As families across the UK gather for the festive season, the search for engaging, laughter-filled entertainment begins. Forget the traditional board games; this year's top holiday fun comes in digital form. We've compiled the definitive list of the eight best party video games to play with your family this Christmas, whether your household craves singing, competitive driving, cooperative puzzles, or chaotic shouting matches.
Competitive Capers & Culinary Chaos
For those who love a bit of friendly competition, several titles stand out. Cake Bash offers a delightfully absurd take on multiplayer combat. Players select a sentient cake before engaging in food fights and mini-games like roasting marshmallows. It's the perfect choice for anyone who ever wished The Great British Bake Off had a more gladiatorial edge.
The legendary racing series returns with Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2. This ultimate accessible driving game features simple yet deep controls, beloved characters, and crazy circuits set within an explorable open-world map. The inclusion of homing missile shells and other weapons ensures even complete newcomers have a shot at victory, though the real win is the sheer, joyful chaos unleashed on the track. If you don't yet own a Switch 2, the excellent Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the original Switch provides a very similar experience.
For puzzle-platforming mayhem, Heave Ho is a unique challenge. Up to four players control stretchy creatures, navigating perilous levels by pulling, throwing, and using each other as makeshift bridges. Success hinges on communication and experimentation, not to mention forgiving the family member who accidentally catapults you into the abyss.
Cooperative Challenges & Creative Quizzes
If working together beats competing, several superb cooperative games await. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a gorgeous, hectic shooter for up to four players. Everyone must work as a crew, racing between stations on a shared spaceship to man guns, repair damage, and power shields. It's your chance to legitimately yell "Protect the hyperdrive!" at your relatives.
Moving Out 2 brilliantly simulates the fun of relocation without the real-world stress. Players form a removal team, working together to carefully (or chaotically) transport sofas, tables, and fragile items into a truck against the clock. Fans of a certain sitcom will inevitably be shouting "Pivot!" within minutes.
The latest instalment in a beloved series, Jackbox Party Pack 11, offers a collection of clever party games for up to eight participants. Rounds involve drawing, sound effects, and trivia, demanding enough concentration that it's wisely recommended as a starter before the festive drinks flow too freely.
Singalongs, Shouting & Mobile Mayhem
No Christmas gathering is complete without music. Let's Sing 2026 delivers the karaoke experience with 35 included hits from artists like Chappell Roan and Lewis Capaldi, plus hundreds more via an online jukebox. You can use USB microphones or a smartphone app. For a more physical musical alternative, Just Dance 2026 Edition is energetic and hilarious, though it requires space and coordination to avoid domestic accidents.
Finally, for pure, unadulterated bedlam, Spaceteam is a cooperative shouting game played on smartphones. Each player sees different instructions on their screen and must yell orders to their crewmates to prevent their shared spaceship from malfunctioning. It's loud, ridiculous, and perfectly suited to a raucous Christmas Eve.
This festive season, whether your family's style is collaborative or competitive, musical or maniacal, this selection of eight top-tier party games guarantees memorable holiday fun filled with laughter and friendly rivalry.
