In recent years, Kickstarter has become a popular platform for game designers to fund their creative projects. Kickstarter card games, in particular, have grown in popularity thanks to their portability and ease of play.

In this post, we’ll explore the Kickstarter playing cards phenomenon, talk about why Kickstarter is a good platform for card games, and reveal our top ten picks for the best Kickstarter card games.

What is a Kickstarter Card Game?

A Kickstarter card game is a card game that is created by a designer or team of designers who seek funding for their project on Kickstarter.

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that allows creators to showcase their ideas and receive pledges from backers who want to support their projects.

Creators set a funding goal and a deadline, and the project is funded if the goal is reached. If the goal is not reached, the project is not funded, and the backers are not charged.

Is Kickstarter Good for Card Games?

Kickstarter is hands down the best platform for games. This category is far and away the most successful on the platform. But, to be a bit more specific, Kickstarter an excellent platform for card games because it allows designers to reach a larger audience than they might have otherwise. The largest audience of all crowdfunding platforms and by far the most enthusiastic audience for games. Additionally, Kickstarter allows game designers to interact with their audience, receive feedback, and incorporate changes before the game is released.

What is the Most Backed Kickstarter Card Game?

The most backed Kickstarter card game to date is Exploding Kittens, created by Matthew Inman, creator of The Oatmeal, and Elan Lee, Xbox’s former chief design officer.

Exploding Kittens is a strategic card game that involves avoiding explosive felines and trying to be the last player standing.

The game was originally funded in 2015, raising $8.8 million from 219,382 backers, far surpassing its original goal of $10,000, making it the most-backed Kickstarter card game ever.

It also tops our list of the top ten best Kickstarter card games.

#1 Exploding Kittens: Most Funded and Best Overall Kickstarter Card Game

Exploding Kittens is a fast-paced, strategic card game perfect for game nights with friends and family.

The game’s objective is to avoid drawing an exploding kitten card from the deck, which will cause you to lose the game.

Players take turns drawing cards and using various actions to manipulate the deck and avoid drawing the deadly kitten.

With cards that allow players to skip turns, peek at the deck, and even see the future, the game is full of surprises and laughs.

With simple rules and quirky artwork, Exploding Kittens is an entertaining Kickstarter card game that will surely be a hit for anyone who loves card games.

Exploding Kittens by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2015
• Funds raised: $8.8 million
• Backers: 219,382
• Original goal: $10,000

#2 The Dresden Files: Most Cooperative Card Game

The Dresden Files is a cooperative card game based on the popular urban fantasy book series of the same name by Jim Butcher. Created by Evil Hat Productions, the game allows players to take on the roles of Harry Dresden and his allies as they investigate supernatural mysteries and battle powerful enemies.

In the game, players work together to solve cases by playing cards from their hands to overcome challenges and advance the story. Each case has unique challenges and goals, adding to the game’s replayability.

With a variety of characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities, players must work together to use their strengths and cover each other’s weaknesses.

The Dresden Files is a fantastic cooperative Kickstarter card game that captures the spirit of the books and offers a fun and challenging gameplay experience.

With stunning artwork and detailed character cards, fans of the books will love playing through the various cases and battling supernatural forces alongside their favorite characters.

The Dresden Files by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2016
• Funds raised: $560,882
• Backers: 7,137
• Original goal: $48,000

#3 Thunderstone Quest: Best Deck Building Card Game

Photo Courtesy of Thunderstone Quest

Thunderstone Quest is a deck-building adventure game funded on Kickstarter and designed by AEG. In the game, players take on the role of heroes on a quest to defeat monsters, acquire treasure, and gain experience to level up their decks.

The game features a modular board that can be customized for different quests, adding to the game’s replayability.

Players must strategically choose which cards to add to their decks, balancing their need for weapons, spells, and other items to defeat monsters and advance the quest.

With stunning artwork and deep gameplay mechanics, Thunderstone Quest is a fantastic game for fans of deck-building and adventure games. It offers an outstanding balance of strategy and luck, making each game session unique and exciting.

With various expansions available, this Kickstarter card game keeps players returning for more.

Thunderstone Quest by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2017
• Funds raised: $732,782
• Backers: 5,146
• Original goal: $50,000

#4 Joking Hazard: Best Card Game For Parties

Joking Hazard is a hilarious party card game created by Cyanide & Happiness. The game is based on the popular webcomic and allows players to create their own comic strips by combining panels from a deck of cards.

In the game, players take turns being the judge and choosing a starter card, which sets up the comic’s first panel. The other players then select a follow-up card from their hands, which becomes the next panel in the comic strip.

The judge selects the funniest combination of cards to complete the comic and awards points accordingly.

With a wide variety of panels to choose from, players can create endless combinations of hilarious and absurd comics. The game is easy to learn and offers hours of laughter and entertainment for players of all ages.

Joking Hazard is a must-have Kickstarter card game for any party or game night.

Joking Hazard by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2016
• Funds raised: $3,246,588
• Backers: 63,758
• Original goal: $10,000

#5 Codex: Best Fantasy Strategy Card Game

Codex is a strategy card game set in a high fantasy world, created by David Sirlin and funded on Kickstarter. In the game, players take on the role of a mighty hero and build their armies using a combination of spells, units, and upgrades to defeat their opponents.

The game offers a unique gameplay experience, allowing players to customize their decks by choosing from various cards and creating unique strategies. The game also features a built-in resource system, adding an extra layer of strategy and depth.

With stunning artwork and deep gameplay mechanics, Codex is a fantastic game for fans of strategy and fantasy games. It offers an outstanding balance of luck and skill, making each game session unique and exciting.

