What’s Halloween without a little spooky fun to get the hair on the back of your neck standing on end? Forget bobbing for apples—I’m talking about games that will have you and your friends jumping, plotting, or nervously sweating by candlelight. Whether you’re a fan of board games, video games, or those old-school Victorian parlor games, this list will satisfy your spooky cravings as the season of shadows rolls in.

Let’s dive into the history and evolution of spooky games—from eerie 19th-century living rooms to pixelated nightmares on your screen.

The First Halloween Games: A History of Spooky Fun

Halloween games weren’t always about high scores or strategic dice rolls. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, party games took on a supernatural twist as people celebrated the spooky season. Most Halloween traditions trace their roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where rituals to ward off spirits often mixed with lighthearted games.

Apple Bobbing, for example, was one of the original party games associated with fortune-telling. People believed that whoever successfully bit into an apple first would be the next to marry. Though it seems harmless now, it’s not a far cry from a modern mini-game where luck meets a water hazard (at least no one’s taking fireball damage… yet).

As the Victorian obsession with the occult swept across Europe and America, Halloween games evolved into something darker and more spiritual. Séances, spirit boards (enter the Ouija board), and spooky parlor games took the spotlight. People gathered to summon spirits and test the boundaries between the living and the dead—though, ironically, they also probably invented the first “jump scares” when someone accidentally knocked over a candle.

Let’s jump in and explore games—both classic and modern—that can make this Halloween one to remember.

Victorian Parlor Games: Séances, Spirits, and Superstitions

In the 19th century, the Victorians had a fascination with the occult. Halloween parties became the perfect occasion to dabble in fortune-telling, spirit summoning, and other eerie parlor games. These activities combined equal parts fun and fear—perfect for the spooky season.

1. Apple Bobbing

One of the oldest Halloween games, this simple yet nerve-wracking activity asks players to retrieve apples from a tub of water using only their mouths. In Victorian times, it was believed that the first to bite into an apple would be the next to marry, adding a layer of fortune-telling to the mix.

2. Snap-Dragon

An ancient game that involves snatching raisins out of a bowl of flaming brandy. The goal is to grab and eat as many raisins as possible without burning yourself (it’s like a Victorian version of hard-mode juggling).

3. Murder in the Dark

A more straightforward game, Murder in the Dark is perfect for dimly lit Halloween parties. One player is secretly assigned the role of “murderer,” and everyone else has to figure out who it is before they’re picked off one by one. Think of it as the Among Us of the Victorian era.

4. Ouija Board

The Ouija board, patented in 1891, was a product of the Victorian craze for communicating with spirits. Though now often marketed as a board game, its origins lie in the parlor rooms of those desperate to reach loved ones on the other side.

5. The Minister’s Cat

A Victorian word game where players must describe the minister’s cat with adjectives in alphabetical order (e.g., “The minister’s cat is an anxious cat,” “The minister’s cat is a bold cat,” etc.). While not terrifying, the game gets tricky after a few rounds and can lead to a lot of laughs—or ghostly groans when you mess up.

6. Fortune Telling

Victorian fortune-telling games could get downright spooky. From mirror gazing to see your future spouse’s face to peeling an apple in one long spiral to reveal the initials of your true love, these games were steeped in superstition.

Board Games: Unleashing Horror on Your Tabletop

Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or new to the genre, spooky board games are a perfect way to gather friends and sink into the Halloween spirit. These are some fun games you should check out if you like tabletops.

1. Betrayal at House on the Hill

A fan-favorite, this board game starts off as a cooperative exploration of a haunted mansion, but halfway through, one player becomes a traitor with an evil agenda. With randomized events and 50 unique haunt scenarios, you’ll never play the same game twice. Perfect for Halloween night.

2. Horrified: Universal Monsters

In this cooperative game, players must team up to defeat iconic monsters like Dracula, the Wolfman, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. It’s a love letter to classic horror films, with an accessible playstyle that’s as fun as it is tense.

3. Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

Step into H.P. Lovecraft’s world of cosmic terror as you and your friends investigate strange occurrences in the fictional town of Arkham. With powerful Old Gods threatening to break through to our reality, your team must race against time to solve mysteries and stop the apocalypse.

4. Mansions of Madness

For those who enjoy app-driven board games, Mansions of Madness offers an immersive horror experience. Set in the Cthulhu Mythos, players solve puzzles, battle monsters, and uncover dark secrets in a mansion haunted by the eldritch unknown. The app adds atmospheric sounds, keeping things creepy.

5. Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

In a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world, this semi-cooperative game tasks players with surviving the harsh winter. However, hidden agendas (or betrayals) may arise, forcing you to question whether you can truly trust your fellow survivors.

6. Nemesis

Imagine Alien in board game form. You and your crew wake up from hypersleep aboard a spaceship, but something’s gone horribly wrong. There are hostile alien creatures lurking in the corridors, and you must escape or defeat them before it’s too late.

7. One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Fast-paced and full of accusations, this game of social deduction places players in a village under siege by werewolves. The catch? The werewolves are disguised as villagers, and each round offers a chance to hunt them down (or falsely accuse your friends).

8. Fury of Dracula (4th Edition)

One player takes on the role of Dracula, while the others become vampire hunters in pursuit. This game of cat and mouse across Europe delivers a thrilling mix of deduction and strategy as you try to stop the bloodsucker before he grows too powerful.

Horror Video Games: The Digital Nightmares Await

If you’re looking for something that will have you double-checking your windows at night, these horror video games deliver on spine-chilling atmospheres and edge-of-your-seat moments. From survival horror to psychological thrillers, here’s a curated mix of titles both classic and modern:

1. Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Widely regarded as one of the most terrifying video games of all time, Amnesia throws players into a crumbling castle where they must avoid grotesque monsters, solve puzzles, and uncover dark secrets—all while trying to hold onto their sanity.

2. Phasmophobia

This multiplayer ghost-hunting game lets you and up to three friends investigate haunted locations. Using tools like EMF readers and spirit boxes, you must identify the ghost type without becoming its next victim. It’s a spooky, co-op experience with jump scares that’ll get everyone screaming.

3. The Evil Within 2

In this survival horror game, you play a detective trapped in a horrifying alternate reality filled with grotesque creatures and mind-bending twists. It combines psychological horror with fast-paced action, and it’s perfect for anyone craving a blood-pumping experience.

4. Darkwood

A top-down survival horror game with a unique twist: Darkwood doesn’t hold your hand. You must explore, scavenge, and survive in a world where light is your only ally. The eerie atmosphere and disturbing story will leave you unnerved long after you’ve turned it off.

5. The Last of Us

This game combines intense action with a deeply emotional story set in a post-apocalyptic world. While not a traditional horror game, its atmospheric tension, clickers, and moral dilemmas create an unnerving experience that’s perfect for Halloween.

6. Hugo’s House of Horrors

A throwback to the early days of PC gaming, this quirky point-and-click adventure has players explore a spooky mansion filled with strange creatures. While not terrifying by today’s standards, it’s a nostalgic nod to old-school horror gaming that paved the way for modern titles.

7. Outlast

Armed only with a camcorder, players must navigate a nightmarish asylum filled with deranged inmates. The lack of combat options forces you to rely on stealth, which cranks up the tension and dread as you inch your way through the game’s dark corridors.

8. Resident Evil 2 (Remake)

A survival horror masterpiece, the Resident Evil 2 remake brings the horror classic to a new generation. With its heart-pounding action and eerie atmosphere, it’s a perfect choice for those seeking a mix of nostalgia and terror.

Nerdy Twists on Classic Halloween Games

For those looking to add a modern or nerdy twist to classic Halloween activities, there are plenty of ways to update old traditions for today’s audience. For instance:

• Apple Bobbing: Turn it into a role-playing challenge! Each apple has a hidden number on it that corresponds to a special challenge or reward (think D&D-style modifiers for your character).
• Murder in the Dark: Pair it with cosplay or LARPing. Each player takes on the role of a character from a favorite game or movie, and the murder mystery unfolds within that universe.

Enhancing the Spooky Experience

Want to crank up the spooky vibes? It’s all about setting the right atmosphere. Here are a few tips to bring these games to life:

• Lighting: Dim those lights! Candles, string lights, or lanterns can cast eerie shadows that instantly up the creepy factor. I’ve seen those Harry Potter floating candles too – they are so cool!
• Soundtrack: Throw on a spooky playlist. Soundtracks from Silent Hill, Resident Evil, or even The Haunting of Hill House score are fun. You can find them on Spotify.
• Props: Don’t forget themed snacks, creepy decor, and costumes to immerse players into the world of each game.

There you have it, a mix of spooky games to suit any Halloween gathering—whether you’re exploring haunted houses on your tabletop, navigating darkened hallways in pixelated nightmares, or summoning spirits Victorian-style. Play at your own risk- just don’t blame me if you start hearing footsteps behind you when no one’s there…