Ready to transform your next game night into an epic party? Unlock the secrets to the best video game drinking games and inject some hilarious chaos into your social gatherings. This guide isn’t about getting wasted; it’s about adding a layer of fun and excitement to your gaming sessions with friends. We’ll cover classic party games you already know and love, plus some hidden indie gems you might not have considered. From Mario Kart mayhem to strategic Jackbox showdowns, we’ve got the perfect drinking game rules for every kind of gamer. Remember to drink responsibly and hydrate throughout your gaming marathon – safety always comes first!. So, grab your controllers, gather your friends, and get ready to level up your party! Discover the perfect video game drinking game for your crew now.
1. Mario Kart
Mario Kart game – a timeless racing classic. Need I say more? Fine, twist my arm. This gloriously chaotic racer, available on Nintendo Switch, is perfect for 2-8 players.
The Rules:
- Finish Your Drink: Classic “Beerio Kart.” Finish your drink before crossing the finish line. No drinking and driving! (The ultimate test of speed and sipping skill).
- Item Blitz: Every time you GET hit by an item, take a sip. Blue Shell? Chug! (Because getting hit by a Blue Shell is a universally shared experience of pain and frustration).
- Grand Prix Guzzler: 1st place takes one sip, 2nd place takes two, and so on. Last place finishes their drink. (Adds a competitive edge and ensures everyone gets appropriately…festive).
Why Mario Kart Makes an Excellent Drinking Game:
The sheer unpredictability of Mario Kart, fueled by random items, tight corners, and that infamous rubber-banding AI, means anyone can win (or lose spectacularly). This creates hilarious moments ripe for a drinking game. Every race is a fresh dose of chaos, perfect for laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of sip-inducing moments. Try it out at your next party and let us know what you think!
2. Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch (or Super Mario Party Superstars) – it’s like Mario Kart’s chaotic cousin who really likes board games. You’ll need 2-4 players for this friendship-ruining… I mean, friendship-enhancing experience.
The Rules:
- Mini-Game Madness: Lose a mini-game? Drink. It’s that simple. (With dozens of frantic mini-games, someone is always losing, which keeps the drinks flowing and the laughter coming).
- Dice Roll Disaster: Roll a 1? Drink. Land on a red space? Drink. Get a star stolen? Finish your drink (and maybe cry a little). (The unpredictable nature of dice rolls and the board game elements create hilarious moments of misfortune).
- Hidden Block Havoc: Whoever reveals a hidden block drinks. If it’s a bad block, they finish their drink. (Adds another layer of surprise and excitement to every turn).
Why Super Mario Party Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Super Mario Party is a drinking game dream. The fast-paced mini-games are designed to create hilarious fails and triumphant victories, creating perfect opportunities for celebratory (or commiserative) sips. The random elements of dice rolls and hidden blocks add to the chaotic fun, ensuring that no two games are ever the same. It’s a recipe for an unforgettable game night with friends – full of laughter, friendly competition, and maybe a few spilled drinks. Try these rules out at your next party, and let us know which mini-game caused the most mayhem!
3. Fortnite
Fortnite. It’s the battle royale behemoth that’s taken over the world, and now it’s taking over your drinking games. Grab a squad of up to 4 friends (or go solo if you’re feeling brave…or thirsty) on PC, consoles, or mobile.
The Rules:
- Elimination Libations: Every kill you get? Take a sip. Get eliminated? Finish your drink. Simple, yet effective. (A classic risk/reward system that keeps the pressure on).
- Victory Royale Vodka (or whatever you’re drinking): Win a match? Everyone else takes a shot. You deserve it, champion. (The ultimate bragging rights come with the power to dole out drinks).
- Building Blunders: Fall off your own poorly constructed ramp? Drink. It’s a lesson in architecture and alcohol consumption. (Fortnite’s unique building mechanics add a hilarious layer of self-inflicted punishment to the drinking game).
Why Fortnite Makes a Great Drinking Game:
The sheer randomness and fast-paced action of Fortnite Battle Royale make it a surprisingly excellent drinking game. Will you get sniped from across the map? Will you stumble upon a legendary weapon? Will you accidentally build a staircase to nowhere? Who knows! That’s the fun of it. The constant threat of elimination and the potential for epic victories creates a thrilling and hilarious social experience. Every match is a fresh opportunity for mishaps, clutch plays, and celebratory sips with your squad. Give these rules a try at your next game night, and let us know which one leads to the most laughter (and the most drinks!).
4. Forza Horizon
Forza Horizon game – think open-world racing, stunning scenery, and the inevitable, spectacular crash. Available on Xbox and PC, it’s perfect for 2 players in split-screen or a larger group of friends online.
