The Best (and Mostly Free) Virtual Games to Play with Friends

Staying connected with friends right now is more important than ever. With everything going on in the world, weekly game nights have become vital to keeping myself sane while staying indoors.

Setting time aside every week to video chat with my friends and pretend to be together has created some normalcy during this uncertain time of quarantine. With that being said, here are the best games to try with pals for your next virtual game night:

While you can use the Houseparty app to simply group video chat, you’re also able to play a wide range of games with one another. Do a round of the popular game “Heads Up,” where you have to describe the word you’re given to the other player without saying it. There’s also quick draw, which is basically the virtual version of Pictionary. And of course, what game night would be complete without the option to do trivia?

For the days when you have nothing but free time, Monopoly is the perfect go-to. You and your friends can join virtually and play on a shared board. One player can screen share the board on Zoom or everyone can have it open in a separate tab so you can play and chat at the same time.

This is the virtual version of the physical board game. The group is divided up into two teams and designate one person on each team as the Spymaster. Their job is to communicate clues that help guide their team members toward picking the right cards on the board—without hitting the hidden bomb! All the players can join using the Codenames site and play on the shared board. 

The classic card game now has a free iOS app. Connect with your friends and get to playing. You all can play on your individual smartphones and talk smack while on Zoom—the perfect game night combo.

This is one of the easiest classic games to recreate without even needing a website. Create a list of categories that each player can use on their list, use random letter generator online to select a letter, and start a self-timer. And there you have it; you and your friends can recreate the magic of Scattergories from afar.

Similar to Cards Against Humanity, Quiplash is a game of wit. You and a friend go head to head by sending in a funny answer to the given prompt, and all your other friends vote on their favorite. The answer with the most votes win!

Your smartphone is the only controller you and your friends need to participate in this game. The host opens Quiplash and screen shares on Zoom, and once you and your friends join using the party code, the game can begin!.

Available on the Gamepigeon app, this is a card game can be played with up to six players. The objective of the game is to be the first player without any cards by placing a card down on the pile that is similar in either denomination or suit. The card game has an in-app chat feature, too, so you and your friends can communicate that way.

This multiplayer game lets you create your own virtual world and village with friends. During the game, you can learn to garden, go fishing, or just hang out with your people. While the full game is only available on Nintendo switch, there’s also Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp app available on iOS and Android.