Best card games 2024: New favorites that won't get lost in the shuffle

Getting your hands on the best card games isn't easy. Because the industry is experiencing something of a renaissance, there are countless options weighing down the shelves right now - and that's without even getting started on trading card games (or 'TCGs' for short). 

That's why we've rounded up our favorite options for you here, across a range of budgets, difficulty-levels, and genres. Need something to take with you on the go? No problem. Would you prefer a more in-depth option you can keep coming back to with your friends? We've got an option for that too. If you ask us, these are the very best card games available at the moment... and because we've been writing about and reviewing them for well over five years, our team has a pretty good idea of what makes them tick.

No matter what you're looking for, it's certainly a good time to dive in. Plenty of new competitors have been trying to muscle their way onto lists of the best card games recently (such as Disney Lorcana, which has taken fans by storm), and even more are lining up this month - new TCG Star Wars Unlimited is the latest contender. From what we've seen so far, it's got a lot of promise. If you want to take a look yourself, you can find the Spark of Rebellion starter set for $34.99 at Amazon instead of almost $40. 

Written by

Written by

Benjamin Abbott

Benjamin's written about and reviewed card games professionally for more than five years, and started playing the likes of Magic: The Gathering when he was a kid.

Quick list

Best card game overall

If you ask us, Jaipur is one of the best card games ever made. Accessible, vibrant, and wonderfully moreish, this award-winner should be in everyone's collection.

Players take on the role of traders in the Indian city of Jaipur, and their challenge is to earn themselves an invite to the maharaja's court. The only way to do this is by becoming the best businessperson in all the land, so leave your compassion at the door - cutthroat tactics are the order of the day. However, there's no set way to go about winning. Want to buy and trade cheap items quickly? Knock yourself out. Would you prefer to collect high-ticket goods for a larger payout at the end? That's OK too - you've got room to experiment, and there are plenty of strategies to try out.

Just keep an eye on your opponent. Trading wins you chips from a limited stack, and these are worth points. Unfortunately, those points decrease as you go further down the pile. That means your efforts may be wasted if your rival beats you to the punch. The result is an engrossing balancing act, so Jaipur will grab you by the scruff of the neck and refuse to let go.

Best card games - for adults

With more than 30 years under its belt, Magic: The Gathering (or MTG) is practically a household name when it comes to trading card games. It's arguably one of the best, too; the old timer's blend of strategy and worldbuilding has earned it a dedicated fanbase since the 1990s. However, it's got something of a starter set problem. The official beginner boxes aren't easy to get your head around, and they often feel rather hodgepodge as well – each deck is made up of cards drawn from across the last few sets.

That's why MTG's Lord of the Rings starter kit is the one we'd recommend getting first. To be honest, it's not even a contest; the instructions are much clearer, the theme is an easy elevator pitch (everyone has some understanding of Tolkien's story at the very least), and the decks are more coherent because they bring together the Free Peoples or Sauron's armies. 

While the former is a welcome change (last year's official MTG starter set was oddly vague), it's the latter that makes this a contender for inclusion with the best card games. Besides utterly gorgeous artwork that provides a unique spin on iconic characters, those cards don't appear anywhere else; these versions are exclusive. That makes the decks feel more considered, and special. 

If you're new to Magic, we'd recommend trying this as a result.

Best card games - bluffing

Skull is remarkably simple… and remarkably moreish. This game of deception has quickly become one of our go-tos when friends come round, largely because it's easy to explain but still gripping. While it's not a traditional card game (its cards are circular, for a start), it can rival the very best in terms of appeal.

Each player begins with what is essentially a fancy coaster and a handful of cards. Most of these depict a flower, but the final one? That's a skull, illustrated in different styles from around the world. At the beginning of every turn, you secretly place a facedown card – either a flower or skull – onto your coaster or make a 'bid.' Bidding sees you make a guess at how many cards around the table you can turn over without getting a skull. Unless someone ups that bid, you then reveal your own facedown cards before deciding which of your rivals' cards you'll pick. Did you guess that there were five flower cards around the table? Reveal five flowers and you've won that round. Get two bids correct? You win the entire game.

