These are the games, that for one reason or another, are perfectly suited to dorm room gaming. *Note: Although I realize that Dorm Rooms are a typically American institution, they also work well in frat houses, rec rooms, the cool parents' basement, your first apartment with your friends, or wherever else groups of players gather to game.
I picked the franchise here, but the gold standard is the N64 version.
Although this game doesn't have online multiplayer, it does work very well over LAN networks. Simply plug XBOXs into the wall at college, and poof, amazing multiplayer experiences abound.
Again, I picked the franchise, but again, I personally feel either N64 or Gamecube are the best. The simplicity of the N64 version is great for whomever drops in and wants to play, however once your core group plays enough, you will start to need 100 house rules to make the game fun. The Gamecube version fixes a lot of these issues, but also adds layers of complexity that turn new players off.
The current Madden version is a must have. Getting 8 guys (and any gals!) together for a custom league is a great experience, and pretty soon trades are being made for beer. Pro Tip: Hold a fantasy draft.
In my opinion, one of the greatest dorm games ever. NHL games strip away most of the complexities, allowing almost anyone to jump in and play. Also, all 4 players are almost always near the action. Furthermore, the more recent games addition of international teams means you can always find a balanced matchup if there is a skill difference between players. Also, shootouts.
A close contender with the NHL series, soccer games are insanely fun to play with other people. The real problem is getting other people interested enough in the game to actually try it.
An underdog contender for best party game ever. Seriously, this game is amazing when played with friends. Well balanced but with enough timing based skill moves to make practice worth it, it takes all that is good about soccer, hockey, and smash bros, and boils it down to one great game. Also, the character animations after scoring are so ridiculous, even the most heated matches turn into laugh fests with a few beverages.
A surprising entry, this game plays very, very well in a dorm setting. First of all, the character creator means everyone can exist in the game, and start from scratch. Second, you can play with four players in pass the controller modes. Third, the controls are easy enough, and have enough caddy hints, that golf newbies can hang with regular players. Fourth, modes like battle golf are pure genius. Fifth, even if no one else is around, you can play single player to level up your character, and then blow your friends away. Sixth, there are so many excellent golf drinking games, and they are even better when the toilet is five steps in one direction, and the pizza rolls five steps in the other. PRO TIP: When creating characters, the person who is being made has no input, instead his or her friends try to best recreate them.
This is a surprisingly good multiplayer game. There is a slight learning curve, but it becomes incredibly deep the more you play. Character selection, shot selection, even court positioning become serious choices. Best of all, 4 player tennis means 2v2, increasing the drama.
Same as Rock Band, although with my group of friends Guitar Hero was always the preference due to slightly easier timing windows with tougher note highways... but obviously any game that anyone can pick up play is great fun for parties.
This probably doesn't even need to be said, but with the easy pick up and play mechanics, the jump in/jump out player options, and the healthy DLC support, this game is an obvious party game.
A mixed bag here, but I included this franchise because of the fact that in my experience females who won't play Smash Bros, Goldeneye, or even Mario Kart will ALWAYS play Mario Party. Dorm room gaming is always better when it includes ladies.
The first Wii sports provides some great group entertainment and is excellent for casual players to pick up and play. I specifically don't include Wii Sports Resort because the added hassle of the Wii Motion Plus is just one extra layer not needed. Same with Kinect games...
The older the better. An amazing game for local multiplayer games.
In my opinion, the best competitive puzzle game. I understand that Tetris has been updated a hundred times over, I know some people swear by Bubble Bobble, and I also am aware that Puzzle Fighter has more depth, but for my money, nothing combines playability and competitiveness like Dr. Robotnick.
Almost a joke entry, but then again, since it comes pre-loaded on 360s... and launches off the hard drive... its always available. Myself and my roommates would be sitting around chewing the fat, and next thing you know all three of us would be playing Hexic at the same time while chatting.
Although you almost never get to play this game like it was intended, it is phenomenal with more than one person...
Although more recent version have better online options, this originally was played locally. And as it is designed for multiplayer gaming, it works. Also, there are really fun ways to make it better with a few friends, including Ninja Rope games, Holy Hand Grenade Only games, and suicide games.
This is a contender but not necessarily a winner. While playing dance pad games with your friends is fun, unfortunately DDR is hampered by odd music and some counter intuitive design choices. If you have the right group of people, it works, but only just.
The arcade controls, the easy come easy go structure of the single player, and the crash mode actually make this an entertaining dorm room game. It doesn't have the staying power of a lot of the other entries, but it makes a nice weekend or two of local play.
Seriously, someday try getting a few friends together and playing co-op. With the right adult snacks and drinks, it can be very enjoyable.
