Top Multiplayer Party Games to Play with Cards or on Mobile

Looking for a way to spice up your next gathering or virtual hangout? Multiplayer party games are a great way to have fun, break the ice, and bring out everyone’s competitive side. Whether you’re playing in person with a deck of cards or virtually on your smartphone, these party games are sure to bring excitement to any group. Here’s a list of some of the best party games to play with cards or on mobile!

1. Werewolves

Platform: Cards, Mobile App (Android/iOS)
Players: 6-20+
Objective: Root out the werewolves or outwit the villagers.
Werewolves (also known as Mafia in some variations) is a social deduction game where players are secretly assigned roles as either villagers or werewolves. The goal is for the villagers to find and eliminate the werewolves before the werewolves eliminate all the villagers. It’s a game full of bluffing, strategy, and trying to figure out who’s lying!

Why It’s Fun:

  • Encourages face-to-face interaction and clever deception.
  • Easy to pick up, hard to master.
  • Fun for large groups.

2. Secret Hitler

Platform: Physical board game, Online (web-based version)
Players: 5-10
Objective: Liberals vs. Fascists - uncover the Secret Hitler and stop their rise to power.
In Secret Hitler, players are divided into two teams: the liberals and the fascists. One player is secretly Hitler, and the fascists work to get him into power while the liberals try to prevent it. This game is all about negotiation, deduction, and hidden identities.

Official Secret Hitler Website

Why It’s Fun:

  • High-stakes strategic play with social elements.
  • Great for fans of historical themes and complex decision-making.
  • Dramatic reveals and intense player interactions.

3. Mafia

Platform: Cards, Mobile App (Android/iOS)
Players: 6-16
Objective: Townsfolk vs. Mafia - eliminate the hidden mafia members before they control the town.
Mafia is another classic social deduction game. Like Werewolves, players are divided into good guys (townsfolk) and bad guys (mafia members). Players must work together to identify the mafia through discussion, while the mafia secretly works to eliminate the townsfolk.

Why It’s Fun:

  • Involves intense social dynamics and persuasion.
  • Different roles add variety and unpredictability.
  • Can be played with just a deck of cards or through apps for online play.

4. Exploding Kittens

Platform: Cards, Mobile App (Android/iOS)
Players: 2-5
Objective: Avoid drawing the Exploding Kitten card and be the last player standing.
Exploding Kittens is a lighthearted card game where players take turns drawing cards and trying not to pull the explosive “Exploding Kitten” card. To avoid exploding, you can use special cards to skip turns, defuse kittens, or force others to draw cards instead.

Download Exploding Kittens for Android
Download Exploding Kittens for iOS

Why It’s Fun:

  • Simple and fast-paced, perfect for casual gamers.
  • Filled with quirky humor and crazy artwork.
  • Available both as a physical card game and a mobile app for easy play anywhere.

5. Heads Up!

Platform: Mobile App (Android/iOS)
Players: 2+
Objective: Guess the word on your screen based on your friends’ clues.
Heads Up! is a wildly popular charades-like game where players hold up their phone displaying a word, and their friends give clues to help them guess what’s on the screen. The quicker you guess, the more points you earn!

Download Heads Up! for Android
Download Heads Up! for iOS

Why It’s Fun:

  • Endless variety with different themed decks.
  • Great for quick rounds and entertaining groups of all sizes.
  • Perfect for both in-person and virtual gatherings.

6. Codenames

Platform: Physical card game, Mobile App (Android/iOS), Online
Players: 4-8
Objective: Guess the secret codenames based on your spymaster’s clues.
Codenames is a clever word association game where players split into two teams. One team member gives one-word clues to help their teammates guess the correct words on the board without accidentally guessing the other team’s words or the deadly assassin card.

Play Codenames Online
Download Codenames for iOS

Why It’s Fun:

  • Stimulates creative thinking and teamwork.
  • Great for players who enjoy word games and strategy.
  • Available in many versions: in-person, mobile, and online.

7. Among Us

Platform: Mobile App (Android/iOS), PC
Players: 4-15
Objective: Crewmates vs. Imposters - complete tasks on the spaceship while identifying the imposters.
Among Us is a multiplayer online game where crewmates work to complete tasks around a spaceship while imposters secretly work to sabotage them and eliminate crewmates. It’s a fast-paced, deception-filled game of strategy and teamwork.

Download Among Us for Android
Download Among Us for iOS

Why It’s Fun:

  • Highly addictive with lots of replayability.
  • A modern twist on classic social deduction games like Mafia.
  • Perfect for playing with friends online, no matter the distance.

8. Drawful 2

Platform: Mobile App (Android/iOS), PC, Console
Players: 3-8
Objective: Draw bizarre prompts and guess what others have drawn.
Drawful 2 is a hilarious drawing game from the creators of the Jackbox series. Players are given absurd prompts to draw, and then everyone tries to guess what the drawings represent. It’s like Pictionary but with funnier and more outlandish results.

Download Drawful 2 for PC
Download Drawful 2 for iOS

Why It’s Fun:

  • Hilarious interpretations of prompts lead to lots of laughs.
  • Accessible for all ages, no drawing skills required!
  • Ideal for remote play with friends through video calls.