Yes, it sounds straightforward. Reaching that point is much harder than it seems, though. Players will usually sneak a skull into their pile (or on top of it, if they're feeling spicy) to catch you out, all while trying to seem as innocent as possible. Being able to see through their bluff, or bluffing yourself to catch another player out, is where the real fun begins.  

Best card games - for kids

For many of us, Pokemon Battle Academy will be a time capsule of our childhood. As an entry-point to the classic Pokemon Trading Card Game, it thrives on nostalgia for a hobby that's been enjoyed worldwide since 1996. And to be honest, it's never been easier to get into than via this starter set – particularly if you're a younger fan.

Providing everything you need to get going with easy-to-follow rules and fan-favorite Pokemon, Battle Academy is the perfect way of easing yourself into the TCG no matter whether you're a lapsed fan or a greenhorn. More specifically, it drip-feeds rules exactly when you're ready to hear them, so kids and adults both won't be overwhelmed.

If this is your first time battling Pokemon, here's how it works; you start by choosing an active monster who'll be attacking your opponent, while others stay in reserve. You'll then attach Energy cards to your Pokemon each turn, powering their list of moves. But beware: certain attacks need different amounts of Energy, so you've got to judge when and where to use them before your Pokemon is knocked out. Can you save up enough Energy ahead of your rival's assault? Either way, the winner is the first person to defeat a certain number of Pokemon. 

It's a compelling, uncomplicated formula that supports one of the best card games of the last few decades. After a few matches, you – like us – will be rushing out to build your own Pokemon TCG decks.

Best card games - for families

You'd probably have more luck breaking into a vault than the trading card game market. Well, that's what we'd have said a year ago. Now? Disney Lorcana has proven us wrong. It exploded onto the scene in early 2023 and smashed expectations in short order. To be precise, it sold out almost everywhere. Reseller sites were demanding an eye-watering amount for certain cards, too.

Things are a bit more stable these days, and thank goodness for that. Lorcana isn't just a good TCG; it's perfect for beginners. (In fact, we'd argue that Disney Lorcana is the trading card game we need right now.) That's because its core rules are straightforward and easy to understand. Instead of piling changes on top of that foundation until it's borderline incomprehensible, any wrinkles are introduced via the cards themselves. In other words, everything you need to be aware of is listed clearly on the card in question. That makes it refreshingly accessible, even if you're playing with a new deck.

Naturally, Lorcana starring some of the world's most beloved characters doesn't hurt its appeal. Mickey Mouse, Moana, and the rest are here with original artwork pulled from their stories… or with a fresh twist. These are downright beautiful, so the game will appeal even if you just want to collect those cards.

Best card games - bluffing

Skull is remarkably simple… and remarkably moreish. This game of deception has quickly become one of our go-tos when friends come round, largely because it's easy to explain but still gripping. While it's not a traditional card game (its cards are circular, for a start), it can rival the very best in terms of appeal.

Each player begins with what is essentially a fancy coaster and a handful of cards. Most of these depict a flower, but the final one? That's a skull, illustrated in different styles from around the world. At the beginning of every turn, you secretly place a facedown card – either a flower or skull – onto your coaster or make a 'bid.' Bidding sees you make a guess at how many cards around the table you can turn over without getting a skull. Unless someone ups that bid, you then reveal your own facedown cards before deciding which of your rivals' cards you'll pick. Did you guess that there were five flower cards around the table? Reveal five flowers and you've won that round. Get two bids correct? You win the entire game.

Yes, it sounds straightforward. Reaching that point is much harder than it seems, though. Players will usually sneak a skull into their pile (or on top of it, if they're feeling spicy) to catch you out, all while trying to seem as innocent as possible. Being able to see through their bluff, or bluffing yourself to catch another player out, is where the real fun begins.  