The Rules:
- Crash and Burn: Crash your car? Drink. It’s a simple rule, but trust me, it happens a lot, especially when exploring the vast open-world environment.
- Checkpoint Chug: Miss a checkpoint? Chug. It adds a whole new level of pressure to the race (and a whole new level to your drink).
- Photo Finish Frenzy: If the race comes down to a photo finish, everyone drinks. Close calls deserve a toast! (Because shared tension deserves a shared drink).
Why Forza Horizon Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Forza Horizon strikes a perfect balance between skill-based racing and chaotic fun. The open-world setting encourages exploration (and off-road misadventures), providing ample opportunities for crashes, near-misses, and celebratory (or commiserative) sips. Whether you’re drifting around corners or launching your car off a ramp, the exciting and unpredictable gameplay makes for a memorable drinking game experience with friends. Try out these rules at your next gaming session, and let us know which one leads to the most dramatic finishes (and the emptiest glasses)!
Discover other drinking games for 2 players or couples.
5. Jackbox Party Pack
Jackbox Party Packs. These quirky collections of mini-games are made for parties. You can cram a whole bunch of people in on the fun — from 1-8 players, or even more if you’re using audience participation features. Jackbox is available on a wide range of platforms, including PC, consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch), and even mobile devices.
The Rules:
- The Loser’s Libation: Last place in a mini-game drinks. It’s a classic for a reason. (Perfect for games like Trivia Murder Party or Quiplash).
- The Lie Detector: Catch someone lying in a game like Fibbage? They drink. (A great way to add some social deduction and playful suspicion to the mix.)
- The Drawing Disaster: In a drawing game like Drawful, the player with the least votes for their drawing drinks. Masterpieces are exempt (obviously). (Encourages creative “interpretations” and hilarious artistic fails).
Why Jackbox Party Packs Make Great Drinking Games:
Jackbox games are hilarious, creative, and often downright bizarre – the perfect breeding ground for a drinking game. The sheer variety of games, from trivia to drawing to wordplay, ensures there’s something for everyone. The focus on humor, creativity, and social interaction guarantees a night of laughter, friendly competition, and questionable decisions. Gather your friends, choose your favorite Party Pack, and prepare for a night of unforgettable fun.
6. Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat – Get ready to “FIGHT!” (and drink). This iconic fighting game, available on various platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC, is best with 2 players battling head-to-head, but you can always rotate for a larger group and keep the tournament going. Just be prepared for some brutal fatalities…and possibly some brutal hangovers.
The Rules:
- Fatality Finish: Witness a Fatality? Finish your drink. It’s a morbid celebration of skill (and a good excuse to refill). (Nothing says “victory” like a gruesome finishing move and an empty glass).
- Flawless Victory: Manage a Flawless Victory? Everyone else drinks. You’ve earned bragging rights…and the power to make others thirsty. (Dominating your opponent deserves a reward…and a chance to gloat).
- Brutality Bonus: Pull off a Brutality? Take a sip. It’s a reward for your extra effort (and a small taste of victory).
Why Mortal Kombat Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Mortal Kombat is perfect for drinking games because it’s already intense and over-the-top. The fast-paced combat, short rounds, and potential for brutal fatalities create a thrilling and engaging experience. Adding alcohol just amplifies the fun and the friendly competition. Plus, the quick matches make it easy to keep the drinks flowing and the good times rolling. Gather your friends, choose your fighters, and prepare for a night of bloody battles and boozy celebrations. Finish him…and your drink!
Discover other drinking games for small & large groups.
7. Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. game – It’s the ultimate Nintendo crossover fighting game, perfect for chaotic drinking game shenanigans. Grab anywhere from 2-8 players on your Nintendo Switch (or other Nintendo consoles) and prepare for a flurry of fists, projectiles, and, well, drinks.
The Rules:
- Ring Out Revelry: Get ringed out? Drink. It’s a classic Smash Bros. humiliation ritual. (There’s no greater shame than being flung off the stage, especially when it comes with a penalty drink.)
- Sudden Death Sips: If a match goes into Sudden Death, everyone drinks. The tension! (The heightened stakes of Sudden Death call for a shared moment of suspense…and a sip).
- Item Insanity: Get hit by an item? Drink. It’s a constant barrage of boozy projectiles. (The chaotic nature of Smash Bros. items creates constant opportunities for unexpected hits…and drinks.)
