Best 8-Player Board Games – It’s Party Time!

I enjoy a good party game. They can take a get-together to the next level. But it’s tough to find games that can accommodate larger playing groups.

I like Sushi Go Party! for its highly entertaining gameplay that’s simple to learn and fun for all ages. But several great games will work for a crowd.

In this article, you’ll get an in-depth look at several of the best 8-player board games. You’ll find info on gameplay, who the game is best for, and the pros and cons of each game.

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.

Best 8-Player Board Games: At A Glance

What exactly makes eight-player board games fun? There are different reasons these party games might appeal to you.

If you like fast-paced games that don’t require long gaming sessions, you might consider Sushi Go Party!, Double Ditto, or One Night Ultimate Werewolf.

Looking to split up into teams? You can easily do that with One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Confident?, or Double Ditto.

If you prefer more challenging board games, you might try Eldritch Horror, Escape Room in a Box, or Cover Your Kingdom.

Want to include the kids? Double Ditto, Sushi Go Party!, and Formula D are all suited for younger players.

Party Game Reviews

Formula D: Best Overall 8 Player Board Game

Players: 2-10

Length of Play: 60 minutes

Age: 8+

Formula D by Zygomatic is an exciting racing game that transports players to the turbulent world of Formula One racing. It’s a remake of the classic French game Formula De, with several updated features.

Players race simulated cars and compete to cross the finish line first. Each player has a personal dashboard where they shift gears and keep track of the wear on their car.

The game is played in rounds. Each round ends when all the cars go around the track one time. The game ends when all the players cross the finish line. Unsurprisingly, the first player to cross the finish line wins.

Cars move along the track via dice rolls, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a simple roll-and-move dice game. As the game progresses, players must make decisions quickly as they seek to avoid collisions and move ahead.

Do you switch gears to roll a higher-numbered dice but risk putting wear on your car? Do you brake behind the car in front of you or do you pass them, only to have a longer distance to cover in the outside lane? Each decision you make has its own risks and rewards.

Formula D is an exciting game. Unlike other racing games, where it can be tough to catch up, the winner in Formula D is often not determined until the final round.

The box says the game is appropriate for ages 14 and up, but the product description says it’s appropriate for ages 8 and up.

Multiple reviewers successfully played the game with their kids, however, so the younger minimum age is likely more accurate.

Buyers had high praise for Formula D. They especially liked the choice between basic and advanced rules that allows players to choose their own difficulty level.

Some felt that the game was too luck-based, but it does include several ways to strategize and use skills to make decisions. Formula D isn’t strictly a luck game, but dice rolling is a big part.

If you’re new to Formula D and want a quick summary of how to play, watch as … explains the basics:

Formula D is a great game for up to eight people. It’s perfect for racing fans and those who enjoy dice rolling with light strategy.

Pros

• Easy to learn
• Colorful board and components
• Choose between basic or advanced rules
• Includes more strategy than your average dice-roll game
• Entertaining for a big group
• Expansions available

Cons

• Light on strategy
• Expensive

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One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Best Social Deduction Game

Players: 3-10

Length of Play: 10 minutes

Age: 8+

If you like “whodunnit” games of intrigue, One Night Ultimate Werewolf by Bezier Games should be at the top of your list. This game is designed for 3 to 10 players, perfect for a party game.

In this fast-paced game, each player gets one of 12 unique roles. Each role possesses a special ability to help the good guys… or the bad guys. One player (or two, depending on the number of players) acts as the werewolf.

Throughout a single night and the next morning, the players use their special abilities to determine who among them is a werewolf. But beware! The werewolf will attempt to throw others off their scent.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is played in phases. After players receive their secret role, the free companion app walks them through the night phase in just minutes.

Once the night phase is complete, players have five minutes to discuss what happened and decide who the werewolves are.

If the players representing the good guys find the werewolf, they win. But if they don’t, the bad guys win.

This is an easy game to learn. Most buyers said they picked up the rules in no time, making it great for veterans or beginners.

Speaking of, buyers had rave reviews for One Night Ultimate Werewolf. They loved the quick gameplay and the player interaction. They found it entertaining for larger groups, but some did recommend blindfolds if you have a cheater in your midst!

The only complaint reviewers had was regarding the flimsy cards. They bend quite easily, which makes it easy for others to see your card. I recommend investing in some inexpensive card sleeves to keep the cards–and your secret identity–intact.

If you like social deduction games and you have a big group to entertain, I can’t recommend One Night Ultimate Werewolf enough.

Pros

• Social deduction game
• Easy to learn
• Fast-paced
• Fun for kids and adults
• Fits a wide range of player groups

Cons

• Requires an app
• Cards are flimsy

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Eldritch Horror: Best for Gamers

Players: 1-8

Length of Play: 2-4 hours

Age: 14+

If you enjoy a collaborative game, Eldritch Horror by Fantasy Flight Games might appeal to you. In this board game of mystery and adventure, players take on the role of investigators that work together to defeat evil.

