Does your New Year’s Eve party involve adults scattered across cities? Or are you putting together a party last-minute and don’t have any physical games handy? If you’re scared that you’ll bore your guests to death, online games are your secret weapon. They break the awkward silences, stir up harmless chaos, and somehow make time fly until the countdown hits zero. Whether you’re hosting a Zoom party, a WhatsApp video call, or a cosy Discord hang, here are 10 fun, slightly chaotic, very adult-friendly online games that will keep your New Year’s Eve lively without feeling childish.

1. Jackbox Party Packs

If you haven’t discovered Jackbox yet, you’re in for an absolute treat. These party packs contain multiple games that can be hosted by a single person on their mobile device or computer. Everyone else joins via their phones by entering a room code. “Quiplash” is the standout for New Year’s Eve, essentially Cards Against Humanity meets quick wit. Players submit funny responses to prompts, then vote on each other’s answers. The results are often hilarious, occasionally inappropriate, and always entertaining. “Fibbage” is another gem where players create convincing lies to fool their friends. The best bit? The games are designed for six to eight players, making them perfect for larger gatherings.

Where to play: https://www.jackboxgames.com/ 

2. Skribbl

Free, simple, and absolutely chaotic — Skribbl.io is my personal favourite. This online drawing game reveals just how terrible your friends are at sketching under pressure. One person draws while others frantically type their guesses into the chat. What makes it perfect is how horribly wrong the guesses and the drawings go. Create a private room, add some custom words related to the past year’s inside jokes, and watch the hilarity unfold. Bonus points if you play after a few drinks when everyone’s artistic abilities have deteriorated further.

Where to play: https://skribbl.io/ 

3. Spyfall

Spyfall is social deduction done differently. Everyone receives a location (bank, restaurant, submarine) except one player — the spy. They must figure out where everyone is without revealing that they don’t know. Players take turns asking each other questions, trying to suss out the spy while not giving away the location. It’s deliciously tense watching someone squirm as they try to answer “How often do you come here?” when they haven’t got a clue where “here” is. This is one of the most exciting games for your New Year’s Eve party.

Where to play: https://www.spyfall.app/play 

4. Wavelength

Wavelength is an absolute revelation and criminally underplayed. One player (the psychic) sees a spectrum between two opposites, say, “sad song” to “happy song”, and must give a one-word clue to help their team guess where a hidden bullseye sits on that spectrum. You might say “wedding” and watch your team debate whether wedding songs lean slightly happy or extremely happy. The genius lies in how it sparks genuine discussion about subjective opinions.

Where to play: https://www.wavelength.zone/ 

5. Houseparty Games

The Houseparty app deserves more credit for its integrated games, which include “Heads Up” (guess the word on your forehead), “Trivia” (test your general knowledge), and “Quick Draw” (speed sketching challenges). They’re quick, keeping energy high, and perfect for when attention spans start wavering around 11:30 PM. The app supports up to eight people in a room, making it ideal for intimate gatherings.

Where to play: https://housepartygame.com/ 

6. Codenames Online

If your friendship group enjoys feeling clever, Codenames is your game. It’s a word-association game where two teams compete to identify their agents (words on a grid) based on one-word clues from their spymaster. The free online version maintains all the tension of the board game while being perfectly suited to virtual play. It requires genuine thought and strategy, making it perfect for earlier in the evening before the champagne takes full effect.

Where to play: https://codenames.game/ 

7. Online Escape Rooms

Several companies now offer multiplayer online escape rooms specifically designed for virtual teams. “The Escape Game” and “Enchambered” both provide experiences where groups work together to solve puzzles and crack codes. Unlike traditional escape rooms, these digital versions often split players into different virtual locations, requiring communication and teamwork to succeed. Book one for the hour before midnight, and you’ll roll into the countdown with adrenaline pumping.

Where to play: https://online-escape-room.com/ 

8. Gartic Phone

Imagine the childhood game of telephone combined with drawing, and you’ve got Gartic Phone. One person writes a sentence, the next person draws it, the next person describes the drawing, and so on. By the end, “The cat sat on the mat” has somehow transformed into “Alien claims furniture dominance.” It’s free, requires no download, and supports up to 30 players, though eight to 12 is the sweet spot. The reveal at the end, watching how catastrophically your original phrase devolved, provides genuine belly laughs. The game also offers various modes, including “secret” mode, where you only see the previous entry, making the final reveal even more absurd.

Where to play: https://garticphone.com/ 

9. Kahoot

Kahoot transforms ordinary quizzes into competitive, fast-paced game show experiences. The real magic for New Year’s Eve is creating a custom quiz about your friend group’s year, inside jokes, memorable moments, embarrassing incidents, and predictions gone wrong. Someone creates the quiz (which takes about 30 minutes for a good 20-question set), shares their screen, and everyone else joins on their phones to answer. The pressure of the countdown timer and the leaderboard after each question creates genuine tension. Award ridiculous prizes to the winner, and make the last question a prediction about the upcoming year. It’s personalised entertainment that doubles as a trip down memory lane.

Where to play: https://kahoot.it/ 

10. Plato

If you’re tired of juggling multiple websites and room codes, Plato is the answer to your New Year’s Eve prayers. This free mobile app (available on iOS and Android) bundles over 45 multiplayer games into a single platform with built-in voice chat, making it ridiculously convenient for virtual celebrations. From classics like Pool and Chess to party favourites like Werewolf and Truth or Dare, there’s genuinely something for everyone. No ads, no premium subscriptions for basic features, and the ability to switch between games instantly mean you can keep the energy high all evening. This is truly one of the best platforms for New Year’s Eve party games.

Where to play: https://platoapp.com/en

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Related: Sip, Spill And Spice It Up: 7 Exciting Drinking Games For Your Next House Party

FAQs

Q1. Do I need a good computer or gaming setup to play these games?

Not at all. These are all browser-based or mobile games that run on basic devices. Even an older laptop, tablet, or smartphone with decent internet will work perfectly fine.

Q2. What if someone doesn’t have a microphone or webcam?

Most of these games work brilliantly with just text chat. Typing guesses or responses is often just as fun, though voice chat does add to the atmosphere if available.

Q3. How many people do we need for a good game night?

Most games work well with four to eight players, though some accommodate more. If you’ve only got three or four people, stick to games like Wavelength or The Wiki Game that work well in smaller groups.

Q4. What happens if our internet connection drops mid-game?

Most games let you rejoin the same room once you’re back online. Create backup plans by saving room codes and having a secondary communication channel, like WhatsApp. 

Q5. Can we play these games across different time zones?

Absolutely. Just coordinate a time that works for everyone, and it doesn’t matter if someone’s in London while another is in Sydney.

Q6. Are these games suitable if we have a mix of gamers and non-gamers?

Yes, that’s precisely why these were chosen. They require no gaming experience, have simple controls (mostly just typing or clicking), and everyone starts on equal footing.