The best game room games for any home are darts, pool, air hockey, foosball, and multi-game tables. Easy to set up. Built for the nights that run long and end loud. And every one of them works in a garage, a basement, or any spare corner you can give it.
Summer is when they earn their keep. When the afternoon heat turns the backyard into a sauna, the party moves inside — and a good game room is what keeps the night going.
So here are the five best game room games to build your setup around, plus a bonus for poker night.
Jump to: Darts · Pool · Air Hockey · Foosball · Multi-Game Tables · Bonus: Poker Night · FAQ
1. Darts
Darts is one of those games that sounds simple until you're standing at the line trying to close out a Cricket match with the game on the line.
It's easy to learn. Hard to master. And endlessly replayable.
You can set it up in a garage, a basement, or on any spare wall in your game room. Once the board is up, it stays up. And it gets used.
There are plenty of dart games to choose from: 501, Cricket, Around the Clock, and Killer. So the format never gets stale. Two players or eight, there's always a way to play.
The best part? You don't need to be good to have fun. But the better you get, the more fun it becomes.
If you're just starting out, the Viper League Pro Sisal Dartboard Starter Kit is the easiest way to get going. It comes with a regulation sisal dartboard, a laser throw line, a chalk scoreboard, a foam wall defender, and a set of steel tip darts. Everything in one box. No extra shopping required.
Shop the Viper League Pro Starter Kit
If you've been playing a while, it's time to upgrade your darts. The Viper Shot King 80% Tungsten Steel Tip Dart Set is tournament-ready.
The 80% tungsten barrels are slimmer than brass, which means tighter groupings and better scores. Comes with a carbon fiber shaft, spare flights, flight protectors, a dart wrench, and a Nomad case. Backed by Viper's lifetime barrel guarantee.
Shop the Viper Shot King Dart Set
If you already have a setup at home and just need to restock, browse the full range of dart products at GLD Products — dartboards and cabinets, dart sets, flights, shafts, tips, cases, and more. Everything you need to keep your game going.
2. Pool/Billiards
Pool has a way of turning a regular night into a long one.
One game becomes a rematch. A rematch becomes a tournament. Next thing you know, it's 1 a.m., and someone's still calling a grudge match.
It's one of the few games where beginners and experienced players can compete together without it being boring for either side. The table levels the field just enough.
The other thing going for pool is that you don't need a dedicated game room. A folding pool table fits in spaces where a full-size table won't. Set it up when you need it. Fold it away when you don't need it.
If you're just starting out, the Fat Cat Trueshot 6' Folding Billiard Table is the right call for most homes.
The legs fold flat for easy storage, built-in levelers keep it steady on any surface, and it comes with everything you need: two 57" cues, billiard balls, a triangle, and a table brush. Setup takes minutes.
If you want a permanent setup, the Fat Cat Tucson 7' Pool Table steps it up. Full regulation size, green playing surface, and built for serious play. This is the table that stays in the room.
It comes in four colors of playing surface. Blue, red, gray, and green. Blue is the best seller.
Shop Fat Cat Tucson 7' Pool Tables
Looking for more options? Browse our folding and portable pool tables, or shop pool cues to complete your setup.
3. Air Hockey
Air hockey is the loudest game on this list. In the best way.
Matches are fast. Points happen in seconds. The puck is always moving. There's no waiting for your turn or keeping score in your head. Just two people going at it until someone wins.
It's also one of the easiest games to run at a party. Matches end quickly, everyone wants a turn, and the table draws a crowd on its own.
If you want a compact setup, the Mainstreet Classics Table Top Air Hockey is a great starting point.
It sits on any flat surface, so no dedicated space is required. Powered motor, smooth airflow, and easy to store when not in use.
Shop the Mainstreet Classics Table Top Air Hockey
If you want to go all out, the Fat Cat Volt LED Light-Up Air Hockey Table is the one.
The LED-illuminated playfield lights up as you play, the music system reacts when someone scores, and the motor pushes a powerful cushion of air for fast, smooth puck flight across the full surface.
It's the kind of table that people walk into a room and immediately want to play.
Shop the Fat Cat Volt LED Air Hockey Table
Browse all air hockey tables to find the right size for your space.
4. Foosball
Foosball is the most instantly social game on this list.
You don't need to explain it. You don't need to teach anyone the rules. People walk up, grab a rod, and figure it out in about thirty seconds.
It's loud, fast, and genuinely funny to watch. Goals spark arguments. Bad shots get mocked. It's exactly the kind of game that makes people actually talk to each other.
And unlike pool or air hockey, foosball is a team game. Two on two. Which means double the trash talk.
If you're looking for an affordable entry point, the Mainstreet Classics Sinister Table Top Foosball Table gets the job done.
It is compact, easy to set up, and fits in spaces where a full-size table won't. Great for families and smaller rooms.
Shop the Mainstreet Classics Sinister Table Top Foosball Table
If you want a table built for serious play, the Fat Cat Tirade MMXI Foosball Table is the upgrade worth making.
