We’d forgotten how perfectly ridiculous this game is. One moment you’re safe. The next, you’re taken out by a TacoCat wearing sunglasses.
Exploding Kittens sounds dumb. It is. But in the best way possible.
What is Exploding Kittens?
Exploding Kittens is a quick card game in which you try not to draw an exploding kitten. It was created by Matthew Inman of the webcomic The Oatmeal together with Elan Lee and Shane Small, and it became famous before it even existed: its 2015 Kickstarter raised almost 8.8 million dollars from more than 219,000 backers.
The original edition has 56 cards and is for 2 to 5 players, ages 7 and up, in about 15 minutes. There’s also an NSFW edition, a 2-player edition, a party pack for bigger groups and a pile of expansions. We haven’t tried any of those.
How it plays
Everyone starts with a hand of cards that includes one Defuse. The Exploding Kittens get shuffled into the deck, always one fewer than there are players. On your turn, you play as many cards as you like, or none, and then draw one.
Draw a kitten and you explode, unless you have a Defuse. Then you survive and secretly slide the kitten back into the deck wherever you like. Last one standing wins.
Everything else is about not drawing, or making someone else draw. Cards like Skip, Attack, Shuffle and Nope help you dodge, and Nope can be played even when it isn’t your turn. Some cards let you peek at the top of the deck. And the other players will do their best to relieve you of your precious Defuse.
Where it shines
It’s chaos, but it’s not mindless. Somehow, Exploding Kittens still manages to feel tactical. You’re constantly bluffing, sabotaging and hoping your friends explode before you do.
We played with five people and it was mayhem, the good kind. Everyone was laughing and accusing each other of plotting. That’s the game at its best: a table of people who know exactly how mean they’re allowed to be.
And it gets to the table fast. No long setup, no complicated rules. Just cats, chaos and fun. It’s one of those games that just works.
Where it stings
The betrayal when someone steals your Defuse card? Brutal. Your one lifeline, gone, and every draw after that is a gamble.
That’s part of the fun, but it’s also the game’s sharp edge. When you explode, you’re out, and you watch the rest of the game from the sidelines. For us, early elimination is the main downside, and the mean cards can spark real arguments. The games are short, so the wait isn’t long, but it’s still a wait.
There’s also plenty of luck. Sometimes no amount of clever play saves you from the top card. And once you’ve seen all the joke cards, some of the charm wears off.
Exploding Kittens with kids
The box says 7+. We haven’t played it with our daughters yet, so here’s what we hear from other families instead.
Some talk about five-year-olds who play it often and keep up with older players. Others describe games with 8- and 9-year-olds where everyone won at least once. Some parents recommend 8 and up: there’s no worrying content, but keep an eye on kids who get frustrated easily, since some cards are designed to hurt the other players. If you’ve got a sore loser at the table, the Defuse heist might be a tough first lesson.
What we hear in the community
Most people agree it’s fast, funny and easy to learn. The interaction, the art and the tension of every draw get a lot of love. But you also often hear that it works best when everyone is invested, and that a half-hearted player can drag the group down.
On luck versus strategy, opinions split: some see it as a game of strategy rather than luck, others say chance plays a big role. Some also find it pricey for a card game, and the humor isn’t for everyone.
Our verdict
Exploding Kittens is perfectly ridiculous, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s quick, it’s loud, and it’s more tactical than it has any right to be.
Get it if your group loves bluffing, sabotage and laughing at bad luck. Skip it if someone at your table hates sitting out, or if you want a game where planning beats the deck.
Have you played it? And if so, did you survive?
Where it shines
- No long setup, no complicated rules
- Perfectly ridiculous art and humor
- Still tactical: bluffing, sabotage, timing
- With five players, everyone was laughing
Where it stings
- Losing your Defuse to a thief is brutal
- Player elimination: if you're out early, you wait
- A lot of luck, and the jokes wear off once you know the cards
Fact sheet
- 2–5
- about 15 min (publisher)
- 7+
- Elan Lee, Matthew Inman, Shane Small
- Five people
From our table
FAQ
How do you play Exploding Kittens?
On your turn you play as many cards as you like, or none, and then draw one. If you draw an Exploding Kitten and can't play a Defuse card, you're out. The last player standing wins.
How many players is Exploding Kittens for?
The original edition is for 2 to 5 players. We played it with five, and it was mayhem in the best way. Party versions and expansions go higher.
What age is Exploding Kittens for?
The box says 7+. Some parents recommend 8 and up and suggest keeping an eye on kids who get frustrated easily.
How long does a game of Exploding Kittens take?
About 15 minutes (publisher's figure). Setup is quick and the rules are simple.
Is Exploding Kittens just luck?
There's a lot of luck, but for us it still feels tactical: you're constantly bluffing, sabotaging and hoping someone else explodes first.
