Like many of you I’ve been giving copies of Cards Against Humanity away to people over the holidays for years. It’s a great gift and it’s a lot of fun. Plus it’s something that people can break out and play immediately after they open it. At some point or another I’ve given everyone in my family a copy of Cards Against Humanity — and I’ve given it to a lot of friends, too! The best part about it is that if you are at a loss for what to get them later for birthdays and subsequent holidays, you could just get them one of the many expansion packs!
But after a while you’re going to inevitably run out of expansion packs.
Or the game just starts to get old.
You can only make so many terrible card combinations or accumulate so many cards before you start wanting more out of the game. That’s where this list comes in. We’ve found twenty-five other party games that you could gift to people instead of Cards Against Humanity. Some of them play very similarly to the game but with new themes and twists. Others are very different, but might keep with the same sort of crude humor.
If nothing else, they’re some great ideas for games to gift without falling back on yet another, unoriginal Cards Against Humanity expansion pack…
Exploding Kittens
BBG Rating: 5.9/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/4 (Amazon), 4/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Yes – except for the NSFW version, obviously
Usual Price: $20
Similarities to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay, somewhat crude humor (cruder in the NSFW version)
While there may not be a whole lot of gameplay similarities to Cards Against Humanity, Exploding Kittens has a very similar feel about it. The two even shared a ‘secret’ Hidden Compartment expansion pack tucked away in their joint displays at Target.
The game is fun and ridiculous with a bit of crude humor and a full series of illustrations straight from The Oatmeal creator (and incidentally Exploding Kittens creator) Matthew Inman. The game features fast-paced defusing of various exploding kitten cards through a number of other zany cards.
If the game ever gets old, check out the Imploding Kittens expansion pack or the NSFW edition. If you need to play with a larger group, consider skipping the core game all together and picking up the Exploding Kittens Party Pack, which is exclusive to Target.
Superfight
BBG Rating: 6.1/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Yes – expansions may make the game less so
Usual Price: $30
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, black & white cards, tons of expansions
Superfight is one of my favorite games that I could never get my friends to play. It looks great and it plays well — if you have the kind of friends who are willing to go toe-to-toe with you arguing about ridiculous scenarios. My friends over the years either haven’t been a.) significantly nerdy or b.) argumentative enough. But if you’v got friends who are capable of having arguments without getting too into them and who are super nerdy, then Superfight is a great choice. Players match cards, create characters with powers and weaknesses, then debate who would win in a fight!
Plus the game has tons of expansions. I mean, seriously. Whether your friends love anime, horror movies, video games, or The Walking Dead, there’s an expansion pack for that. So not only can you get them Superfight for the holidays, but if they like the game you can get them a handful of expansions for every birthday, holiday, or just because for years to come.
The Metagame
BBG Rating: 6.9/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon), 5/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Mostly yes
Usual Price: $25
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based, slick design, card matching gameplay, several expansions
If you’re looking for a game with more versatility than Cards Against Humanity then The Metagame is a great choice. It looks great and it has six different ways of playing, which can accommodate anywhere from two to approximately fifty-something players. Not that I’ve ever played it with anywhere near that many. I really love the game design, though. And the images paired with short descriptions help players who may not be familiar with the various topics keep up with everyone else.
You can buy the game in stores and online – but if you want to check it out before you buy the game makers have made a free, print-and-play version available on their website. There are a couple of expansion packs available, too, featuring movie and science fiction-related cards to help infuse a little more nerdy pop culture into your game.
Monikers
BBG Rating: 7.8/10
Other Ratings: 4.5 (Amazon), 5/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Maybe – okay for older teens and adults
Usual Price: $25
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based gameplay, slick design, some expansions, somewhat crude humor
Monikers is based on those games where you and your friends try to get each other to guess the names of various celebrities you’ve thought up. But in this case, you’re drawing cards and getting them to guess what’s on them.
There are three rounds and the rules change with each one as the game ultimately devolves into charades. It’s a lot of fun — though there may be a learning curve when it comes to sticking to the right rules. Additionally, while the cards look great and are illustrated, there’s bound to be a number of them that neither you or your friends will recognize (that was a problem we ran into). But that’s a quick fix by letting people either pick new cards or removing them from the deck all together.
