9 PC games that are perfect to play at a LAN party
So you’re running a LAN party, you’ve got your network configured, power figured out, but what are you going to play? There are a few games that work especially well at LAN, and these are some of the best and easiest to run.
9
Counter-Strike 2
Quintessential LAN experience
This is a personal favorite of mine and one of the easiest and most configurable options on this list. You can set up any number of players and run your own tournament, or even just play games together online on the same network. There’s a thriving LAN community for Counter-Strike 2, and most local tournaments will use a dedicated server run locally to host the game.
This is a classic when it comes to LAN parties, dating back to the original Counter-Strike game from 1999. It’s the quintessential LAN game, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least give it a try.
8
Rocket League
Source: Epic Games
Do you like football? Do you like cars? What if you combined the two?
That’s Rocket League in a nutshell. You play up to three versus three, aiming to hit the ball into the enemy team’s goal. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s a game with a pretty high skill ceiling. Whether you want to sweat it out or you just want to have a laugh, Rocket League is a fantastic game to play at a LAN party.
7
Minecraft
Spin it up for a few hours then forget about it again
We’ve all had our Minecraft phase, and sometimes it’s a lot of fun to go back to it and play it for a few hours with friends. Minecraft makes it very easy to just open your current world to LAN clients, and those other clients can then go to their multiplayer tab and connect to your world.
You can set a goal for the session, or just mess about and have some fun. Maybe speedrun the Ender Dragon!
6
Stardew Valley
One of the best cozy games
Not every LAN game has to be about high-octane action. Sometimes, you just want to relax, farm some crops, and build the perfect little town with your friends. Stardew Valley’s co-op mode lets you and up to three friends live the farm life together, whether that means growing an empire of ancient fruit, mining deep into the caves, or just fishing and hanging out.
It’s the perfect pick for a laid-back LAN session, and thanks to its lightweight requirements, you can run it on just about anything.
5
Left 4 Dead 2
Go against zombies, or eachother
Source: Valve
Zombies, chaos, and co-op mayhem; Left 4 Dead 2 is a LAN staple for a reason. This classic four-player survival shooter pits you and your friends against relentless waves of the infected, forcing you to work together to make it through each level alive.
The best part? You can mix things up with community mods, custom maps, and even competitive versus mode, where one team controls the survivors while the other plays as the infected. It’s a game that never gets old, especially when you’re all in the same room, shouting over each other as a Tank comes barreling through a wall.
4
Terraria
Think 2D Minecraft
Think of Terraria as Minecraft’s 2D cousin, except with more bosses, more loot, and a whole lot more chaos. Whether you’re building elaborate structures, digging deep into the world, or taking on the game’s challenging bosses, there’s always something to do.
Terraria makes it incredibly easy to set up a multiplayer session over LAN. Just host a world, have your friends join, and you’re good to go. Whether you’re gearing up for a massive fight or just exploring, it’s a fantastic game to sink a few hours into with friends.
3
Unreal Tournament
Old school cool
If you want a fast-paced arena shooter that absolutely thrives in a LAN setting, look no further than Unreal Tournament. This is a game built for local multiplayer, with tight, skill-based gunplay and maps designed for pure, unfiltered mayhem.
Whether you go for the 1999 classic or one of the later versions, Unreal Tournament is all about movement, precision, and completely obliterating your friends in split-second gunfights. Set up a deathmatch, throw in some Instagib mode for good measure, and let the chaos unfold.
2
Mario Kart: Double Dash
With Dolphin Emulator
By Screenshot taken in-game in the Dolphin emulator., Fair use,
This one might be a bit different, but you can run Mario Kart: Double Dash in Dolphin Emulator, despite being from the GameCube era. You mightn’t necessarily associate Mario Kart with a LAN party, but it can be just as fun as the other games on this list.
One of the most unique features of Double Dash that also makes it perfect for a LAN party is its two-player-per-kart mechanic, forcing you and a teammate to work together as driver and item manager. It’s one of the most unique Mario Kart experiences that still hasn’t been replicated in any of its successors.
1
Age of Empires II
Get your RTS fix
No LAN party list is complete without a proper RTS, and Age of Empires II is still one of the best in the genre. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or just looking for a solid strategy game, it’s the perfect way to spend a few hours battling it out with friends.
You can go head-to-head in free-for-all skirmishes, team up against AI opponents, or even play cooperative campaigns. Plus, thanks to its Definitive Edition, it’s easier than ever to set up a LAN match with modern systems. Just be prepared for at least one friend to turtle up behind a wall of castles and bombard cannons.
