Why is a group of four players the standard for the majority of games?

Question

Be it TTRPGs, board games or video games, a group of four players is the standard size.

DnD and adjacent systems balance their challenges around a party of four. Most boardgames come with four colours for players to choose from. Most video game consoles only can connect four controllers and most video games like Smash Bros and Mario Kart only have four slots? Why is that?

In: Other

Answer 1

Likely self balancing but winnable.

1v1 will likely snowball. Winning player continues to win until they completely win the game.

1v1v1 players always work against the top player. Could be too strongly self balancing.

1v1v1v1 you now have potentially more complex interactions to try to balance and outwit opponents.

With 5 or more It’s not likely much better than 4.