If the game is a hit, there are several expansions available including: Shmonikers, Something Something, and the brand new Shut Up & Sit Down Nonsense Box.
Never Have I Ever
BBG Rating: 5.2/10
Other Ratings: 4/5 (Amazon), 3.5/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: No
Usual Price: $25-30
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based gameplay, two colored cards, very crude humor, adult scenarios
According to their blurb on Amazon this game has been played on the Ellen show a few times. I never saw any of those episodes, but they must have been using some of the more tame cards because there are some super raunchy cards in this game.
If you’ve got friends who enjoys playing games with few boundaries and very adult scenarios then Never Have I Ever may be a good choice for your gaming group. Just be prepared to potentially share some uncomfortable secrets and maybe tailor your game play (and group members) with that in mind. If you end up liking it, there is one expansion pack out so far.
What Do You Meme?
BBG Rating: 5.7/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: No – but may depend on your family
Usual Price: $30
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge picks winner, crude humor
One of the games most similar to Cards Against Humanity on this list, What Do You Meme? has very similar gameplay mechanics but with the added bonus of images. Players match ‘caption cards’ to familiar memes. Granted, the memes won’t always work exactly as they were initially intended to but it’s still a winning match. If you and your friends end up liking the game, check out the Basic Bitch expansion pack, which includes some updated memes.
As an alternative, you can also check out the Target exclusive Meme: The Game.
Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid
BBG Rating: 4.4/10
Other Ratings: 4/5 (Amazon), 5/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: No
Usual Price: $15-$20
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based gameplay, black and white cards, very crude humor, adult scenarios, judge picks winner
Another game that pits friend against friend, Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid basically asks you to judge your friends by saying which of them is most likely to do the various actions found on the cards. The goal is to collect the cards, I guess, though what does it really say about you if your friends think you would be the one most likely to do all the crazy things.
For a game less likely to lose you all your friends, you can check out Sleep in a Bucket by the same game designers, which also plays pretty similarly to Cards Against Humanity. But if Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid goes over well there’s an expansion pack, too!
Pro Tip: This is the same game as Who’s Most Likely To… which can be found in-store at Target. They just renamed it for retail (which was probably a good decision).
Taboo or Midnight Taboo
BBG Rating: 6.3/10 (Taboo)
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon – Taboo), 4/5 (Amazon – Midnight Taboo)
Family Friendly: Yes – not Midnight Taboo, though
Usual Price: $15+
Similarities to CAH: Low
Crude humor in Midnight Taboo
All right, so, Taboo isn’t really all that comparable to Cards Against Humanity. That’s not what I’m saying. What I am saying is that it’s a fun game that may be worth picking up at some point when you’ve run CAH into the ground. It doesn’t always have the same kind of re-play value as Cards Against Humanity but it’s bound to get people laughing.
If you’re looking for something with some more adult humor you can try out Midnight Taboo! There’s apparently an updated version of Taboo with new cards, too. It’s not an Amazon exclusive since it looks like you can get the same version online from Target.
Joking Hazard
BBG Rating: 6.6/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon), 5/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: No
Usual Price: $25
Similiarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge picks winner, crude humor
While Joking Hazard (from the mind behind Cyanide and Happiness) may not seem that similar to Cards Against Humanity at first glance, the games actually have a lot in common.
Instead of completing sentences with cards, you’re completing three-panel comics in the webseries’ iconic style. The humor is just as crude and the gameplay just as fun. But the addition of images definitely adds a lot to it and makes the game feel fresh.
Maybe play with people who are already fans of Cyanide and Happiness, though, because otherwise they may find the game too crude at times. Or they may love it all the same. It depends on the kind of friends you have. And there are two expansions out if you’re looking for more cards!
