Hosting a Virtual Game Night? Check Out These Online Games to Play With Friends

Jackbox

For us, Jackbox Games is the holy grail of casual online gaming: Its multiplayer party games are simple to learn but still very entertaining to play, and it’s also easy to stream or screen-share games from one device to a group for a virtual game night. Everyone plays through a web browser on their phones, so no apps or consoles are needed. You can even or .

Here’s how the Jackbox Party Pack works: One person has to purchase either one of seven , or one or more individual games, on Steam (for PC, Mac and Linux). The packs contain five games and usually cost $30 each, but sometimes you can find them on sale for less. The packs are also available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and other devices. 

or wherever you prefer for a video call, start the game on your laptop and use the screen-share option so that all the other players on the call can see the screen, too. As mentioned, everyone plays along on their mobile device by using a browser and going to , where you’ll be asked to enter a room code. 

Other options include using Steam Remote Play Together, Discord screen sharing, sharing through your gaming console, or just setting up a webcam in front of your TV. Jackbox provides information on , too. 

Each pack includes a variety of different games that might ask you to answer trivia questions, draw weird doodles or write the best joke. The games are light, humorous and include clear instructions, so they’re easy for the most novice players to pick up. But if you like a little more complexity, this year’s Jackbox Party Pack 8 features games that involve social deduction and hiding clues.

InnerSloth

If you’re a fan of games like Mafia or Werewolf, you’ll love , an online multiplayer social deduction game from developer InnerSloth. Play as a crew member aboard a spaceship, sky headquarters or planet base, attempting to keep your ship together and return back to Earth with a group of four to 10 people (either those you know IRL or strangers online). But one crew member has been replaced by a parasitic shape-shifting alien who wants to eliminate the rest of the crew before the ship reaches home. Problem is the imposter looks just like everyone else and will sabotage the ship, sneak through vents, deceive fellow players and try to frame others, all in an attempt to remain undetected and kill off the rest of the crew. 

Meanwhile, the nonalien crew members must perform tasks to fix up the ship and can’t talk unless a death is reported. Then, the surviving crew can openly debate via chat who they think the imposter is and make their best guess about who to vote off the ship. If the imposter is voted off, the crew wins. But if the group accidentally votes a crew member off, everyone goes back to maintaining the ship until another body is found, and they vote again. 

Among Us is free to play on iOS and Android devices (you can download it on the  or ). Or, it costs $5 to play on a PC (you can download it on  or ). One major benefit is that you can play with people seamlessly across platforms. 

Be warned: . Once you download and open the game on your device, you’ll see a pop-up detailing its use of AdMob and data collection. If you want to turn off ads and data collection, you can purchase the ad-free version of the app for $2 by tapping Remove Ads, and following the prompts to select your payment method. 

The Escape Game

Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test with a virtual escape room. Try to solve all of the puzzles and follow the clues to escape the computerized room before time is up, as you would when you play the real-world version. 

One option for ages 12 and up is from The Escape Game. In the two-part game for one to four players, you’ll work as a secret agent trying to thwart a suspected art thief. Each part costs $10, or you can buy all three games and get a 10% discount.

If you’re looking for a more kid-friendly choice, there’s a free created by Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, Pennsylvania, using Google Docs.

Tabletopia/Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

If you’re looking to play traditional tabletop board games online, check out , which calls itself an “online arena” for playing more than 900 board games the same way you would in real life. You can play on a desktop browser for Mac or Windows, or download the platform on Steam, the App Store or the Google Play Store.

You’ll find fun classics like chess and Texas Hold ‘Em, or more in-depth options like and Clans of Caledonia to play. Start your own game with friends, or join a game in progress with open seats. The virtual versions save you from shuffling and some rules interpretation, making it easier to jump into each game.

You can play some fun game options for free with the bronze package, or upgrade to the silver ($5 a month) or gold ($10 a month) package to access premium games. 

Another similar option is , which includes classic game options like chess, poker, dominoes, Mahjong and jigsaw puzzles. Create your own original games on the platform, as well as play ones that were created by others. 

You’ll see some familiar titles in here, but note that most of those were created by other users, as opposed to actual game developers. You can buy Tabletop Simulator on Steam for Windows and Mac for $20 and then share your screen to play with friends. 

Érika García/CNET

Since  came out on  in 2020, it has taken the video game world world by storm. While you can perform simple tasks like growing fruit, planting trees and designing rooms alone, you can also invite friends to visit your island and go fishing and exploring together.  have even shown up.

Nintendo released the  last November, adding new items and expansions to villager interactions and the game camera. Happy Home Paradise is also available as a paid DLC, allowing players to build vacation homes.

If you don’t have a Switch to play on, you can also check out the mobile version, . 

Read more:

Epic Games

You may already be familiar with popular mobile games that you ca, , and are all great options for simple games that let you keep in touch and sneak in a turn when you have time throughout the day. 

If you’re mostly playing solo, you might want to check out a mobile gaming subscription service. has a library of including nostalgic favorites and , along with new hits such as and Ultimate Rivals: The Rink. For $5 a month, you can play across . 

For Android users, Google Play Pass offers access to more than 350 games including , Risk and , also for $5 a month. 

Read more:

The Pokemon Company

<, similar to Dota 2 and League of Legends. Players control Pokemon and are tasked with battling both wild and opponent-controlled Pokemon to earn experience and Unite points. Two lanes, at the top and bottom of the map, are punctuated with hoop-like goals for each team, where players can deposit their Unite points to score. 

Unite is a great game to play with friends because it simplifies the traditional MOBA elements, making it easier for beginners to jump in. And for fans of Pokemon, Unite still keeps many of the familiar gameplay — leveling up, evolving, learning new moves and using items for a tactical advantage. The game has been downloaded as of last December.

The five-on-five battles in Unite rely on teamwork, so it’s the most fun when you have a friend or four to play alongside. Have a group of five? Team up as a full squad and coordinate your attacks. Got a pair of friends who want in? You can team as the original starters, Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. Just one friend? Become the dominant duo in your lane by pairing offensive firepower with defensive toughness.

Every Pokemon has its own style, strengths and weaknesses, allowing players to find the character that best suits them. Create a well-rounded team to carve a path to victory, or have fun playing your favorites — the choice is up to you.

Pokemon Unite is available for free on , and devices.