Got a party coming up? Has your board game night gotten a little too popular? The good news is, you can rest assured that there are some fantastic games out there, specifically for larger groups. These games are larger than life for a large group! We’ve tried and tested this list of the best board games for large groups!
Our Top Picks for Best Board Games for Large Groups
In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.
7 Wonders
Players: 2-7
Playing time: 30 min
Ages: 10+
You are a leader of one of the seven greatest cities of the Ancient World. Gather, Develop and affirm your great supremacy!
7 Wonders is a game of strategy for larger groups. By drafting cards over multiple rounds (called Ages), you can carefully build to your end goal, build a city that’s wonder will transcend future times.
With quick gameplay, everyone is still able to stay engaged regardless of how many ‘leaders’ there are. 7 Wonders is a unique blend of city-building and economic strategy with easy enough rules that all combine to make one of the greatest board games for large groups.
What we liked
It’s a speedy game, with impressive fun art displayed on the cards. 7 Wonders is perfect for a large group as it is super easy to teach and learn. The drafting/market element gives awesome thematic interaction and we love a game that is simple to pick up but remains a challenge to master. It’s also an optimal gateway game.
What could be better
After numerous plays, we found it slightly repetitive and there is maybe too much iconography for casual gamers. You may find that only interacting with neighbors is quite frustrating, and knowing what cards to pick can prove a bit of a challenge, especially the first time playing.
Sushi Go! Party
Players: 2-8
Playing time: 20 min
Ages: 8+
A game of hot potato, or hot sushi?
Sushi Go! Party is essentially a card drafting and set collection game. Players are playing simultaneously, this is where the hot potato element comes in. With fast play and players all playing at one time, Sushi Go! Party is hilariously fun. A platter of mega maki, endless edamame, and super sashimi is sure to appease larger appetites!
With the party pack, you get dozens of different dishes to customize your play. Add a game of Sushi Go! Party and let the good time roll!
What we like:
It’s a wizz to play with a group and because it is a rapid game, no one has time to get bored or frustrated. There are plenty of cool colors and if you’re not familiar with sushi, it can be a nice way to learn and recognize the dishes. It is easy to teach and play and a fantastic entry-level game for non-gamers.
What could be better:
The game is packaged in a large tin box which may not be desirable for storage or travel. If you’re not familiar with sushi names, it could be confusing depending on your native language.
Captain Sonar
Players: 2-8
Playing time: 45-60 min
Ages: 14+
A fun game of dueling submarines. What more do you need?
In Captain Sonar, you’ll hunt subs in thrilling, real-time play! Players take on the role of captain, chief mate, engineer, or radio operator. With a little teamwork, you’ll find and destroy the enemy, all while escaping detection yourself.
With many different mechanisms included, such as deduction, grid movement, and all with the option of simultaneous play, Captain Sonar is what Battleship dreams to be!
Maps of various difficulty levels are included making this a great game for all skill levels and ages. Captain Sonar is a lively addition to any board gamer’s shelf.
What we liked
Captain Sonar is great for balancing effective communication skills and enjoying teamwork. There is plenty of excitement and interaction, and it really excels when you’re playing with at least 8 people. The design is impressive and it is appropriate for a broad audience.
What could be better
The roles differ a lot meaning some are more interesting than others. It is a challenge based on a fair amount of intensity and if you don’t want a game that ends in a spat, choose your group carefully.
Codenames
Players: 2-8
Playing time: 15 min
Ages: 14+
Win or lose, it’s fun to figure out the clues!
Codenames is a challenging but super fun social word game. Two rival spymasters know the secret identity of 25 agents. Teammates only know them by ‘codenames’. Compete to contact all your agents first!
Codenames is perfect for larger groups as it’s very easy to learn and great for all ages. Play a game with kids and adults.
Codenames is also a great game as an icebreaker, you’ll get to know people in no time. The bigger the group, the more you’ll be second-guessing. So get a large group together who’s up to the challenge and dodge the assassins!
What we liked
Codenames is an enormously fun board game for large groups, including non-gamers as playability is easy to grasp, and for a party-style challenge, it offers just the right amount of competition and cooperation between players. The online version is excelling in popularity too.