Red Flags
BBG Rating: 6.4/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: No
Usual Price: $25-30
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge picks winner, slick design, two colored cards, crude humor, adult scenarios
Created by the creative minds behind Superfight, Red Flags plays pretty similarly — except instead of focusing on two characters fighting one another, you’re delving into the world of dating. Players are given ‘good attribute’ cards and create fictional dates using these great qualities… before trying to sabotage the other players with various ‘red flags.’
Like Superfight, you then have to convince the judge why your date – despite the red flag so unfairly thrust upon it – should be the winner. Alternatively, you could always skip that part and play in a quicker, Cards Against Humanity-style manner where the judge just picks whatever he likes.
While Red Flags doesn’t have even a fraction of the expansion packs Superfight has, there are a few available. Mix things up further with Expansion One, The Date Deck, Nerdy Red Flags, Sexy Red Flags, and Dark Red Flags.
Codenames
BBG Rating: 7.8/10
Other Ratings: 5/5 (Amazon), 5/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Yes – except for Codenames: Deep Undercover
Usual Price: $15-20 (sometimes as low as $10)
Similarities to CAH: Low
Crude humor in Codenames: Deep Undercover
Codenames is the perfect franchise for people looking to change up their gameplay after getting burned out on Cards Against Humanity. It’s a game with cooperation and teams, strategy, and some fun wordplay. Cards are laid out in a grid and the goal is for the various teams to make contact with their ‘spies’ in the field with the help of their spymasters. The first team to identify all of their operatives wins. After playing a game that’s largely based on chance and the judge’s opinion, Codenames is a welcome change from CAH, but still a lot of fun.
Different versions including Codenames Duet, Codenames Pictures, the NSFW Codenames Deep Undercover, and the family-focused Marvel and Disney editions. So if you want to try a new game but still have some crude humor, check out Codenames: Deep Undercover!
Funemployed
BBG Rating: 7.1/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Maybe – probably not but may depend on your family
Usual Price: $15
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge picks winner, two colored cards, crude humor
If you’re looking for a truly family-friendly Cards Against Humanity replacement then Funemployed may seem like a great choice… but it’s cruder than it seems. From the looks of it you’d expect it to play a lot like CAH but in reality it’s more like Superfight. Players are given a set of ‘qualification’ cards and have to vie to win the job card. They’re dealt a series of cards and get to swap them out for others in an attempt to create the best candidate. But then have to actually explain to the judge why that candidate (aka that player) deserves the job. As you can tell from the print-and-play version the qualification cards (and the job cards for that matter) aren’t exactly family friendly. It’s a great alternative to CAH — as long as everyone’s pretty vocal!
Bears vs. Babies
BBG Rating: 5.9/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon), 4/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Maybe – the creators say yes but my common sense says no…
Usual Price: $30
Similiaries to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay, crude humor
This game wins the award for best box design. It’s covered in fur! Just like a bear. Which makes sense considering this is Bears vs. Babies. The game doesn’t really mince words. The whole purpose is that you fight terrifying babies by creating even more terrifying monsters. The game was created by the same folks behind Exploding Kittens so the crude humor in the title and gameplay should come as no surprise. It’s not a whole lot like Cards Against Humanity but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. So go take out some babies!
Bucket of Doom
BBG Rating: 5.3/10
Other Ratings: 3.5/5 (Amazon), 4/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: No
Usual Price: $20 (Target Exclusive in the US)
Similarities to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay
Put on your storytelling caps because Bucket of Doom requires you to get super creative. The game involves taking life-and-death scenarios and trying to survive them with the ridiculous items you draw from the cards. It’s almost like an adult version of Rory’s Story Cubes or a more intense take on games like Superfight. Once you’re done telling your story of unlikely survival you wait to see how your fellow players judge you. I will admit, based on the reviews I’ve read the game is very hit or miss you you’ll want to think about the friends you’d be playing with — or the friends your friends will be playing with if you decide to give this one as a gift.
