PS3 Informer

The 5 Best Multiplayer Party Games

Just because we live in an era of ubiquitous broadband doesn't mean multiplayer games should be played alone. Some of the best gaming experiences happen when we gather our friends together to play in the same room. Yes, you could trash talk someone over a mic, but it just doesn’t quite have the same effect as mocking them in real life. The great thing about this list of multiplayer party games is that they don’t require your friends to be experts in military tactics or obtuse control schemes. In fact, for hilarious results it helps if there is at least one total n00b in the room to take the brunt of the abuse. Next time you want to liven up a real-world gathering, check out one of the following 5 best multiplayer party games, and get ready to talk some smack.

1. Bomberman (All) – It doesn’t matter which version of this game you play, the simple and yet addictive formula of Bomberman is sure to have your friends fighting over the controller. The original SNES version came with a special 4-player MultiTap controller adapter, and this was clearly the way the game is meant to be played. Recently, we have had good results with Bomberman DS, which can be played with up to 8 players over local wifi on a single cartridge.

Bomberman has changed his look throughout the years, but the core gameplay remains the same.

2. Halo 1, 2 or 3 (Xbox) – True FPS fanatics who cling to their tactically-accurate PC games will scoff, but realism isn’t the point of Halo, anyway. You can’t see much of anything in a 4-player match on a single TV, and yet this is about as close as most modern-day gamers can get to the fun of Goldeneye on the N64. Watch the n00b get his hands on the Energy Sword and chuckle with glee as he scores his first kill. Get invisibility and stalk your friends with the rocket launcher while they freak out. An endless supply of fun awaits.

Never, ever bring an assault rifle to an Energy Sword fight.

3. Raving Rabbids 2 (Wii) – WarioWare was pretty amusing at first, but the thrill wore off quickly once we realized that some of the minigames were fun while others were total bollocks. In Raving Rabbids 2, Ubisoft has crafted possibly the most fun party game compilation ever. It is possible to play the game in single player mode, but there really isn’t any point. Competing to see who can burp the loudest and destroy Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomph, or who can balance the most spinning plates on their head in a Chinese antiquities shop requires a group of friends to laugh at how silly you look.

Someone call a real doctor.

4. Rock Band (All) – Did you and your friends ever dream of starting a group and making it big back in middle school? Well if you haven’t yet played the rhythm game sensation Rock Band, now is the time. The game is simple enough to learn quickly and the soundtrack is rockin’, ensuring that those who aren’t playing from the sofa will have something to listen to.

Dude, this could totally be you.

5. Soul Calibur IV (PS3, Xbox 360) -- Fighting games were built for multiplayer, and Soul Calibur IV is one of the best fighters this generation. The large character list ensures that everyone will find a character that fits their style and the finely tuned gameplay means that it is easy to pick up and play. Plus, matches are short so nobody will get bored waiting for their turn.

Who doesn't appreciate a nice roundhouse kick to the face?