My Top 5 Favorite Local Multiplayer Games I Play with My Friends

In a recent post titled My Top 9 Favorite TV Shows, I spoke about my top 9 favorite TV shows of all time. As a gaming enthusiast, I also introduced Popular Gaming Genres with Examples for Beginners.

But this time, I'll be talking about my favorite local multiplayer games I regularly play with my friends whenever they come over. But before I get into my top 5, I will briefly explain what a local multiplayer game is.

A local multiplayer game is a type of video game that allows multiple players to play on the same device or network, either in person or through a direct connection. This is in contrast to online multiplayer games, where players compete against each other over the internet.

Local multiplayer games are often played on game consoles, such as the Nintendo Switch or the Xbox, or on personal computers. These games are designed for players to play together in the same room, either on the same screen or on separate screens.

Local multiplayer games can be of various genres, including action, racing, sports, strategy, and puzzle games. They are typically designed to be played with friends or family members and offer a fun and social gaming experience.

1 — Mario Party

Mario Party is a popular multiplayer video game franchise that was first released in 1999. The game is developed by Nintendo and features a variety of popular characters from the Mario franchise, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and more.

In the game, players take turns moving around a virtual game board, collecting coins, and performing various tasks to earn stars. The game's goal is to collect as many stars as possible before the game ends.

With each turn, players roll dice to determine how many spaces they can move on the game board. When they land on a specific space, they are given a task to perform, such as playing a mini-game or exchanging coins with other players.

The mini-games in Mario Party can be played individually or with multiple players and range from simple races to more complex challenges. They are typically short and fast-paced, making for a fun and engaging gaming experience.

The Mario Party franchise has been top-rated and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The game is well-loved for its simple and entertaining gameplay, the cast of beloved characters, and fun and challenging mini-games.

I recently bought the latest Mario Party game for my Nintendo Switch and have regularly played it with my friends whenever they come over. It can honestly be hilarious to watch each other either get really unlucky or just play badly. I’ve had some very interesting late nights recently, thanks to this game.

2 — Mario Kart

Mario Kart is a popular kart racing video game franchise that was first released in 1992. The game is developed and published by Nintendo and features a variety of popular characters from the Mario franchise, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and more.

In the game, players compete against each other in races, using go-karts to navigate various tracks and obstacles. Players collect power-ups and weapons along the way, which they can use to gain an advantage over their opponents or defend themselves from incoming attacks.

The game is known for its fast-paced, competitive gameplay and its unique power-ups and weapons. Some of the most popular power-ups include the Mushroom, which gives players a speed boost; the Shell, which can be thrown at opponents to slow them down; and the Banana Peel, which can be used to trip up other players.

Mario Kart has been very popular and has sold over 150 million copies worldwide. The game is well-loved for its fun and exciting gameplay, the cast of beloved characters, and a wide variety of tracks and power-ups. The franchise has been praised for its tight controls, creative-level design, and for the way it balances accessibility with depth.

The Mario Kart franchise has seen many sequels and spin-offs and continues to be one of the most popular and beloved video game franchises of all time.

This was the main game I played with my friends before I decided to buy Mario Party. It can get very competitive when you’re playing with competitive people, which my friends and I are.

3 — SpeedRunners

Speedrunners is a multiplayer side-scrolling racing game developed by TinyBuild. The game was released in 2013 and has become a popular and well-regarded title in the competitive gaming community.

In Speedrunners, players compete against each other to be the first to reach the finish line on a series of increasingly difficult tracks. The game is fast-paced, with players running, jumping, and using various power-ups to gain an advantage over their opponents.

One of the key mechanics of Speedrunners is the ability to swing on grappling hooks, which allows players to traverse the level quickly and reach new areas. This mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully choose their hooks and plan their routes to gain an edge over their opponents.

Speedrunners is designed to be played with friends or online against other players. The game features local and online multiplayer, and it is well-regarded for its fast-paced and engaging gameplay, tight controls, and creative design.

