Games Like Munchkin

If you’ve ever played a role-playing game and thought to yourself, “This would be great if it wasn’t for all the role-playing!” then Munchkin might be the right game for you! Getting down to the nitty-gritty of adventuring, fighting, and looting, Munchkin is a very easy-to-learn card game that satirizes fantasy tropes perfectly and still provides a solid gameplay experience. First released in 2001 by Steve Jackson games, Munchkin has seen commercial and critical success over the years and is SJG’s best-selling product. Having sold over eight million copies worldwide, it’s not hard to see why there have been so many expansions and different editions released over the last twenty years.

Munchkin is a fun, humorous card game in which players work their way through a dungeon, kicking down doors, fighting enemies, gaining treasure, and levelling up. Defeating monsters is a key part of the gameplay, as players compare their combat strength to that of the monsters and collect loot as a reward for their victories. Everyone starts at level 1 and the first player to reach level 10 is declared the winner. Players can play as many cards as they wish on a turn and will come across cards to buff them and equip them with abilities, as well as make monsters stronger to provide more of a challenge to others. Everyone can help or hinder each-other during each turn with the many hilarious and satirical cards available in this fast paced game.

For fans of card games, cooperative or competitive, below are some games like Munchkin which share some similarities to Munchkin, so if you enjoy that you’re bound to love these.

What is Munchkin?

Munchkin is a popular card game that has been a staple in the board gaming community for nearly two decades. Created by Steve Jackson, Munchkin is a satirical take on the dungeon crawl experience, where players take on the roles of humans, elves, dwarves, and halflings to defeat monsters and collect treasure. With its humorous tone and tongue-in-cheek approach, Munchkin has become a beloved game among board game enthusiasts and new players alike. The game strips down the complex mechanics of traditional role-playing games, offering a simplified yet highly entertaining experience that focuses on the fun aspects of adventuring, looting, and leveling up. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or just starting out, Munchkin’s blend of humor and strategy makes it a must-try.

Why Play Board Games Like Munchkin?

Playing board games like Munchkin offers a unique combination of social interaction, strategy, and luck. Unlike video games, board games provide a tactile experience that encourages player interaction, negotiation, and teamwork. Munchkin, in particular, is a great example of a game that promotes social interaction, as players can interfere with each other’s combat, use magic missiles to defeat monsters, and engage in passive-aggressive negotiation. The game’s unpredictable nature, driven by the luck of the draw and the strategic use of cards, keeps players on their toes and ensures that no two games are ever the same. Whether you’re a seasoned board game lover or a new player, games like Munchkin offer a fun and engaging way to spend time with friends and family, fostering a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition.

Exploding Kittens Card Game

By: Exploding Kittens     Players: 2-5     Time: 15 Minutes     Ages: 7+

The card game that’s like Russian roulette but with kittens. A fast-paced game involving kittens, explosions, and laser beams where the last player standing wins.

Gameplay is simple in Exploding Kittens: a players starts their turn by drawing a card from a central deck, then plays cards. When drawing a card, if a player uncovers an exploding kitten they’re at risk of losing the game. Only if the player has a ‘Defuse’ card will they be saved. The Defuse card is discarded and the kitten placed back in the deck. Players can play cards to allow them to skip a turn, force a player to draw two cards, or cancel an action. This continues until all other players have been exploded and there is one player left in the game, who is then declared the winner. Filled with cards with humorous artwork, plenty of expansions to provide plenty more laughs, and straightforward rules, it’s a fun and quick game that anyone can play.

Happy Little Dinosaurs

By: Unstable Games    Players: 2-4    Time: 30-60 minutes     Ages: 8+

A game with players dodging disaster as cute and adorable little dinosaurs. Everyone fights for survival and tries their best to avoid falling meteors and other unfortunate incidents.

Happy Little Dinosaurs is a competitive card game with players doing their best to avoid disaster. The game is played using adorable miniature dinosaurs that each have their own gorgeously illustrated game board with a track running from 0-50. Each turn a disaster card is turned over and with the cards in their hand, players must try to outscore one another to avoid all kinds of unfortunate events. Players will use items of differing values and may play cards to increase their score or decrease their opponents. Whoever scores lowest add the disaster card to their collection whilst the others move their dinosaur up their track as many points as they scored from their items. Whoever reaches 50 points first is declared the winner, and anyone collecting three of the same type of disaster (or one of each of the three types of disasters) is out of the game. A really fun and simple game with great-looking components and hilarious text and illustrations on each card. 

