There’s nothing quite like inviting a few friends over, having a couple of beers, ordering some pizza, and enjoying an awesome nights gaming on your Xbox 360. But what games are best for events such as these? Here are a few suggestions.
1 on 1. Winner Stays On
Fighting games are ideal for quick plays whilst those not playing can enjoy watching the intense action. Each bout should only last a few minutes, meaning those on the sidelines can enjoy a quick beer before leaping back into battle.
Game of Choice: Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix – For it’s great mix of nostalgic fun, intense battles, fluid fighting, and great new graphics.
Other Recommended Games:
- Street Fighter IV (4)
- Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
- Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
4 Player Chaos!
Much like the 1 on 1 battles, these 4 playered games are great for short rounds. However, these games are better suited for larger crowds. So if you have a lot of friends over, you can easily entertain four of them at a time.
Game of Choice: Small Arms – With power-ups, interesting characters and stages, it’s great fun trying to blast each other off the level (a bit like Smash Bros. on the Wii).
Other Recommended Games:
4 Player Party Games
Sometimes it’s nice to take your time over games. You don’t always want intense and aggressive action to fill your evening. Here are a few games where you call each sit back and use your brain instead of your fists (or guns!)
Game of Choice: Scene it: Box Office Smash – With the ability to have your own Xbox 360 avatars appear within the game, this really adds to the fun. Also, the questions are a lot better than the previous instalment.
Other Recommended Games:
- Scene it: Lights, Camera, Action
- Monopoly
Playing Sweet, Sweet Music
This section probably best suits an evening with friends. I’ve been to a lot of parties where it’s not long before someone either gets out some microphones or starts singing along to a CD.
Game of Choice: Guitar Hero: World Tour – 4 player fun with a microphone, two guitars and a drum kit. This really is an entertaining game for a group of friends.
Other Recommended Games:
- Rock Band 1 or 2 (equally as good as Guitar Hero)
- Guitar Hero 2 or 3
- Lips
- Disney Sing It (if your really drunk!)
Football Games
I’m not a huge fan of football myself, but with friends it can be a lot of fun. These games are ideal for 1 on 1 matches, or a tournament to mix things up and see who comes out on top.
Game of Choice: Fifa 09 – The best football game currently out on the Xbox 360.
Other Recommended Games:
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
Arcade Action!
Fancy some entertaining Xbox Live Arcade games? Then check out these great 4 playered titles.
Game of Choice: Castle Crashers – One of the most enjoyable, funny, and overall entertaining games I have ever played.
Other Recommended Games:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Arcade
- Track and Field
Only have 1 friend over?
Not to worry, try out…
Retail Games:
- Halo 3 co-op
- Gears of War 2 co-op and Horde Mode
- Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Xbox 360 Arcade Games:
- Streets of Rage 2
- Golden Axe
- Metal Slug 3
I hope this post helps many of you in finding great games to play when you have friends over. Please feel free to comment on any recommendations you might have, or some of the xbox 360 gaming nights you have experienced.
For me, the most enjoyable Xbox 360 games are those which I can play through co-operatively with friends. As many people who visit this blog or read my twitter already know, I am currently playing Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 far too much. Why? Because it offers numerous multiplayer modes of which to play through co-op, such as campaign mode, terrorist hunt, and several other more competitive team-based game types.
