Top 5 Jackbox Games: Must-Play Party Starters Now

Ever hosted a game night where the energy fizzled out faster than a cheap sparkler? You pull out the board games, but someone is already checking their phone. You try a video game, but half your friends don’t have the right console. It’s a common party problem: finding fun that everyone, from your tech-savvy cousin to your board-game-loving aunt, can actually play.

Enter the Jackbox Party Packs. These collections of hilarious, easy-to-learn games have become the modern secret weapon for guaranteed laughs. But here’s the kicker: which Pack do you actually buy? With so many different themes, from drawing battles to trivia showdowns, picking the perfect one for your crowd can feel overwhelming. You want the guaranteed hit, not the dud that sits untouched.

Don’t worry about wasting money on the wrong pack. This guide cuts through the confusion. We break down what makes each Jackbox collection shine, highlighting the best games and who they are perfect for. Keep reading, and you will discover the ultimate Jackbox Party Pack tailored precisely for your next gathering.

Top Jackbox Game Recommendations

No. 1
JACKBOX Games Fakin’ It Board Game – for Adults & Teens - Fun Social Deduction Card Game for...
  • JACKBOX GAMES FAKIN’ IT CARD GAME. Bring Jackbox Games Fakin’ It online game to life with the new card game version! A party game that challenges players to try to identify which of their friends is a lying liar. One player among the group will be a ‘Faker’ who must try to blend in with the group.
  • CAN YOU DECEIVE YOUR FRIENDS? Be a master of deception when you're named the Faker, and a keen sleuth to uncover who among your friends is faking it.
  • HOW TO PLAY. A card with a task written on it will be passed around the group for each player to read, using special secret wallets. But, watch out! One player’s secret wallet won’t reveal what the card says, so they gotta fake it!
  • PLAY WITH 5 CATEGORIES. Hands of Truth; Players must either raise their hand up or keep their hand down. Number Pressure; Raise a certain number of fingers, between 1-10. You Gotta Point; Point at another player, or even yourself. Face Value; Make a facial expression. Text You Up - Each player must answer the question on their card out loud, truthfully.
No. 2
Jackbox Games
  • Free ad-supported versions of Jackbox Games
  • Stream the full versions of games on-demand
  • Play with your friends using your phones as controllers
  • English (Publication Language)
No. 3
The Jackbox Party Pack 3 [Online Game Code]
  • The threequel to the party game phenomenon features the deadly quiz show Trivia Murder Party, the say-anything sequel Quiplash 2, the surprising survey game Guesspionage, the t-shirt slugfest Tee K.O., and the sneaky trickster game Fakin’ It.
SaleNo. 4
The Jackbox Party Pack 3
  • For 1-8 players, plus a participating Audience of up to 10,000!
  • Your phones or tablets are your controllers!
  • 5 fun party games included:
  • Quiplash 2 (3-8 players)
No. 6
Outsmarted - The App-Connected TV Quiz-Show Board Game | Kids, Teens & Adults | Next-Level Game...
  • Outsmarted - The revolutionary, app-driven board game that puts your family & friends in the Hot Seat of a TV Quiz Show. Win the rings. Conquer the final round. Prove your the smartest. Can you beat the clock? Or will you be Outsmarted?
  • Kids vs Teens vs Adults - Outsmarted's game AI automatically adjusts question difficulty to match a player's age! A thrilling family experience that's fun and fair for players of all ages. Watch out adults... Now ANYONE in the family can win!
  • Over 10,000 up-to-date Quiz-Show questions across 10 core categories, with images, song clips & video. Always up-to-date, there's even a Breaking News category. 80+ add-on categories also available in-app or online, covering everything from pop culture to science and beyond.
  • Works with devices you already own. iPhone/iPad (iOS), Android cell phones/tablets and Windows 11 laptops. Play on one device or connect up to 6 devices for a truly interactive experience. Stream or cast the action to most Smart TVs for the big-screen experience.
SaleNo. 8
Clarendon Games The Mole Party Game - Card Games
  • The Mole is a conversation-based game in which players use observation, bluff, and cunning to dupe their opponents or discover their true identities.
  • All players are handed a case file with an identical location. One player amongst them, however, is the Mole. The Mole must discover which location the other players have on their cards without being outed themselves.
  • Stay alert, stay sharp, stay undetected. Players are given question cards to use during the round to interrogate each other. Whose answers are lacklustre? Who is being a little too vague? Will you find the Mole in time?
  • Quick to learn and easy to play, The Mole takes between 10 to 20 minutes and is great with 3-8 players. In a compact box with a simple rules manual, The Mole is perfect after dinner, at a party, or at the pub.

