Apples to Apples

How:

Cards, friends or family, and a table.

What:

Free association, pop culture, creative persuasion and a lot of silliness make this card game a family friendly source of laughs.

Who:

Kids, adults, families; small or large groups. Just make sure you aren't in a quiet spot... it gets loud.

Where:

Your friendly local game store, or Amazon ($18).

Why:

It's so simple: pick an adjective, then others have to pick nouns that best fit. But the fun comes in unexpected juxtapositions, silly arguments for your own card, and knowing how to read the judge to predict what they will like best. Lots of fun, short gameplay, kid friendly.

Borderlands 2

How:

PC, Mac, Xbox, PS3, even Linux soon.

What:

First person shooter, action RPG (levels, skills), hilarious writing and awesome coop campaign play.

Who:

You like shooting things and finding cooler gear as you level up, while also appreciating a rich and hilarious storyline with many jokes, cultural references and oddball elements.

Where:

Steam or your favorite game retailer

Why:

Gearbox made its own new story and setting for these two games, soon to be three, and it's hilarious. Standard dystopian sci-fi with a huge dose of zany humor and over the top bad guys, plus a cast of NPCs that are both memorable and silly. Cooperative play (up to four) is where Borderlands 2 really shines, and the class and specialization system makes each grouping different in tactics and playthrough.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen

How:

In person, with 3-8 friends, some drinks, and coins.

What:

Lightweight story game of tall tales, humorous interruptions and collaborative crazy narratives.

Who:

Play Baron Munchausen if you like to make up stories on the spot, like to see your friends squirm a bit, and enjoy extravagant boasting with silly accents.

Where:

Buy the book online (it's back in print after a long hiatus).

Why:

The game itself is simple, just about two pages of instructions, but the book is a very funny read, and works well aloud. This game works well for small groups or larger ones, and is great for evening entertainment after dinner with some drinks in hand. It can be adapted to children easily and always brings laughter.