It can’t be denied that online gaming has come a long way over the last two decades. What was once strictly the domain of dedicated geeks has become instantly accessible to anyone with a home console, gaming PC, or smartphone. Not only can online gaming be a fun leisure activity for established friend groups, it can also act as a gateway to new friendships and romantic connections. Furthermore, you don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to have a blast with the titles outlined below, as in this guide, you will find out the best casual online games to play with your friends.
Best Casual Online Games to Play with Friends in 2023
Here’s a list of top casual online games to play with your friends or colleagues in 2023:
Minecraft
Developed by Mojang Studios and available for virtually every platform, Minecraft is a now-iconic sandbox game that has been delighting audiences for over a decade. Even if you’ve never sat down for a play session, odds are you’re familiar with Minecraft in some capacity. Although the game’s all-ages tone, look and feel create the impression that it’s intended for children, adults can also have hours of fun playing in both Survival Mode and Creative Mode. Whereas the former requires players to make the most of resources and materials, the latter enables them to relax and let their creative juices flow. Anyone interested in getting the most out of their Minecraft experience should consider playing on a dedicated server and seeking out a service that offers hassle-free Minecraft server hosting.
RiffTrax: The Game
The brainchild of Mystery Science Theater 3000 alumni Michael J. Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, RiffTrax has been lampooning AAA blockbusters and cheaply-produced B-movies for nearly two decades. In addition to creating commentary tracks for big-budget features, RiffTrax produces a multitude of VOD releases each year. Additionally, with the exception of 2020, the brains behind RiffTrax have performed at least one live show a year since 2009.
Last year, Mike, Bill and Kevin decided to give their fans a chance to get in on the fun and partnered with Wide Right Entertainment to develop RiffTrax: The Game – which presents players with a smattering of clips from assorted B-movies and shorts and tasks them with creating their own riffs. (Of course, if you’re unable to think of suitable riffs, you can have the game select prerecorded jokes whenever your turn comes around.) Whether you have a knack for comedy or simply wish to unwind with friends, RiffTrax: The Game can provide you with countless hours of entertainment. Additionally, with new clips being added on a consistent basis, players don’t have to worry about endlessly riffing the same pieces of footage.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
A sizable number of us have grown up with some iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As one of the most popular I.P.s on the planet, TMNT encompasses graphic novels, feature films, television series and, of course, video games. Furthermore, when considering the vast catalog of video games that feature the heroes in a half-shell, many people regard the arcade brawlers from the early ‘90s as the turtles’ finest digital outings.
With that in mind, Tribute Games developed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, a retro-style beat-‘em-up that serves as a spiritual successor to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game and Turtles in Time. You and up to five friends can fight your way through the streets of New York City, the sewers, the Technodrome and other iconic locations from TMNT lore. (However, if you’re opting for couch co-op instead of online play, keep in mind that the PlayStation version is limited to four local players.) Additionally, while most other Ninja Turtles games only allow players to control the titular turtles, Shredder’s Revenge enables players to kick some shell as April O’Neil, Casey Jones and Master Splinter.
Anyone itching for more Turtles action will be pleased to learn that late 2022 also saw the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, which compiles 13 classic TMNT video games released between 1989 and 1994. Many of these titles – such as the aforementioned TMNT: The Arcade Game and Turtles in Time – support both local and online co-op.
Gaming as a hobby has become more accessible than ever in recent years. Despite once being regarded as a pastime for children, video games now enjoy considerable popularity among individuals of all ages. With a growing number of titles being developed with casual gamers in mind, it’s easy to see why so many people devote so much of their leisure time to their favorite games. Anyone looking to indulge in fun-filled gaming sessions with friends this year would do well to consider the titles outlined above.