In addition to its multiplayer mode, Speedrunners also features a single-player campaign that challenges players to complete a series of races against AI-controlled opponents. The game has received positive reviews from critics and players alike, who praise it for its fun and competitive gameplay, replayability, and overall polish.

Before I got a Nintendo Switch, SpeedRunners was my go-to local multiplayer game to play with my friends. Like Mario Kart, SpeedRunners can be very competitive since it has fast-paced gameplay. I have spent countless hours playing this game late at night whenever my friends came over.

4 — Gang Beasts

Gang Beasts is a multiplayer fighting game developed by Boneloaf. The game was first released in 2014 and has become a popular and well-regarded title in the competitive gaming community.

In Gang Beasts, players control gelatinous characters who must fight each other in various arenas and environments. The game is known for its physics-based fighting system, which allows players to use the environment to their advantage and throw their opponents off-balance.

One of the key mechanics of Gang Beasts is the ability to grab and hold onto other players, allowing for various grappling moves and combinations. The game is designed to be played with friends or online against other players and features both local and online multiplayer.

Gang Beasts is well-regarded for its fun and wacky gameplay, its tight controls, and its creative level design. The game is often described as chaotic and unpredictable, with players never quite sure what will happen next.

In addition to its multiplayer mode, Gang Beasts also features a single-player challenge mode that allows players to practice their skills against AI-controlled opponents. The game has received positive reviews from critics and players alike, who praise its fun and engaging gameplay, overall polish, and sense of humor.

Gang Beasts is probably the funniest competitive game I have ever played with my friends. The controls were a little difficult to get the hang of, but once we did, our nights were filled with laughter and a little bit of friendly aggression.

5 — Human: Fall Flat

Human: Fall Flat is a physics-based puzzle platformer game developed by No Brakes Games. The game was first released in 2016 and has become a popular and well-regarded title in the gaming community.

In Human: Fall Flat, players control a customizable character with a soft, wobbly body and must navigate various challenges and obstacles. The game is known for its physics-based gameplay, which allows players to use their character’s soft body to their advantage and makes it difficult to control their movements.

One of the key mechanics of Human: Fall Flat is the ability to grab and interact with objects in the environment, allowing various creative solutions to the challenges in the game. The game is designed to be played alone or with friends and features both single-player and local multiplayer modes.

Human: Fall Flat is well-regarded for its fun and challenging gameplay, tight controls, and creative-level design. The game is often described as quirky and lighthearted, with players never quite sure what will happen next.

In addition to its primary mode, Human: Fall Flat also features various customization options and a level editor that allows players to create and share their challenges. The game has received positive reviews from critics and players alike, who praise its fun and engaging gameplay, its overall polish, and its sense of humor.

Much like Gang Beats, Human: Fall Flat is also a hilarious game, especially when played with friends. Although I wouldn't say it’s as fun and funny as gang beasts, I’ve still had some fun nights playing this game.

Final Words and Takeaways

Local multiplayer games offer a fun and social gaming experience often played with friends or family members.

I mentioned my favorite local multiplayer games, Mario Party, Mario Kart, Speedrunners, Gang Beasts, and Human: Fall Flat.

These games are known for their simple and entertaining gameplay, fast-paced and competitive nature, and beloved characters.

I have enjoyed playing these games with my friends, resulting in hilarious and memorable moments.

These games are popular, well-regarded, and continue to be some of the most beloved video game franchises of all time.

If you enjoy my posts and would like to stay updated on the latest gaming-related news, technology advancements, design trends, and social media insights, I invite you to follow my profile.

I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

The original version of this story was published on another platform.

About the Author

I write articles in my field covering gaming, filmmaking, media, technology, and design. You can subscribe to my account to get notifications when I post on Medium and Vocal Media. I support Illumination Integrated Publications as an editor and moderate the Slack Workspace, where you can share your Vocal Stories with thousands of members free of charge. I own and manage two publications, one for gaming and one for YouTube. You may join via my referral link if you are new to Medium. You can also join Vocal Media to share your inspiring stories. I look forward to reading your posts on both platforms.