There will always be debates over the best genres of video games but, when it comes to bringing friends together for hours of multiplayer fun, there's nothing quite like a party game. Whilst the PlayStation 4 may lack some popular party games, as titles like the Mario Party games inevitably remain on the Switch, the console still has plenty of options.
The Jackbox Party Pack, Overcooked 2, and Trivial Pursuit: Live! are just some of the popular choices for party games available now. With so many options, thousands of players on Ranker voted on which party games they believe are the most worth playing on the console.
Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes (2015)
A puzzle game where stakes are high and communication is key, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes lives up to the threat of its name. Giving one player a bomb with a series of cryptic inputs and clues and another the instructions on how to defuse it, the two must work together to stop the explosive device before time runs out.
To add to the tension, too many wrong inputs also cause the bomb to detonate, so there's no room for trial and error in this cooperative experience. With increasingly difficult levels and a timer that always seems worryingly short, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes makes for some hilariously tense moments.
LittleBigPlanet 3 (2014)
Like the previous LittleBigPlanet games, which were some of the best platformer games outside of the Mario series, LittleBigPlanet 3 places the emphasis on creativity. Players are able to create their own levels, characters, objects, and just about everything else in the game, and this can lead to a lot of fun.
In addition, being able to access such a wealth of user-created content means that a visit to the game can be very unpredictable. With servers for the game having shut down on the PlayStation 3, the PS4 is now the only way to get the LittleBigPlanet 3 party experience, which is a big advantage for the console.
Broforce (2016)
As the name Broforce implies, this game is all about incredibly macho men fighting and being heroes and it makes for a great multiplayer or even singleplayer experience. A 2D side-scroller, Broforce introduces a player character as well as a ton of different "Broforce" members based on action movie icons.
The players are tasked with taking on terrorists and rescuing their bro teammates in fast-paced run-and-gun action. If this wasn't already a recipe for a lot of fun, the game's levels also contain lots of destructible elements, which can lead to some hilarious moments if the landscape disappears at a bad time.
Trivial Pursuit: Live! (2015)
Long before party video games became a thing, board games were a great way to have competitive fun with friends so mixing the two together was always likely to work well. There are tons of fun versions of Trivial Pursuit but the video game keeps things simple putting general knowledge to the test with adapted difficulty levels to suit any crowd.
Trivial Pursuit: Live! also keeps things fast-paced, giving a game show feel that is perfect for the local multiplayer experience. Trivial Pursuit: Live! 2 recently released for the PS4 and PS5 so it will be interesting to see if this overtakes the original as the prime trivia party game for PS4 players on Ranker.
TowerFall Ascension (2013)
TowerFall Ascension is the definitive version of the 2D fighting game based entirely around archery that allows players to test their aim and reaction skills against each other. Made by the indie developer that went on to create Celeste, the commitment to simple, satisfying mechanics that made that game great can also be seen in this intense title.
Multiplayer is 4-player local, making it perfect for playing with a small group of friends, and it's one of the best games like Super Smash Bros. that's available on the PS4. In terms of versus combat party games, there aren't much better for the console than TowerFall Ascension.
The Jackbox Party Pack (2014)
It's no surprise that the Jackbox Party Pack, one of the party game phenomenons of the past decade, is still considered one of the best on the entire PlayStation 4. With 5 games including You Don't Know Jack, Drawful, Word Spud, Lie Swatter, and Fibbage, which is considered a great party game in its own right, the pack can provide almost endless hours of fun.
Often the games provide interesting twists on classic games. In Drawful, for example, the game plays out similarly to Pictionary but the prompts are abstract and players will have to pick out the correct answer from a group of fake answers thought up by the others. Even though many sequels have come out since the first pack, it is well worth revisiting.
Fibbage (2014)
Also sold as part of the first Jackbox Party Pack, Fibbage is a game that's all about bluffing. For players who enjoy the satisfaction of pulling off an incredible lie and players who like to play detective, Fibbage provides the perfect opportunity to do both. Additionally, the crazy prompts that the game provides mean the truth can be as hilarious as the lies.
Jackbox games generally require nothing more than a smartphone to take part and Fibbage is no exception. Its ability to support 8 players gives it an advantage over most other party games when it comes to allowing big groups to participate. There's a Jackbox game for every type of person and for a lot of people, Fibbage is still ideal.
That's You! (2017)
Fans of party games who might compare the PS4 unfavorably with other consoles, particularly the Nintendo Switch, will be reassured to know there are some great party games exclusive to the console. That's You! is one of these and it provides a uniquely creative group experience.
The game plays out as a series of rounds that have the players answer questions and undergo challenges while points are determined by a secret ballot. Players can even design their own questions for the game, allowing them to tailor the experience to their specific friend group. That's You! is easily the best PS4-exclusive party game.
Overcooked 2 (2018)
Overcooked 2 is not a game for anyone who thinks cooking should be a peaceful, relaxing experience. The coop multiplayer game requires players to work together and communicate well whilst trying not to burn the kitchen down bringing food to demanding customers. Things quickly become very chaotic.
One of the best strategy games for beginners, Overcooked 2 involves frantically retrieving the ingredients for dishes and making them in levels that progressively get more difficult as the game continues. The difficulty isn't to be underestimated either, as the chaos can make it very hard to do everything needed to achieve a perfect grade.
The Jackbox Party Pack 2 (2015)
The team behind the first Jackbox Party Pack managed to surpass themselves and create the ultimate party game for PS4 in the form of the Party Pack 2. The title has 5 brand new games including Fibbage 2, a development on the original bluffing game, and Quiplash, the quick-thinking prompt-answering game that is now one of the most popular in the series.
Bidiots, Ear Wax, and Bomb Corp. round off the pack and each brings their own fresh flavor of party game fun to the mix. Like the previous pack, the games allow larger groups, including up to 8 players in some cases, meaning it's perfect for when there are too many people in a group for an ordinary party game.