Highlights

  • Watching others play video games is a popular trend, whether it's through streaming or sitting on the couch with a friend or partner.
  • Games like Minecraft, Destiny 2, and Until Dawn provide enjoyable experiences to watch.
  • Whether it's learning new strategies, experiencing emotional reactions, or appreciating complex storylines, watching others play certain games can be entertaining and rewarding.

With over 35 million users visiting Twitch monthly and YouTube Let's Play channels accruing multimillion subscriber counts, it’s clear that there’s a huge market for people wanting to watch others play video games. And while streamers and YouTubers offer one venue for gamers to engage with content that they aren't playing for themselves for one reason or another, online viewing is only one facet of backseat gaming.

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Sometimes, it's an activity far closer to home that involves a couch, some snacks, and a partner or a roommate holding a controller. No matter the medium, here are some of the fun games to watch someone else play.

Updated October 9, 2023 by Amanda Hurych: Watching someone else play a video game is still an underrated good time, and we've highlighted the entries in this article with more info about who made them, what platforms they are available on, and what genre they fall under!

Madden

cleveland browns player juking baltimore ravens madden 23

Madden football has become an annual event in the games industry and its popularity has propelled the series to new heights. EA Sports has created online championship tournaments and leagues for hundreds of people, adding a new layer to competitive football.

If you don't think your skills are up to snuff, you can keep up with the action by spectating games and watching streams. This is also a great way for you to learn tips on dominating the gridiron. There are many different offensive and defensive strategies to learn in Madden, so studying someone else can help you implement new strategies for yourself.

Halo Infinite

halo infinite multiplayer
Halo Infinite

Released
December 8, 2022
Developer(s)
343 Industries
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

The half-surprise of Microsoft launching the Halo Infinite multiplayer beta early during the company’s 20-year anniversary stream elevated the game on people's radar. Halo multiplayer held the competitive shooter genre in a vice grip, but since the changing of developers in 2012, Halo hasn’t experienced the same level of success.

Halo Infinite's multiplayer has garnered incredible praise for its solid structure and smooth gameplay, though the ranking system has come under fire. Although Halo Infinite didn't meet the lofty expectations that fans had, it's still Halo and that means it's still a great multiplayer experience. With Forge mode finally on the horizon, Halo Infinite looks to, hopefully, get back in the good graces of gamers.

NBA 2K

devin booker shooting mid-range

NBA 2K has evolved into something that's so much more than the game of basketball. For some, this can be viewed as both a good and a bad thing. Some of the side content like becoming a music artist or fashion designer doesn't really scream "professional basketball" but it can certainly be good content watching someone else play through it.

Besides the fluff in the MyCareer mode, the majority of NBA 2K players spend time competing in online tournaments and pick-up games. The growth of NBA 2K reached new heights in 2018 when the official eSports league was launched, prompting more players to watch others compete online.

Minecraft

player sleeping in a bed

One of the most influential sandbox games in history, Minecraft opens the door to pure imagination. This vast world is full of precious resources to enable you to build, well, anything you want. Gamers have created iconic monuments from across pop culture in Minecraft.

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Although there isn't a set objective in Minecraft, there are four difficulty settings that will affect how dangerous the enemies are in the game. Danger might be behind every corner in the form of zombies, spiders, skeletons, and other monstrosities. Many streamers have created their custom servers to freely explore and create with other people, making Minecraft one of the most watched games on Twitch.

Destiny 2

A Titan, Hunter, and Warlock standing together in Destiny 2.
Destiny 2

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
Released
August 28, 2017
Developer(s)
Bungie
Genre(s)
FPS

Destiny 2 has evolved throughout the years becoming a free-to-play product and focusing on major content installments. Despite lulls in between expansions, Bungie has continued to craft a compelling universe.

The latest expansion for Destiny 2 is Beyond Light, taking Guardians to Neomuna, a mysterious place on Neptune. You'll team up with the Cloudstriders to fight against Calus and the new Shadow Legion. Destiny has an extensive backstory, so watching someone play through earlier events could help you get caught up on the story.

Until Dawn (Or Any Supermassive Game)

Sam Giddings looking frustrated
Until Dawn

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , PC
Released
August 25, 2015
Developer(s)
Supermassive Games
Genre(s)
Horror

Supermassive Games single-handedly created and conquered the Choose Your Own Horror Adventure genre with their 2015 breakout title Until Dawn. It featured a stacked cast of performers who motion captured every gasp of horror, every corny pickup line, and every gut-wrenching death sequence. For all intents and purposes, Until Dawn IS a playable horror movie.