There are a variety of expansions available for this Kickstarter card game, so you and your friends will want to keep coming back for more.

Codex by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2014
• Funds raised: $503,100
• Backers: 2,694
• Original goal: $50,000

#6 Bears vs. Babies: Best Monster Building Card Game

Photo Courtesy of Bears vs. Babies

Bears vs. Babies is a hilarious and unique monster-building card game created by the makers of Exploding Kittens, funded on Kickstarter.

In the game, players take on the role of monster builders, creating terrifying creatures by combining various body parts to defeat armies of babies.

The game features a wide variety of monster body parts, each with its unique abilities and strengths. Players must strategically build their monsters to defeat the various types of babies with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Featuring stunning artwork and hilarious gameplay mechanics, Bears vs. Babies is a must-have game for fans of party and strategy games.

This Kickstarter card game is easy to learn and offers hours of laughter and entertainment for players of all ages.

Various expansion packs are available for endless fun.

Bears vs. Babies by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2017
• Funds raised: $3,215,679
• Backers: 85,581
• Original goal: $10,000

#7 Potato Pirates: Best Educational Kickstarter Card Game

Potato Pirates is a fun and educational card game that combines strategy, coding, and potato puns.

In this Kickstarter card game, players become potato pirates, trying to sail the high seas and collect treasure. Along the way, they must defend their ship from rival potato pirates and avoid obstacles like sea monsters and storms.

The game is played with a deck of cards representing different actions and abilities, such as attacking, defending, and moving. Players must use their cards strategically to outmaneuver their opponents and collect the most treasure.

One unique aspect of the game is the use of coding concepts like loops and conditionals, which allow players to program their moves in advance and execute them more efficiently.

Potato Pirates is suitable for 3-6 players and can be played in 30–60 minutes. It is designed for ages seven and up and is a great way to introduce children to coding concepts in a fun and engaging way.

Overall, Potato Pirates is a hilarious and entertaining game that appeals to kids and adults alike.

Potato Pirates by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2017
• Funds raised: $28,704
• Backers: 624
• Original goal: $4,500

#8 Unstable Unicorns: Funniest Card Game

Unstable Unicorns is a fun and whimsical card game that was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter.

The game is about collecting and controlling a herd of unstable unicorns and using their special abilities to gain an advantage over other players.

In the game, players must collect a set number of unicorns and use their unique abilities to sabotage their opponents or protect themselves. The game also features various upgrade cards that can be used to strengthen your herd or weaken your opponents.

With adorable artwork and humorous gameplay mechanics, Unstable Unicorns is an excellent Kickstarter card game for fans of party games and strategy games. The game is easy to learn and offers hours of laughter and entertainment for players of all ages.

There are a variety of expansion packs available for Unstable Unicorns.

Unstable Unicorns by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2017
• Funds raised: $1,811,966
• Backers: 33,018
• Original goal: $10,000

#9 Hero Realms: Best Fantasy Deck Building Card Game

Hero Realms is a fantasy-themed deck-building card game created by White Wizard Games and funded on Kickstarter. In the game, players take on the role of heroes and battle against each other using various cards and abilities.

The game features various cards, including heroes, weapons, spells, and other items, which players can use to build their decks and develop unique strategies. Players must strategically choose which cards to play and when and manage their resources to defeat their opponents and become the ultimate hero.

With beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay mechanics, Hero Realms is a great game for fans of strategy and fantasy games. This Kickstarter card game is easy to learn and offers hours of entertainment for players of all ages.

Expansion packs make Hero Realms great for replayability, keeping players coming back for more.

Hero Realms by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2016
• Funds raised: $1,178,513
• Backers: 19,557
• Original goal: $50,000

#10 Epic Card Game: Best High Fantasy Card Game

Epic Card Game is a fast-paced, strategic card game designed for two to four players. Each player starts with a deck of 30 cards comprising champions, events, and artifacts. The goal is to reduce your opponent’s life total to zero by playing cards strategically and attacking their champion.

One of the unique features of Epic Card Game is the ability to play cards at any time, including during your opponent’s turn. This feature allows for a wide range of strategies and tactics, keeping the game exciting and unpredictable. In addition, the game includes a wide range of powerful and unique champions, each with their own abilities and strengths.

Epic Card Game can be played in various formats, including Constructed (using a pre-built deck), Draft (building a deck from a shared pool of cards), and Sealed (opening and using a set of booster packs).

With a deep and ever-expanding card pool, Epic Card Game offers endless replayability and opportunities for new and exciting gameplay experiences.

Epic Card Game by the Numbers

• Originally Funded: 2014
• Funds raised: $362,826
• Backers: 5,838
• Original goal: $50,000

Where Can You Buy Kickstarter Card Games?

Kickstarter card games can be purchased directly from the creator’s website or online retailers like Amazon or BoardGameGeek. Some games may also be available in local game stores.

Not all Kickstarter card games may be available for purchase after their initial campaign ends, so be sure to check their availability before making a purchase.

How Kickstarter Has Boosted the Card Game Industry

Kickstarter has become one of the most popular platforms for designers to bring their creative projects to life through crowdfunding. Especially for games.

With crowdfunding agencies now available to those with Kickstarter card game ideas, designers can maximize their efforts to test the market, receive feedback, and interact with their audience before the game is released.

Our top 10 picks for the best Kickstarter card games are just some examples of Kickstarter card games that have succeeded. But as you can see, they all reached well over their goals when launching on the platform. With the success of these games and many others, it’s clear that the platform is an excellent resource for game designers and enthusiasts alike.

Interested in starting your own game but don’t know where to begin? Check out this how-to video from our own Victor Shiu:

Are you thinking about kickstarting a card game? LaunchBoom can help!