Games to play on a TV with phones as controllers
Open the game on the TV, everyone scans a QR code with their phone, and the phones become the controllers. No console, no app for most of them. Free options include lesury (party games), AirConsole (a free tier with ad breaks) and Brudvig Hockey 2027 (3-on-3 hockey for up to eight). Jackbox does it too, as paid party packs.
The options
| Game | What it is | Cost | Players | The TV needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brudvig Hockey 2027 | Real-time 3-on-3 hockey. Phones are a stick and four buttons. | Free | Up to 6 | A browser (or a laptop on HDMI) |
| lesury | A collection of party games | Free | Up to 12 in a room | A browser |
| AirConsole | A library of phone-controlled games | Free Starter Pack with ad breaks and 2 players; Hero subscription unlocks the rest | Depends on the game and plan | A browser, or its app on Android TV and Fire TV |
| Jackbox Party Packs | Party games: drawing, trivia, writing jokes | Paid packs | Usually up to 8, plus an audience | A console, PC, Mac or streaming box to run it |
Setting up the TV
- Smart TV browser: works for most of these. Some TV browsers are slow at real-time 3D, which matters for hockey more than for trivia.
- Laptop on HDMI: the most reliable for anything fast.
- Casting or mirroring a phone: works, with some delay.
- Fire TV, Google TV, Android TV: install a browser if there isn't one.
Why hockey on the TV works
Party games are great until someone wants to hit someone. Brudvig Hockey 2027 on a TV is eight people, four a side, each phone a controller, seven-minute games, and an argument about who left the slot open. Everyone picks whether to watch the TV or their own phone. Setup is on play on your TV, and the printable bracket turns it into a tournament.
Questions
What games can you play on a TV with your phone as the controller?
lesury and AirConsole have free party games, Jackbox sells party packs, and Brudvig Hockey 2027 is free real-time hockey for up to eight.
Do I need an app?
Not for Brudvig Hockey or lesury: the TV opens a web page and the phones use their browser or camera. AirConsole also has TV apps.
Do the phones need to be on the same Wi-Fi as the TV?
Not for Brudvig Hockey. Everything connects through brudvighockey.com.