Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens Good vs. Evil Card Game
A standalone Exploding Kittens spinoff built around a good-versus-evil theme with a playmat, inspired by the brand's Netflix show. A different flavor of chaos from the original, not an expansion that requires owning the base game first.
See current price on AmazonAbout Exploding Kittens Good vs. Evil
Exploding Kittens Good vs. Evil is a standalone spinoff from Exploding Kittens Inc., the same studio (Elan Lee, Shane Small, and cartoonist Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal) behind the original card game, which first launched through one of the most successful tabletop Kickstarter campaigns ever run on the platform. Released in July 2023, this edition ties into the studio's first Netflix animated series, also titled Exploding Kittens, and puts the show's two central cat characters, Godcat and Devilcat, at the center of the game.
The core loop is the same push-your-luck drawing you'd recognize from the original: players take turns using action cards to skip, peek, or shuffle before drawing from the deck, trying not to be the one who pulls an Exploding Kitten. This version adds Godcat, playable as nearly any card in the game, and Devilcat, which causes a player to explode even while holding a Defuse card, plus a set of Armageddon cards that pull two players into a short face-off over the included Good vs. Evil playmat. The box ships with 53 cards, the Godcat and Devilcat cards, the playmat, and an instruction manual, enough to run a full 2 to 5 player game in about 15 minutes without owning anything else, since it's designed to play on its own rather than as an add-on.
If your family already owns the original box or other expansions, this deck combines with them for a bigger combined game. If this is your first Exploding Kittens purchase, it works as a complete starting point too. For how it stacks up against the rest of the lineup, see our Exploding Kittens buying guide.
The Honest Take
What We Like and What We Don't
What we like
- Reviewers repeatedly describe it as an easy win for family game night, teaching in about one round and pulling in kids around age 9 to 12 alongside teens and adults
- Parents who already own the original game and other expansions specifically call out adding this one for the new Godcat, Devilcat, and Armageddon mechanic, not just more of the same cards
- Rounds run about 10 to 15 minutes, which reviewers say makes it an easy pick for travel, camping, or a packed evening
- Fans of the Netflix show call out the new artwork and character references as a genuine draw on top of the gameplay
What holds it back
- A few reviewers describe it more as a nice variation on the original than a dramatically different game, worth knowing if you're expecting a big departure
- The manual and cards ship in English with no other language guaranteed, which caught at least one buyer outside the US off guard
- One reviewer felt the deck has a few too many cards for how the round actually plays
Is This For You?
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy This
Get it if…
your family already knows and likes the original Exploding Kittens and wants a fresh twist for game night, especially if anyone is a fan of the Netflix show, since the Godcat and Devilcat cards and the Armageddon mini-game are the most notable new addition. It also works as a complete first purchase on its own, since you don't need to own the original box to play it.
Skip it if…
you're chasing a deep strategy game, since the underlying mechanic is the same luck-and-bluffing engine as the original, just with new cards layered on top, not a different genre. It's also not the best pick if English isn't the primary language at your table, since the cards and manual ship in English only.
The verdict
Exploding Kittens Good vs. Evil delivers what it promises: the same fast, easy-to-teach card game the brand is known for, reworked around a good-versus-evil theme with a genuine new mechanic in Godcat, Devilcat, and the Armageddon face-off. It's a standalone game, so you don't need the original box to play it, and reviewers consistently point to it working well for families who already know Exploding Kittens and want a fresh variation, especially fans of the Netflix show. It's not a dramatic reinvention of the formula, so don't expect a different game underneath the new cards. See how it compares with the rest of the line in our Exploding Kittens buying guide.
What Real Buyers Say
“I can't express enough how much I adore this game. It's an absolute blast to play with friends and family. The fun we've had, the hilarious moments, and the friendly competition make it an unforgettable experience.”
United States · July 8, 2025
“Me and my kids played this game and had so much fun. Easy to play and understand, took one round to figure out how to play the game but so much fun.”
United States · January 4, 2024
“A fun and engaging card game that combines humor with strategy for players aged 7 and up. The mechanics are straightforward yet entertaining: players draw cards, strategize, and try to avoid the dreaded Exploding Kitten cards. The Good vs. Evil twist adds unique character abilities that keep each game feeling fresh.”
United States · October 26, 2024
“This plays just like the original game with the addition of the Armageddon card, which sets up two players in a short challenge of wits and strategy. One player puts the Godcat and Devilcat cards facedown in front of them and their opponent, and the opponent chooses which card to flip. Get the Devilcat and you're out immediately. Get the Godcat and you gain a superpower. Still a great 10 to 15 minute family game.”
United States · August 15, 2023
“Exploding kittens is such a fun family game and this version added a nice switch up from the original we've had for a few years. My kids love it, 9 and 12 years old.”
United States · October 6, 2024
“It's a really fun game for friends and family, but it has a few too many cards.”
United States · April 25, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Good vs. Evil require owning the original Exploding Kittens game?
No. It's a standalone game that plays fully on its own, and it can also combine with the original box or other expansions if your family already owns them.
What age range and player count is this designed for?
Ages 7 and up, for 2 to 5 players, with a typical round running about 15 minutes.
What comes in the box?
53 cards plus the Godcat and Devilcat cards, a Good vs. Evil playmat, and an instruction manual, enough to play a full game without buying anything extra.
How is this different from the original Exploding Kittens game?
It keeps the same draw-and-avoid-exploding core, then adds Godcat (playable as nearly any card), Devilcat (causes an explosion even with a Defuse card), and Armageddon cards that trigger a two-player face-off using the playmat.
Is it worth owning if I already have the original or other expansions?
Based on reviews, it's a genuine but modest variation, families who already own the original describe adding it specifically for the new Godcat, Devilcat, and Armageddon mechanic, though it's not a dramatically different game underneath.
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