I’m going to introduce games that can be played using only conversation, without any props.
There are times—like during school breaks or in the car—when you want to play but don’t have any tools or can’t move around freely, right?
In those moments, wouldn’t it be nice to have games you can play just by talking?
In this article, we’ve gathered popular conversation-based games you can enjoy simply by talking, singing, or answering prompts!
Use them when you want to have fun with friends, teammates, or your partner, or when you need to kill time while waiting—whenever you’re in a pinch.
- Fun two-player games recommended that you can play using conversation only
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- Perfect for killing time! A roundup of games for three people to enjoy
- Recommended games and activities for five people
- Games you can play in the car! Fun activities to liven up drives and traffic jams
- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- [For 2 Players] Easy Pen-and-Paper Time-Killing Game
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- Perfect for killing time! Fun games you can easily play on LINE
- Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
- Recommended games for two people that you can enjoy without any equipment
- [Rec] Interesting! A roundup of wordplay games
- Brain-teasing game roundup
Classic and popular! Party games that get exciting with just conversation (1–10)
Yamanote Line game
Without any props, the Yamanote Line game—a lively back-and-forth of words—is guaranteed to pull you in.
In this game, players say words that match a given theme in time with a rhythm, putting their ideas and improvisation to the test.
With fewer players, your turn comes around quickly, which heightens the tension and makes reflexes and creativity even more important.
It also sparks conversation with those around you, so you might discover something new or see a surprising side of someone.
Give the Yamanote Line game a try in small spaces like on the train or while waiting—you’re sure to share plenty of laughs.
Magical Banana
It’s an association game that starts with the call “Magical Banana.” You say something associated with a banana, then connect it to another word associated with that answer, and so on.
The appeal is that you don’t need any preparation or tools, and anyone can enjoy it easily anywhere.
It also serves as fun brain training because it tests your speed of thought and associative skills.
The unpredictable twists often make everyone smile, making it great for deepening communication.
It’s the perfect way to pass the time in small moments—like while waiting with friends or during a car ride.
Restricted Shiritori
Restricted Shiritori adds unique rules to the usual shiritori game, making it more fun and sharpening your thinking skills.
For example, you can play by linking only words with a specific number of characters, limiting answers to foods or animal names, or adding a tense twist where you must respond within a set time.
It’s a quick, casual game that’s perfect for breaks or while on the go.
As you deepen bonds with friends or coworkers, you’ll also enrich your vocabulary.
You can even play over video calls, so it’s great with people who are far away.
Why not use Restricted Shiritori to liven up all kinds of situations?
Grandma Telephone Game
The telephone game is where you try to pass a message from one person to the next and keep it correct all the way to the last person.
We’ll raise the difficulty by adding a new rule: deliver the message as if you’re a grandmother whose dentures have slipped out, making it hard to speak.
The idea is to tuck your teeth behind your upper and lower lips and slowly pass the message to the next person.
In this state, identify which words are difficult to pronounce and work together to tackle harder prompts.
You’ll burst out laughing at how tricky the pronunciation gets, but if someone shows their teeth, they’re out—it’s recommended to give that person some kind of penalty.
I love you game
It’s a simple game where you take turns saying “I love you,” and the first person to get embarrassed or laugh loses.
As long as you’re close enough to look each other in the eye and exchange words, it’s easy to play.
Precisely because it’s not something you’d say in casual conversation with friends, it’s fun to see how the other person delivers the words.
The quicker you finish the match, the less damage you take from your own lines, so aim to defeat your opponent by using your expressions and tone of voice to full effect.
It also seems like a game with lots of possible variations—for instance, spectators could come up with the prompt words.
Mozzarella Cheese Game
It’s a simple game where you just pronounce the word “mozzarella cheese” with higher energy than the person before you.
The key is deciding which direction to take that energy in, which really tests everyone’s acting and expressive skills.
Since it’s fun to gradually ramp up the excitement, it’s best to start with a low-energy delivery.
Keep the rally going while paying attention to continuity, and carefully observe what each person considers a high-energy performance.
Ogiri (Japanese improv-style comedy wordplay game)
Oogiri is a game that celebrates spontaneous inspiration and the power of words.
It’s loved by people of all ages for its clever answers and unexpected ideas that shine.
Another charm is how easy it is to start.
It also works as a brain workout, so you might be able to stimulate your mind while playing.
You can enjoy it without meeting in person—over the phone or on video calls, too.
If you want to ease the tension with someone you’d like to get closer to, why not try adding a humor-infused game like this?