Best card games - best horror

Bad news, everyone - cosmic terrors that defy all logic are trying to break into our world, and their very presence threatens insanity. More importantly, you're the only thing standing between them and humanity. (Just another day at the office, then.) Want the best horror card game? Here it is.

Rooted in H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, this is a streamlined adaptation of the classic Arkham Horror board game that simplifies gameplay for a snappier – yet still engrossing – experience. Challenging players to investigate and solve eldritch mysteries in a backwater US town, they're armed with nothing but cards that represent their character's talents, tools, and flaws which need to be overcome during the course of the campaign.

That's because the consequences of your actions will carry from one game to another – this is a 'living' experience that builds over time. The result is a light-touch roleplaying experience, and you can really immerse yourself in Arkham's setting due to that depth.

Best card games - for parties

If you're a fan of Cards Against Humanity, this devilish and NSFW alternative will be right up your street. Joking Hazard follows a similar formula of filling in the blanks with the funniest response, but it shakes things up by using pictures instead of words. Cue absolute chaos.

Modelled after the tongue-in-cheek cartoons of Cyanide and Happiness, two cards – one random, the other chosen by a player from their hand – begin a story. Everyone else has to finish it with a card of their own, and the most amusing response gets a point.

Luckily enough for those of us who don't enjoy being put on the spot, finding something to crack up your opponents isn't hard. Most of the cards in Joking Hazard have a laugh-out-loud quality to them, and they're all absurd. Perhaps your character will opt out of a conversation by flying away using nothing but the power of their farts. Maybe they'll eat the other person whole. Either way, it's ridiculous.

While this provides an 18+ product with one twisted sense of humor, it never feels vindictive. Joking Hazard is crude and silly, but it never doesn't punch down.

Best card game - travel

Sushi Go is a bizarre little game that's suitable for everyone, but children in particular; it's easy to understand and incredibly quick to play. In fact, we've found ourselves coming back time and again because each match can be wrapped up in under 15 minutes flat. That gives it a shot at being one of the best card games for kids or adults who don't want to sit about for long periods of time.

Your aim? To create the most appetizing 'meal' from a deck being passed between players. You do this by collecting food cards featuring the likes of cartoon dumplings, and each item's got a different points value attached to it. Some are worth more than others, while certain cards only pay up if you've gathered the most of them. 

As an added spanner in the works, you can't see what cards are left in circulation until it's your turn – you never really know what dishes you’ll be able to choose from. While that might sound like it would get confusing, you quickly become used to it and will soon be stealing cards your opponents need to finish their set. Because what tastes better than getting the upper hand?

Best quick card game

If you’re looking for a quick and quirky game to enjoy with friends, Exploding Kittens is calling your name. The premise is simple: each player needs to draw a single card from the deck and hope they don’t get an exploding kitten. If that happens, you’re out of the game. More specifically, you've blown up. (Sorry.) As you'd expect, the winner is the person who doesn't end up being blasted to smithereens.

How do you avoid meeting an explosive end? Don't worry, you've got a hand of cards that will help you turn the tables. Some contain ways to skip your turn or 'defuse' kittens. Others let you know what card is going to be drawn next. Learning how to use these special abilities – and being cheeky with them at every opportunity – is key to your survival. For example, you might see that an exploding kitten is on its way. You'll then rearrange the deck to ensure your opponent draws it, blowing them to kingdom come while you ride off into the proverbial sunset. It's wonderfully devious.

Because you can get through a game in about 10-15 minutes, Exploding Kittens is also ideal as a palette cleanser between bigger board or card game sessions. That means it's practically made for parties, especially due to the fact that its sense of humor is straight-up bonkers.

Best card games: FAQ

Want more suggestions? Looking for something new? Don't forget to check out the Best board games, or even the best tabletop RPGs.