Heads Up! is a mobile party game brought to you by Ellen DeGeneres. Think of it as digital charades: one player holds a phone against their forehead with a word displayed, while everyone else gives clues to help them guess. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, social events, or even spicing up a dull dinner, Heads Up! is guaranteed to get everyone laughing. Download it now on your iOS or Android device and get ready for some hilarious fun. Suitable for all ages and playable with two or more players, it’s the perfect addition to any get-together.
Getting Started
To get started, download the free Heads Up! app on your mobile device. You can find it on the Google Play Store for Android devices (requires Android OS 6.0 or later) or the Apple App Store for iOS devices (compatible with iOS 14.0 or later).
The app download size is approximately 80 MB.
Once installed, launch the app and explore the wide variety of themed decks available through in-app purchases. These curated word lists offer diverse categories, ranging from A-List Celebrities and Blockbuster Movies to Adorable Animals, Foreign Accents, and much more. Some popular options include “Blockbuster Movies”, “Sing It!” (for music lovers), and “Animals Gone Wild”. Heads Up! is consistently updated with new decks to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. Individual decks are typically priced at $0.99 each, with potential bundle discounts such as the “Party Pack” (5 decks for $3.99) or special offers like “Deck of the Week” discounts. Review the deck descriptions within the app to see a preview of the included words, helping you choose the perfect deck to match your group’s interests and knowledge. This pre-game planning will maximize your enjoyment and minimize those “I have no idea!” moments during gameplay.
How to Play Heads Up!
Let’s dive into the rules of Heads Up!. This mobile word-guessing game leverages your phone’s accelerometer to detect head movements. At the start of each round, one player holds the phone against their forehead, screen facing outwards, ensuring they can’t see the displayed word. Everyone else becomes a clue-giver, working together to help the player guess the word within the 60-second time limit. The objective is to guess as many words correctly as possible before the timer runs out. Each correct guess earns one point. Crucial Rule: No rhyming allowed! “Cat, hat, bat” – not helpful. Think creatively and strategically.
Using the Heads Up! App:
The Heads Up! app utilizes your phone’s motion sensors. To register a correct guess, give a distinct downward nod. The app recognizes this motion and automatically advances to the next word. If you’re stumped, tilt your head upwards to pass on a word without penalty (it won’t affect your score). This upward tilt also triggers the next word.
Important Note: The app detects deliberate head tilts, not subtle movements. A clear and distinct nod or upward motion is required.
Pro Tip: Before starting, go to the in-app settings and consider enabling the video recording feature. This records the often hilarious clue-giving attempts, providing a replay of the fun for later enjoyment.
Giving Effective Heads Up! Clues:
Giving clues is a strategic endeavor! Here are some proven techniques:
- Descriptive Clues: Paint a vivid picture with your words. Instead of simply saying “animal”, try “It’s a large African mammal with big ears and a long trunk”.
- Sound Effects & Impersonations: Meow like a cat, bark like a dog, or give your best celebrity impression. Sounds can be surprisingly effective!
- Synonyms & Related Words: If the word is “happy”, offer clues like “joyful”, “cheerful”, or “content”.
- Act It Out: Charades-style acting is encouraged, especially for action verbs or physically descriptive words.
By combining these techniques and working as a team, you’ll maximize your score and keep the game exciting. Clear, concise, and creative clues are the cornerstones of a winning Heads Up! strategy. After each round, the phone passes to the next player, and the process repeats until everyone has had a turn guessing. In team mode, combine the scores of each team member for a total team score.
Heads Up! for Groups: From Small Gatherings to Big Parties
Heads Up! truly excels as a social game, designed to bring people together through laughter and friendly competition. While it can be enjoyed head-to-head, teaming up unlocks a new level of fun and collaborative teamwork. Combining scores creates a sense of shared victory (or shared, hilarious defeat!). It’s a word-guessing team sport, where you and your teammates combine forces to conquer the deck.
Heads Up! is adaptable to various group sizes. Here are a few popular game modes:
- Team Showdown (4+ players): Divide into two or more teams of two or more players each. Teams take turns playing, with one player guessing while their teammates provide clues. Keep track of the scores for each round. The team with the highest combined score at the end wins bragging rights. This mode is ideal for medium to large groups, fostering friendly competition and strategic clue-giving. For groups of 3-6 players, this format works particularly well, and if you’re looking for other game options for this size group, we’ve got you covered with recommendations for exciting card games for 4,5 and 6 players and lively drinking games for small groups. You can also adapt Team Showdown for larger groups by creating more teams or having shorter rounds.
