There’s no better way to spend an evening indoors with friends (hyperbolic licence, perhaps!) than by engaging in a friendly battle of wits through a game of trivia.
And where once a meeting of the minds where life’s minutiae was concerned essentially meant bringing out the Trivial Pursuit box, now the scope for trivia games has widened hugely. From trivia bingo games and boardgame versions of your favourite TV shows (see: Pointless, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? And more), all the way to interactive online affairs aimed at a younger crowd, never has the world of trivia been more open, accessible and inclusive.
And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer game. Trivia games not only entertain but, in some cases, may even promote cognitive health and strengthen social connections. What’s not to love?
Today, we’re considering the latter of those two, with this round-up of the best trivia games for a fun evening with friends.
Trivial Pursuit
No list of trivia games would be complete without mentioning the classic Trivial Pursuit, of which we have already mentioned several times, we realise!
First introduced to the world in 1981, Trivial Pursuit has been a staple of game nights for decades, offering a wide range of categories and questions to challenge players’ knowledge. The game now includes endless editions, such as the Classic Edition, Family Edition, and themed versions like Friends, Star Wars or Harry Potter, ensuring there’s a Trivial Pursuit for everyone.
Trivial Pursuit has also evolved with the times, with digital versions available on smartphones and tablets, making it even easier to play anytime, anywhere. The game’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to bring people together and provide hours of fun while learning new facts and trivia. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to the world of trivia games, Trivial Pursuit is a must-have for any game collection.
QuizUp
QuizUp is a free mobile app that allows players to compete against friends or strangers in real-time trivia matches. With over 1,200 topics and 600,000 questions, QuizUp offers a virtually endless supply of trivia challenges. Additionally, the app’s social features enable players to chat with opponents, join discussion boards, and even create custom quizzes.
QuizUp was originally launched in Iceland in 2013 and quickly gained popularity, with over one million registered users within its first week of release. Since then, the app has been downloaded over 50 million times worldwide and has received numerous awards for its innovative design and engaging gameplay.
In addition to its impressive trivia database, QuizUp also features a ranking system that allows players to track their progress and compete for top scores on global leaderboards.
Cranium
Cranium combines elements of trivia, wordplay, and performance, providing a diverse and entertaining experience for players. Participants team up and complete various challenges, such as answering trivia questions, sculpting objects from clay, or humming tunes for teammates to guess.
Cranium’s blend of creative tasks and trivia makes it an excellent choice for groups with varying interests and skill sets. Players can choose from different versions of the game, such as Cranium Family Edition or Cranium Dark, to cater to their preferences. In the Family Edition, the challenges are more geared towards children and families, encouraging some great bonding time, while the Dark edition involves more challenging and mature tasks (sounds a little sinister, maybe?).
Additionally, Cranium has a variety of expansion packs that players can use to add even more variety to the game. These include themed packs like “Star Wars” or “Disney,” as well as packs that focus on specific skills, such as “Data Head” for trivia buffs or “Word Worm” for vocabulary aficionados. With its endless options and opportunities for fun and learning, it’s no wonder that Cranium has become a classic choice for game nights and gatherings.
Read: 5 Ideal old school games to get your kids off their screens
Wits & Wagers
Wits & Wagers adds a unique twist to traditional trivia games by incorporating elements of gambling and strategy. Players answer questions and then bet on whose answer is closest to the correct one, even if it’s not their own. This game mechanic encourages friendly competition and strategic thinking, as players must weigh the risks and rewards of each wager. The game is perfect for groups of friends or family members who enjoy a good challenge and some lighthearted taking of punts.
Unlike other trivia games, Wits & Wagers doesn’t require extensive knowledge of specific topics or categories. Instead, it rewards players who can make smart bets and use their intuition to estimate the correct answer. With its mix of luck, skill, and social interaction, Wits & Wagers is sure to provide hours of entertainment for players of all ages and backgrounds.
Sporcle
Sporcle is an online platform that offers thousands of user-generated quizzes in various categories, including history, science, sports, and entertainment. The website allows users to create custom quizzes and challenge friends or join public games to test their knowledge against other trivia enthusiasts. Sporcle also offers a mobile app for on-the-go trivia fun.
One of the most popular features of Sporcle is its timed quizzes. Players have a set amount of time to answer a certain number of questions, and the faster they answer correctly, the more points they receive. This adds an element of excitement and competition to the game, and encourages players to study and improve their knowledge in specific areas.
Additionally, Sporcle’s community aspect allows users to interact with other trivia fans from around the world, sharing their own quizzes and participating in group challenges. Whether you’re a casual fan or a serious trivia buff, Sporcle offers endless hours of entertainment and learning opportunities.
Psych!
Psych! is a mobile app developed by Ellen DeGeneres, combining trivia with deception and humor. In this game, players create fake answers to real trivia questions, attempting to trick their friends into choosing the wrong response. Points are awarded for selecting the correct answer, fooling others with your fabricated response, or identifying the genuine answer among the fakes. The app has gained immense popularity among people of all ages, especially teenagers and young adults.
With its witty and humorous content, it not only provides entertainment but also enhances the cognitive abilities of the players by testing their knowledge and analytical skills. The game can be played in groups or individually, making it an ideal choice for parties, gatherings or even during solo leisure time.
Moreover, the app offers a wide range of categories to choose from, including sports, history, science, and pop culture, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
Make sure to check out Heads Up! from the same team. It’s a whole lot of fun.
Jackbox
Jackbox is the ultimate games night companion, with downloadable software that is compatible with consoles and PCs or laptops. Players can take part in many different types of trivia and other games using their mobile phone – they just need to be able to see the screen of the game itself. It isn’t free, but there are no extra fees once you have downloaded the software.
Water Cooler Trivia
Although it might be considered to be more for disparate work colleagues who need a connection, Water Cooler Trivia is a weekly quiz that is emailed to players, and it is designed to be a fun way to spark conversations between colleagues.
Read: How to host the perfect games night this summer
The Chase
Based on the popular prime time TV show of the same name, The Chase is a board game where you need to pit your general knowledge against the brains of one of the four chasers. Choose between The Beast, The Governess, The Sinnerman, and The Destroyer and outperform them to win.
The Bottom Line
Trivia games offer endless opportunities for fun, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Whether you prefer the classic charm of Trivial Pursuit or the modern convenience of mobile apps like QuizUp and Psych!, there’s a trivia game out there for everyone. So gather your friends, put your knowledge to the test, and enjoy a memorable evening of laughter, learning, and friendly competition.