh You Drink Party Games

DSS Games

You Laugh You Drink Party Games

Do your best not to chuckle when reading these cards! Players pick a target for one of the actions on the card and have 30 seconds to make the target laugh. If that's you, you have to keep a straight face or take a drink. Be sure to play this one responsibly.

Overall Take

Try Not to GiggleFor a hilarious and tipsy evening, break out You Laugh You Drink and play with trusted friends.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
23

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the party games available to purchase.
16

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

29

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: New York Mag, The Spruce, Bustle, Board Game Geek, Does It Really Work.

268,608

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 16 Party Games and also dug through the reviews from 29 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Party Games.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

DSS Games You Laugh You Drink Party Games

User Summarized Score

8.8
4,730 user reviews

Our Take

Do your best not to chuckle when reading these cards! Players pick a target for one of the actions on the card and have 30 seconds to make the target laugh. If that's you, you have to keep a straight face or take a drink. Be sure to play this one responsibly.

What to Look For

  • Consider your group when making a game purchase. Don’t buy anything that is inappropriate for the people you plan to play it with.
  • If you have kids, try to get games that you can enjoy together and that will help your children learn something new or improve their skills. For example, the board game Monopoly can teach your family about economics. Games can also be used to improve problem-solving skills, memory and creative thinking.
  • Fill your game shelf with a variety of fun titles so you’ll always have something perfect for any given occasion. For instance, keep a word game like Scattergories and a math-based game like Uno on hand.
  • Ask your friends to bring their favorites along for your next game night. This is a great way to discover new activities you love.
  • Playing games can reduce stress and improve mental well-being while connecting you with other people. Make sure you’re fostering a comfortable and safe environment with people who get along.

Party Game Rankings

1. Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Party Games

Overall Score: 10.0
Reviews Included: 1

2. What Do You Meme?

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 7

3. WHAT DO YOU MEME? Incohearent Party Games

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

4. Hedbanz

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 14

5. PlayMonster Uncensored 5 Second Rule Party Games

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

6. DSS Games You Laugh You Drink Party Games

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

7. Hasbro Twister Ultimate Party Games

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

8. Big Potato Herd Mentality: Udderly Hilarious Party Games

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 1

9. These Cards Will Get You Drunk Party Games

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 1

10. Watch Ya’ Mouth Watch Ya’ Mouth Party Game

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 6

11. WHAT DO YOU MEME? For The Girls Party Games

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 1

12. Exploding Kittens Russian Roulette Card Party Games

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 1

13. That’s What She Said Adults Only Party Games

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 1

14. Drunk Stoned or Stupid Party Card Game

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 8

15. Cards Against Humanity Absurd Box

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 3

16. Quickwits Party Card Game

Overall Score: 6.9
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

The board games market has changed immensely during the last decade or so, with new titles becoming more strategic and sophisticated and indie developers getting a bigger piece of the pie. One relatively new trend is cooperative gaming, in which people work together toward a goal instead of competing against each other. Dice games are also getting more popular.

In 2021, the global board games market was valued at $13.75 billion, and is expected to grow to $30.93 billion by 2028. On the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, tabletop games currently make up around one-third of the platform’s total annual revenue, with more than 100 games getting over half a million dollars of funding apiece.

More to explore