Exploding Kittens® – Official

Rating: 4.5	Downloads: 500,000+
Category: Card	Offer by: Marmalade Game Studio

Exploding Kittens® – Official is a popular party card game where players race to find a single non-exploding kitty, navigating a path filled with perilous cards that can end your turn or end the game abruptly. Belonging to the party card game genre, its unique appeal lies in the constant tension, the adorable yet dangerous art of exploding kittens, and the simple but strategic gameplay loop that encourages bluffing and risk-taking.

The gameplay experience of Exploding Kittens® – Official is fast-paced, chaotic, and filled with laughter. The visual style is bright, cartoony, and heavily features cats, kittens, and other whimsical creatures rendered in a pleasingly detailed art style that emphasizes the game’s playful yet slightly tense nature.

Gameplay and Features

• [Core Gameplay Loop]: Players draw cards in a shared pile, aiming to be the first to collect the non-exploding kitty card (Kitten Card #1). Drawn cards include action cards (Cat, Bomb, Accusation) and exploding kitten cards, which cause an immediate loss. The goal is to bluff opponents into thinking you have the kitty while avoiding drawing dangerous cards yourself.
• [Visuals or Art Style]: The art is colorful, cartoonish, and often features detailed pixel art or illustrations of cats, kittens, and supporting characters like pugs and dogs, all rendered in a whimsical and engaging style that perfectly matches the game’s theme.
• [Modes or Levels]: The game typically supports both single-player versus AI opponents and online multiplayer. It often includes a campaign/story mode (following Arty) and various competitive or cooperative game modes, offering significant replayability through different scenarios and rulesets.
• [Controls or Interface]: Gameplay involves using buttons or cards to perform actions like passing the turn or accusing other players. The interface is generally touch-friendly for mobile/tablet play or mouse/keyboard friendly for PC, with intuitive icons and clear turn indicators.
• [Customization or Power-ups]: Players can unlock special characters (like cats, dogs, or pugs) or unique cards as they progress. There might be an in-game shop for purchasing additional cosmetic items or card packs to expand gameplay, motivating play through achievements and unlocking new content.
• [Any Special Systems]: The game heavily relies on bluffing and reading opponents. Features often include turn passing, card swapping, accusations, and a unique rule called “Cat Flip,” which adds strategic depth and keeps the game dynamic.

How to Play

Beginner’s Guide:

• Step 1: Shuffle the deck, place the goal card (#1 Kitten) in a discard pile, and deal a starting hand to all players. Everyone draws a card.
• Step 2: On your turn, draw a card from the draw pile and decide to “Pass” it to the left/right or “Accuse” another player of having the kitten. If passing, you keep the card. If accusing, show your hand to the accused player (or the other AI if playing alone).
• Step 3: Continue passing cards or accusing until someone draws the Kitten #1 card, shouts “cat”, reveals the kitty, and wins the round (or game). Be wary of Bomb cards and exploding kittens!

Pro Tips:

• Watch the number of cards drawn and passed. Fewer players or more draws increase your chances of getting the kitty. Passing cards effectively removes them from the game.
• Use the Cat Flip card strategically. Flipping the kitty card back into the discard pile resets the draw pile and lets you see who drew it. Use this after a suspected strong player’s turn or during an intense standoff.
• Don’t reveal the kitty early. Keep your hand hidden until you’re ready to win. Accusations can be bluffing attempts, use them carefully. Sometimes the safest play is to just keep drawing.

Similar Games

Game Title	Why It’s Similar
Drawful by Jackbox Games	Shares a similar party card game or Jackbox style. Known for fun, silly themes, turn-based action cards, and a high replay value with numerous mini-games.
Cards Against Humanity	Appeals to the same audience for its absurd humor and reliance on social interaction. Features a deck of dark, funny cards requiring players to build increasingly bizarre lists or answer increasingly weird questions, much like the bluffing element in Exploding Kittens.
King of Cards (Card Master)	Popular among fans of “Exploding Kittens® – Official”. Offers a comparable deck building strategy card game experience, focusing on acquiring powerful cards, managing resources, and engaging in direct competition with opponents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does a typical game of Exploding Kittens® – Official take?

A: A single game round usually takes just a few minutes, depending on the number of players and luck. However, the overall game often includes a campaign or multiple rounds, potentially stretching play over an hour or more for completion.

Q: Can you play with fewer than five players?

A: Yes, you can play Exploding Kittens® – Official with as few as two players. The core mechanics work the same, just with a smaller group, and it can still be just as intense and fun.

Q: Do the AI players play differently based on difficulty settings?

A: Often yes, higher difficulty AI will be more aggressive in their play (making accusations sooner, flipping less frequently) while easier difficulty AI might be slower or more prone to bluffing, making the game more challenging or easier accordingly.

Q: What happens if someone draws an exploding kitten by accident?

A: If a player draws a card that is an exploding kitten, they immediately lose the game and typically reveal the card, often accompanied by a funny animation or sound effect. It’s the ultimate penalty card!

Q: Is Exploding Kittens® – Official available on all platforms?

A: The game is often available on multiple platforms including PC (Steam, etc.), iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), and sometimes consoles, but availability can vary by region and platform. Check the official store or platform listings for specific availability.

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