UNO, renowned for its nostalgic charm, effortless gameplay, and widespread appeal, has undeniably secured its place as a beloved family classic. The ease with which players of all ages can engage in the game has contributed to its enduring popularity. However, like any game, UNO has its share of weaknesses, such as the element of luck, extended game length, and a somewhat limited decision space.
Wait, what’s wrong with UNO?
It’s important to note here that we at the Board Game Collective don’t actively dislike UNO. What UNO does better than many other games is get people, of all ages and all experience levels, to the table. I have fantastic memories of playing UNO with all kinds of groups – kids, adults, whoever. It was a great way to get people together, which is what board games do best. And now as an adult, I’ve played UNO with my own children, bringing it full circle. I still keep a deck in my collection
But there are a few things that UNO gets wrong:
UNO is too long
A game of UNO, since the end of game is reliant on luck in order to play your final card it can seemingly draw on forever, long after the drama of the game has ended. This isn’t always the case, but, because of it’s intended audience. UNO should be a quick light game with opportunities to play multiple quick rounds so lots of people have a chance to win.
UNO can be a little mean
Skip, draw 2, draw 4, calling ‘Uno’ when someone has one card. Sometimes these lead to funny moments, other times they lead to people having no chance of winning, but in general they lead to conflict. While this can be a teaching opportunity for kids (and some adults that are still poor sports and/or sore losers), it keeps the game from being that light welcome experience we are looking for with an entry-level card game.
UNO doesn’t have much, if any, strategy
I once read an article from a guy who had done a deep statistical analysis on whether, if giving the choice, you should focus on matching the color or the number when playing UNO… Let’s not overcomplicate it. UNO is a game of luck. I’m not saying that a light game shouldn’t have elements of luck, and many of our choices do as well. Luck is fun. But the game should also offer players some interesting decisions.
So What Board Games Should I Be Playing?
So the question becomes, are there other inviting, colorful card games that can get your family and friends around the table, without any of these weaknesses?
Definitely. Here’s a list of the card games we recommend that maintain the simplicity and accessibility for every family member but also address these specific shortcomings. Give one of these card games a chance at your next game night and you’ll experience a perfect blend of enjoyment and strategy, ensuring delightful moments for both the young and the young at heart.
Hungry Monkey
Hungry Monkey is as a delightful alternative to UNO, skillfully addressing some of the challenges associated with its predecessor while preserving the light-hearted and enjoyable atmosphere integral to family gaming experiences. In this engaging card game, players embark on a quest to feed their ravenous simian companion by strategically playing cards from their hands.
In Hungry Monkey players are not only focused on shedding the remaining cards from their hands but also on strategically swapping out the four cards that are face down in front of them 3for cards they know they’ll be able to play later in the game. This seemingly simple decision introduces a layer of strategic depth, transforming the game into a more thoughtful experience without sacrificing its accessible and entertaining nature.
Why would you play this over UNO?
One notable improvement over UNO is the finite length of Hungry Monkey. The game is designed with a predetermined number of rounds, ensuring that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. This addresses the concern of extended game length often associated with UNO, making Hungry Monkey an ideal choice for family gatherings or quick gaming sessions. You can play multiple round if you like, using the victory point cards that come in the box, to keep score.
Hungry Monkey cleverly maintains an element of luck, similar to UNO, which proves to be a valuable tool for leveling the playing field among family members with varying skill levels. The inclusion of luck ensures that each game remains unpredictable and allows players of different ages and expertise to compete on a more even footing. This element, combined with the strategic decision space introduced by card placement, strikes a perfect balance between chance and skill, making Hungry Monkey a stellar addition to family game nights.
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No Thanks
No Thanks is a stellar alternative to UNO, offering a refreshing and engaging experience that elevates family game nights to new heights. The game introduces a brilliantly simple yet effective decision space: take the card or spend a token pass. Pass too often and you’ll run out of bidding tokens and end up taking all the cards, which are worth points at the end of the game (you don’t want points). Bid correctly and you’ll only ever take low cards that are in sequence (which lowers your score).
