noob seeks gaming help
November 27, 2022 3:04 PM Subscribe
For an event, I would like to hook something up to a local bar's two smart tvs, to allow a few people to play familiar and fun video games competitively. I know basically nothing about what my options are. My dream vision is the two TVs, both playing Mario Kart or Mario Party on split screen, allowing like 4 people to play at once. My plan for making that happen would be to borrow two consoles & accessories and copies of the game from a hypothetical friend who might be willing and able to lend them. Surely, in the year of our lord 2022, there is a better way. I am willing to throw <$100 at the problem. HELP.
I know the TVs can hook up to laptops, and screen casting works fine.
I am not dead set on using Mario or Mario-like games, but something like Tetris would be too boring, shooter games are too shooty, and niche arcade games are too niche and nerdy for this crowd. Simple, fun to watch, and familiar.
Like I said, I know very little about the games and consoles and stuff. Is there something that allows people to use their phones as controllers? Are there free or cheap apps or programs to simulate gaming systems? Can I rent consoles for cheap from somewhere?
I know the TVs can hook up to laptops, and screen casting works fine.
I am not dead set on using Mario or Mario-like games, but something like Tetris would be too boring, shooter games are too shooty, and niche arcade games are too niche and nerdy for this crowd. Simple, fun to watch, and familiar.
Like I said, I know very little about the games and consoles and stuff. Is there something that allows people to use their phones as controllers? Are there free or cheap apps or programs to simulate gaming systems? Can I rent consoles for cheap from somewhere?
On preview it looks like I concur with mmascolino.
Sounds like you might want Jackbox. Only one copy of the game needs to be purchased (perhaps someone you know purchased a "party pack" during covid?). People use their phones / internet connected device to access the games. (Folks with a limited data plan may appreciate having access to wifi). There are OPINIONS about the best games / Party Packs.
The Mario plan would work as well. You just need a console, a copy of the game, and several controllers (as many as your friend has up to the max number players for the game).
posted by oceano at 5:01 PM on November 27, 2022
Sounds like you might want Jackbox. Only one copy of the game needs to be purchased (perhaps someone you know purchased a "party pack" during covid?). People use their phones / internet connected device to access the games. (Folks with a limited data plan may appreciate having access to wifi). There are OPINIONS about the best games / Party Packs.
The Mario plan would work as well. You just need a console, a copy of the game, and several controllers (as many as your friend has up to the max number players for the game).
posted by oceano at 5:01 PM on November 27, 2022
Given that the TVs will have HDMI in, that should be sufficient.
Typically, video game consoles will be your easiest option, as they're designed to be plug and play. The Nintendo Switch is designed to be portable, but it expects a dock to connect to a TV. Switches are relatively inexpensive, and have Mario Kart.
As it happens, the version of Mario Kart available on Switch has options to play across multiple TVs (one Switch for each TV). However, because you can only play 2 players per TV with these options, whereas playing without wireless lets you have 4, you're probably not gaining a lot in this situation.
As oceano suggested, Jackbox is very good for this scenario - only the host needs a controller, to navigate the menu options, but the games themselves are controlled via web browser on a mobile phone. Most games support up to 8 active players, and more joining as part of the 'audience'. You'll need to hook the console up to the internet somehow, however.
posted by Merus at 5:17 PM on November 27, 2022
Typically, video game consoles will be your easiest option, as they're designed to be plug and play. The Nintendo Switch is designed to be portable, but it expects a dock to connect to a TV. Switches are relatively inexpensive, and have Mario Kart.
As it happens, the version of Mario Kart available on Switch has options to play across multiple TVs (one Switch for each TV). However, because you can only play 2 players per TV with these options, whereas playing without wireless lets you have 4, you're probably not gaining a lot in this situation.
As oceano suggested, Jackbox is very good for this scenario - only the host needs a controller, to navigate the menu options, but the games themselves are controlled via web browser on a mobile phone. Most games support up to 8 active players, and more joining as part of the 'audience'. You'll need to hook the console up to the internet somehow, however.
posted by Merus at 5:17 PM on November 27, 2022
My gamer kid also suggests Jackbox on a laptop. And he thought of another option: Libraries often have consoles to borrow (e.g. Nintendo Switch) as well as games.
posted by Redstart at 6:19 PM on November 27, 2022
posted by Redstart at 6:19 PM on November 27, 2022
Idea: 2x Nintendo wii, 8x controllers, 4x nunchuck controllers, 20 pack of AA batteries, 1x wii sports, 1x wii sports resort, 2x mario kart wii, 1x mario party, 1x Goldeneye, 1x house of the dead.
Folks in your orbit definitely have a wii or two packed away that nobody is using, to keep costs down. Assume these will be stolen from the bar if left unattended, but are less likely to be stolen than a nintendo switch.
Consider the possibility that if you buy used video game components from a store, that if you keep them in good condition, that you might be able to recoup much of your investment by selling them back.
posted by enfa at 6:45 PM on November 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Folks in your orbit definitely have a wii or two packed away that nobody is using, to keep costs down. Assume these will be stolen from the bar if left unattended, but are less likely to be stolen than a nintendo switch.
Consider the possibility that if you buy used video game components from a store, that if you keep them in good condition, that you might be able to recoup much of your investment by selling them back.
posted by enfa at 6:45 PM on November 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Oh yeah, my kid also suggested you could get Wiis cheap at thrift stores.
posted by Redstart at 7:27 PM on November 27, 2022
posted by Redstart at 7:27 PM on November 27, 2022
You mentioned screen casting. Don't use any kind of wireless connection to get video from a device onto the TVs. There will be far too much lag for gaming. Use HDMI cables directly from devices to TVs.
posted by hovey at 9:09 PM on November 27, 2022
posted by hovey at 9:09 PM on November 27, 2022
Jackbox is a huge crowd pleaser at events, I've been to conventions that have a dedicated Jackbox section where like 50-100 people hang out at any one time to play & spectate various rounds together.
They had a Humble Bundle not too long ago and can be gotten on sale! If you have a computer that can hook up to the TVs, like even a laptop or something, you're in business.
posted by creatrixtiara at 9:15 PM on November 27, 2022
They had a Humble Bundle not too long ago and can be gotten on sale! If you have a computer that can hook up to the TVs, like even a laptop or something, you're in business.
posted by creatrixtiara at 9:15 PM on November 27, 2022
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As for games that play well in a crowd, you may consider the Jackbox Family of games. They tend to be trivia based or bluffing based and center around using the TV as an overall display with people using their phones as input devices.
posted by mmascolino at 4:58 PM on November 27, 2022