9 Best 8 Player Board Games
Hosting a party? Host your next party with some of our best 8 player board games.
There’s no better time to play your favorite games than with a big group. From family reunions and a bunch of friends get-togethers to other parties, there are so many fun things you can do together as friends that will make the experience even more memorable.
Games are an excellent way to break the ice with people who have just met, and they’re also great for developing relationships between guests.
We all love to play a good board game with friends and family. There’s nothing like getting together and playing some laughs-provoking cards or dice based on strategy games, right?
The best board games come with a variety of player numbers; in our guide, we will mention the 9 best 8 player board games to help you choose the perfect one for you.
Exploding Kittens Party Pack
Players : 2-10
Ages: 7+
Game Time: 15 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2018
This game is normally for 2-5 players, but the party pack comes with more cards to enable larger groups. You can still play this version with two players, so it’s very flexible.
The Exploding Kittens Party pack game is played with a deck of cards. The objective of the game is to avoid exploding kittens. These pesky creatures will go off in your hands if you’re not careful, which means death and elimination from play. Thankfully you have one Defuse Card that will defuse it and save you from danger.
The Exploding Kitten and Defuse cards are removed from the deck. Then each player is given 8 new cards, one Defuse card, and seven other cards from the deck.
Now there are Exploding Kittens cards corresponding to the number of players minus 1. Then return the Defuse cards and other Exploding Kittens cards back to the deck.
After that, start shuffling the cards together and putting them in the draw pile.
When you have played your cards, this means it’s time to draw a card from the draw pile. Let’s hope it isn’t an Exploding Kitten.
When you play a card, follow its instructions in the rulebook. If it says to take another from the draw pile or if there are multiple options for what can happen next, you do whatever is best.
Pros
Fantastic and funny artwork
Requires strategy
Quick to Learn
Easy clear rules
Cons
Have to remove cards for fewer players
Final Thoughts
The Exploding Kittens Party Pack is a great card game that will have you laughing all day long. It’s easily transportable and hilarious fun for any group size. This game is great for parties because it’s easy to learn and play, even if you haven’t played it before.
Telestrations The Original
Players: 4-8
Ages: 12+
Game Time: 30-60 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2009
Telestrations is a creative and fun game to play with friends and family. It’s like Chinese whispers, but instead of speaking in secrecy, you’re drawing on paper that others will see.
Chinese Whispers is an entertaining game where one person whispers a word or short sentence to another, and they pass it on like wildfire. The last person speaks what was said out loud. Inevitably it is nothing like the original word or sentence and often is hilariously wrong. Telestrations game is the drawing equivalent to this.
In Telestrations The Original, each player has a sketchbook, marker, and card. All players write their names on the sketchbook. The game starts with dice rolling, then find the word on your card that matches whatever number comes up.
Then write it down in your sketchbook and don’t say the word aloud or show it to anyone. Make up your own word when a blank space matches the number rolled.
If you’re playing with an even number of players, then it’s your turn to draw the word from the secret space. If there is an odd number of participants, pass on that sketchbook to the player on your left, and he will draw what was just written in it. Start the 60 seconds timer and get drawing.
Once the time has finished, pass your sketchbook to someone on the right. The person who received it will then try and guess what the word is by looking at the sketch, then pass it again for another player to draw it, and so on.
When the main player receives his original sketchbook back, then the round is over. Each player shares his own unique and creative designs with everyone else, which will inevitably lead to hours’ worth, if not days, worth laughter as they compare notes on what was drawn last versus how it began.
Pros
Family board game
No set up required
All drawing abilities can play
Hilarious pictures
4-8 person board games
Easy to learn
Dice game
Cons
Cards can be simplistic.
Final Thoughts
Telestrations The Original is an enjoyable game that will provide hours of laughs. It is great to play at any gathering, and it’s easy enough that you can learn how in just minutes. It is the perfect choice for a fun game night.
Codenames
Players: 2-8
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 15 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2015
Codenames is an interactive party game that requires some time to set up, but it may take longer than expected if you’re first playing it with friends. At the start, You should divide your group into two teams (red and blue). Then every team will designate someone as a spymaster.
The spymasters will give clues to their teams in an attempt to get them to guess who the agents are. The first team that guesses the right name wins. The challenge here is that Some of these words might not be easy for the players, but if the spymaster knows what he is doing, it shouldn’t take too long before somebody cracks this code.
