Exploding Kittens (Original Edition Card Game)
by Exploding Kittens LLC
Exploding Kittens is a fast-paced, highly addictive card game designed for players who enjoy quick rounds of strategy, bluffing, and unpredictable chaos. Created through a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, this card game combines simple mechanics with laugh-out-loud absurdity, making it a favorite among casual gamers and hardcore hobbyists alike. The premise is straightforward: players draw cards from a deck until someone pulls an Exploding Kitten card, at which point they're out of the game unless they have a Defuse card to save themselves. The vibrant, quirky illustrations by The Oatmeal's Matthew Inman give the game a distinctive visual charm that stands out on any tabletop game night.
The gameplay itself is a delightful blend of luck and cunning, requiring players to think several steps ahead while using action cards to skip turns, peek at the deck, force other players to draw multiple cards, or shuffle the deck entirely to throw off their opponents. This creates a dynamic push-and-pull experience where alliances shift constantly and no two games ever play out the same way. Rounds typically last around fifteen minutes, making Exploding Kittens perfect for squeezing in multiple games during a single sitting, whether at a family gathering, a party with friends, or a casual weeknight get-together. The card game supports two to five players, making it versatile enough for intimate duels or larger group showdowns.
Beyond its entertaining core mechanics, Exploding Kittens has earned a reputation for being accessible to newcomers while still offering enough depth to keep experienced card game enthusiasts engaged. The compact box makes it easy to transport, so it travels well for game nights, camping trips, or office breaks. Its combination of humor, strategy, and tension has helped it become a modern classic within the board games and card games category, appealing to fans of party games and strategic card play alike. Whether you're introducing someone to tabletop gaming or adding another beloved title to a seasoned collection, Exploding Kittens delivers replayable fun packed into a small, colorful deck of cards.
Key features
- Fast-paced card game for 2-5 players
- Kitty-powered Russian roulette gameplay
- Illustrated by The Oatmeal's Matthew Inman
- Contains 56 unique playing cards
- Simple rules, playable in 15 minutes
- Family-friendly NSFW-free edition available
Specifications
Pros
- Extremely easy to learn and teach
- Quick rounds keep players engaged
- Hilarious card artwork and names
- Great for parties and family game nights
- Compact box, easy to travel with
- High replayability with strategic bluffing
Cons
- Luck-based mechanics can frustrate strategy lovers
- Best experienced with 4+ players
- Cards can wear out with heavy use
- Some expansions needed for more variety
- Not ideal for very young children under 7
Player reviews
We played this at a family gathering and couldn't stop laughing. Easy to teach even to non-gamers, and every round felt different.
Great for casual play, though sometimes it feels like the deck decides who wins more than skill. Still, a blast with friends.
Perfect for breaking the ice at parties. The artwork is hilarious and the game moves fast enough to keep everyone engaged.
My kids and I have a great time playing this. Simple rules but enough strategy to keep it interesting for adults too.
Exploding Kittens (Original Edition Card Game)
- Fast-paced card game for 2-5 players
- Kitty-powered Russian roulette gameplay
- Illustrated by The Oatmeal's Matthew Inman
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