Are Falling Whale Games' "Get Drunk" games actually fun, or just a gimmick?
Two brothers, a sharpie prototype, and a Kickstarter later, Falling Whale Games built a whole lineup of card games designed to be played live, alongside the wrestling match, football game, or movie you're already watching. Here's whether the format holds up once the novelty wears off.
Who is Falling Whale Games?
Falling Whale Games is a two-person operation run by brothers Skyler and Spencer Hardegree. It started with a paper-and-sharpie prototype for a card game called Dukes of Nukes, funded through Kickstarter. From there, the brothers noticed something missing from the party game shelf: a drinking game built specifically to play alongside a live sporting event or movie, rather than a generic set of rules. That gap became their "Get Drunk" series — Watch Hockey, Watch Football, Watch Soccer, Watch Baseball, Watch Movies, Watch True Crime, and most recently Watch Wrestling, Get Drunk.
What you get, what you give up
- A genuinely different mechanic — the game plays out in real time alongside a live match or movie, not as a standalone activity
- Nine-plus titles now cover most major live-TV occasions: wrestling, football, baseball, soccer, hockey, movies, true crime
- Strong crowdfunding track record — their wrestling title fully funded in 10 hours and closed at over 9x its goal
- Works with as few as 2 players up to full watch-party sized groups
- Can be played without alcohol using any drink of choice, so it's flexible for mixed groups
- Small, founder-run brand — you're buying directly from the two people who designed the game
- Several popular titles (Dukes of Nukes, Watch Movies Get Drunk, Watch True Crime Get Drunk, Watch Hockey Get Drunk) show as sold out at times — small-batch production means restocks aren't instant
- The format leans on there being a live game or show to watch, so it's less useful as a pure standalone party game
- 21+ framing may limit who you can play the core "drinking" version with, though the alcohol-free option helps
- As a small two-person brand, catalog breadth is narrower than large publishers like Cards Against Humanity
What's actually in the "Get Drunk" series
The catalog is built around one flagship format — Secret Action cards for the live event, plus a Versus/Pee Break deck for commercial breaks — reskinned for whichever thing you're watching.
The mechanic behind every "Get Drunk" title
Secret Action cards
Each player is dealt cards describing something that might happen during the live event — a specific move, comment, or moment. If it happens, you get to order someone else to drink.
Guess-back mechanic
Get ordered to drink? You get one guess at the Secret Action card that triggered it — guess right, and you send the drink order back instead.
Break-time decks
A separate Versus / Pee Break deck kicks in during commercials or lulls, with trivia, challenges, and group votes so downtime never actually feels like downtime.
Flexible for 2 to a crowd
The core Secret Action game works fine with just two players; a few group-vote cards get skipped at that size, but nothing breaks.
When to buy — and when to skip it
✔ Great fit if you
- Regularly host watch parties for wrestling, football, or other live sports
- Want a party game that gives structure to "just watching TV" nights
- Like supporting a small, founder-run game studio over a big publisher
- Are fine playing without alcohol using any drink of choice
✘ Skip it if you
- Want a standalone party game you can play with no TV or live event involved — go with Dukes of Nukes instead of the "Get Drunk" line
- Need guaranteed same-day stock — small-batch titles do sell out between runs
- Are looking for a huge, established catalog rather than a focused indie lineup
Falling Whale Games vs. other party games
| Game | Starting price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falling Whale "Get Drunk" series | ~$29.95 | Syncs live with a real event or movie | Sports & wrestling watch parties |
| Dukes of Nukes V2 | ~$24.95 | Standalone party card game | Any game night, no TV needed |
| Cards Against Humanity | ~$25 | Standalone fill-in-the-blank party game | Large mixed groups, general party nights |
Quick answers
Do I need to actually drink alcohol to play?
No. The games work with any drink you choose — soda, juice, or water all work the same as beer or liquor. The rules only require "a drink," not a specific one.
Can I play with only 2 people?
Yes. The main Secret Action deck plays fine with 2 players. A handful of Versus/Pee Break cards built for larger groups, like group votes, get skipped at that size.
What if my favorite title is sold out?
Falling Whale Games is a small, self-funded operation, so titles like Dukes of Nukes or Watch Movies, Get Drunk do sell out between print runs. Check the shop link for current availability, or follow their crowdfunding pages for restock and expansion news.
Do I need to know a lot about the sport or movie to play?
No. According to the brand, you don't need deep knowledge of the sport to enjoy it — the Secret Action cards, trivia, and challenges carry the game even for casual viewers.
8.8/10 — A genuinely fresh idea for watch parties, built by two brothers who clearly play their own games
Most party games ask you to set the TV aside. Falling Whale Games built its whole catalog around the opposite idea — games that get better because of what's happening on screen. It's a narrower niche than a general party game publisher, and stock does run out between print runs, but for wrestling nights, game days, and movie marathons, it's one of the more original formats on the shelf.
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