The Jackbox Naughty Pack brings a new twist to the Jackbox formula with a trio of adult-themed party games, geared towards grown-up game nights or college parties much more so than the usual annual releases. Building on the quirky humor and social dynamics that Jackbox Games is known for, this new package leans into mature content while still maintaining a sense of fun. We reviewed it on a PlayStation 5, but the game works equally well across other platforms thanks to its mobile-based controls.
The three games in The Jackbox Naughty Pack each offer distinct types of gameplay, catering to different social settings – and two of them will be quite familiar to longtime Jackbox fans. Fakin’ It All Night Long is a social deduction game where one player is “the Faker” trying to blend in while others perform tasks – the prompts for which are sent to each player’s mobile device. The game puts friendships to the test with its humorous and often risqué tasks, which can lead to a few awkward and hilarious moments. While it’s an evolution of the classic Fakin’ It game from one of the earlier Jackbox packs, a few new categories, like “Finger Blast,” bring a playful edge that aligns with the pack’s mature theme.
Dirty Drawful, a dirtier version of the classic Drawful, adds adult prompts and an undo button to the mix. The crude humor in the prompts often results in laughably awful drawings, which is part of the charm. However, its appeal might feel more limited depending on the group you’re playing with – those who appreciate a more juvenile sense of humor will likely enjoy it more than others, although that’s probably also the group that was already playing regular Drawful that way. The addition of the undo button feels like a minor but welcome update, making the drawing mechanics slightly more forgiving for players – we certainly appreciated fixing what would otherwise be a botched drawing and will miss the feature in other Drawful games.
The third game, Let Me Finish, adds a debate-style mechanic, where players are tasked with completing often suggestive drawings based on a prompt or question. Imagine “which of these tools would you go on a date with?”, but a bit more… naughty. This one feels a bit more cerebral compared to the other two, relying on wit and improvisation as you argue why your drawing is the best or most clever, but the nonsensical prompts keep things light and entertaining. It’s a game where having quick-thinking players can lead to some of the most memorable laughs of the night, but it will also depend on the group to make it not fall flat.
In terms of accessibility, The Jackbox Naughty Pack includes content filters and streamer settings, which allow groups to tweak the explicitness of the content to better fit their comfort levels. This is a thoughtful touch for mixed groups that may not want to dive headfirst into the most provocative prompts. The variety in game modes also helps ensure that there’s something for everyone, though some may find the humor leaning too much into the lowbrow at times – this pack is less geared towards casual multiplayer sessions and more towards a party setting.
Visually, the game sticks to Jackbox’s signature minimalistic, cartoonish art style, with colorful but simple animations that do enough to keep the focus on the interactions between players. The audio is equally understated, with personality-rich voiceovers and sound effects that complement the humor without overwhelming the experience.
One potential downside is that the Naughty Pack doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel. Longtime Jackbox fans will recognize familiar mechanics from previous packs, but with more adult-oriented prompts. And while the new twists are fun, they may not add enough variety for seasoned players – especially if they were already playing “naughty” before.
Overall, The Jackbox Naughty Pack brings the kind of raunchy, laugh-out-loud fun that mature fans of the series will enjoy, but it’s not without its limitations. The games are best played with the right group of people who are ready to embrace the awkwardness and silliness that comes with the more adult themes. It’s a solid, if somewhat niche, addition to the Jackbox collection, offering plenty of laughs for those looking for a spicier alternative to the more traditional party packs.
Score: 7.5/10
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