Why Super Smash Bros. Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Super Smash Bros. is a drinking game all-star thanks to its fast-paced action, chaotic items, and party-friendly nature. Whether you’re a button-mashing novice or a competitive combo master, the frantic gameplay creates hilarious moments perfect for a drinking game. There are plenty of opportunities for cheers, jeers, and, most importantly, beers. Gather your friends, choose your fighters, and let the boozy brawl begin!
8. FIFA
FIFA – The beautiful game, now with a beautifully boozy twist. This sports game, available on various platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, is perfect for 2 players battling it out head-to-head, but you can easily rotate for larger groups and tournaments.
The Rules:
- Goalie Gaffe: Concede a goal? Drink. It’s a painful but necessary ritual. (Every agonizing goal against becomes a reason to take a swig and lament your defensive failures).
- Yellow Card Calamity: Get a yellow card? Drink. A reminder to keep your tackles clean (or at least less obvious). (A penalty on the field becomes a penalty in your glass.)
- Red Card Ruin: Get a red card? Finish your drink. You’ve let your team down…and now you must pay the ultimate price. (An early shower for your player means an early trip to the bottom of your glass for you).
Why FIFA Makes a Great Drinking Game:
FIFA, with its blend of skill, strategy, and often-exaggerated reactions, makes for a fantastic drinking game. The emotional rollercoaster of a close match, combined with the inherent rivalry of soccer (or football, depending on where you are), creates a perfect storm of hilarious and dramatic moments. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a button-mashing beginner, every goal, every tackle, every near miss is an opportunity for celebration or commiseration – and a perfect excuse to take a drink. Gather your friends, pick your teams, and prepare for a night of intense competition, playful banter, and plenty of cheers (and jeers!).
9. Madden
Madden – It’s the king of virtual football, and it’s about to become the king of your drinking games. Grab a friend for some 1-on-1 gridiron action on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, or rotate players for a larger group.
The Rules:
- Touchdown Turnover: Score a touchdown? Your opponent drinks. Get scored on? You drink. Fair’s fair. (Every score is a celebration…or a consolation).
- Interception Inebriation: Throw an interception? Drink. It’s a painful lesson in risk management (and a reason to pour another drink).
- Fumble Fiasco: Fumble the ball? Drink. It’s a reminder to hold on tight (to both the ball and your composure). (Losing possession has consequences, both on the virtual field and in your glass.)
Why Madden Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Madden NFL, much like its soccer counterpart, FIFA, is a rollercoaster of emotions. The strategic gameplay, combined with the unpredictable nature of American football, provides endless opportunities for exciting and hilarious moments. Every play can be a game-changer, leading to cheers of victory or groans of defeat. Adding a drinking game element to the mix simply amplifies these emotions and creates an unforgettable game night experience. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a rookie just learning the ropes, there will be plenty of reasons to raise a glass (or drown your sorrows). Gather your friends, pick your teams, and prepare for a night of gridiron glory (and possibly some questionable play-calling after a few drinks).
Discover super bowl drinking games.
10. The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (or any Zelda game, really) – Exploring Hyrule can be thirsty work, so why not add some alcoholic beverages to the adventure? This drinking game is enjoyable solo on your Nintendo Switch, but you can easily adapt it for a group by passing the controller or having everyone drink along with the primary player’s progress.
The Rules:
- Heartbreak Hotel: Take damage? Drink. It’s a harsh reminder of the dangers of Hyrule. (Every hit taken becomes an opportunity to reflect on your mistakes…and take a sip.)
- Korok Conundrum: Find a Korok Seed? Take a sip. Celebrate those little victories! (Reward yourself for your exploration and sharp eyes).
- Shrine Shenanigans: Complete a Shrine? Everyone drinks. It’s a toast to your puzzle-solving prowess. (Successfully navigating a Shrine’s puzzles is a triumph worth celebrating.)
Why The Legend of Zelda Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Zelda games, with their vast worlds, challenging puzzles, and epic boss battles, offer a unique drinking game experience. Whether you’re exploring the vast landscapes of Hyrule, solving intricate Shrine puzzles, or battling Ganon, every moment of gameplay can be enhanced with a well-timed sip. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourselves, and remember to stay hydrated.
11. Uncharted
Uncharted – Think Indiana Jones, but with more quips, a lot more climbing, and exclusively on PlayStation. This cinematic action-adventure experience makes for a surprisingly engaging single-player drinking game. But don’t worry, you can easily turn it into a group activity: pass the controller each time a rule is triggered, or have everyone drink along with the player.
The Rules:
- Cliffhanger Chug: Every time Nathan Drake narrowly avoids falling to his death (which is, like, every five minutes), take a big swig. (Those near-death experiences are much more thrilling with a drink in hand).
