Ultimate Game Night Picks

By June Ramli

Looking to spice up your game nights? We’ve got you covered with three top picks that promise endless fun and laughter for all ages.

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens is a riotous card game perfect for anyone who loves kittens, explosions, and a bit of strategy.
Available at Kmart, Big W, and JB HiFi, this game gives a hilarious twist to Russian Roulette, where players draw cards until someone pulls an Exploding Kitten and gets knocked out.
The goal is simple: avoid the Exploding Kitten card and be the last player standing.
With 2-5 players, it’s ideal for small get-togethers or family nights.
The deck is filled with action cards that let you peek at the deck, skip turns, or make others draw more cards, adding layers of excitement and unpredictability.
Each turn is tense as players try to outsmart each other and avoid elimination.
The game’s design is charming and humorous, with quirky illustrations by The Oatmeal that bring each card to life.
The cards are high-quality and durable, ready for countless game nights.
Exploding Kittens has high replay value.
The quick, engaging rounds make it easy to play multiple games in one sitting.
The mix of luck and strategy keeps everyone on their toes, and the humor ensures plenty of laughs.
It’s a game for both casual players and those who enjoy a bit more strategic depth.
Exploding Kittens is a fantastic addition to any game collection. Its humor, strategy, and unpredictability make it a hit with players of all ages.
Whether you’re into kittens, explosions, or just want a fun way to spend time with friends and family, this game is a perfect choice.

Herd Mentality

Herd Mentality is all about thinking like the crowd.
Players answer questions and aim to match their answers with the majority.
If you’re the odd one out, you get the dreaded Pink Cow, which you need to get rid of to avoid losing.
This game is fantastic for large groups and guarantees a lot of laughs as players try to think alike.
It’s an excellent pick for family gatherings or parties and is available at Kmart, JB HiFi, and most game stores.
TechRadar even hailed it as “the best party game ever created” in 2022.
The core objective of Herd Mentality is to think like everyone else.
Players are asked a variety of questions, and the goal is to write down the same answer as the majority of the group. If your answer matches the most common response, you earn a point.
However, if your answer is the odd one out, you get the dreaded Pink Cow and must work to get rid of it in subsequent rounds to avoid losing the game.
This simple yet brilliant concept ensures that everyone is involved and engaged throughout the game. It’s perfect for large groups, making it an excellent choice for family gatherings, parties, or casual get-togethers with friends.
The game comes with a sleek, colorful design that’s both appealing and functional.
The components include question cards, answer pads, and a small pink cow figurine.
The cards are sturdy and the pads are easy to write on, ensuring the game can be played over and over without wear and tear.
Herd Mentality stands out with its high replayability.
The vast array of questions ensures that each game feels fresh and new.
The dynamic of trying to guess what others might think adds an element of unpredictability and humor, often leading to surprising and amusing outcomes.
The game’s lighthearted nature makes it a hit with both children and adults, guaranteeing countless moments of shared laughter.
Herd Mentality is a must-have for any game night collection.
Its straightforward rules, engaging gameplay, and emphasis on group fun make it an excellent choice for parties and family gatherings. It’s a great investment for endless hours of entertainment.
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for a way to bring people together, Herd Mentality is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Block Party

Block Party combines creativity and building skills in a fun, engaging way.
Players draw ‘build cards’ and use colored blocks to create objects for others to guess.
The game’s simplicity makes it accessible, while the building challenges add an element of strategic thinking. Perfect for 2-8 players, Block Party is great for families and friends who enjoy hands-on activities.
You can find it at Kmart, Target, JB HiFi, and online at Big Potato Games.
In Block Party, players draw a ‘build card’ that describes an object they must create using a set of colored blocks.
Once the object is built, the guesser must identify what has been constructed.
This game is perfect for 2-8 players, making it ideal for family game nights, parties, or friendly gatherings.
The gameplay is straightforward yet engaging.
Each round, players take turns building and guessing, which keeps everyone involved and invested in the outcome.
The game’s simplicity makes it accessible to all age groups, while the challenge of creating recognizable objects from blocks adds an element of strategic thinking and creativity.
The game includes a set of vibrant, high-quality colored blocks, build cards, and a timer.
The blocks are durable and easy to handle, ensuring that they can withstand many rounds of play.
The build cards offer a wide variety of objects to create, from simple shapes to more complex structures, catering to different skill levels and keeping the game interesting.
The game’s design is visually appealing, with colorful components that are both fun to look at and functional.
The instructions are clear and concise, making it easy to get started right out of the box.
Block Party boasts high replayability due to its open-ended nature and the endless possibilities for what can be built.
Each game feels unique as players come up with new and creative ways to interpret the build cards.
The mix of artistic expression and guessing makes for a dynamic and interactive experience that can lead to many memorable moments and lots of laughter.
Block Party is a fantastic addition to any game collection, especially for those who enjoy creative challenges and interactive play.
It offers great value with its engaging gameplay, high-quality components, and endless fun.
Whether you’re looking to bring out your inner artist or simply have a good time with friends and family, Block Party is sure to be a hit.

Editor’s Note: The Toy Catalogue period runs from June 13 to July 10, offering a perfect opportunity to pick up bargains now or stockpile presents for Christmas. Additionally, JB HiFi will be holding an EOFYS sale on all board games from June 20 to June 30.