The Jackbox Party Packs have become a yearly institution. Jackbox Games has managed to craft pack after pack of enjoyable, hilarious, and entertaining group games.
Since 2014, we’ve been blessed with a Jackbox Party Pack every year. With each release, it seems like they get better and better. So how do the titles stack up against each other? Let’s find out.
As always, this list is my own opinion. You may agree, you’ll probably disagree, but in the end, it’s all in good fun.
Jackbox Party Pack 2
After the success of the original party pack, a follow-up from Jackbox Games was inevitable. What we got, unfortunately, felt a little uninspired and rushed.
The second Jackbox Party Pack features two sequels (Fibbage 2 and Quiplash XL), which isn’t a bad thing necessarily. However, later entries in the series will prove that new ideas or spaced-out sequels are better options. The original games of Party Pack 2, Earwax, Bidiots, and Bomb Corp., didn’t do enough for me. Future releases dwarf them.
It’s evident that the developers were still working out a rhythm; their later efforts easily dwarf the first couple of titles. Speaking of which…
Party Pack 1
There is only one reason why I have this option above Party Pack 2: I’m an absolute simp for You Don’t Know Jack.
The original Jackbox Party Pack brought back the classic trivia game, though it would quickly show its age as time went on. It also introduced Drawful, one of the best offerings in the Jackbox Games arsenal. Fibbage XL is a solid addition and a follow-up to the standalone version. When it comes to both Word Spud and Lie Swatter, I can take them or leave them.
Most people have this order flip-flopped. Personally, the second Party Pack offerings didn’t do it for me. Plus, again, I really, really love me some You Don’t Know Jack.
Party Pack 6
It pains me to rank Jackbox Party Pack 6 down here as Trivia Murder Party 2 is my favorite Jackbox Games offering. I could play it non-stop and always get a little upset when people suggest moving on from it.
Since we’re offering up hot takes, let’s talk about Joke Boat: I kind of hate it. Part of its charm is that I’ve heard more groans than chuckles from the delivered jokes, but I’m not sure that’s a selling point for the game.
Push The Button feels like a very underrated but overly complicated, hidden identity game dwarfed by Among Us. Role Models and Dictionarium feel like filler titles that fall flat on their faces.
Jackbox Party Pack 4
Survive the Internet does some heavy lifting in this Jackbox Party Pack. It’s a personal favorite of ours that always leads to hilarity. Since the answers are always taken out of context, it’s a prompt-based game that works on all levels.
Party Pack 4 also brings us Fibbage 3 and more Fibbage is always a great thing.
Monster Seeking Monster is a neat secret identity game that makes being on a dating app actually enjoyable. Its biggest flaw is a failure to connect with some people. Some people take the dating portion way too seriously. They should instead swipe right on the social deduction aspects of the game.
Bracketeering is pretty forgettable, though it’s nice for a larger audience. Civic Doodle has the distinction of being an art game that isn’t fun.
Party Pack 5
This is the section of the list where I proudly announce that I will not take any slander for Mad Verse City. Jackbox Games ensured Gene ran so we could walk. On a more serious note, it’s a delightful user prompt game solely due to the rap battle hook. Plus, it’s always fun to stand up in front of your friends and attempt to rap.
Speaking of standing up in front of your friends, you’ll also do that in Patently Stupid. I’m sensing a theme here, Jackbox Party Pack 5. Patently Stupid is true, well, stupid, but in the best possible way. There’s a joy in not just drawing solutions to the problems your friends give you, but the fact that you also have to present and sell others on these solutions is the icing on the cake.
More You Don’t Know Jack is always a good thing, even if Trivia Murder Party has eclipsed it. Again, I’m fully aware that I’m a simp for the OG Jackbox Games title. Split the Room is a neat and enjoyable group game, but it feels best in short spurts.
The less we say about Zeeple Dome, the better. It’s a unique idea that 1000% does not work and may very well be the worst game ever featured in a Jackbox Party Pack.
Party Pack 8
There’s only one reason why Jackbox Party Pack 8 is below 7: The Wheel of Enormous Proportions. The game’s randomness makes for some tense and dramatic moments but also leads to some “feel bad” moments as well. Weapons Drawn is a bit confusing at first, but if you stick with it, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it.
The Poll Mine is a great way to work together while still being split into teams. I had a lot more fun with the game than I expected, which shows how strong of a ship the Jackbox Games team is running.
Job Job is an absolute creative delight and my personal favorite prompt-based game. Drawful: Animate, naturally, was always going to be a home run unless they severely messed it up. Spoiler alert: they didn’t mess it up. It’s fantastic.
Party Pack 7
Champ’d Up is the sequel to Tee K.O. You cannot change my mind about this. It’s a game that works even better than you expect it to. The concept of drawing your fighter and then having them “battle” based on appearances works on so many levels.
Quiplash 3, the official sequel of Jackbox Party Pack 7, is more Quiplash. That’s always a good thing. Blather ‘Round is more charades, a party game that’s been played long before Party Packs were a twinkle in the developers’ eyes. I find that to be a good thing, but your mileage may vary on that one.
The Devils and the Details is the best-hidden identity game that Jackbox Games has ever made. There’s constant communication and teamwork combined with accusations constantly being hurled against others. It works because there is not one individual trying to sabotage everyone else. Giving people the option to be selfish for their gain was a genius design choice.
Talking Points is another home run. The idea of taking a user-generated prompt game and hiding said prompts until the player is in the spotlight is genius.
For many, this will be the best Jackbox Party Pack out of the bunch, but personally, it falls short to…
Jackbox Party Pack 3
Quiplash 2 is more Quiplash. As I just said, that’s always a good thing. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that the best two Jackbox Party Pack titles feature Quiplash. Apologies to Jackbox Party Pack 2, of course.
I’ve also already professed my love of Trivia Murder Party. It’s a fantastic game that manages to be a better trivia title than You Don’t Know Jack, which has my unconditional love.
Guesspionage is a great way to call people out on some of their tendencies. It’s also a great way to make assumptions about your friends, which is always enjoyable, especially if you love to gossip. Maybe, for example, one of your friends is great at faking it until they make it. If so, they’ll be an excellent fit for Fakin’ It.
The concept is simple: everyone but one person gets a prompt on their phone, asking them to act. The Jackbox Games tutorial gives the example of “raise a hand if you’ve ever farted.” The person who doesn’t get the prompt has to guess whether they should perform said action. When a man raises their hand for the prompt of “raise a hand if you’ve ever given birth,” something’s amiss. Fakin’ It is, for my money, the most underrated Jackbox Party Pack game. It’s always a delight, and I wish my friend group played it more.
Finally, we’ve reached Tee K.O. I’ve already spent more time talking about Jackbox Party Pack 3 than any other Party Pack, so I’ll try to keep this short and sweet. Tee K.O. is some of the most fun you can ever have playing a game. If you’re not bent over laughing at least once while playing, then you need to find new friends.
