The Best Games to Play on a Video Call (No Downloads)

The easy part of a video call game night is the call. The hard part is finding a game that doesn't need everyone to install something, make an account, or share one screen. The games here run in a browser: one person creates a room, drops the link into the call chat, and everyone plays from their own phone or laptop.

How it works with a call running

• Start your call as usual, on whichever tool your group uses.
• One person creates a room and picks a game.
• Paste the join link into the call chat. Anyone who taps it picks a nickname and joins.
• The games don't include chat or voice, so talking happens on the call. That's a feature: the call is where the fun is.

The best picks

• Imposter (4 to 10 players) — the best game for a call, because it's mostly conversation. Everyone but one or two players knows a secret word, and the group has to work out who's bluffing.
• Word Scramble (up to 8) — everyone races on the same jumbled word at the same time. Quick to explain and fine for a mixed group.
• Hangman (up to 8) — a co-operative version where the whole room guesses one word together, so it's friendly for people who don't know each other.
• Bomb Pass (3 to 20) — a bomb passes round the circle and nobody knows when it goes off. Good for large calls, and it takes one tap.
• Connect 4 (2 players) — if a call splits into pairs, this is a proper head-to-head, and others can watch as spectators.
• Memory Match (up to 6) — relaxed, and works well with family on a call.
• Ludo and Snakes & Ladders (2 to 4) — longer games for a smaller group that wants a whole evening.

Tips for a smooth call game night

• Send the link, not the code. Reading out four digits works, but a link in the chat means one tap for everyone.
• Keep it to 10 to 15 minutes per game unless the group is committed. The quick ones let people drift in and out.
• Take turns talking during Imposter's discussion. The timer is 75 seconds by default, which is short, so a call where everyone talks at once loses the clues.
• Have a host who can switch games. From the results screen, the host can play again or choose another game without anyone leaving the room.
• Don't worry about dropped connections. A player who drops is held for 30 seconds and rejoins their seat.

Not sure which to start with? Try Word Scramble to warm up, then move to Imposter once people are comfortable. When you're ready, create a room.