Rick and Morty: Total Rickall
BBG Rating: 6.5/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Maybe – if your kids watch Rick and Morty with you, it’s probably fine
Usual Price: $10-20
Similarities to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay, crude humor
If you’ve got a Rick and Morty fan on your holiday gift list then you may want to go ahead and just pick this one up now. The game takes it’s premise from the episode of the same name and features all your favorite, quirky, parasitic characters. It’s actually a cooperative game for the most part instead of a competitive one like Cards Against Humanity. (That can change, though, when you use some of the harder, alternative gameplay rules.) Obviously, the game isn’t going to be the right pick for someone who hasn’t seen Rick and Morty. I’m sure a lot of what people enjoy about the game is it’s series in-jokes and references. But it’s an otherwise fun game that’ll let ou take a break from CAH and get schwifty.
Pro Tip: Do not buy the game at Hot Topic. They sell it for $20. The usual price seems to be around $15 anywhere else but on Amazon it’s closer to $12 if not even lower.
BANG!
BBG Rating: 6.5/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Yes
Usual Price: $20
Similarities to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay, multiple expansions
Another game with very little in common with Cards Against Humanity beyond it’s ability to bring people together and have fun is Bang! We’ve probably all played some version of Mafia or Werewolf before but Bang! takes similar bluffing game dynamics and streamlines them. The game takes on a Western theme with each player taking on a particular character with their own goals and abilities. The game has multiple expansions available and also a dice-based version. There’s even an edition based on The Walking Dead that has it’s own expansion pack and dice game.
If you’re not into Westerns or The Walking Dead then Ultimate Werewolf is an option too.
Utter Nonsense
BBG Rating: 5.7/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon – Naughty Edition), 4.5/5 (Target – Naughty Edition), 5/5 (Target – Family Edition)
Family Friendly: Yes – but only the Family Edition
Usual Price: $20
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge picks winner, two colored cards, crude humor
Weirdly, the original version of Utter Nonsense that I own seems to have been discontinued in favor of two newer versions: the Naughty Edition and a Target exclusive Family Edition. But I have to imagine that they play pretty much the same. Utter Nonsense blends the card matching dynamics of Cards Against Humanity with kooky accents to create a game that’s a lot of fun — as long as you and your friends don’t mind getting a little silly. It’s really a lot like CAH except instead of matching white cards to black cards you’re matching goofy sayings with even goofier accents to see who sounds the most ridiculous.
The Voting Game
BBG Rating: 5.6/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon), 4.75/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Maybe – may be okay for older teens (except for the NSFW version)
Usual Price: $25
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based gameplay, card matching (sorta), black and white cards, somewhat crude humor, some expansions
The Voting Game is another game that asks players to in a way pass judgement on all your friends. Luckily in this game the scenarios are a little less outrageous and the voting is entirely anonymous. If you want to check it out before you buy, you can get a print-and-play version emailed to you. And if you like the game there are three expansions available now: a NSFW one as well as fill-in-the-blank and create-your-own expansions to help you customize your game!
Make sure you get the newer version with the larger box that leaves room for the expansions! Both the new and old ones are available on Amazon but if you enjoy the game you’ll want to make sure you have the extra space.
Game of Phones
BBG Rating: N/A
Other Ratings: 4/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Yes
Usual Price: $20
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay (sorta), card matching (sorta), judge picks winner, black and white design
Game of Phones takes the basic gameplay of Cards Against Humanity but instead of playing white cards you’re using your phone to choose yours responses. It’s a new way of playing card games and since you’re playing everything based off what’s on your phone your responses could change every time you play! Share selfies, Google Image searches, and more to win. There’s even an expansion pack available on their website.
It seems like a great way to mix things up. I actually bought this one for one of my siblings this year for Christmas so we’ll see how it goes!
Blank, Marry, Kill
BBG Rating: N/A
Other Ratings: 4/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Maybe – older teens may be fine (except for the NSFW expansion)
Usual Price: $25
Similarities to CAH: Medium
Card-based gameplay, judge picks winner, crude humor
Believe it or not the ‘blank’ doesn’t stand for the F-word as you might imagine though the game does play like that ubiquitous, silly pastime game. The ‘blank’ actually stands for a series of interchangeable cards that come into play by random chance. Players are dealt a series of card to create unique characters with ridiculous characteristics. And then, once that’s done, the judge has to decide whether or not to ‘blank,’ marry, or kill each one. Does the gameplay sound familiar? This game is made by the same guy behind Superfight and Red Flags so there are some similarities but he always does a really good job of making each game feel somewhat unique. Plus there’s a #?&! expansion as well as a geeky one to keep the game interesting!
