Exploding Kittens (Original Edition) review 2026
56-card game illustrated by webcomic artist The Oatmeal, with over 20 million copies sold
Is the Exploding Kittens Worth It?
Best quick-play card game. A genuinely massive-selling card game with quick, easy-to-learn rules — the sales figure alone is a real signal of staying power, even without a specific critic review to cite.
Exploding Kittens Pros & Cons
- Over 20 million copies sold per the publisher's own figures — a genuine market-longevity signal
- Fast games at roughly 15 minutes, 2–5 players
- Distinctive art by webcomic artist The Oatmeal
- No independently confirmed critic/outlet review found (sales figures are a market signal, not a hands-on test)
- Simple 56-card format offers less long-term depth than a full board game
- Younger end of the 7+ range may need help understanding the rules
Exploding Kittens at a Glance
Rubric v1: Materials & build 30 · Play value 25 · Independent review consensus 20 · Safety & durability 15 · Value 10. Score = Σ ÷ 10, locked Sep 21, 2026. How we rank.
Where to buy — prices checked Sep 21, 2026
Exploding Kittens specifications
Why it scored 7
A genuinely massive-selling card game with quick, easy-to-learn rules — the sales figure alone is a real signal of staying power, even without a specific critic review to cite.
Where it loses
Less long-term depth than a full board game.
Still the right pick for
Quick game nights and travel, ages 7 and up.
What owners say
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Changelog: Sep 21 — rank 3 → 4; Sep 21 — rank 4 → 5 · all changes