The Ultimate Buying Guide for Jackbox Games

Thinking about bringing the fun of Jackbox Games to your next party? You’ve come to the right place! Jackbox Games are digital party packs filled with hilarious minigames. They are super easy to play. You only need one main device (like a TV or computer) and everyone else uses their smartphone as a controller. This guide helps you pick the best pack for your group.

Key Features to Look For

When buying a Jackbox Party Pack, several features make a big difference in your game night success.

1. Game Variety and Theme
  • Look at the Number of Games: Most packs have five games. Check reviews to see if the games sound fun for your friends. Some packs focus on trivia, while others focus on drawing or writing jokes.
  • Game Style: Do you like fast-paced action, or do you prefer slower, creative games? Pick a pack that matches your group’s energy.
2. Player Count and Audience Suitability
  • Maximum Players: Most games support 8 players, but many have “Audience Mode.” Audience Mode lets many more people (sometimes 100+) vote on the winners, even if they aren’t actively playing.
  • Content Rating: Jackbox games are generally funny and lighthearted. However, some games allow players to write anything. Check reviews to ensure the content level is right for all your guests (especially if kids are present).
3. Platform Compatibility

Ensure the pack works on the device you plan to use. Most packs work on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and PCs/Macs. Some streaming devices like Apple TV also support them.

Important “Materials” (What You Need to Play)

Jackbox Games don’t use physical components like board games. However, the “materials” you need are digital and essential for smooth gameplay.

1. The Host Device

You need one device to run the game. This is usually a modern TV connected to a console or a computer connected to a projector or large screen. A stable internet connection is required to download and sometimes to update the game.

2. Player Devices (Smartphones/Tablets)

Every player needs a smartphone or tablet. These devices act as the controllers. They connect to the game by going to Jackbox.tv in their web browser. Make sure everyone has good battery life!

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

The fun of Jackbox really depends on how smoothly things run and how much everyone participates.

Factors That Improve Quality:
  • Strong Wi-Fi: A fast, reliable internet connection stops lag. Lag ruins the timing in fast games.
  • Good Screen Size: A large TV or projector helps everyone see the prompts and the hilarious results clearly.
  • Engaged Players: The games are best when people are willing to be silly and write funny answers.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
  • Slow Internet: If the connection drops, players get kicked out, and the game stalls.
  • Small Screens: If people cannot easily read the screen, they might get frustrated.
  • Too Many “Quiet” Players: If people refuse to participate, the creative games lose their spark.

User Experience and Use Cases

Jackbox games offer a fantastic user experience because they remove the barrier of learning complicated controls. You just use your phone!

Best Use Cases:
  • Casual Gatherings: Perfect for birthday parties, holiday get-togethers, or just a Friday night with friends.
  • Icebreakers: If you have a group of people who don’t know each other well, these games quickly get everyone laughing and interacting.
  • Virtual Parties: Many packs work great when streamed through video chat platforms like Zoom, allowing remote friends to join in easily.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Jackbox Games

Q: Do I have to buy a new pack every time I want to play?

A: Yes. Each Jackbox Party Pack is sold separately and contains a unique set of five games. You buy the pack once and own those five games forever.

Q: Do players need to buy the game?

A: No. Only one person needs to own and run the game (the host). Everyone else just needs a smartphone or tablet to connect.

Q: How do players connect to the game?

A: Players open a web browser on their phone and go to Jackbox.tv. They enter a four-letter room code displayed on the main screen. It is not an app download.

Q: Can I play Jackbox games online with friends who are far away?

A: Yes! The host shares their screen using video conferencing software (like Zoom or Discord), and remote players join the room code just like local players.

Q: What is the minimum number of players needed?

A: Most games require at least three players to start, but some games work best with four or more.

Q: Are Jackbox games hard to learn?

A: No, they are very easy. Each game has a quick tutorial before it starts. The controls are simple taps and typing on your phone.

Q: Which Jackbox Pack is the best for beginners?

A: Jackbox Party Pack 3 or 7 are often recommended because they contain some of the series’ most popular and well-balanced games.

Q: What happens if someone leaves the game mid-round?

A: Usually, the game continues. If too many players leave, the game might end early, or the remaining players continue playing without them.

Q: Do I need a subscription to play?

A: No subscription is needed. You purchase the game outright, and that’s it. There are no extra fees to play the games you own.

Q: Can I use a tablet instead of a smartphone?

A: Absolutely. Any device with a modern web browser can be used as a controller, whether it is a phone or a tablet.