Party games are essential to any gamer's library, whether for a late-night Discord call, long-distance celebration, or just a general meetup and way to pass the time. But with classics like Mario Party and Jackbox being the go-to, gamers feel like they are slowly losing their charm.
Avid party game players are searching for the next best night-in, and luckily, the Nintendo Switch is home to hundreds of titles to cause everything from laughter to rage while putting lifelong friendships to the test.
10 Ultimate Chicken Horse
Ultimate Chicken Horse is a hilarious, fast-paced platform game with one intention - to sabotage every other player. Armed with a box of weapons, platforms, and obstacles at each level, players must carefully select their tools and placement to create the most chaos. But among the clutter, a handful of players must reach the finish line, so the whole team can progress.
Making a level too easy will result in no points being rewarded, meaning no champion can be crowned at the end. Players must think carefully when placing their items, creating paths only they can navigate to win the game.
9 Light Fingers
If typical, fast-paced mini-games don’t fit the bill, then this magically mechanical board game-like title will satisfy any party of adventurers. Light Fingers is intense yet beautiful, following the journey of a gaggle of thieves and putting their skills to the test in a series of raid dungeons - manned by the opposition.
Racing one another to receive the most loot and escape the guards tentatively chasing each wanted player, Light Fingers is an enchanting, randomly generated game, meaning no two runs will be the same.
8 Nippon Marathon
Nippon Marathon is a hilarious, physics-driven four-person marathon across Japan. Tasking players to smash through urban areas while avoiding fruits, this title intermittently interrupts the race with mini-games, which bring a whole new whirlwind of fun.
Swarming the screen with color and a cast of unexpected characters, Nippon Marathon takes inspiration from the crazy nature of shows like Takeshi’s Castle and applies it to an incredibly hilarious title that any gamer can pick up with a group of friends. The chaos of this title is guaranteed to result in a fit of giggles and a memorable time. No matter the skill level of each player.
7 Gang Beasts
To any players looking for a hilarious, slapstick fighting game filled with gelatinous characters, Gang Beasts ticks every box. This brawl-based title explores many hazardous environments and has hours of fun. Rather than containing co-op-dependent mini-games, Gang Beasts is a brutal fight to the death among friends.
Allowing up to four players and having easy-to-remember controls makes this title perfect for anyone new to gaming while still providing a chance of winning among veteran gamers. Additionally, Gang Beasts can be played on Nintendo Switch with a single joy-con - making it even easier for players to jump in and out.
6 Cake Bash
Cake Bash is a frantic four-player race to become the tastiest cake in the cafe. Essentially, the goal is to beat the crumbs out of one another - while engaging in food-themed mini-games and racing one another out of the oven.
From collecting ice cream scoops to avoiding pesky pigeons, the mini-games featured within Cake Bash are similar to those in Mario Party, without feeling deja vu. Instead, it’s an exciting and adorable take on a classic party game, paired with a comedic and slightly dark goal - so it’s perfect for any occasion.
5 Heave Ho
Tasked with completing a relatively straightforward goal of not falling, Heave Ho is a game dependent on friendship, cooperation, and trust in order to reach the finish line. Playing as long-limbed squares, gamers must use their own hands and the outstretched arms of friends to grapple across open spaces, evade obstacles, and complete a series of death-defying challenges.
But mistakes are bound to happen along the way, and sacrifices must be made. Additionally, Heave Ho doesn’t shy away from making players aware of this, and well-placed spikes followed by an overly ambitious swing could be the thing to ignite arguments. So given that each player takes note of their surroundings and moves cautiously, Heave Ho is a fantastic party game for friends capable of working together.
4 Totally Reliable Delivery Service
Adopting similar ragdoll physics to games like Human Fall Flat and Gang Beasts, Totally Reliable Delivery Service is an amusing series of challenges for a group of friends to cooperate in. Following the same aim of delivering as many packages as possible, this title will take players through many platforms, puzzles, and hazardous levels while maintaining an upbeat atmosphere.
Rather than placing players one-on-one with each other, this game utilizes team-based progression and ensures players rely on one another to progress. For some humorous, wholesome fun - Totally Reliable Delivery Service is where to head.
3 Pico Park
Though Pico Park’s design may be minimalist, this cutesy title has the power to end friendships with its multiplayer mode. Following the rule of ‘get all the keys and get to the goal and clear,’ Pico Park doesn’t seem like a particularly challenging game initially. But given the many gimmicks at each level, the discussions on how to progress are where competition grows.
Supporting up to eight players, this wild pixilated puzzle game relies on cooperation. Challenging mini-games requiring simple mechanics will have a group of gamers questioning everything, but at least bright colors and charming characters make it fun.
2 Lovers In A Dangerous Space Time
With an entire neon galaxy in the palm of players' hands, Lovers In A Dangerous Space Time tasks a crew with exploring intergalactic travel while facing off with evil robots and randomized level layouts. This game depends on all players working as a team, so there’s no space or time for any bickering.
Lovers In A Dangerous Space Time supports up to four-player co-op and gives each player a meaningful role within the space station, so no player is left behind. Turrets, lasers, and thrusters are manned by everyone involved, and it’s impossible to navigate space without them. So grab a crew and take to the stars in this delightfully addictive couch co-op.
1 Astro Bears
Despite this game's adorable appearance, it’ll still ignite the competitive nature in any group of friends. Astro Bears supports up to four players and challenges friends to not cross paths while dashing around a tiny planet.
With eight cute bears to choose from, gamers need to utilize these furry friends’ hidden abilities to have any chance of winning. To any player seeking a frantic yet fun intergalactic adventure while still having a cute and humorous cast, then Astro Bears is a worthy addition to any game library.