2023 was pretty bad for a lot of people. There was that thing. And that other thing. Oh and don’t forget that thing. Awful. But there were a few good things too. Like, when that thing…Well I can’t think of any now. But I’m sure there were a few good things that happened. Oh wait I know. Video games were great last year! There were so many good games that came out that made people happy. So there you go. Instead of focusing on all the negative stuff, I wanted to share some of the video games that I think are the funniest I’ve ever played. These games made me chuckle, laugh out loud, smirk, and even in some cases, guffaw. These aren’t just 2023 funny games. It’s whenever-they-came-out games. So start 2024 off with some laughs, in no particular order.
High On Life: Say what you want about Rick & Morty and Justin Roiland (it’s already been said anyway) but they know how to do funny. Within minutes of starting up this game, if you’re not already laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of what’s going on and the actual script, then funny isn’t for you. This game doesn’t let up either. While gameplay-wise and everything it’s nothing groundbreaking, it really shines in the dialogue and characters. It’s completely insane and funny nonstop. You can even watch the entirety of 1994 cult-classic “Tammy & The T-Rex” in the game for some reason.
West of Loathing: At first glance, this game looks like a child made it. You’re basically a stick figure person in a stick figure RPG world. However, this game has probably the funniest dialogue I’ve ever experienced in a video game. Almost every line is funny and quirky and silly. And reaching your hand into a bucket of slop is the highlight of this game. It keeps getting funnier every time.
Sam & Max series: Sam & Max, a cop dog and a cop rabbit, solving crimes, causing mayhem. It’s a beautifully well done point-and-click adventure game when the genre was in its peak. There are so many wonderfully funny point-and-click games out there and Sam & Max was always my go-to (Plus they’re still kinda making them. You don’t need an old PC just to play it anymore). Sam is a Humphrey Bogart-type crime dog trying to do the thing thing but his partner, Max, a total sociopath bunny keeps getting in the way. Hijinks ensue the whole game.
South Park: Stick of Truth/Fractured But Whole: South Park is still going strong after what seems like 50 years. It’s consistently been one of the funniest adult cartoons of all time and their last two video games did not disappoint at all. The parody, satire, and all around writing of these two games are at an all time high and are such a joy to play. You’re basically playing a 10-15 hour long episode of the television show with almost every character that has ever appeared. The RPG mechanics are also surprisingly deep making it also a great game to play too.
LEGO City Undercover: I was unaware of how funny these games were, and really this whole universe, until I played this on my Wii U. It’s so silly and funny and should not be dismissed just because it’s a LEGO game. This entry is basically if Grand Theft Auto was turned into a comedy. There’s so many characters, so many quests, and lots of parody and one-liners that will make you enjoy every second of this.
Trover Saves The Universe: Another “Rick & Morty” game. Look, they know funny. Trover is one of the craziest games I’ve played but also one of the funniest. There are non-stop lines in here that will make you crack up, outlandish characters that will fascinate you, and and overall funny story and great game here too.
Trover Saves The Universe trailer
Accounting+: OK, let’s just get another “Rick & Morty” game out of the way. I don’t even know how to explain Accounting+ but I do know that I laughed every 10 seconds while playing it. It’s just kinda funny when a little weird alien dude is cursing his head off at you and it’s still only the tutorial. It’s a totally batshit crazy game. I played this on my PS VR making it an even more crazy experience. But this is one of those “you have to just try it to get it” type of games.
Portal 2: Aside from being one of the most brilliant games ever made, Portal 2 is hilarious. The dialogue between you the player and GLaDOS and Wheatley is so well done and so expertly written that you forget sometimes you’re not watching a really weird sci-fi show. While difficult and a superbly done puzzle game, Portal 2 is top notch and a must play for everyone.
Space Quest/Monkey Island series: I’m combining these two because they’re both beloved and amazingly funny point-and-click games of all (Although Monkey Island has recently made a return - Hooray!) In Space Quest, you control Roger Wilco going on weird tasks and meeting random aliens and fun characters. It’s such a delight and will have you smiling the entire time (in between getting frustrated in figuring out what to do next). Monkey Island’s nonstop joke after joke after joke dialogue really should be studied more. It’s hilarious all the time, heartfelt a few times, and just pure entertaining. These point-and-click games had such an advantage in being funny because you can literally click on anything, like a random sock, and there’s an opportunity for something funny to be said.
The GTA radio stations: Driving around Liberty City, San Andreas, or Vice City and listening to the radio is what I did for hours sometimes in that game. I loved the old school hip hop station but when I wasn’t listening to that, the news and talk shows on that radio were absolutely hilarious. Completely over the top and in your face, they always made you forget about your current mission because you’d just want to hear what they said next.
Ratchet & Clank: All of these games are masterfully done and so fun to play. The latest entry for PS5 gets the nod here because of how hilarious some of these weapons are (Sheepinator anyone?) Also, the quick intro video you get to watch anytime you unlock a new gun are some of the most unexpectedly funniest in-game tutorials I’ve ever seen. The enemy dialogue is funny, Mr. Zurkon is always hilarious, and the game in general is amazing.
So there you go. Games don’t always have to just be about pew pew pew and killing things. I love a good, funny game that doesn’t take itself too serious. There’s way more I didn’t put on this list but let me know some of your favorite funny games.