Exploding Kittens Card Game (Original Edition)
Best for: Best for family game night — a hilarious card game where you draw cards and try not to explode. 2-5 players, 15 minutes, ages 7+. Most-backed game in Kickstarter history. 117,000+ reviews.
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Our review
Exploding Kittens is the card game that launched a gaming empire — the most-backed game in Kickstarter history, with millions of copies sold worldwide. The premise is brilliantly simple: draw cards from the deck. If you draw an Exploding Kitten, you explode and are out — unless you have a Defuse Card (laser pointer, catnip sandwich, belly rub) to save yourself.
The strategy comes from the other cards in the deck: Skip your turn, Attack another player, Peek at the top cards, Shuffle the deck, or relocate the Exploding Kitten for the next person to find. Games take about 15 minutes with 2-5 players, making it perfect for quick rounds and rematches. Ages 7+ means kids and adults play together.
The illustrations by The Oatmeal are half the fun — characters like Tacocat, Rainbow-Ralphing Cat, and All-Seeing Goat Wizard make every card reveal a laugh. The 56-card deck is compact enough for travel, camping, and anywhere you need entertainment.
The honest downsides: with only 2 players, the game loses some tension — 3-5 is the sweet spot. Hardcore strategy gamers may find it too luck-dependent. And the card stock, while decent, can show wear with heavy play (sleeve them if you play frequently). But at 4.7 stars with 117,000 reviews and 82% five-star, this is one of the best-reviewed games on all of Amazon.
👍 Pros
- Brilliantly simple — learn in 2 minutes, play in 15
- Hilarious Oatmeal art on every card
- Perfect for families: ages 7+ with kids AND adults
- Compact for travel and camping
- Most-backed Kickstarter game ever — proven classic
- 82% five-star out of 117,000+ reviews
👎 Cons
- Best with 3-5 players — 2 players loses tension
- Some luck dependency — not pure strategy
- Card stock can wear with heavy play — consider sleeves
- Base game only — expansions sold separately
Specifications
| Type | Card game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2-5 |
| Age | 7+ |
| Play Time | ~15 minutes per round |
| Cards | 56 (2.5 x 3.5 inches) |
| Art | Illustrated by The Oatmeal |
| Includes | 56 cards, box, instructions |
| Brand | Exploding Kittens LLC |
FAQ
How do you play?
Take turns drawing cards. If you draw an Exploding Kitten, you explode and are out — unless you play a Defuse Card. Other cards let you skip turns, attack players, peek at the deck, or shuffle it. Last player standing wins.
Is it good for kids?
Yes — ages 7+ and the rules are simple enough for kids to learn in minutes. The illustrations are silly and family-friendly (the Original Edition — the NSFW Edition is adults-only).
How many people can play?
2-5 players with the Original Edition. The Larger Party Edition supports more players. Best experience is with 3-5 players.
Are there expansions?
Yes — multiple expansion packs add new cards and mechanics: Imploding Kittens, Streaking Kittens, Barking Kittens, and more. All are compatible with the Original Edition.
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