- Cooperative Mode (2+ players): Perfect for smaller groups or couples, or those who prefer a more collaborative experience. Instead of competing, work together as one big team. One player guesses, and everyone else contributes clues. This mode encourages communication, creative thinking, and gets everyone involved, regardless of group size. If you’re looking for other fun games to play with just two people, check out our recommendations for card games for 2 players, card games for couples, drinking games for 2 players, drinking games for couples, and even some exciting dice games for 2 players!
- Party Chaos (6+ players): For truly large gatherings, unleash “Party Chaos”. One brave soul guesses while everyone else shouts out clues simultaneously. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s a guaranteed laugh riot (and maybe a source of some friendly debates about the “best” clue). This mode thrives on the energy and enthusiasm of a big party atmosphere. If you’re planning a party with a large group and looking for other game ideas, be sure to check out our curated lists of card games for large groups and drinking games for large groups for even more entertainment options!
No matter the size of your gathering, from intimate get-togethers to large parties, Heads Up! provides flexible and engaging gameplay. Its adaptable nature makes it the perfect icebreaker or party game for any occasion.
Tips & Tricks
Ready to go from Heads Up! novice to seasoned pro? These expert tips and strategies will help you dominate the game (or at least maximize the laughs):
Strategic Deck Selection: Choose Heads Up! decks strategically based on your group’s shared knowledge. Are you all history buffs? The “History Makers” deck is a perfect fit. Pop culture fanatics? “Trending Now” will hit the mark. Opting for a deck where everyone has at least some familiarity increases your chances of correct guesses and minimizes frustration. Pro Tip: Before you buy, take advantage of the in-app deck descriptions. They provide a preview of the included words and categories, letting you make an informed choice.
Teamwork & Communication are Essential: Heads Up! is a collaborative game. Clear, concise clues are essential for success. Implement a system with your team for maximum efficiency. For instance, use a code word like “synonym” or a specific gesture to indicate a synonym is being given. Or, devise a quick signal to let the guesser know they’re on the right track. This streamlines the guessing process and boosts your team’s speed and accuracy.
Mastering the Art of Clue-Giving: Don’t settle for basic descriptions. Unleash your creativity. Employ sound effects, impersonations, and even physical actions (within reason, of course – avoid any furniture-related acrobatics!). If the word is “Tyrannosaurus Rex”, combine a ferocious roar with tiny arm gestures for a truly memorable (and effective) clue.
Conquering the Time Limit: 60 seconds per round can disappear faster than you think. Encourage your clue-givers to be quick and decisive. Don’t get bogged down on a single difficult word. A swift pass allows you to move on and maximize your chances of scoring points. The timer is a key element of the game’s strategy.
Learning from Mistakes (and Embracing the Laughs): Every incorrect guess is a learning opportunity. Analyze which clues were successful and which ones missed the mark. Did your “it’s a big, hairy creature” clue lead to guesses of “Bigfoot” instead of “bear”? Hilarious! Embrace those moments, learn from them, and let the laughter fuel the fun.
Customizing the Heads Up! Experience: Take advantage of the in-app settings to create the ideal gameplay experience. Adjust the time limit per round for a faster-paced or more relaxed game. You can also toggle the video recording on or off, enable sound effects, or adjust the volume. Explore these options to tailor the game to your group’s preferences.
By following these tips, you’ll not only improve your Heads Up! skills but also amplify the fun and create memorable moments with friends and family.
FAQs
Q: Where are my saved Heads Up! videos?
Your recorded gameplay videos are typically saved directly to your phone’s photo library or camera roll. You can then access and share them from there. On some devices, you may also find them within a dedicated “Heads Up!” folder.
Q: What are the different game modes in Heads Up?
Heads Up! offers a variety of game modes to suit different group sizes and preferences, including:
- Classic Mode: The standard Heads Up! experience where one player guesses and the others give clues.
- Team Mode: Divide into teams and compete for the highest combined score.
- Blitz Mode: A fast-paced version with a shorter time limit per round.
Q: What other games are similar to Heads Up?
If you enjoy the fast-paced, word-guessing fun of Heads Up!, you might also like games like Two Truths and a Lie, Would You Rather Questions, Pictionary, Codenames, 20 Questions, Scattergories, and Catch Phrase. These games share similar elements of deduction, creativity, and social interaction, making them great alternatives or additions to your game night lineup. Some of these games offer variations for different group sizes, accommodating both small gatherings and larger parties.