Smash Up 

By: Alderac Entertainment Group    Players: 2-4     Time: 45 minutes     Ages: 12+

For anyone that’s ever wanted to be in charge of ninja-aliens or zombie-dinosaurs. Create a deck of cards composed of two different factions and battle it out with others to try to take over bases and score victory points.  

In Smash-Up, players create a hybrid deck of 40 cards by choosing two factions and melding their 20-card decks into one. There are eight factions in the base game ranging from Aliens to Zombies, and dozens of additional factions available in the many expansions. Once players have created their decks, a number of bases are laid face up in front of everyone. Players draw 2 cards each turn and can play an action card, a minion, or both. Action cards will have an impact on gameplay and target a players minions or the bases in play with ongoing or instant effects. Minion cards have a power value and are placed at bases.

Like action cards, they too will normally have an ability that will impact players in some way or link and chain actions to allow players to play more cards. Each base has a breakpoint value and once this number is reached or exceeded by the combined power of all minions the scoring is calculated. Victory points are awarded to the team that scored first, second, and third with combat power, with each base offering slightly different rewards. After this, the base is discarded, along with any minions occupying it, and replaced with a new one. Play continues until a player collects 15 victory points and becomes the winner. Smash-Up is a straightforward and entertaining card game where no two sessions are alike. Variety is the name of the game and with so many different combinations of cards, even just within the base game, Smash Up offers plenty of replay value. 

Dungeon Mayhem: Defeating Monsters

By: Wizards of the Coast     Players: 2-4     Time: 10 minutes     Ages: 8+

A fast and frantic card game with everyone controlling a unique, class-specific deck of cards that’s a great game for those short on time. 

Play as a barbarian, paladin, rogue, or wizard in this card game where the winner is the last one standing. It’s every adventurer for themselves with plenty of treasure up for grabs, as long as you can dodge the magic missiles heading your way! The aim of the game is to bring every other players health total from 10 down to 0. Each class has it’s own unique pre-made deck that plays in it’s own way and excels at certain things. These cards can be used to attack others, defend against attacks, heal damage, or enable the player to play more than one card. There are also special ability cards specific to the class that can have a major effect on the battlefield.

Players can attack each other each turn and there’s always the risk of players ganging up on each other, so playing cards in a particular way is important for strategy. Whoever is left standing at the end of the game is declared the winner. Dungeon Mayhem is a simple and easy-to-learn card game that practically anyone can play. Light on rules and easy to fit a few games in, in one sitting, it’s a great game to play regardless of how much time you have spare. 

Sushi Go

Published by: Gamewright Games     Players: 2-5    Time: 15 minutes     Ages: 8+    

A game about making the best combination of sushi dishes possible with the ingredients speeding by. Played over three rounds, this fast-paced game is frantic, fun, and full of adorable illustrations. 

Sushi Go is a ‘draft and pass’ game that revolves around players collecting various types of sushi and using them to score as many points as they can. Players start with a sizeable hand that shrinks as the game goes on until there are none left. Each turn players choose their favoured card from their hand, place it face down in front of them, and then pass the remaining cards to the player next to them. Cards that were just played are then revealed and players pick a card from their new hand to place in front of them. This continues until there are no more cards left and the scores are totalled. This is done over three rounds with the player with the highest score at the end of the game winning. Even though it may not look it with cards looking so cute, there is a degree of strategy involved in scoring high, as cards scores will multiply or stack up as more of the same type of cards are collected. A fun, charming game that relies on luck, strategy, and predictive reasoning, that is easy for anyone to pick up and play. 

So those are a handful of games that you should enjoy if you like Munchkin. They share some similarities with the game, whether it be mechanics, theming, or setting, and are just as fun to play. If there’s any we haven’t listed that would have made your list we’d love to hear about them.  

Where to Play Board Games Like Munchkin

If you’re looking to play board games like Munchkin, there are several options to consider. You can start by visiting your local game store, which often hosts board game nights and events. Many game stores also offer a wide selection of board games, including Munchkin and its various expansions. Alternatively, you can play board games online, either through digital versions of the game or online platforms that connect players from around the world.

Websites like Tabletop Simulator and Board Game Arena offer digital versions of many popular board games, allowing you to play with friends or meet new players. If you’re looking for a more casual experience, you can also play board games with friends and family at home, either in person or online. With the rise of online gaming communities, it’s never been easier to find and play board games like Munchkin. Whether you prefer the social atmosphere of a game store or the convenience of online play, there are plenty of ways to enjoy these entertaining games.

FAQ: Games Like Munchkin