RiffTrax: The Game

Lore & Background

RiffTrax: The Game is a multiplayer party game that tasks players with writing their own lines of dialogue or riffs—jokes—for movie clips from the RiffTrax library. Players can also choose from a selection of riffs written and voiced by the RiffTrax team. After the riff is played back, with original player riffs rendered using text-to-speech, players vote on which riff is the best. Between two and six players can participate, each randomly represented by a silhouette of an infamous character from the RiffTrax library, such as Torgo, Mr. B Natural, Coily the Spring Sprite, The Guy from Harlem, or Ice Cream Bunny. Up to twelve audience members can watch and vote on the riffs per game.

The game was released on May 5, 2022, for macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. On August 10, 2023, Wide Right Interactive partnered with Limited Run Games to create physical copies of the game for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Reader's Guide

RiffTrax: The Game received mixed or average reviews for the Microsoft Windows and Xbox One editions, while generally favorable reviews were reserved for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions, according to review aggregator Metacritic. The Verge and VentureBeat praised the game, with VentureBeat stating they found it addictive. GameSpot and Ars Technica were more neutral; GameSpot noted that it was not as fun to play alone, while Ars Technica wrote that it was 'As fun and competent as a $10 party game needs to be. If you like MST3K or Rifftrax, then buy.' The game's significance lies in its direct connection to the RiffTrax comedy group and its predecessor What the Dub?, offering a digital party experience centered on user-generated humor. Its legacy is tied to its role as a licensed riffing game that allows fans to participate in the style of commentary popularized by Mystery Science Theater 3000, though its reception varied by platform.

Did You Know?

• RiffTrax: The Game is a follow-up to Wide Right Interactive's What the Dub?
• Players can choose from riffs written and voiced by the RiffTrax team.
• Physical copies were released on August 10, 2023, in partnership with Limited Run Games.