- Gunfight Guzzle: Every time you get into a gunfight, take a sip for every enemy you take down. Things can get a little hectic (and boozy) quickly. (Uncharted’s frequent gunfights become even more intense when your drink depends on your aim.)
- Treasure Toast: Find a hidden treasure? Everyone drinks! It’s a celebration of your archaeological prowess. (A toast to your looting skills!)
Why Uncharted Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Uncharted’s cinematic storytelling, frequent action sequences, and over-the-top set pieces make it surprisingly well-suited for a drinking game. The constant near-death experiences, thrilling escapes, and numerous gunfights provide ample opportunities for celebratory (or stress-induced) sips. It’s like an interactive action movie where you control the pacing (and the drinking). Grab your controller, a PlayStation, your drink of choice, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Nathan Drake.
12. Lethal Company
Lethal Company – This co-op horror game, available on PC, is all about teamwork, communication, and screaming like a little kid when a monster jumps out at you. Perfect for 1-4 players ready to get spooked (and slightly tipsy).
The Rules:
- Jump Scare Jolt: Get jumpscared by a monster? Drink. It’s a therapy session in a glass. (A necessary calming agent after a sudden fright).
- Mission Mishmash: Fail a mission objective? Everyone drinks. Shared pain is slightly less painful (and slightly more boozy), right? (Because failure is best shared with friends…and a drink).
- Monster Mashup: Successfully extract a particularly nasty monster? Everyone else drinks. You deserve a break (and they deserve a drink for putting up with your screaming). (Rewarding successful teamwork…and punishing those who didn’t contribute as much).
Why Lethal Company Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Lethal Company is a fantastic drinking game because it’s already designed to get your heart racing. The tense atmosphere, unpredictable monsters, and frequent jumpscares create a perfect environment for some alcohol-fueled fun. The co-op nature of the game means you can share the scares (and the drinks) with your friends, amplifying both the terror and the camaraderie. Just try not to spill your beer when you inevitably shriek in terror. Gather your bravest friends, fire up Lethal Company on your PC, and get ready for a night of screams, laughter, and shared scares.
13. Valorant
Valorant. This tactical shooter, available on PC, is all about precision, teamwork, and blaming your teammates for everything (it’s part of the fun!). Perfect for a group of 5-10 players looking to test their skills (and their tolerance).
The Rules:
- Ace Assassin: Get an Ace (kill all 5 enemies in a round)? Everyone else drinks. You’re the king (or queen) of the server, and they shall pay tribute (in liquid form). (A reward for skilled plays and a punishment for everyone else).
- Death by Defuse: Die while trying to defuse the spike? Finish your drink. It’s a harsh but necessary lesson in bomb disposal etiquette. (Failure has consequences, especially when explosives are involved.)
- Wallhack Whimper: Accuse someone of wallhacking (even if they’re definitely not)? Drink. Paranoia is a thirsty beast (and often fueled by a few too many drinks). (This rule adds a fun layer of meta-gaming and playful suspicion.)
Why Valorant Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Valorant’s competitive nature, round-based gameplay, and emphasis on strategic teamwork make it a surprisingly engaging drinking game. Every round is a fresh opportunity for clutch plays, epic fails, and plenty of (mostly) friendly banter. The high-stakes objective of planting or defusing the spike creates tense moments ripe for a celebratory (or commiserative) drink. Gather your squad, communicate effectively (or not, depending on how many drinks you’ve had), and prepare for a night of intense competition and hilarious accusations.
14. Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead – Zombies, teamwork, and questionable life choices. This co-op zombie shooter, available on PC and Xbox 360, is a classic for a reason. Grab 1-4 players and prepare to fight for survival (and against sobriety).
The Rules:
- Boomer Bile: Get vomited on by a Boomer? Finish your drink. It’s disgusting, but it’s a rite of passage (and a punishment for not dodging that bile).
- Hunter Hunted: Get pounced by a Hunter? Drink. It’s a lesson in situational awareness (and quick reflexes… and alcohol tolerance).
- Tanked Up: Successfully take down a Tank? Everyone drinks! Celebrate those hard-fought victories (and the fact that you’re still alive).
Why Left 4 Dead Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Left 4 Dead’s frantic gameplay and the constant threat of zombie hordes make it a perfect fit for a drinking game. The adrenaline rush of survival pairs perfectly with the buzz of alcohol. The game’s iconic special infected zombies like the Boomer, Hunter, Tank, Witch, and Smoker add an element of unpredictable chaos to every playthrough. Working together with your team is crucial for survival, and the shared experience of fighting off hordes of undead (while slightly intoxicated) creates a unique and hilarious bond. Just don’t get so drunk that you can’t tell the difference between a Witch and a Smoker (that could be a fatal mistake, both in the game and at your party). Gather your friends, load up Left 4 Dead on your PC or Xbox 360, and get ready for a night of zombie-slaying mayhem and boozy camaraderie!
15. Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood – It’s Left 4 Dead’s spiritual successor, and it’s just as good (if not better) for drinking games. This co-op zombie shooter, available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, takes everything that made Left 4 Dead great and adds a whole bunch of new twists. Wrangle up a crew of 1-4 players and get ready for some zombie-slaying shenanigans (and plenty of drinks).
The Rules:
- Ridden Rendezvous: Get incapacitated by a Ridden? Drink. It’s a humbling (and slightly intoxicating) experience. (A reminder that even the most skilled Cleaners can fall victim to the Ridden hordes).
- Card Calamity: Draw a particularly bad Corruption Card? Drink. It’s like a bad hand in poker, but with significantly more zombies (and potentially more drinks). (Corruption Cards add an unpredictable element to every game, making each playthrough unique and potentially disastrous).
- Cleaner Celebration: Successfully complete a level? Everyone drinks! You earned it. (A well-deserved celebration of teamwork and survival).
Why Back 4 Blood Makes a Great Drinking Game:
Back 4 Blood takes the frantic, cooperative gameplay of Left 4 Dead and injects it with a fresh dose of strategic depth, thanks to its unique card system. The Deck-building element adds an extra layer of unpredictability, making every playthrough a unique (and potentially very boozy) experience. The variety of Ridden types, from the common Stinger to the terrifying Ogre, ensures that you’ll never be bored (or sober). Whether you’re coordinating strategies with your team or frantically reloading while surrounded by a horde, Back 4 Blood provides endless opportunities for hilarious mishaps and triumphant victories. Gather your friends, build your decks, and prepare for a night of zombie-slaying mayhem and boozy celebrations.
How to Turn Any Game into a Drinking Game
So, you’ve mastered the drinking games on this list, but you’re still thirsty for more? No problem! You can turn practically any video game into a drinking game with a little creativity. Think of it as crafting your own custom cocktail of chaos.
A. Essential Ingredients for a Fun and Engaging Drinking Game
- Simple Rules: Easy to understand and remember, even after a few drinks. Prioritize clarity and conciseness.
- Balanced Gameplay: No one wants to be chugging constantly (or never drinking at all). Find a sweet spot that keeps the game fun and engaging without being overly punishing.
- Flexibility: Offer variations or difficulty levels to suit different groups and preferences. Consider providing “hardcore” rules for seasoned drinking game veterans.
- Fun Factor: The most important ingredient! The drinking game should enhance the fun of the video game, not detract from it.
B. Brainstorming: Uncovering the Perfect Drinking Game “Hooks”
- Common Game Events: Scoring points, taking damage, completing challenges or achievements, failing objectives, triggering special events (power-ups, cutscenes), opening loot boxes, dying, respawning.
- Player Actions: Specific character choices, using certain items or abilities, saying certain phrases (“Get over here!”), performing specific actions in-game (e.g., teabagging in a shooter), friendly fire incidents.
- External Factors (For added randomness): Dice rolls, card draws, spinners, random number generators.
C. Crafting Your Rules: From Concept to Drinking Game Reality
- Start Simple: Begin with a few basic rules and test them out with friends.
- Iterate and Refine: Adjust the rules based on feedback and how the game plays out. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make changes until you find the perfect balance.
- Consider Variations: Offer different rule sets for casual vs. hardcore drinking games to accommodate different levels of enthusiasm (and alcohol tolerance).
Example Scenarios:
- Action Game: Sip when you die. Shot when you die during a boss fight.
- RPG: Drink whenever you level up or discover a new area. Chug for completing a challenging side quest.
- Sports Game: Drink when your team scores. Take a shot if your opponent scores a last-minute goal/touchdown.
- Story-Driven Game: Drink every time a character says a specific catchphrase. Take a shot if there’s a major plot twist.
- Strategy Game: Drink when you lose a unit. Take a shot if you lose a city/base.
D. Testing and Tweaking: Perfecting Your Drinking Game Masterpiece
- Playtesting is Key: Gather your friends and try out your custom drinking game. Observe how the game flows and whether the rules are easy to follow and contribute to the fun.
- Gather Feedback: Ask for honest opinions on the rules, the balance, and the overall fun factor.
- Make Adjustments: Refine the rules based on the playtest results.
