Games like Jackbox for game night, in person or on a call

If you like Jackbox, try Gartic Phone, Skribbl.io and the online version of Codenames. All three work with a group on a call or in one room. Roam has short party games too, and you can make one about your own friends.

What makes Jackbox work

Jackbox Games has made the Jackbox Party Packs since 2014. One person owns the game and puts it on a TV or shares their screen. Everyone else joins from their own phone at jackbox.tv, so nobody else has to buy anything. Quiplash, where you write the funniest answer to a prompt, and Fibbage, where you invent fake trivia answers, are the best-known games.

The magic is that the phone is a private controller. You write or draw in secret, then the big screen shows everyone at once and the room votes.

Party games like Jackbox

Gartic Phone. The telephone game with drawings. One person writes a line, the next draws it, the next guesses it, and the chain gets worse every step. Free on the web.
Skribbl.io. Free draw-and-guess on the web. One player draws a word, everyone else races to type it. Easy to set up with a private room link.
Codenames. Czech Games Edition's word game, with a free official online version. Two teams, one clue word at a time, and a lot of arguing.

Roam party games for friends

Roam is a free iPhone app. These are short, loud and good for a group.

Sound Like a Goat. A comedy sound game where your finger is your voice. Easy to play and pass around.
Vote Them Out. It is election day, and you have to make sure they lose.
Red Flag Green Flag. One card, one call: red flag or green flag. Great for arguing with friends about the answers.
KNOW IT! A game-show trivia quiz. Think fast, answer faster.

Tips for a good party game night

Start with a game that needs no rules, like a drawing game, before moving on to something with teams. Keep rounds short so people who join late can jump in.

For a call, have one person share the screen and keep everyone on their own phone, the same setup Jackbox uses.

Play it on Roam

Make your own party game with Roam

Describe a party game about your group, with the rules you want, and Roam builds it. Then send it to your friends.

Try: "party game where we guess which friend said the quote, 8 rounds, the loser has to do a dance, my friends are the characters"

Create it with Roam See Roam

Questions people ask

Is there a free game like Jackbox?

Yes. Gartic Phone, Skribbl.io and the official online Codenames are free to play with friends.

Do all players need to buy Jackbox?

No. Only the host buys a Party Pack. Everyone else joins from their phone at jackbox.tv.

What are good party games on a video call?

Drawing games like Gartic Phone and Skribbl.io work best, because everyone plays on their own device.