A free Jackbox alternative: party games in the browser
Jackbox Party Packs showed a lot of people how good game night with phones as controllers can be. If you want something in the same spirit that is free to join and needs nothing installed, Happy Light Arcade is built for that: one screen, everyone plays on their phone.
Open the arcadeFree to join, no app
What is similar
- One shared screen (TV or laptop) and a phone for every player, joined with a short room code.
- Made for being in the same room with friends and family.
- Quick to explain: players need nothing but a phone with a browser.
What is different
- Arcade runs in the browser. You open arcade.happylight.io on the TV or laptop; nothing to buy, download or install on the host screen.
- Joining is free and needs no account. The screen that hosts a room can ask for a one-time beta pass (you sign in once) while the beta pass is switched on; players who join never need one.
- Controllers are more than phones: a keyboard or a USB or Bluetooth game controller can sit beside phones in the same game, in most games.
- The catalogue leans toward arcade, sports, couch co-op, card and camera games (48 of them) rather than drawing and bluffing games. Jackbox is known for that style and does it well; if that is what your group wants most, it may be the better pick.
Side by side
| Happy Light Arcade | Jackbox Party Packs | |
|---|---|---|
| Price to play | Free to join; 48 games | Sold as paid packs by Jackbox Games (see their site for prices) |
| On the host screen | A browser, nothing to install | The game is installed on a PC, console or streaming device |
| Players use | A phone browser, or a keyboard or game controller | A phone browser with a room code |
| Account for players | None | None that we know of; check their site |
| Mostly | Arcade, sports, co-op, card and camera games | Drawing, trivia, word and bluffing games |
About Jackbox: this is based on what the service says publicly when we wrote it, and it can change, so check their site. We are not affiliated with Jackbox and we think it is a good product; the aim is to help you pick what suits your group.
A few games to start with
Paddle PowersKeep the ball off your edge: two face off across the court, three to six stand round a…1–6 players
Snake ArenaUp to twelve snakes, one grid, no manners.1–12 players
PestenThe Dutch card classic.2–12 players
Happy WipeA party obstacle show for little ghosts, in splitscreen.1–4 players
Kick OffOne-on-one football.1–2 players
Chop Chop SoupA camera game: vegetables fly up in front of you.1–4 players
Questions
Is Happy Light Arcade really free?
Joining a room and playing is free, with no account and no payment. The screen that hosts a room can ask for a one-time beta pass (you sign in once) while the beta pass is switched on; that never applies to the people joining.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The screen opens arcade.happylight.io in a browser and each phone opens the same address and types the four-letter room code, or scans the QR code.
Are these the same games as Jackbox?
No, and we do not copy them. The games are our own and lean more toward arcade, sports, couch co-op, card and camera games.
How many people can play?
It depends on the game. Many take solo play, a lot take two to four, and the biggest rooms have up to 12 players. Each game page shows its count.
Can we play with friends in other houses?
Mostly the games are made for one shared screen in the same room. Tactical Rush and Spooky Wipe also have online play, and arcade rooms can be joined online with a code.