Exploding Kittens: The Board Game Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Mel Randle
Family games night this weekend saw myself and my daughter (9) battle it out to be the first to the winning ribbon in Exploding Kittens: The Board Game. Based on the highly successful card game Exploding Kittens, it’s a game of strategy to be the first to make it across the board from the litter tray and claim the ribbon without ‘exploding’!
On the face of it, this game has lots of plus points and would definitely stand out on a shelf when looking for your next board game. First of all, the box is visually striking with bold colours and funny graphics. This is a theme that continues throughout the contents of the box and kept my daughter engaged throughout the game (sometimes to the detriment of it because I had to encourage her to stop enjoying the fabulous pictures and carry on with play!) The recommended age is 7+ and the number of players is 2-6 so great for couples or one parent/child like us, or equally great for larger families or playing with friends. Everybody plays as individuals so no arguments if the numbers are odd! Estimated play time is 20 mins which is about right once everybody has a hang of the rules. It’s a perfect length when playing with children who get easily distracted and lose concentration after a time!
We haven’t played the original card game, but know friends who have and who love it, so I would imagine the board game would be a great addition to their game’s cupboard as I’m sure the contents of the box enhance the game they already enjoy. The funny graphics continue on the game cards and the counters, but the pièce de resistance is the board! It’s pop-up and it ‘flips’ from calm to chaos, so it holds children’s interest as the game keeps changing!
We had several dummy runs to get used to the game before our ultimate battle! The rules aren’t complicated but there are lots of different types of cards so you have to get the hang of which one means what. It’s also difficult in a game where your success depends on your opponent NOT seeing your cards, so when a child keeps showing you theirs to a) show you the cute picture, or b) ask what this one means, a few dummy runs are a good idea. An instruction booklet is included but on the front is a QR code linked to a short video. Highly recommend this for initial set up as it made the process much easier!
To win the game and move across the board, opponents have to play cards in order to outsmart the other players and lead them into traps whilst trying to avoid danger spaces themselves and block moves that put them at risk. Once you all have the hang of it and the game runs its full course, you can expect treachery, shocks, fun, laughs, arguments and Exploding Kittens! (no animals are harmed!) I really do recommend this game for all the family. It is a great fun way of teaching children the art of strategy in an engaging way!
Rating: 5/5
RRP £23
For more information and to purchase EXPLODING KITTENS: The Board Game, visit here.