Based on the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft and inspired by the classic Arkham Horror board game, Eldritch Horror is set in the fictional town of Arkham, Massachusetts.

Ancient evil is stirring, and players must scour the globe to fight the nightmarish creatures that lurk in the shadows.

Players take on the role of one of twelve investigators to solve mystery cards. Eldritch Horror has a high replay value, with hundreds of possible encounters. Each game provides a unique adventure.

Player reviews loved the built-in variation and the challenging play. One buyer said the game is fun, even when you lose. That’s a good thing, too, because several said it can be brutally difficult.

This is a heavier game than other 8-player board games. It has a longer game length, so it could take longer for players to play turn by turn.

It’s also a little more “niche” than others on this list. Eldritch Horror is considered a dungeon crawler, which is loads of fun.

But if you don’t want to spend a lot of time explaining complex rules to beginners, it might frustrate you.

If you have novice gamers or young children, other games might be a better fit. But if your group consists of older players who like a lengthier board game, Eldritch Horror is one of the best 8-player board games for you.

Pros

• Fully cooperative game
• High replayability
• Includes a high level of strategy
• Thrilling, immersive theme
• Expansions available

Cons

• Lengthy gameplay
• Not suited for younger children
• Pricier

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Sushi Go Party!: Best 8-Player Card Game

Players: 2-8

Length of Play: 20 minutes

Age: 8+

Sushi Go Party! by GameWright is a variation of the best-selling game Sushi Go! In this fun card game, players earn points by picking winning sushi combos. It’s designed for up to eight players and can be played in as little as 20 minutes.

The game is played over multiple rounds. Each round, players are dealt a hand of playing cards. The number of cards will vary, depending on the number of players.

For each turn, a player must choose one card out of their own hand that they would like to keep and place it face down. Other players do the same until everyone has chosen a card.

Players simultaneously reveal which card they have chosen by turning them face-up, then they pass their remaining hand face-down to the left. Then, the process starts all over again.

The goal is to create combinations of sushi cards to score the most points. Points are tracked on the game board after each round. The player with the most points wins.

The artwork in this game is fun and whimsical. The cards feature normal sushi menu items, including nigiri, maki, sashimi, edamame, miso soup, and more. There are even dessert cards with green tea ice cream, fruit, and pudding.

If you’ve played the original Sushi Go! game, the mechanics in this version are very similar. But this version includes over 20 menu items and 180 cards, increasing the maximum number of players, as well as the replayability.

One of my favorite features of Sushi Go Party! is the ability to customize your difficulty level. It has a blend of strategy and luck, which lends itself to a wide range of gaming groups.

Reviewers found Sushi Go Party! to be one of the most entertaining card/board games for groups. They loved the quick gameplay and the simple rules that allow everyone to play and have fun.

The only complaint some people had was that the card stock is a little thin. But clear plastic sleeves provide an easy solution to that drawback.

This card game will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. It’s also accessible for kids, making Sushi Go Party! great fun for the whole family. That entertainment value has earned it a spot on my list of best 8-player board games.

Pros

• Quick gameplay
• Simple rules
• Colorful, fun artwork
• Customize your difficulty level
• Has wide appeal

Cons

• Card stock is thinner

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Double Ditto: Best for light fun

Players: 4-20

Length of Play: 25 minutes

Age: 8+

If you were to mash together Apples to Apples, Scattergories, and Balderdash, you would get Double Ditto. This entertaining game is one of the best 8-player board games.

Double Ditto is a fast-paced family game that can be played among families and parties. This customizable card game encourages creativity and has players guessing other players’ answers.

Here’s how it works: Draw a card, read it aloud, and quickly write down two answers you think others will imagine. After the time runs out, find out whose answers match. If your own answer matches the answer of other players, you score a “Ditto!”

This is one of those games that’s fun to play, even if you don’t keep score. The competition is low-key, and the main point is the interaction among players.

Reviewers found the game to be entertaining and accessible for kids to the elderly. They liked the quick pace and the laid-back feel to it.

Of course, if you’d rather play a super competitive, strategy-driven board game, this might not be your speed.

Although Double Ditto includes pencils, paper, and a miniature timer, you can just as easily use your own pen and paper. If the 15-second hourglass timer is too fast for young players, you can set a timer on someone’s phone.

For a light board game that’s easy to learn, Double Ditto is one of the best 8-player board games.

Pros

• Easy to learn
• Fast gameplay
• Fun for all ages
• High level of interaction

Cons

• Not as challenging

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Cover Your Kingdom: Best Fantasy Board Game

Players: 2-8

Length of Play: 30-45 minutes

Age: 9+

Cover Your Kingdom is an adaption to the popular game Cover Your Assets. This version adds layers of new strategy and fun without much-added complexity.

