5 Games Like Exploding Kittens
A self-proclaimed card game for people “who are into kittens, explosions, and laser beams… and sometimes goats”, Exploding Kittens is an incredibly popular card game for all occasions. But, if you’ve already discovered the wonders of magical enchiladas and kittens that kill, you’re in luck as we’ve got a list of awesome alternatives.
We’ve taken into account that Exploding Kittens is beginner-friendly, fast, and an all-around hilarious time. You’ll find alternatives like Love Letter and Coup won’t disappoint! You’ll find yourself playing them over and over again, finding the urge to destroy your opponents.
Without further ado, check out the top 5 games like Exploding Kittens!
- Jaipur
- Love Letter
- Star Realms
- Hanabi
- Coup
#1. Jaipur
Players: 2
Playing time: 30mins
All about trading, you’ve only got half an hour. Can you become the most wealthy merchant?
Although the game has a quick playing time, it’s full-on strategy as you navigate buying and selling in the marketplace. In Jaipur, players take on the roles of two of the city’s most powerful traders, looking to become the Maharaja’s personal trader.
Jaipur is a subtle, simple, and swift tactical game where strategy is key. Players collect and exchange goods at the market, selling products for rupees. It’s very competitive, and you’ll need to battle it out to receive a seal of excellence and become the richest trader.
Jaipur is like Exploding Kittens as it’s easy to learn and blends strategy with a bit of luck. Also, the more you play, the more you’ll see there’s plenty of depth.
If you are looking for a board game like Exploding Kittens but enjoy a good economic element, Jaipur is the way to go!
#2. Love Letter
Players: 2- 4
Playing time: 20mins
Can you remove all your rivals and earn the love of the Princess?
Love Letter, an Alderac Entertainment game, has all the eligible bachelors seeking to woo the princess, to find love, but more likely to access power. Unfortunately for you, she’s locked herself away, and the only way to win her affection is through love letters.
A game of risk and deduction, mixed with a bit of luck, each player starts with only one card. Each turn, you’ll draw one card and play one card. Exposing your opponents will help knock them out of the game. Your goal is to get your love letter to the Princess while deflecting letters from competing suitors.
Love Letter is similar to Exploding Kittens as it’s very thematic. Instead of explosions, you’ll need to keep an eye on impending elimination.
#3. Star Realms
Players: 2
Playing time: 20mins
Compete head to head to create a deck of the most powerful spaceships and bases.
Forge your own star realm through military combat, shipping, and trading. If you build up your fleet of warships, you’ll take what’s yours and destroy your opponent’s hopes of controlling the stars!
Star Realms is a science fiction deck-building game where you trade cards in combat. The beautifully colored artwork immerses you into the Star Realm universe. Attack your opponent, reduce their points to zero, and you’ll win!
Star Realms has box sets and expansions with more colony wards and frontiers. You can also expand the game to 6 players if you’re looking to include more friends.
Will you rule the stars?
#4. Hanabi
Players: 2- 5
Playing time: 25mins
Launch your rockets, build some fireworks, and race the clock…
Hanabi is a little different than Exploding Kittens as it’s cooperative. But don’t mistake this for being boring. Hanabi has electrifying twists with dazzling displays and fizzling fireworks.
In this challenging game, players work together to execute the most magnificent fireworks display. The only thing is it’s dark outside, and you can’t see a thing, but if players cooperate, they’ll be able to create an unforgettable show.
The twist comes in with the cards. Each player holds their cards so that only the other players can see them. The other players must give each other critical information while also remembering all the vital information.
If you’re able to place each of the five colors in the correct order, you’ll please the audience and create the most epic light show!
#5. Coup
Players: 2- 6
Playing time: 15mins
Bluffing, deduction, and fierce politics. What could go wrong?
Only one can survive…
Set in a dystopian future, the elite live privileged lives while the masses suffer poverty and desperation. Oppression has turned to rebellion as they seek to reduce the government to complete chaos. Most are looking to improve lives for the masses, but a few see this as an opportunity for absolute power.
Coup may seem like a game simple enough for a beginner to play, but only the most devious will win. Laying low, bluffing, or calling people’s bluff are all strategies players can try. With all the different ways to play, Coup is different every time.
Coup is similar to Exploding Kittens as it heavily relies on deduction while still being hilarious and light-hearted. Your decisions will determine your fate.
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our list of 5 games like Exploding Kittens. After making a name for itself as the most-backed project and most-funded games project on Kickstarter ever, raising $8,782,571, Exploding Kittens has gone on to be a household name, spawning new card games in the same genre.
If you enjoyed any of these games, we can assure you that you’ll love these other titles too: Great Western Trail, Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure, Terraforming Mars, Legendary: A Marvel Deck-Building Game. Let us know if you’ve played one of these board games! Which one is your favorite? Drop us a comment below and tell us what you think. We’d love to hear from you!
Find more card games to play below:
