The Best Card Games of the Year 2017 in Comparison 2026

Embark on a collaborative journey of espionage in Codenames Duet, where the familiar elements of Codenames persist – providing one-word clues to unveil your agents among those on the table. This time, however, you and your teammate work together to uncover all your agents, adding a thrilling cooperative dimension to the challenge. The mystery of not knowing your agents from the outset adds an intriguing layer to the mission, raising questions that even Congressional investigators might ponder later!

Century: Golem Edition is an engaging and visually appealing board game that is a re-themed version of Century: Spice Road. Set in the imaginative world of Caravania, this game combines strategic planning and resource management, appealing to players who enjoy tactical decision-making.

Fantasy Realms immerses players in the role of rulers striving to build the most powerful realm. This card game is all about strategic combinations and choices, with every decision shaping the strength and nature of your realm.

5-Minute Dungeon is a fast-paced, cooperative, real-time card game that challenges players to escape a dungeon within a five-minute time limit. The game is characterized by its intense pace and the need for quick thinking and effective teamwork.

Herbaceous is a charming and engaging card game that revolves around the theme of herb collecting. Players compete to gather and store a variety of herbs in the most effective way to score the highest points. The game is known for its simplicity, quick play, and strategic depth, making it a great choice for both casual and seasoned gamers.

Players take turns drawing cards in a cat-themed version of Russian Roulette until someone picks an exploding kitten and loses. The deck includes cards to avoid explosions, force opponents to draw multiple cards, or shuffle the deck. This standalone game accommodates 2 to 10 players and features content from the Exploding Kittens series and its app.

Lovecraft Letter transports you into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft in the 1920s. This card game, a unique take on the Love Letter system, blends mystery with an "insanity" mechanic that adds depth and intrigue to the gameplay.

Century: Spice Road is the first game in a series that delves into the rich and vibrant history of spice trading. Set against the backdrop of the legendary Silk Road, players take on the roles of caravan leaders, journeying across continents to trade spices and achieve fame and glory. This game combines elements of strategy and resource management, making it an engaging experience for players who enjoy economic and trading games.

Cat Lady is a charming and light-hearted card drafting game where players step into the shoes of cat ladies, a distinguished group that counts Marie Antoinette and Ernest Hemingway among its members. The objective is to gather the most delightful collection of items for your cats – from toys and costumes to catnip and food – while ensuring you have enough to keep all your feline friends well-fed and happy.

Startups is a competitive card game where players take on the roles of savvy investors looking to make their fortune by investing in the most promising companies. With a mix of strategy, luck, and keen observation, players must outmaneuver their opponents to become the wealthiest shareholder and dominate the market.

The Fox in the Forest is a captivating two-player trick-taking card game that brings a unique twist to a classic genre with its enchanting fairy tale theme and strategic gameplay.

You are finally a king! All your dreams have come true as you enjoy the view of your wonderful kingdom filled with green meadows, rolling fields, tall mountains, and clear rivers. However, you need citizens to thrive, so you must promote the merits of your kingdom throughout the land while competing against other kings to attract the best inhabitants.

"Face to Face" offers similar gameplay to its predecessor, where players must place their hand cards in ascending and descending stacks. Now, it’s a two-player competition where each player races to discard their cards first. Though aiming for individual victory, players inevitably have to assist their opponent along the way.

Players need the power of memory and a bit of pirate luck to escape Captain Goldfish's island before the lava engulfs them in the game. They reveal locations connected to the last shown spot, but making a wrong connection eliminates them from the round. The last remaining pirate claims a valuable treasure, with each round building on previously gathered information for a chance at victory. Advanced players can utilize special actions triggered by connected locations for an even more exciting experience.

Fugitive is a tense, fast-paced two-player card game set in the thrilling universe of Burgle Bros. In this game, one player assumes the role of a fugitive on the run, while the other takes on the role of a relentless agent on the fugitive’s trail. The game involves a strategic cat-and-mouse chase where the fugitive must reach their goal without getting caught.

Players must quickly find pairs of cards on the table in Twin It! To set up, shuffle the double-sided cards and distribute them evenly among players. Players take turns placing cards face up, and when someone spots a match, they claim the pair. The first to collect five pairs wins. The game can also be played in teams or with cards held in hand facing each player.

The Chameleon is a captivating game of bluffing and deduction, where players take turns either blending in or trying to identify the imposter among them. It's a game that tests your ability to be both cunning and perceptive, making it perfect for groups looking for a quick, engaging, and interactive experience.

Where will your muse lead you? Guide your teammates with cryptic clues and surreal images in this beautiful party game featuring over a hundred fully illustrated cards. Play cooperatively with fewer players or split into teams for a larger group; the game operates the same way in either case. As the Muse, be creative in giving the right clue based on your inspiration card, while as the Artists, work together to decipher the clue and select the correct artwork. Challenge your creativity, pay attention, and let your muse inspire your masterpiece!

Players take on the role of crazy scientists needing precious mortals for experiments. Instead of getting their hands dirty, they rely on their army of shabby creatures to carry out their orders. Capture the most valuable mortals over three nights to win, but be warned—mortals won't go down without a fight.

Codenames: Disney – Family Edition brings the magic of Disney to the popular social word game Codenames, offering a delightful twist that Disney and Pixar fans of all ages will adore. This edition blends the strategic and cooperative elements of the original game with the enchanting worlds and characters of Disney and Pixar, making it an ideal choice for family game nights and gatherings of Disney enthusiasts.

Aeon's End: War Eternal plunges you into the desperate battle for Gravehold, the last stronghold in a world under siege by The Nameless. This standalone expansion of Aeon's End delivers a thrilling cooperative deck-building experience.

Players take on the role of contestants in a humorous game where they respond to prompts with creative answers. A "Round Boss" presents a fill-in-the-blank card, and players submit their hidden responses. The funniest answer wins the round, and the game continues until players decide to stop or are asked to leave the venue. The game features unique cards focusing on German celebrities, locations, and culturally relevant themes.

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary, a special edition of the game has been released, titled Bohnanza: 20 Jahre. The game maintains the original rules where players start with bean cards and cannot change their order. Players must plant beans, trade with others, and can harvest to collect coins, while a new bean type, the Spring Bean, allows for additional card draws and shared benefits when harvested.

Go Nuts for Donuts is an engaging and fast-paced card game that combines elements of strategy and luck, making it an excellent choice for family game nights. The game's premise is simple yet captivating, as players vie to collect the most delicious array of donuts for points, all while trying to outwit their opponents to secure their chosen treats.

Night falls and your tamed creatures have escaped their enclosure. Venture into the forest and lure them back with juicy fireflies in a game about collecting cute critters for three to five players.

Unlock! Escape Adventures is a cooperative card game that captures the essence of escape room challenges. Using a unique combination of card play and a companion app, players work together to search scenes, combine objects, and solve riddles. The game offers a tabletop escape room experience, providing immersive adventures that require strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Claim is a captivating card game set in a realm thrown into chaos by the sudden death of its king. Players compete to win the support of five factions and claim the throne for themselves. The game is played in two phases: first, recruiting followers, and then using those followers to win over the factions. Each faction possesses unique powers that can influence the game, and these powers may vary between the phases. The goal is to secure the majority of followers in at least three of the five factions to win the game and ascend to the throne.

Players race to be the first to "travel" to the country in the center of the table while making their way through their own countries. Each country has three travel-related items needed for the journey, which players must collect while managing their passports like a packing bag. They can draw from the deck, recycle from the discard pile, trade, or even steal from each other to gather the necessary items. Additionally, the game features five expansions that add depth and complexity, introducing events, special items, forbidden items, postcards with alternative win conditions, and unique character abilities.

Majesty: For the Realm is a strategic board game set in the Middle Ages, where players vie for the crown by building the most prosperous domain. The game revolves around recruiting a variety of characters from the medieval society, each contributing to the growth and wealth of your kingdom in different ways. Players must make tactical decisions to assemble the most effective combination of subjects to outmaneuver their rivals and claim supremacy.

Unlock! Secret Adventures brings the escape room experience right to your tabletop with three unique adventures. This cooperative card game challenges players to solve puzzles, combine items, and crack codes using a mix of physical cards and a companion app.