Video Game Review - Exploding Kittens - Nintendo Switch

Rob reviews Exploding Kittens on Nintendo Switch...

Exploding Kittens, the massively successful card game has now exploded onto the Nintendo Switch. 

The game essentially plays as a strategic version of Russian Roulette. It's a fun and frantic game that's great for those lazy afternoons and (lockdown restrictions permitting) playing with a few friends. 

Gameplay is incredibly random as players each take turns in drawing cards. Each deck is made up of various cards which all allow you to attempt to get the advantage over your opponent. This continues until one of you draws the 'Exploding Kitten'. When this happens it usually means that it's game over, but there are a few ways to "survive". 

That's where the strategy element comes into play. There are six types of card in the base set of Exploding Kittens which allow you to manipulate your opponent into "claiming" the exploding card. The 'slap' cards are the more interesting of the bunch as they force your opponent to take extra turns. When used correctly this can effectively force your opponent to draw the exploding Kitty twice (if it's the final card), which without a 'defuse' card will end the game. 

Skip cards are also great to use if you have one. These allow you to skip having to draw a card to end your turn. It's especially helpful if you think the exploding Kitten is the next card. You also have cards that allow you to preview the top three cards, as well as one with the ability to steal a card from an opponent. Whilst drawing a card is always fraught with a bit of danger, taking one from your opponent is the safer bet. 

Exploding Kittens isn't a game for the easily offended. It's full of gross-out humour and ridiculous drawings of hairy potato's, cat butt's, and plenty of explosions. Matthew Inman's signature drawings are great to look at and have been translated from the physical game incredibly well. The art adds to the fun factor of the game and goes to show that Exploding Kittens isn't something to be played seriously.

The card game has translated to the Nintendo Switch incredibly well. There's plenty of game modes to choose from, as well as the ability to play Online. You're also able to choose from a range of themed decks which all add variations to the traditional Exploding Kittens formula. The game also utilises the Switch' touch screen, which is a nice addition - although this is entirely optional. Each game can be played to completion in under 10 minutes. This allows for some frantic bite-sized fun, without that boredom factor kicking in. 

The only real issue I had with Exploding Kittens is that you can't play multiplayer on a single Switch console. This means to play local multiplayer you will need at least two consoles with separate copies of the game. It's a shame as it takes away that 'party' element that you get with the physical card game. 

Exploding Kittens is a fun, frantic card game that pushes all the right buttons. Its pick-up and play format is great fun for those of us who don't have the time for a long game of Cluedo or Monopoly. The overall card game has been translated to the Nintendo Switch incredibly well. Again, the only downside is the lack of a 'proper local multiplayer option. While the physical card game may be the cheaper option, the video game version is the definitive...

Rating 7/10

A code was kindly provided by the publisher for this review.

Exploding Kittens is out now and can be purchased on the Nintendo Switch eShop by clicking here. 

We played Exploding Kittens on the Nintendo Switch (review) and the Switch Lite. 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev