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2026 Review🎯 Strategy Games

Exploding Kittens Review

A card game for people who are into kittens and explosions

4.4
★★★★★

Based on 85,000 reviews

$20

Overview

Exploding Kittens is a highly strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette. Players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten and loses. Use action cards to avoid exploding and force others into danger. Created by the team behind The Oatmeal.

What's in the Box

  • ✓56 cards
  • ✓Illustrated instructions
  • ✓Box designed by The Oatmeal

How to Play

Players take turns drawing cards. If you draw an Exploding Kitten, you're out - unless you have a Defuse card. Use action cards to skip turns, peek at the deck, or force opponents into bad positions. Last player standing wins.

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

  • ✓Quick, easy to learn
  • ✓Hilarious Oatmeal artwork
  • ✓Good strategic depth for a simple game
  • ✓Family-friendly (mostly)
  • ✓Fast games keep everyone engaged

✗ Cons

  • ✗Can be anticlimactic if you explode early
  • ✗Luck plays a significant role
  • ✗Limited with just 2 players
  • ✗Gets repetitive over time
  • ✗Not a conversation game at all

Quick Facts

Price:$20
Players:2-5 players
Play Time:15-20 minutes
Ages:7+
Category:Strategy Card Game

Best For

  • ✓ Quick game nights
  • ✓ Family game time
  • ✓ Groups who like strategy + luck
  • ✓ Oatmeal fans

Skip If...

  • ✗ Those seeking conversation
  • ✗ People who hate random elimination
  • ✗ Large groups
  • ✗ Very competitive players

Where to Buy

  • • Amazon
  • • Target
  • • Walmart
  • • GameStop

Price: $15-25

The Verdict

Exploding Kittens is a fun, fast game with great production value. It's more about quick strategic plays than conversation or connection. Perfect for warming up a game night, but you'll want something else for meaningful interaction.

⚡

Digital Alternative: Spark

Exploding Kittens is a strategy game, not a conversation game. If you want to actually learn about your friends while playing, pair it with Spark's questions between rounds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Exploding Kittens appropriate for kids?+
The original version is mostly family-friendly with cartoon violence. There's also an explicitly adult NSFW version. Check which you're buying.
How is Exploding Kittens different from party games?+
It's a strategy game, not a party/conversation game. You're trying to survive, not share laughs or stories. Different purpose entirely.
Does Exploding Kittens get boring?+
Games are short enough that boredom isn't usually an issue, but the gameplay loop is simple. Expansion packs add variety.

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