The rails are 1" thick for long-term durability. Curved walls near the goal keep the ball in play, so the fun doesn't stop. Quick-snap rods make setup fast. The deep mahogany finish looks sharp in any game room.
Shop the Fat Cat Tirade MMXI Foosball Table
See the full lineup of foosball tables.
5. Multi-Game Table
Can't pick just one game? You don't have to.
A multi-game table gives you two or three games in the footprint of one. Pool, air hockey, and table tennis, all in a single unit. It's the most practical setup for a home game room because it covers everyone.
Kids want to play ping pong. Adults want pool. Someone always wants air hockey. A multi-game table settles the argument before it starts.
The trade-off used to be quality. Early multi-game tables played poorly across the board. That's changed.
The better ones today are purpose-built for each game surface, not just a cheap combo.
If you have a smaller space, the Fat Cat 3-in-1 6' Flip Table is the smart pick.
Pool, air hockey, and table tennis in a compact 6' footprint. The tri-fold latch system switches between games fast.
When the night is over, it stores upright against a wall. Everything is included: pool cues, billiard balls, hockey pucks and pushers, table tennis paddles, and a net set.
Shop the Fat Cat 3-in-1 6' Flip Table.
If you have the space and want the full experience, go with the Fat Cat 3-in-1 7' Pockey Multi-Game Table.
Full regulation size across all three games. The 80 CFM-powered motor on the air hockey side keeps the puck flying fast.
Real rubber bumpers and heavy-duty cloth on the pool side. Same complete accessory set included.
Shop the Fat Cat 7' Pockey Multi-Game Table
The 7' Pockey comes in blue, red, green, tan, and grey felt. Compare sizes and game combinations across all our multi-game tables.
Bonus: Poker Night
Not every great game room night needs a table that takes up half the room. Sometimes all it takes is a deck, a stack of chips, and a few friends who are sure they can bluff.
Poker is the easiest way to turn a quiet night into a late one. It scales from three players to ten, the rules take two minutes to explain, and a real set of weighted chips makes it feel like the real thing.
For a quick setup, the Fat Cat 500Ct Texas Hold'Em Poker Chip Set has everything for game night in one aluminum case: 500 chips, two decks of cards, five dice, and a dealer button.
Shop the Fat Cat Texas Hold'Em Poker Chip Set
Want the full casino feel? The Fat Cat Folding Texas Hold'Em Table seats a full table on green felt with a padded rail and cup holders, then folds flat for storage between games.
Shop the Fat Cat Folding Texas Hold'Em Table
Browse all home casino tables to round out your game room with poker and blackjack.
Set Up Your Home Game Room
The best game nights don't just happen. You make them happen.
Pick one game and start there. Get the table up, invite some people over, and let the competition take care of itself.
When you're ready to build out the room, shop everything you need at GLD Products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What darts should a beginner buy?
Start simple. A soft tip dart set in the 16 to 18 gram range is the easiest entry point. They're forgiving to throw and work with most electronic dartboards. The Viper Starter Soft Tip Darts are purpose-built for new players: brass alloy barrels, durable flights, nothing complicated. Once you're comfortable, step up to a heavier tungsten steel tip set. Most players land somewhere between 20 and 24 grams once they find their preference.
Is a folding pool table any good?
It depends on the table. Cheap folding tables cut corners on bumpers and playing surface, which makes the game feel off. The Fat Cat Trueshot uses K-818 rubber bumpers for consistent, predictable bounces and a smooth felt surface that plays well above its price point. For home use, a quality folding table is a genuine asset.
What is the best air hockey table for home?
For most home game rooms, the Fat Cat Volt LED Air Hockey Table is the top pick. The powerful motor keeps airflow consistent across the entire surface: no dead spots, no slow puck. The LED lighting makes it feel more like an arcade experience than a typical home table. Short on space? The Mainstreet Classics Table Top Air Hockey is a solid, compact option that still delivers real air-powered play.
What is the best multi-game table for a family?
The Fat Cat 3-in-1 Pockey Multi-Game Table is the top pick for families. Three games: billiards, air hockey, and table tennis in one unit. The flip-top switches between games fast, and every accessory is included out of the box. Tighter on space? The 6' Flip Table plays the same three games, takes up less room, and stores upright against a wall when you need the floor back.
What games belong in a home game room?
The core five are darts, pool, air hockey, foosball, and a multi-game table. Each gives you something different: skill with darts, strategy with pool, speed with air hockey, and teamwork with foosball. A multi-game table covers several at once when space is tight. Add a poker chip set or a folding casino table and your game room handles card night too.
What's a good poker chip set or Texas Hold'Em table for home game night?
For most home games, a 500-count set like the Fat Cat 500Ct Texas Hold'Em Poker Chip Set covers a full table with chips, cards, and a dealer button in one case. If you host often, a dedicated folding poker table such as the Fat Cat Folding Texas Hold'Em Table adds padded rails, cup holders, and real felt, then folds away between games.
