Best Card Games Like Exploding Kittens (2024)

Exploding Kittens is one of the most beloved card games in recent memory. It isn't the most complicated game, as it's simply about avoiding certain cards. Yet, it still manages to be very entertaining, along with the hilarious art. As a result, the game became quite popular, with a lot of other card games taking inspiration from it.

These games are like Exploding Kittens in various different ways. Most either have similar art style and presentation or have a few similar gameplay mechanics. The best ones even rival Exploding Kittens in overall quality. So, if you're looking for comparable card games, check these out.

Updated June 16, 2024 by Alexandrea Alix: Looking to expand your party game shelf beyond the feline fireworks? This guide remains your purrfect companion, jam-packed with the best options guaranteed to tickle your funny bone and keep the laughter roaring – meow about that?!

Best Simple Card Game

Sushi Go Party!

For those who aren't cat people.

If you're not much of a cat person, maybe you can swap them out for some adorable looking sushi. Sushi Go Party! allows for more players than the base version, making sure everyone can play and make the best menu they can. The card drafting formula is relatively simple too.

Pros

• Adorable artwork.
• Great for sushi night.
• Will get you hungry.

$22 at Amazon$22 at Walmart

Sushi Go Party!'s card drafting gameplay is pretty simple. The aim is to create the best menu, based on how your cards work with each other. Creating combos and pairs will work in your favour and make your menu more powerful.

Best Historical Card Game

7 Wonders Board Game

Wondrous indeed!

$44 $60 Save $16

7 Wonders is a bit more serious when it comes to card drafting. Each player picks an ancient city to govern, and must draft cards that will help their city become prosperous. However, if someone else's city is getting a bit too prosperous, you can always flex your military might.

Pros

• Great for history buffs.
• Tactical gameplay.
• Features a 2-player version as well.

$44 at Amazon

7 Wonders takes the card drafting formula of Exploding Kittens, but adds a layer of history and strategy on top of it. It's a great game for anyone who loves history and strategy. Sure, it's not as cute as some of the other games on the list, but neither is history.

Best Player Elimination Card Game

TeeTurtle Happy Little Dinosaurs Board Game

Dinosaurs have a lot of problems

Happy Little Dinosaurs is all about avoiding the many problems life throws at the average person or dinosaur. Each round has a new disaster that one player will be forced to pick up. Get too many of them and you're out of the game. So, you want to stay away from them and make your way to the end of the board.

Pros

• Adorable art style
• Many of the cards are funny
• Easy-to-understand rules

Cons

• Isn't as good with only two players

$20 at Amazon$20 at Walmart$20 at Target

Two of the best things about Exploding Kittens are the cute art style and the player elimination aspect. You will find both of these elements in Happy Little Dinosaurs. However, it isn't exploding felines you have to watch out for in this one; there is a litany of different disasters. Three of them will remove you from the game and eliminate your chance of getting to the end of your board.

Avoiding disasters is partially down to chance, but there is some strategy involved too. Things like your chosen dinosaur and certain cards can alter the overall experience. So, there is more depth to the game than it may initially seem. The fact the cards are also funny and adorable is another selling point.

Best Cooperative Card Game

Hanabi

Light up the sky!

In Hanabi, your objective is to put on an exceptional firework show. You do this by quickly putting groups of cards together in the correct order. Unfortunately, you can't see the cards you're holding. Therefore, you must rely on your teammates' clues to play the right ones.

Pros

• Unique concept
• Time pressure adds tension

Cons

• Hard to remember your teammate's hints

$9 at Amazon$9 at Walmart

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Do Cats Like When You Talk to Them? Benefits & Bonding Tips - Catster

Hanabi is similar to Exploding Kittens because both games require you to manage your hand and, more importantly, remember things. The biggest difference, though, is that Hanabi is a cooperative game. And it's very different from the average co-op board game or card game.

For starters, you can't even look at your own cards, which is a fresh concept. As a result, plenty of emphasis is put on teamwork and communication. You have to rely on other player's hints to know what cards to play to get the same colored ones in the correct order. It's such a clever and creative idea for a team game.

Best Simultaneous Play Card Game

Throw Throw Burrito

Burrito fight!

From the creators of Exploding Kittens comes Throw Throw Burrito. The objective of this game is to collect matching sets of cards. Yet, in the process, you sometimes have to participate in and win games of burrito-based dodgeball. It's outlandish and fun.

Pros

• Fast-paced
• Unique concept
• Contains the cutest burritos you will ever see

Cons

• You need ample room for the burrito fights

$25 at Amazon$23 at Walmart$25 at Target

Exploding Kittens is a fairly fast-paced game, but it can't match the speed of Throw Throw Burrito. The main reason for this is the fact it's a simultaneous-play game, meaning players don't need to take turns. They can all grab and discard cards at the same time.

The goal is to acquire as many matching sets as possible before the round ends. The burrito aspect of the game is what makes it stand out among the average title. Certain cards initiate some burrito-based dodgeball fun, where players attempt to throw stuffed burritos at one another. It can get a little chaotic, but it adds to what is already a fun and unique game.

