The five best games for a sober night in

A stereotype all students know pretty well is that when we get together, alcohol is always flowing. The reality is, well, exactly that, but sometimes, as another stereotype would suggest, we can’t afford to – alcohol isn’t exactly the cheapest resource on the planet. However, every gathering doesn’t have to involve everyone getting sloshed. There’s great comfort in having a sober night in, whipping out some of these board, card or video games, and having a good old time like your ‘rents did back in their day.

Uno

AKA the game that separates the boys from the men, the girls from the women. As many years of playing this growing up has probably taught you, Uno is a game where only the strong survive. It’s pretty much fact that friendships have been ruined because of slick players dropping Draw Fours where they bloody well shouldn’t have, or the player before you somehow possessing every Skip card and insisting on using it on you every fucking round. Sorry, emotional flashbacks.

Side note: Uno is also perfect because everyone’s probably played it before, so you don’t have to explain the rules. Hurrah!

Cards Against Humanity

Frankly, I think this game needs to be played sober to be fully appreciated. This is marketed as “a party game for horrible people”, and no matter how hard you fight it, we all have a bit of horrible and political incorrectness in us just aching to be unleashed. For those who haven’t played (who are you fools?), it involves pairing a scenario (outlined by a black card) with a subject (represented by your 10 white cards). Potential, and hilarious, subjects include “Harold Holt’s bloated corpse”, “My son’s stupid f*****g face” and “A micropig wearing a tiny hat and booties”.

The Family Feud Board Game

Yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s readily available to purchase at all major retailers. All those who watch the show – whether it be for Grant Denyer’s sharp wit or simply for the show itself – understand how much fun it is, especially for such a simple concept. Well, you’ll be stoked to find out that the board game follows almost the exact same format as the television show. The key to winning? Think like the Australian public: it’s never the most obvious answer.

Super Smash Bros.

If your house is blessed with a Nintendo 64, Nintendo Gamecube, Nintendo Wii or a Wii U, chances are you own some version of the Super Smash Bros. franchise. After all, why the hell else would you own one of these consoles? The concept of having so many iconic Nintendo characters relentlessly beating each other up is one that has stood the test of time, and also makes for hours of addictive gaming.

Monopoly

This one is only for advanced friendship levels. If you’re playing with someone you don’t know all too well, I strongly advise you to stop immediately, pack your things hurriedly, and flee the house/country. Monopoly ruins lives – this is a fact. No game in history is as ruthless and unforgiving as this reflection of our capitalist-driven society, and each time someone collects $200, another casualty is sent to the graveyard of broken friendships. May they rest in peace.

Jackson Langford

Jackson is studying a Bachelor of Communication degree at the University of Newcastle and is the rightful heir to the throne.

Image: Farley Santos, Flickr Creative Commons license