In this absurdly competitive and hilarious board game, players compete to restore magic to their respective kingdoms by recruiting magical creatures. Form your own clan or steal from a rival ruler!

For each turn, players can take one or two actions: form a clan, attempt to recruit a clan, add a creature to a clan, employ the service of a free creature, discard and then draw. Each “ruler” has their own player board for stacking clans.

Each creature has its own magic rating. The free creatures aren’t magical, but they have their own special powers. The player with the most magic in their kingdom is declared the winner.

Be careful, though! Your top clan is vulnerable to being stolen by other rulers.

This board game is fun for both small and large groups, accommodating 2-8 players. One nice feature is adaptability.

Players have the choice between playing the core game or adding in the two included expansions for more advanced gameplay.

Several reviewers did mention there is a learning curve to this board game, especially if you’ve never played Covering Your Assets before. After a couple of run-throughs, however, the board game gets easier.

Some people liked the original version better, while others enjoyed this version more. It boils down to personal preference, but the wildly entertaining theme makes this version one of the best 8-player board games.

Pros

• Zany theme
• Choose your level of difficulty
• 2 expansions included
• Highly competitive
• Interactive
• Colorful artwork

Cons

• Bit of a learning curve

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Escape Room in a Box: Best Mystery Board Game

Players: 2-8

Length of Play: 60 minutes

Age: 13+

Escape rooms have exploded in popularity during the last 10 years, but if there’s anything the last three years have taught us, it’s that it’s not always feasible to go out for entertainment.

Fortunately, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to experience highly-immersive mystery. Escape Room in a Box is for those who love critical thinking and solving puzzles with everything on the line.

In this high-stakes game, you and the other players must solve 19 mental and physical puzzles before a mad scientist turns you into werewolves. Oh, and you only have an hour to do it! Time to begin the frantic panic.

To enhance gameplay, players can connect to Amazon Alexa to track time, provide hints and play a spooky soundtrack for you. It’s not required to play, however.

Reviews were mixed about the board game. Most people enjoyed the Escape Room in the Box. They found the puzzles challenging enough and the materials adequate.

Other players, however, had a less enjoyable experience. Some had manufacturing defects that ruined the surprise, whereas others found some of the puzzles to be too easy.

I won’t delve into the specifics so as not to ruin the board game, but the manufacturing can make or break the experience.

The biggest limitation, in my opinion, is that you can only play it one time. If you are okay with this, it might be fun to bring this game to a party.

I played it at a New Year’s Eve party once, and it was rather enjoyable. But in other settings, it might not work as well.

If you like a mystery and don’t mind only playing once, Escape Room in a Box is one of the best 8-player board games for you.

Pros

• Highly immersive
• Challenging puzzles
• Cooperative gameplay
• Option to connect to Alexa

Cons

• Meant for just one use
• Complaints of manufacturing issues

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Confident?: Best for a Team-Based Game

Players: 2-30

Length of Play: 30 minutes

Age: 12+

Last but not least in my list of the best 8-player board games is Confident?. Confident? is the quintessential party game, with plenty of laughing, talking, and simultaneous play. This hit trivia game is perfect for entertaining large groups.

In Confident? players answer trivia questions with a numerical answer. But instead of giving a specific answer, players give a range of numbers.

You only need to get the right answer in your range to score. But the smaller the range, the more points you score.

You can play as individuals or split into two teams. And since you can have up to 30 players, it’s a great choice for family reunions or as a team-building exercise for work.

Confident? is a simple game that’s easy to learn. Simply read the question, guess a range, and reveal your answers. You don’t have to be a trivia whiz, either. Anyone can participate and potentially win.

Even though the minimum age is listed as 12, younger children can participate if you play in teams and pick age-appropriate questions.

The game takes about half an hour, making it ideal for large, whole-group settings.

This game is loads of fun, but there is a limit to replayability. Once everyone is familiar with the trivia questions, you lose the element of surprise.

The good news is that this game is inexpensive, so you will get good value despite the limited replay value.

Pros

• Easy to learn
• Play individually or as a team
• Accommodates a large group
• Fast-paced
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Has a ceiling on replay value
• Not as challenging

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Best 8-Player Board Game Buying Guide

Pacing

When you have a gaming group of eight players, it’s important to choose a fast-paced board game. No one likes having to wait 30 minutes between turns. If you have a game moving too slowly, most of the group will lose interest.

Interaction

Another important element in party games is player interaction. 8-player board games are more fun when players can talk and have conversations.

Age Range/Experience Level

The best 8-player board games will also have wide appeal. Most large gaming groups include varying experience levels and ages. This is especially true if you’re playing within a family. Balancing a challenging game with one that’s easy to learn can be difficult, but it’s possible.

Best Board Games for a Party: Final Verdict

Which of the best 8-player board games deserves a spot on your game shelf? My go-to is Formula D It’s the perfect blend of fun and light with enough challenge to make it interesting.

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It has wide enough appeal that makes it one of the best 8-player board games.