Best New Years Eve Games to Play 2025: Top 13
Looking for new years eve games to play? Our top picks promise laughter, strategy, and fun for everyone involved!
As the countdown begins and the clock strikes midnight, there’s nothing quite like ringing in the new year with a crackling game night. Our lineup of 13 new years eve games to play offers a mix of strategy, hilarity and pure fun, perfect for everything from family gatherings to wild parties. We focus on games that are easy to learn, engaging for everyone, and most importantly, build unforgettable memories. Whether you’re a fan of bluffing, drawing, or outsmarting your friends, this list is packed with options that will keep the laughter rolling and the excitement high all night long.
On this list:
13 Codenames
Codenames is a top pick because it mixes fun with mystery. Teams try to guess words based on one-word clues given by their spymasters. I remember when we played it last New Year’s Eve. Our spymaster said ‘food’, and somehow we all guessed ‘pillow’. Laughter erupted around the table, and it became the highlight of the night. Codenames is thrilling, engaging and perfect on those exciting nights. A simple mistake can make you burst out laughing, and there’s never a dull moment. New year’s eve games to play should always involve lots of guessing, and this one fits the bill perfectly.
12 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a delightful choice for any New Year’s celebration. We enjoy it because of its simplicity and the excitement it brings. You and your friends will race across the country by collecting train cards and claiming railway routes. Everyone is focused on their route, but when someone takes the one you need, the friendly banter is priceless. Once, my friend Joe forgot to connect two critical cities just because he was too busy munching on chips. He laughed it off, and that made the game even more memorable.
11 Dixit
Dixit is one of those new years eve games to play that sparks creativity. Players use abstract cards to tell stories, making others guess which card matches. The best part is seeing your friends’ attempts to weave tales from bizarre images. Last year, we had a card that looked like a rabbit on a rainbow, and the stories that came out were nothing short of hilarious. Dixit encourages imagination, and it’s always a hit at our gatherings. It’s the kind of game where there’s no right or wrong answers, just lots of laughs and surprises.
10 Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is a fantastic option for those looking for quick, chaotic fun. Players draw cards from a deck and hope they don’t pull an exploding kitten. It’s as bonkers as it sounds! It’s fast-paced and oh so engaging. Our group loves this game because the tension of drawing a card keeps everyone on edge. I still remember my friend Sarah screaming ‘No!’ when she drew the dreaded card, only to be saved by a defuse card she had been saving. Truly a rollercoaster in card form!
9 Just One
Just One is all about teamwork, making it a lovely pick for New Year’s Eve. In this game, one player guesses a mystery word with the help of clues from others. Each clue must be unique, or it gets discarded. The simplicity is deceptive, and you’ll often find yourself in fits of giggles. We played it last New Year, and when we tried to use ‘rocket’ as a clue for ‘NASA’, both clues were the same and got erased! The sheer joy and frustration made the night unforgettable.
8 Telestrations
Telestrations is one of the best new years eve games to play because it’s all about misunderstandings and sketching hilarity. Similar to a game of telephone but with drawing, it never fails to make us laugh until our sides hurt. You draw what you see, then guess what you saw. I remember drawing what I thought was a cow, but it ended up being guessed as a spaceship! That kind of goofiness is what makes Telestrations a perfect party game.
7 The Resistance
The Resistance is all about deception and trust, which makes it great for social evenings like New Year’s Eve. It puts players in the roles of spies and resistance members, and each mission has us on the edge of our seats. I can’t forget last year when my friend Dan was so convincing, we never suspected he was a spy. When he finally revealed his role, jaws dropped. Talk about an intense and thrilling experience! The game’s shiny intrigue truly brings a different flavor to the festivities.
6 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a delightful card drafting game that’s as tasty as it sounds. Players try to collect the best sushi combinations for points. With adorable illustrations and fast-paced rounds, it’s a joy to play. I recall trying to collect as many pudding cards as possible, only to realize my strategy left me wide open in other areas. The light-hearted competition and charming theme make it great for new years eve games to play.
5 King of Tokyo
King of Tokyo is a monster smashing dice game that’s a blast at parties. Players take on the role of giant monsters vying for control of Tokyo. Roll dice for attack, healing, or gathering energy. Last New Year’s Eve, my monster got knocked out early, but it was still fun watching the others duke it out. The mix of strategy and dice rolling is addictive, ensuring everyone has a roaring good time.
4 Wits & Wagers
Wits & Wagers is a party trivia game where precision isn’t key—strategic betting is. Our group enjoys it because even the wildest guesses can win. Imagine trying to guess how many slices of pizza are eaten per second in the US. We were all over the place with our guesses, but the betting made it thrilling. It’s great for people who love trivia but also enjoy a bit of luck and guesswork.
3 Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale
Cartographers always takes our New Year’s Eve to the next level. Players draw their own maps based on card flips. It’s a mix of Tetris and coloring that becomes increasingly challenging. Last year, I drew a perfect city section, only for a monster attack to ruin my plans. The surprise attacks keep everyone on their toes. This blend of strategy and creativity is perfect for those looking for something a bit deeper.
2 Catan
Catan is a timeless classic that thrives in gatherings like New Year’s Eve. In this game, players build settlements, trading and gathering resources. Our group loves the negotiation aspect. I clearly remember trading my precious ore for sheep when I was one road away from victory. The trade-offs and strategic building keep everyone engaged, and the potential for funny mishaps is endless.
1 Pandemic
Pandemic tops this list because it’s one of the best cooperative new years eve games to play. Players work together as a team to stop global outbreaks. It’s a game where everyone wins together or loses together, which makes for a thrilling experience. Our last play seesawed between hopeful and desperate as we scrambled to cure the last disease. Pandemic delivers an exhilarating mix of tension and camaraderie, perfect for ringing in the new year.
