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The Nintendo Switch is still the king of the couch. One console, two Joy-Con controllers that split in half, and suddenly you have multiplayer without buying extra gear. But not every great Switch game works for a group of friends standing around your TV. These five do — they are easy to learn, fun for non-gamers, and built for game night.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
This is the one to buy if you only buy one. Super Mario Party Jamboree is the biggest Mario Party ever: more than 110 minigames, 22 playable characters, and seven boards — the most the series has ever packed in. Rounds are full of comebacks thanks to luck-based events, which means the non-gamer in your group has a real shot at winning. It also has an online mode for up to 20 players, so the party can keep going after everyone leaves your house. Around $50.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
No party game collection is complete without Mario Kart. The Deluxe edition includes 48 tracks, and the Booster Course Pass DLC doubles that to 96 — more than enough variety to keep a whole evening of races feeling fresh. The revamped battle mode is perfect for groups, and Smart Steering lets total beginners stay on the track while veterans race at 200cc. Four-player split-screen just works. Around $50.
WarioWare: Move It!
WarioWare: Move It! is the loudest game you can put on your TV. It fires off more than 200 lightning-fast microgames — five seconds each — and every one uses motion controls, so players end up posing, dancing, and flailing. It only supports up to 4 players, but it is the perfect warm-up game: nobody can take it seriously, and nobody feels bad losing. Great for breaking the ice before the real competition starts. Around $40.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
When your group wants competition with actual depth, this is the pick. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate supports up to 8 players in a single brawl, with the biggest roster in fighting game history — every character that has ever appeared in the series, plus guests from dozens of other franchises. Matches are chaotic enough for beginners to enjoy, but skilled players can show off. Warning: it can get intense, so maybe save this one for after the casual games. Around $60.
Everybody 1-2-Switch!
The budget pick with the biggest possible crowd. Everybody 1-2-Switch! lets up to 100 people join in using their smartphones — no extra controllers needed. The minigames are simple party staples: quiz games, bingo, auction-style guessing, and movement games where your phone becomes the controller. The presentation is charmingly ridiculous, and it is frequently on sale, making it the cheapest way to involve everyone at a big gathering. Around $25.
More party game picks in our shop
We keep a running list of the party game gear we recommend in the GrabYourLoot shop — hand-picked and ready to browse.
What to look for
Player count. Check how many people can actually play at once — not just online, but on one couch. Mario Party Jamboree and Smash handle 4 to 8 locally; Everybody 1-2-Switch! goes way beyond that with phones.
Ease of learning. The best party games explain themselves in 30 seconds. Motion-based games like WarioWare work for anyone; a deep fighter like Smash rewards practice but can overwhelm first-timers.
Controller math. The Switch ships with two Joy-Con that split into two controllers — enough for most of these. Smash with 8 players and big Mario Party sessions need extra controllers, so factor that into the real cost.
Variety vs. depth. Minigame collections like Jamboree and WarioWare are perfect for short attention spans and rotating groups. Mario Kart and Smash have real skill ceilings, so they stay fun long after the novelty wears off.
Price. Nintendo games rarely drop in price, so check for sales before paying full price — Jamboree and Mario Kart have both been spotted around $40 at major retailers. Everybody 1-2-Switch! is regularly discounted and is the clear value pick.
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