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That's why it's perfect to watch someone else play. It doesn't matter if it's an online celebrity or your best friend Gary, the reactions caused by Until Dawn are genuinely priceless. While every subsequent game that Supermassive has churned out will suffice for this particular brand of viewable entertainment Until Dawn is the ideal candidate for a mad dash emotional experience.

Getting Over It With Bennet Foddy

Guy In Cauldron attempts to climb mountain with a hammer

The quickest litmus test to discern a person's inner peace is to have them play Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy. It was released on Steam back in 2017 and the streaming/YouTube community immediately latched onto it, which was probably a bad idea, all things considered... here's the deal: Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy is bonkers difficult.

Seriously, the controls are infuriating, the mechanics are unwieldy, and the inescapable running commentary from the game's creator is enough to send most gamers to the ER for blood pressure issues. If you value your PC, never play it, but if you value your own joy, gift it to your best friend!

Baba Is You

A temple level with walls and Jelly

One of life's great pleasures is watching someone play Baba Is You for the first time. Why is that, you may ask? Because it's an FBI-grade torture activity disguised as a cutesy puzzle game. For the uninitiated, the crux of Baba Is You is that you, the player, manipulate word blocks to reshape the puzzle board, the obstacles, and even yourself, to succeed.

The puzzles start out easy enough, but the difficulty ramp is less of a gentle incline and more of a sheer cliff. It's the kind of game that elicits extreme emotional reactions and, whether negative or positive, that's the kind of thing that's worth seeing unfold on another person's face. In a word, it's unforgettable.

The Uncharted Series

A photo depicting Nate in front of a crashed plane in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

An oldie but a goodie, the Uncharted series mashes together platforming, target practice, and a movie, basically. It's this last facet that makes any Uncharted game fun to watch because, even outside the cutscenes, the characters are actively engaged in interesting, story/character-developing dialogue, which can be heightened or hilariously undercut, depending on the skill level of the person holding the controller.

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There are a number of games that fit this particular mold these days, but it's arguable that Uncharted did it best or, at the very least, first. Can the same effect be achieved by just streaming National Treasure on Disney Plus? Sure, but then you risk missing Nathan Drake's hilarious death squeals.

Hades

Hades Heterochromia Shot
Hades

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch , PC
Released
September 17, 2020
Developer(s)
Supergiant Games
Genre(s)
Action RPG

For the Percy Jackson fans who felt as though Riordan's modern fairy tale was missing something, there are Hades. A wonderfully crafted and beautifully rendered rogue-like that goes the extra mile to ensure everyone leaves feeling a little confused.

The reason it's so interesting to watch another person play is that the cyclical gameplay of a rogue-like is baked into the story, with an emphasis on the minutiae that differentiates every single run. Invisible choices (actionable events without specific in-game indicators) inform the dialogue, which makes each attempt to jailbreak Grecian Hell unique. Also, everyone's hot. Pretty sure we mentioned that.

Lost Ark

lost ark
Lost Ark

Platform(s)
PC
Released
December 4, 2019
Developer(s)
Smilegate RPG
Genre(s)
MMORPG

Initially released in South Korea in 2019, Lost Ark finally found its way to other countries with its launch in February 2022. In just a single day, Lost Ark became the second-most played game on Steam and among the highest-watched games on Twitch. Operating from a top-down viewpoint, Lost Ark is an RPG set in a magical world that's full of dangerous foes around every corner.

There are five different classes to choose from in Lost Ark: Warrior, Martial Artist, Gunner, Mage, and Assassin. Each class has its own different routes to make them feel more comfortable to you. Lost Ark is the type of game in which players can benefit from watching others play by learning new tactics and abilities to help their own playthroughs.

The Kingdom Hearts Series

Sora holding the Ultima Weapon with Goofy and Donald beside him in Kingdom Hearts 3.

Its mere existence defies logic and sound reason and baffles even the sturdiest mind... and that hardly begins to cover how complex the Kingdom Hearts series truly is. The briefest explanation requires a PowerPoint presentation because the story is what happens if a Final Fantasy game (which isn't exactly known for its brevity) paused every fifteen minutes to play an entire Disney movie before returning to the main plot.

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And, if we're being honest with ourselves, that's kind of the beauty of it. It's patently ridiculous, sure, but it's equally endearing, nostalgic, and surprisingly fun to play. Who hasn't wanted to run around Beast's castle, or give Frollo a good smack? It's unbridled silliness that takes the right amount of seriousness and is far more enjoyable if shared with a friend.

Mario Kart

mario and yoshi dodging bananas in mario kart 8

Since 1992, friendships have been tested on the race tracks of Mario Kart. The Nintendo racer features many races based on iconic Mario locations and has peaked with Mario Kart 8.

