Best games to play with your flatmates

Make new bonds or form rivalries with any of these fun gaming options.

If you plan on staying in but are sick of watching reruns of the same show, it's time to get your game on. Gather your flatmates and pick out your favourite board, card or video game. Unsure of what to play? Then here are our recommendations for both cooperative and competitive games perfect for a flat games night.

Video games

• Jackbox Party Pack - The ultimate party video game where you use your phones as controllers in varying minigames. Hilarious, easy to play and available on multiple platforms. Drawing, trivia, jokes - each pack varies so look into which pack contains the games that best suit your group.
• Mario Kart - An all-time classic, chances are you have had a race on one of the Mario Karts in your life. The most recent title on the Switch has many courses and adds more tracks every couple of months (which you can obtain through buying outright or subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack). 
• Overcooked - A high energy hectic cooperative masterpiece. Try to prep, cook and deliver meals as fast as possible before the timer runs out. As chefs, you'll need to work together in kitchen environments that just get weirder and wilder as the game goes on. Expect to be screaming at the TV with this one as your teamwork skills are really put to the test. 

Card games

Now just by owning a basic deck of cards, you will have the ability to play a slew of games and also create your own ones. But if you fancy something a bit different then try one of these:

• Don't Get Got  - A game you play while doing other activities. Everyone has secret missions they need to complete first to win. For example, you might need to convince someone to moonwalk without them realising it's part of the game. Perfect for playing in the background of a party or as you watch a film. 2-10 players, played throughout the day.
• Mind  - A cooperative game which tests how linked your mind is with your friends. You basically have to lay out your cards in ascending order BUT, no words can be spoken as you try to get to the highest level! 2-4 players, varying game time.
• Selfish - The anti-teamwork game is all about screwing your friends over in order to win (hence the name). There are a few versions but the space edition will pit you against your flat to reach the spaceship first before your oxygen runs out. 2-5 players, 20 mins average game time.

Board games

• Wingspan - A competitive board game where the aim of the game is to build the best wildlife preserves for your birds to score the most points. One of the best-looking board games with beautiful artwork and cool tokens, the gameplay is more focused on you beating others by being the best rather than trying to sabotage your friends. 1-5 players, 40-70 mins average game time.
• Wavelength - Two teams compete to see who has the best telepathic connections through cryptic clues and a fun interactive wheel. The box becomes the gameboard and offers a fresh way to play in this game where you will find out more about how each other thinks. 2-12 players, 30-45 mins average game time. 
• Pandemic - Win together or lose together, you have to stop the outbreak of a new disease in this light role-playing strategy game. You will need to push those team working skills to the limit in order to beat this challenging game which has multiple versions and expassions if you want to keep the fun going. 2-4 players, 45 mins average game time.

All these games are perfect for laughs with a mix of cooperative and competitive play. The closer the group, the better the experience!