The spymaster should not reveal the agent’s name to the opposing team, or else their team will lose. Knowing how your spymaster and your teammates are thinking can be a huge advantage. You’ll want to make sure that you and your team are on the same wave.
Pros
A party game
Both cooperative and challenge game
Encourage creative thinking
8 person board games
Strategy board game
Cons
It may be a little difficult for small kids.
Final Thoughts
The codenames game is perfect for large groups, but you can play it with any number of players. Plus, the rules are easy to follow, and you don’t need much space or your tabletop. You will love how these games bring people together.
Sushi Go Party
Players: 2-8
Ages: 8+
Game Time: 20 Minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2016
Get your friends together for an evening of sushi-themed fun with a Sushi Go Party. This card game will make you strategize and pick out which ingredients are worth grabbing to win the game. You can play this fast-paced yet simple board game anywhere. It has simple rules and is easy to learn.
In Sushi Go Party, you will earn points by picking winning sushi combos, but with this version, you can customize each game with a la carte options from the menu of more than 20 delicious dishes. Up to 8 players can play this game, making this game more entertaining.
Turns in this game happen simultaneously. Starting from the left, each player will choose one card that they would like to keep and place it face-down next to them on the table.
When all the players are done, then everyone reveals their chosen cards by turning them up at once. After revealing the cards, pass the remaining with their face-down to the gamer on your left. In this way, it will be moved clockwise around the table. then let the new round begin
The face-up ones remain until the end of the round until they are scored. Then group the cards together in columns of the same color.
Well, most cards score at the end of the round. But there are some special rules on some of them that may affect your current turn.
The game ends when you’ve played 3 rounds, then start scoring the cards as well, as described in the card Guide.
Pros
A fun party game
easy with simple rules
Ideal for ages 8 and up
8 person board games
Cons
It needs a pen and paper to write down the scores.
Final Thoughts
Sushi Go Party is the perfect game for any occasion; cards are meant to be played with friends and family anywhere. With this new expansion pack which is easier than ever before, who knows what delicious surprise awaits you?
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Board Game
Players: 4-12
Ages: 14+
Game Time: 20 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2020
This game is perfect for those who love mysterious stories. It can be played with a player count of 4-12 players. However, 8 players can be highly entertaining, as with a group of that size, the competition will make for an immersive experience.
In the Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Board Game, you have been called to Hong Kong city to investigate a grisly murder. There are also other investigators who are intent on solving this crime.
The murderer is one of the players who has inserted himself amongst you in order to lead the investigator towards other players. The murder has many clues and a means by which it was committed. These will all be important in identifying who did it.
Each player has been dealt 4 means and 4 clue cards. They should place these in front of all the players, face up so everyone can see
Take 1 Murderer card, 1 Accomplice, 1 Forensic Scientist card, 1 Witness card, and enough investigators corresponding to the number of players. Then start shuffling them and hand one for each gamer to look at secretly.
The Forensic Scientist is the key to the investigation, and the player who has been given this card announces this to other players. He will know both the murderer and the clues.
Players are given badge tokens, which allow them to try and solve the murder at any time during gameplay with one guess.
Pros
Family game
Encourage the spirit of challenge
Fast-paced game
Cons
Not really for three players, best with 5-8
Final Thoughts
If you like to take the role of the investigator and solve mysterious actions, the Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Board Game will be your best option.
This game has everything you would want. It includes murder, accomplice, and witness to solving the crime, not forgetting that key forensic scientist who helps crack Recipes for success.
Wits & Wagers Board Game: Family Edition
Players: 3+
Ages: 6+
Game Time: 25 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2018
Wits and Wagers board game is the perfect game for those who love trivia games but aren’t very good at them. After all, you can not be versed in every topic under the sun.
In this version of the game, Instead of betting on your own answer like other classic board games where you are likely to get stuck with an unlucky guess if things go wrong, you can bet on who got the correct answer. This depends upon which side has more knowledge about different topics that may come up during gameplay.
For example, If you’re having trouble answering a football question, just bet on your friend who knows everything about the sport. If the answer was right, you get more points, so simple, right?
Wits and Wagers board game is the perfect trivia game to play with friends. You don’t need extensive knowledge of different topics or a special ability because it’s accessible to everyone.
