So you're having a Super Bowl party this weekend when the Green Bay Packers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. You want to show off your new big screen TV and home theater surround sound system to your closest friends, as they eat, drink and root for their favorite teams (hopefully not belligerently). So why tuck away your favorite gaming console for the event? Why not use it to help show off that impressive hardware before the game? After all, it's a much better option than listening to some commentators over-analyze the match-up for hours on end when we all know the Madden Bowl is the most reliable prediction of the game anyhow.

But setting up a gaming expo for friends can be difficult, especially if you're expecting a large crowd. Some games take too long, some require too much equipment, and some will just make your friends wonder why you own such odd things. So The Clik put together a few simple recommendations for gaming at your Super Bowl party this year, regardless of whether you're wearing black or green with your gold.

Look to "Party" Games

You're throwing a party, after all. That's what these titles were designed for, by definition. They're the type of games made for at least four players to enjoy together, often come in short bursts and usually feature some quirky humor. They're often almost as fun to watch for the feverish competition as they are to play, and guaranteed to entertain a large crowd passing the controllers.

For Xbox 360 fans, we recommend downloading Castle Crashers, for the four-player, princess-saving action; and Worms 2 Armageddon for fantastically funny strategic cartoon warfare. Party-throwing gamers can also download the two Doritos contest finalists, both of which off solid experiences for a party atmosphere, absolutely free. The files are kind of big, though, so make sure to do it well before the game begins.

For Nintendo Wii fans, Super Smash Bros. is always a winning choice, with its roster of classic characters guaranteed to wow your friends in more ways than one. Mario Kart is also a great multiplayer experience, while WarioWare: Smooth Moves still reigns in split-second zany fun.

PlayStation fans with vocal chops should go for SingStar, as both the people playing and watching are guaranteed to get some entertainment out of the karaoke-meets-music-videos experience. Quieter gamers may enjoy the block-stacking motion-controls of Tumble. And if you like racing and want to show off your high-definition set, EA's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit will be fantastic in its Interceptor mode. LittleBigPlanet 2's community levels will allow your guests to feel like they're making some decisions on their own, exploring the content available, which is as vast and diverse as any gaming library.

And on all platforms, Street Fighter IV's expert fighting mechanics are great for arcade-style pass-the-controller play, whether the competitors are fighting champions or button-mashers. There are plenty of other games that fit the bill, and some of the best are found for $5 to $10 on the digital platforms for all three major consoles. Just remember, quick games for more players (with something fantastic or quirky to display for those just watching) are fantastic party entertainment.

We Recommend Against...

...peripherals or games that require a lot of real estate. While Kinect and PlayStation Move are fantastic new gadgets to show off (yes, we know we just recommended Tumble, but it's a simple game), they both require a lot of room. You don't want to have to move furniture and your guests to play a game, and you definitely don't want to be knocking over drinks and smacking people in the face with remotes, so it's generally best to avoid these. The same goes for peripherals that will clutter the room. The only real exception is Rock Band, because that's a never-lose choice for the party. Playing to all sorts of skill levels and passions, it will provide great entertainment for all your guests, as long as no one hogs the drums.

Be Careful with Snacks

If you've got your $50 to $60 controllers floating around the room, the last thing you want is everyone greasing them up with their snack-food fingers (as chips, dip and more will likely be abundant at your party). If you can, try keeping the messier foods in a different area than the gaming. Also, provide towels and wet wipes in a location near the controllers, and encourage people to keep everything clean. Another fun option may be stocking the gaming area with Gamer Grub, a recent invention that offers popular snacks in tilt-able bags to avoid contact with the hands. Buy a lot of these, have some variety, and present them to friends as a cool new product, rather than having to be the awkward jerk that asks people to wash their hands.

Pop in Madden

Your friends are coming over to watch football, after all, so it only stands to reason that they'd like to play football as well. Madden games can get obnoxiously long and competitive, though, and turn your closest of friends into controller campers, so have it ready to go with certain settings. Of course, you'll want to make sure your rosters are updated, and have the Steelers and the Packers ready to play short quarters. So many people like to play one-on-one, but Madden supports four players, and can still be a lot of fun that way. So make sure you're getting in as many people as it can handle if they want to play. Encouraging people to switch off the QB position after quarters will keep it fresh. Hopefully, your party has fans from both sides, and they can try to prove their argument through the game, rather than fighting about it in your living room.

Think Nostalgic

There's a good chance a large portion of your party guests wouldn't call themselves gamers, but almost everyone knows the classics. If you think your crowd will just be turned off by modern fare, consider busting out an old console, or utilize the virtual services of all these modern consoles to download a few classics that will have everyone saying, "Oh, I remember this game. I used to play it all the time!" It's guaranteed to get even the biggest hold-outs to give it a try to relive their childhoods. It'll be a great primer for the football game, or depending on the crowd a great primer for the commercials.