With 32 courses in the game, there is plenty for you to sit back and watch others make their way through while you take notes. Mario Kart 8 is one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch and the ultimate kart racer of the series.

It Takes Two

The It Takes Two Cody and May Flee An Explosion
It Takes Two

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC , Switch
Released
March 26, 2021
Developer(s)
Hazelight Studios
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Recipient of the Game of the Year award in 2021, It Takes Two is a touching game that dives into the difficulties of a failing marriage and how to rekindle a dying flame. With one person playing as Cody and the other as May, you must work together throughout the game to solve a variety of puzzles to save their marriage.

Whether you played the game or not, seeing others experience its joy will bring a smile to your face. It’s not a common game that you might find people playing, but if you do, we recommend tuning in. It Takes Two’s runtime is a little over ten hours, so finishing the game might take a few sessions.

Mortal Kombat

Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Kung Lao, and an unknown warrior walking thriugh a portal

Since 1992, players have dominated or been dominated by the ferocious fighters of the Netherrealm in Mortal Kombat. The high intensity of these battles isn't for the faint of heart, as well as the special ultimate moves known as "fatalities" could make one queasy, which makes this famous fighting series a prime candidate to watch someone else play.

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Not only could the blood and gore be a bit much experiencing it yourself, but watching others play Mortal Kombat can also help you learn new combos and strategies. While there is a general nuance to the game, you can learn specific tips and tricks for certain characters by watching tutorials or streams of other players.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate

super smash bros eight player fight on hyrule.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Platform(s)
Switch
Released
December 7, 2018
Genre(s)
Fighting

Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the pinnacle game of the series. It features over 80 characters from across the series, making it one of the largest rosters in the fighting genre.

It's always difficult learning new fighting characters, so being able to watch others demonstrate combos and techniques can be extremely helpful. Unfortunately, Nintendo elected to not have Super Smash Bros Ultimate featured at the prestigious EVO fighting tournament in 2022.

Dead By Daylight

Ghostbusters Spirits Unleashed Dead By Daylight Trapper
Dead by Daylight

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia , Switch , Mobile
Released
June 14, 2016
Developer(s)
Behaviour Interactive
Genre(s)
Horror , Survival

Whether it’s spooky season or not, Dead By Daylight is an adrenaline-inducing multiplayer experience that’ll leave you, possibly, quivering in fear. One player assumes the role of a bloodthirsty killer, while the other four players must survive by repairing various generators scattered around the map.

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There are a total of 28 different killers in the game, each with its own unique set of powers and abilities. Watching others play the game is a great way to see how each killer performs in the game, but also, it’s a blast to watch people get terrified and scream to death.

Rust

Main character fighting off other player while aiming a bow and arrow in Rust.
Rust

Platform(s)
macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
February 8, 2018
Developer(s)
Facepunch Studios
Genre(s)
Survival

Developed by Facepunch Studios, Rust fully launched in 2018 following a five-year stint in early access. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Rust is a tactical survivor game that you can play alone or with other people. You must wander the map and search for any materials that you can use to build shelter, craft armor, or use as weapons.

The most common way to stay safe in Rust is by building bases. Constructing bases can be as simple as a four-by-four hut or as elaborate as a massive fortress. It’s recommended to watch streamers play Rust to get tips on where certain items can be found and how to get the upper hand on other players.

World Of Warcraft

Dragonflight World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft

Platform(s)
PC
Released
November 23, 2004
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Genre(s)
MMORPG

World of Warcraft drastically impacted how gamers and developers viewed massive multiplayer online role-playing games. Filled with a multitude of dungeons and different terrains to explore, World of Warcraft takes you on magical adventures across beautiful environments as you work with other warlocks, paladins, and healers to find treasures and defeat high-powered enemies.

Since 2004, World of Warcraft has remained a staple in the multiplayer genre. Blizzard's MMORPG has over ten million active players and the game continues to receive new content. Currently, World of Warcraft is among the top-watched games on Twitch.

Rocket League

Rocket League Nike FC Cup
Rocket League

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One , macOS , Linux , Switch
Released
July 7, 2015
Developer(s)
Psyonix
Genre(s)
Sports

Since 2015, Rocket League has carved out a nice piece of gamers in its highly competitive unique matches. Players control vehicles in a large soccer-like field trying to score opposing goals. You might think it sounds easy, but there’s a great level of strategy and concentration that goes into having success.

Watching other players can help you develop new tactics to use on your own, as well as see all sorts of interesting car designs. The Rocket League Championship Series is also one of the most watched tournaments in Esports.