What could be better
The game stays dependent on the cards which are in play at any moment in time, so when played repetitively, players may find it tedious. You might find yourself waiting impatiently for your team captain to link words together, and after a while, you may get a bit frustrated.
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Players: 4-12
Playing time: 20 min
Ages: 14+
Find out who among you can see through the lies or is capable of not getting caught.
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong is a fast-paced, whodunit, murder mystery game. Players find themselves in a scenario of murder, intrigue, and deception. One player is the murderer, secretly choosing his or her weapon, as well as what evidence to leave behind. Another is a forensic scientist who has great knowledge of the scene.
The rest of the players are investigators, working tirelessly to solve the crime… but the killer is among them. The murderer must mislead and confuse all while not blowing their cover.
Are you capable of getting away with murder? (in the board game, of course.)
What we liked
For those new to gaming, this is an enthralling introduction to social deduction games. Deception: Murder in Hong Kong offers high replayability and is super engaging. You can encounter some wild theories and the evidence and scene cards are well-written which leads to some interesting conversations and deductions.
What could be better
The role of Forensic Scientist can be either helpful or a hindrance. It is sometimes fun to deduce clues that will assist your team in finding solutions regarding the murder. However, this character is unable to enjoy the discussion or group deduction, so it may feel a bit isolating for some players.
Mascarade
Players: 2-13
Playing time: 30 min
Ages: 10+
Attend a Renaissance masquerade and try to find out who is telling the truth and who is bluffing!
Mascarade is a fun party game of randomly dealt characters and costumed bluffing. You’ll start with six coins and try to be the first to 13 coins. With a fun added memory component, Mascarade will have a large group concentrating to remember character cards.
Mascarade is an easy-to-learn game that’ll still keep you guessing after many times of play. The replayability makes this an awesome time each and every time!
Get rich or die trying — this elegant game will have you questioning who you are.
What we liked
You either get rich… or die trying! In this fast-paced marvel of a game, players use their gut instincts and imagination in order to be successful. It can be an exciting challenge for a big group to keep up a good level of bluffing and it is a great test of memory.
What could be better
We found replayability to be a bit low and everyone wants to be a king. There is the presence of strategy but luck plays a big role.
Coup
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 15 min
Ages: 13+
If secret identities, deduction, and deception interest you, Coup has all this in a dystopian universe.
In a world where only a privileged few run and influence a government run for profit, you must take command and destroy the influence of your rivals. Only one can survive.
Coup is a simple enough game of bluffing, making it a fantastic choice for large groups. Start by getting two cards and take one action with each turn. The last player standing wins! The more you play the better you understand the strategies that can be implemented.
Put on your poker face and master the dystopian world of Coup.
What we liked
Bluffing can provide a load of enjoyment especially when you have a fun bunch that can stand the pace. This hidden role game gives a large group endless amusement and has great replay value with expansions. Coup allows depth in the decision-making process yet it remains a simple enough game that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
What could be better
Weak liars will likely be eliminated soon in the game so this may be a bit demoralizing. It could benefit from being a bit longer or even having some extra twists.
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our picks for the best board games for large groups! With these large group board games, you can make sure no man is left behind. Let us know in the comments which of these games you’d love to play with friends or family!
Check out our video of the best board games for 6 players below:
Ready Player Christine. Since my first D&D game, which took a turn for the weird and wacky (probably my influence), the world of board and tabletop games came alive. Now today, I get to write about these fantastical, fictional, and downright fun worlds.
Scott Snelling
Friday 7th of January 2022
Coup is NOT a game for large groups. I'm sorry, but 6 player maximum is not what a "large group" is. Not when a basic table game is 4 or 5 player, and you aren't even a 'group' until 3.
A large group starts at 8, minimum, and goes up into the teens. One Night Ultimate Werewolf scales up to 10 players. Standard (slower) Ultimate Werewolf goes up to 75 (though past 20 it's unwieldly). Murder and Deception in Hong Kong - the ONE social game on your list hits 12.
There are a ton of games for 8+ players, and yet this "large group" list is designed for "1-2 extra people showed up for game night, wut do?" scenarios.