Pros
Big group games
No need for extensive knowledge
For six years and up
High accessibility, easy to learn
Cons
It depends on a little luck.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy trivial pursuit games, then the Wits and Wagers board game is your best choice. The family-friendly Wits and Wagers is a better alternative to Trivial games; this new game has easier questions than its standard counterpart, as well as more player capacity per session.
Spyfall 2
Players: 3-12
Ages: 13+
Game Time: 8 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2017
It is a spy-themed game. You’re in for a fun time as you try to figure out who amongst your friends drew the spy card. In SpyFall 2, players can double their espionage with a second spy. When one tries to guess the location, the other one takes a guess as well.
The players are given a secret card to know their location. However, other players will receive the spy cards instead of their actual location. The spy will win that round if he can figure out the location before blowing his cover.
The game is an intense, 8-minute round. The players ask each other questions and give answers that prove they know where their location is
The game consists of several decks and is played in different locations with a group of players. For example, when the game is set in a school, then the players will be divided into teachers, students, and the spy. It’s up to the players to converse in order to weed out the spy.
Spyfall 2 is a game of improvisational theater where you have to walk the line between giving out too much information about your secret role and acting suspiciously by not revealing anything. The spy can barely keep up with all of the great conversations happening around them.
The game Spyfall 2 is one that requires the players to be creative and innovative. With so many obstacles, there’s always something new happening at each turn that will keep your friends entertained.
Pros
Creative and innovative thinking
A lot of locations to choose from
Two spy cards
Party game
Cons
It is very easy to reveal the spy in a small team.
Final Thoughts
Spyfall 2 is an interesting game that requires players to think outside the box. It relies heavily on how well you can read your fellow competitors and adapt accordingly. If anyone in your party likes logical puzzles, then this one will definitely keep them entertained.
Snake Oil Game
Players: 3-10
Ages: 10+
Game Time: 30 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2017
Snake Oil from the Hasbro brand game has a similar formula to the cards against humanity game. In this game, an active player takes the role of the customer and others as a seller who will try to satisfy the customer’s needs.
The customer takes a customer card from the box and reads it aloud before placing it in front of him. He takes the role that is printed on the card.
The other players have 30-40 seconds to combine two Word Cards from their hands into something that will satisfy the customer’s request. Word Card combinations are placed face down on the table.
In clockwise orders from the customer, players take turns turning over and “pitching” their items to him. The customer can cut off any more pitches after the 30 seconds have passed. After all the players are done, the customer chooses the best product and gives the customer card to the winning player.
New Word Cards are drawn and placed onto the table, replacing any used up by players. The next round starts with 6 cards for each player.
The new customer is the player to the left of the current customer. Keep going until all the players take the customer role once. At the end of the Snake Oil Game, the player with the most Customer Cards will be the winner.
Pros
Fast-paced game
Simple, easy rules
Fun party game
Cons
It may last a too short time with a small group.
Final Thoughts
Snake Oil is an enjoyable party game; the player will take the role of both the seller and the customer by turn, providing an entertaining experience. This game is perfect with a big group. The more the players are, the more the game will last.
When I Dream Board Game
Players: 4-10
Ages: 8+
Game Time: 30 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 2017
Fall asleep and let the dream spirits fill your head with clues to solve this fun, team-based storytelling game. In this game, one player is appointed as the Dreamer and must wear a cloth mask over his eyes. This person cannot see anything while playing in this round, and he has to figure out his dream from the clues provided and which spirits are the bad ones.
Then, every player takes a turn drawing from the dream deck and tries to describe what they see in one word. The good spirits are always trying to help the Dreamer by giving the right clues about the dream.
The Dreamer must be watchful for the Boogeymen ( the bad spirits) who will confuse him and provide inaccurate clues, making things more difficult for the Dreamer. The Boogeymen score points each time the Dreamer gives an incorrect answer.
When I Dream board game is a fun and unique challenge with an accessible formula. It provides some great twists to classic games like this one, so you can try this game If you have any gamer friends that enjoy word guessing type of activities.
Pros
Great twists on a familiar setup
Different roles keep things unique and challenging
High replayability
Very accessible, easy to teach and learn
Wonderful art and other components
Cons
The pressure of being put on the spot.
Final Thoughts
When I Dream board game is one of the best 8 person board games to play at a party because it’s quick and easy. You can jump in or out whenever you want, which makes it a great game for larger gatherings where people may not have enough time on their hands.
