Which Is the Best Game for Casual Esports Competitions?
Esports has become so unbelievably competitive that it’s seen almost in the same light as traditional professional sports today. The evidence? The fact that multiple sportsbooks, paired with $100 No Deposit Bonus 200 Free Spins Real Money, on their casino counterparts provide the opportunity to wager on esports competitions. What else? The massive million-dollar prize pools and the sheer range of local tournaments and global championships.
These events typically spotlight some of the best gaming talent in the world—those who have effectively mastered everything from reaction time to game strategy and mechanics—all for the thrill and now for the grand prize. But if you feel like you aren’t on that level just yet, can you still participate in casual esports competitions? Or even create your own home competition with your own stakes (perhaps where the loser has to do the dishes)?
Luckily, millions of games exist that make for some great friendly competition. These are a few of our favorites.
Among Us
Who are the Impostors? And who are the Crewmates? If you aren’t overly confident in winning a game on your own, the team-based format of Among Us might be just what you’re looking for. The game’s premise is that each player is assigned a role, either as an Imposter or Crewmate. Crewmates are responsible for completing tasks and spotting Imposters, while Imposters have to kill Crewmates while staying undetected. While the game was released in 2018, it went mainstream in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to streaming and because it was a socially distanced way for everyone to connect and have fun.
Why it’s a great casual esports game:
Certain games can command a certain level of experience and expertise, but not Among Us. Among Us has an incredibly low barrier to entry and doesn’t just hinge on gameplay alone. It harnesses game factors from traditional board games like social deduction and communication, and each match only lasts 10 to 20 minutes. These elements make it perfect for casual play.
Splatoon 3
Splatoon is considered a shooter, but it’s not the typical war-based shooter you might expect. With its colorful cartoon art style, players can take on the role of an Inkling or Octoling and engage in a multiplayer battle. That’s right—no bullets or inherent violence, which is great for a family-friendly match or a different spin on the genre. The primary mode, the Turf War, splits players into two teams of four. The goal? Use weapons like brushers, ink guns, and rollers to spray ink and cover as much of the arena as possible in your colored ink, as well as eliminate opponents. There are also other competitive battles that require lots of teamwork and strategy to win.
Why it’s a great casual esports game:
It caters to both casual players and competitive folks sans the steep learning curve associated with shooting games. As you don’t have to practice your aim and learn all the mechanics before diving in, Splatoon 3 is more about the general fun, team-based play with a lighthearted atmosphere.
Fall Guys
Continuing on with the vibrant and colorful theme, Fall Guys is another multiplayer game, but one in the party royale niche. Since it’s a “party” game, it’s naturally a perfect fit for casual competition. Up to 32 players play against each other in a series of mini-games and are eliminated as the rounds go on. Players control customized bean-like characters and have to jump, push, dodge, balance, and dive on obstacle courses, score points, or survive until time runs out. Because there are so many types of challenges randomly chosen in a match, players stay engaged and on their toes. Like many of the games on this list, Fall Guys keeps the game atmosphere lighthearted, removing the seriousness that can come with the esports world.
Why it’s a great casual esports game:
Fall Guys provides variety, unpredictability, and both team-based and solo challenges. It’s a chaotic, fun title that features fast-paced, accessible gameplay that anyone can get involved in.
Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart 8 takes the thrill and competition of racing and packages it within the beloved Mario brand for an exciting experience. With intuitive motion controls, it’s easy to learn how to control your vehicle, make use of power-ups, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind, wacky racetracks. The game allows for plenty of competition formats, such as single-player time trials, multiplayer game modes, Grand Prix racing, and Mirror Mode to up the difficulty. Rather than keep it strictly about the racing, there are so many ways to change up the game and double-cross other participants, which means an infinitely interesting match every time.
Why it’s a great casual esports game:
Mario Kart 8 is considered one of the best-selling video games ever to exist. That means there’s already a massive fan base and a multitude of households that already have a Nintendo Switch that came with the game. There are many ways you can set up a tournament at home or online that will make for a successful competition.
Honorable Mention: Pac-Man
While Pac-Man isn’t exactly a modern title, it’s the most popular maze video game in existence. And there are barely any rules and functions to understand, either. All you have to do is clear out all the dots in each maze while avoiding the ghosts and eating the fruits and power pellets in order to earn extra points. This classic arcade game will have you racking up the points and leveling up until you lose all three lives. It’s not a multiplayer game, but you can take turns to see who gets the furthest in the game and the highest score.