Million Dollars But…
BBG Rating: 5.6/10
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Maybe – probably okay for older teens
Usual Price: $25
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge pick winner, two colored cards, crude humor
Apparently this game is based on a Rooster Teeth segment of the same. Not being familiar with the game’s origins I can say that it plays a lot like many of the other games on this list. The idea in this game is to see just what kind of crazy things people would do in order to keep a million dollars. Players choose a ‘golden rule’ card and a ‘trigger card’ to create scenarios where under specific circumstances you get a million dollars… but something terrible happens every time those circumstances arise. The judge then picks the scenario they’re most willing to live with in order to keep the money.
There are three expansion packs so far but they are only available on the Rooster Teeth store. They include: Expansion Pack #1, Community Expansion Pack #1 (featuring cards suggested by fans), and the 80s Expansion Pack. And if you really like the game they have a t-shirt available, too.
Fluxx
BBG Rating: 5.7/10 (some expansions are much higher rated)
Other Ratings: 4.5/5 (Amazon), 4/5 (Target)
Family Friendly: Yes for all versions
Usual Price: $10-15 (sometimes lower)
Similarities to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay, slightly crude humor in some versions
If you’re looking for a super versatile game then Fluxx is a great choice. The gameplay mechanics are fun and the rules are constantly changing depending on the cards in play at any given time. There’s no one way to win the game as the requirements to win can change in an instant as players draw and play cards. It’s sometimes chaotic but it’s always entertaining. And the best thing is that there are tons of versions of Fluxx. Play them on their own or play them together for a truly crazy experience. You can buy the regular version of Fluxx or you can pick up themed decks focusing on everything from zombies to Batman to Adventure Time or Monty Python. (Personally, Zombie Fluxx has always been my favorite.)
Punderdome
BBG Rating: 4.8/10
Other Ratings: 3.5/5 (Amazon)
Family Friendly: Maybe – depends on your players mostly and their sense of humor
Usual Price: $15-25
Similarities to CAH: Low
Card-based gameplay, potentially crude humor, house rules could create more similarities
Punderdome is a great Cards Against Humanity alternative if you’re willing to work for it. While pretty much all of the other games on this list could be played while getting completely and totally hammered you need to have your wits about you for Punderdome. The game has players picking two different cards and then trying come up with the best (or worst depending on your definition) pun possible. The rules are a bit complicated and coming up with puns is hard for me on a good day. But the came definitely should be a lot of fun for people who just love puns.
We actually reviewed Punderdome a few months ago. You can read our full review here.
You’ve Got Problems
BBG Rating: N/A
Other Ratings: N/A (Amazon)
Family Friendly: stuff
Usual Price: $25
Similarities to CAH: High
Card-based gameplay, card matching, judge picks winner, crude humor
This is the newest game on our list. How new is it, you may wonder? It’s so new that my Kickstarter copy hasn’t even arrived yet. But don’t worry – my copy is on the way and the game is available to order on Amazon right now so if you feel like checking it out you can. The reason I included this one despite the lack of ratings or personal experience to go off is that just like all the other Jack Dire games on here (Superfight, Red Flags, and Blank, Marry, Kill) it’s a lot like Cards Against Humanity but different enough to keep things fun and interesting.
Much like Red Flags, in You’ve Got Problems players create a character with two really great qualities and then sabotage one another by adding ‘problem’ cards. It’s a tried and true system to be sure and if you weren’t big on the idea of the whole dating theme in Red Flags this could be a great alternative!
There are undoubtedly tons of games I neglected to add to this list. I didn’t snub any of them intentionally (except Sushi Go! which I love but didn’t think really fit). If you have any more suggestions please feel free to list them in the comments section. I’m always down to learn about new games. And your suggestions might just help someone find the perfect gift for someone on their list!
English