Best Round-Based Card Game

Love Letter

Woo the princess

The goal of Love Letter is to gain the affection of the princess. Do you do this by charming her, giving her gifts, or writing her sonnets? No. You do it by eliminating the competition, leaving you as her only option. So, it isn't incredibly romantic, but the concept makes for an entertaining card game.

Pros

• Simple to understand
• Card abilities are all very distinct
• Involves a surprising amount of strategy

Cons

• Doesn't work well with only two players

$13 at Amazon$13 at Walmart

Many games involve romance, but most of them aren't about tricking and eliminating other suitors. But that is just part of Love Letter's distinct charm. Each round, you're encouraged to get rid of your competition using your abilities or by having the highest-numbered card. Either way, as long as you're the last person left, you get a token of affection. Acquire enough of them, and you win the game.

It's very easy to get the hang of it, especially as there is only a limited number of cards, and you only hold one at a time. However, thankfully, there is still plenty of strategy in the game. In fact, it's a good blend of simplicity and strategy, just like Exploding Kittens.

Best Deck Building Card Game

Unstable Unicorns Card Game

Build your unicorn army

A game about collecting unicorns sounds very wholesome. Yet, Unstable Unicorns is also about stopping other people from getting them, which makes for a less wholesome but more competitive and exciting experience. The only way to help yourself or hinder your opposition is by drawing cards. The first player to draw enough unicorns and place them in their stable wins the game.

Pros

• The unicorns are cute and funny
• Cards contain a range of actions that severely impact the game

Cons

• Luck plays a significant part in winning

$14 at Amazon$22 at Walmart

Those who like the comical and colorful cards in Exploding Kittens will appreciate the cards they pick up in Unstable Unicorns, as they're of a similar style. But, while you're trying to avoid the titular animal in Exploding Kittens, you want to find the starring animals of Unstable Unicorns. This is because the whole goal of the game is to build a collection of the creatures.

The general gameplay is really simple, as you just pick up cards from the deck. But the addition of actions and abilities on some of the cards mixes things up and adds a bit of tactical thinking to what is largely a luck-based game. The result is a light-hearted and humorous set collection game that is very fun to play.

Best Social Deduction Card Game

Coup

Lying is not only acceptable in this game, it's encouraged

$15 $17 Save $2

The political world can be complicated. In Coup, however, it's fairly straightforward. You just have to bluff your opposition and get them all killed. After all, the one objective in this game is to survive while everyone else falls. This is certainly not a morality contest.

Pros

• Varied character cards
• Very strategic
• Easy to understand

Cons

• Games can be a bit short

$15 at Amazon

In Coup, each player is given two character cards that they place face down on the table. They essentially serve as lives, as when you lose them both, you're out. There are various ways to lose them, such as through coups or assassinations that players have to pay for. You can also lose a card by getting caught in a lie or by calling someone a liar when they're actually telling the truth.

This is because bluffing is a huge part of the overall experience. You're encouraged to deceive other players, primarily to gain coins and take them out. It's risky because you can lose lives quickly if people see through your bluffs. But it's also the most effective way to win the game. This risk-and-reward element is what makes the game so amazing. It does make it a bit of a departure from Exploding Kittens, but Coup provides the same level of tension and desperation to survive as that game.

Best Quick Strategy Card Game

Here to Slay

Cute and Chaotic Creature Combat

Here to Slay is a fast-paced card game that combines strategy, role-playing, and a touch of adorable mayhem.

Pros

• Rules are simple to pick up, making it great for new players.
• Games can last between 30-60 minutes, and every round feels different.
• There's more to it than just luck - you'll need to make smart choices to win.

Cons

• Can be a little cutthroat. Be prepared for friendly competition!

$20 at Amazon

Here to Slay combines deck building with dice rolling and player interaction. Players choose a Party Leader card that grants a special ability, then build a deck of heroes, items, and magic cards. On your turn, you spend action points to draw cards, play heroes for your party, attack monsters, or use item and magic cards to gain an advantage.

Each monster has specific requirements you need to meet to defeat it, adding a layer of strategy to the combat. You can also challenge other players' cards, adding another layer of competition and chaos to the mix.

Best For Humor

Sheep in Disguise

Where Sneaky Sheep Outwit Hungry Predators

$20 $26 Save $6

Sheep in Disguise is a fast-paced and hilarious card game where you collect sheep... in disguises! It's perfect for 2-6 players and is a great choice for both families and game nights with friends.

Pros

• The rules are simple to grasp, making it perfect for new players or those who want a light and quick game.
• Games typically last around 30 minutes, making it ideal for a quick and exciting game.
• The silly disguises and frantic gameplay will have everyone giggling.

Cons

• Compared to some games, there aren't special abilities or unique characters, keeping things simple but potentially less engaging for strategic players.

$20 at Amazon$26 at Walmart

Sheep in Disguise is a fun and frantic card game that's perfect for a casual game night. The adorable artwork and simple rules make it a great choice for families with older kids, while the strategic elements and take-that mechanics will keep adults entertained too. Just don't get too attached to your fluffy friends – in this world, only the sneakiest sheep survive.

Best Army-building Card Game

Bears vs Babies

The Cutest Creature Carnage Ever!

$25 $35 Save $10

Build wacky monster hybrids to fight off an army of (slightly terrifying) babies in this silly card game from the creators of Exploding Kittens. Players combine monster parts and abilities to create the ultimate baby-eating champion.

Pros

• Craft the ultimate bear-bird-cyborg monstrosity (or something even more outlandish!) with a unique deck of creature parts, weapons, and special abilities.
• The core mechanics are easy to grasp, but strategic depth emerges as you learn to combo abilities and exploit weaknesses.
• A game typically lasts under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a lighthearted party game or a quick weeknight pick-me-up.
• With a variety of card combinations and player interactions, no two games are ever the same.

Cons

• While fun with a small group, the game can become a bit chaotic with more than 4 players due to the potential for analysis paralysis.

$25 at Amazon

Forget everything you thought you knew about army-building card games. Bear vs Babies throws adorable, screaming babies at your monstrous creations in a hilarious fight for supremacy.

This game is the perfect blend of silly and strategic. You'll draft wacky monster parts, like a cyborg pug or a fire-breathing salmon, to create the ultimate baby-battling champion. Each monster has unique abilities, making every game a fresh tactical brawl.

Best 2-Player Card Game

Silver Bullet

Hunt the Howling Horde

In this fast-paced card game, you work with your fellow villagers to banish werewolves from your deck. Use special resident abilities and the secret Silver Bullet to shrink your werewolf population. Call a vote when you think you're werewolf-free; the player with the least wins!

Pros

• The streamlined mechanics and quick play make Silver Bullet ideal for a head-to-head battle against a friend or family member.
• You'll need to remember which villagers are hiding in your deck and use their abilities strategically to gain the upper hand.
• Games last around 15 minutes, making it easy to squeeze in multiple rounds and experience the variety of card combinations.
• The compact box and simple rules make Silver Bullet a great travel companion or casual game night pick.

Cons

• he first few games might be a bit clunky as you get the hang of everything.

$22 at Amazon

Silver Bullet offers a thrilling card game experience, perfect for two players. This isn't your typical co-op; in Silver Bullet, you'll draft villagers with unique abilities, strategically reducing your werewolf population while keeping an eye on your opponent's deck. The tension builds as you race to call a vote, hoping you've banished the most werewolves and secured victory.

FAQ

What type of card game is Exploding Kittens?

Exploding Kittens blends various types of games together, including player elimination, hot potato, and take-that games. The best way to describe it, though, is by saying it's like a feline version of Russian Roulette.

Is Exploding Kittens a strategic game?

While it isn't the most strategic game on the market, there is certainly some level of strategy involved. So, for a game to be like it, it also has to contain an element of strategy.

What if I'm looking for a game with similar chaos and take-that mechanics, but with a bit more strategy?

If you enjoy the unpredictable nature of Exploding Kittens but want a game with a little more strategic depth, consider trying Coup. This fast-paced bluffing game involves deception and deduction, as players take on the roles of influential characters vying for power. Each round, players secretly choose an action and try to convince others they're something they're not. It's a game of social deduction with a healthy dose of take-that mechanics, perfect for those who enjoy a bit more strategy with their chaos.

Are there any good options for players who are new to card games?

Absolutely! There are several games similar to Exploding Kittens that are perfect for introducing new players to the world of card games. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a super-fast, family-friendly card game that's all about slapping the discard pile when a matching word is called out. It's easy to learn, fast-paced, and tons of fun for all ages.

What is the NSFW version of Exploding Kittens?

Exploding Kittens offers an NSFW (Not Safe For Work) edition specifically designed for adults. This version features the same core gameplay of avoiding Exploding Kittens, but with cards that include mature humor, profanity, and adult references.

Which is better, Exploding Kittens or Unstable Unicorns?

This depends on your gaming preferences! Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

• Exploding Kittens:
  • Faster gameplay (around 15 minutes)
  • Simpler rules focused on avoiding the exploding kittens
  • More chaotic and unpredictable
  • Suitable for larger groups (2-5 players)
  • Family-friendly and NSFW versions available
• Unstable Unicorns:
  • Slightly longer gameplay (around 30 minutes)
  • More strategic elements with card abilities and deck building
  • More player interaction with attacks and defenses
  • Suitable for smaller groups (2-4 players)
  • Only available in a family-friendly version

Ultimately, the "better" game depends on what you're looking for. If you want a quick, chaotic party game with a high laugh factor, Exploding Kittens might be the purrfect choice. If you prefer a more strategic game with player interaction, Unstable Unicorns could be your stable of fun.