In contrast to UNO’s limited strategic depth, No Thanks introduces a push-your-luck mechanic that adds a layer of anticipation and autonomy to each turn.
The beauty of No Thanks lies in its ability to keep players engaged, even during opponents’ turns. The luck of the draw is still a significant factor, but the thrill of deciding whether to take a card or pass, coupled with the consequences of that decision, creates a dynamic and suspenseful atmosphere.
While No Thanks may lack some of the silliness of UNO, its simple elegance is unparalleled, turning every round into a mini-drama filled with strategic choices.
Why would you play this over UNO?
No Thanks not only stands out as a superior alternative to UNO but also excels in delivering an elegant and straightforward gaming experience. While lacking the lightheartedness of UNO, No Thanks beats out other card games with its simple yet captivating elegance that turns every round into a mini-drama filled with strategic choices.
Its brilliance lies in the thrill of deciding whether to take a card or pass, creating a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps all players engaged, even during their opponents’ turns. The game’s focus on this refined decision space showcases its ability to provide a delightful and engaging experience without the need for additional complexities.
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Sea Salt and Paper
Sea Salt and Paper is a captivating alternative to UNO, bringing a delightful blend of accessible gameplay, enchanting art, and strategic depth to family game nights. It’s a simple game, mainly focused on set collection with easy-to-follow rules making it inviting for players of all ages. However, Sea Salt and Paper takes the experience to the next level with its unique decision space and end-of-round mechanic, transforming what seems like a cute set collection game into a thrilling and dramatic competition.
Why would you play this over UNO?
Unlike UNO’s reliance on luck and straightforward card play, Sea Salt and Paper introduces a strategic layer by requiring players to decide whether to draw cards off the top of the deck, or take something one of the face up cards from the discard pile. The face up cards may score points, or give you additional actions, but often you are looking for a particular card and need to hope for a great draw.
The game continues until a player choses to end the round. They can either chose to end the round immediately, or push their luck, and give their opponents one more turn – it’s risky but sets them up for either big potential rewards.
This end-of-round mechanic adds a unique twist, forcing players to consider not just their own hand but also keep a keen eye on their opponents’ moves. This dynamic creates a heightened level of drama and excitement, reminiscent of the anticipation in UNO when someone is down to one card. Younger players may struggle with this mechanic however, but after a few plays, it’s fairly easy to understand.
Sea Salt and Paper‘s strategic decision space adds an extra layer of complexity that keeps players engaged throughout the game. The excitement builds as players weigh the risk of taking certain cards versus holding off in the hopes of drawing the perfect one later. This strategic depth, combined with the fabulous artwork, makes Sea Salt and Paper a standout choice for those seeking an alternative to UNO that offers both accessibility and a more thrilling, engaging gameplay experience.
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For Sale
For Sale is a fast paced game about buying and selling real estate. It is easy to teach yet unfolds into a rich and strategic experience. Similar to UNO, For Sale‘s simplicity becomes evident after a play or two, making it accessible to players of all levels. The game’s quick pace allows for an effective introduction through a swift play through, ensuring that everyone grasps the two distinct halves of the game.
What sets For Sale apart is its wacky and imaginative environment created by charming artwork and a unique theme. Picture a scenario where someone might end up with an igloo, while another secures a skyscraper – the whimsical nature of the game adds an entertaining layer that complements its strategic elements.
For Sale is a little card game that manages to pack in the feel of a big box board game. Play is divided into two distinct rounds, almost feeling like two games in one. Players bid using their coins to acquire properties during the auction phase. Play continues in the second phase where players compete to sell those properties for the best prices. They simultaneously reveal their properties which are awarded the prices based on their rank, introducing the opportunity of selling a lousy outhouse for a decent price, or getting stuck with a terrible offer on your high rise apartment building.
This twist injects drama into the game, providing opportunities for those who may not have performed well in the first round to make a comeback.
Why would you play this over UNO?
Unlike UNO, For Sale‘s dramatic moments stem from miscalculations or effective bluffs by opponents – which feels a lot more satisfying than trying to catch someone with one card in their hand. For Sale maintains the silly fun, but allows players to feel clever as well as players navigate the unpredictable twists and turns of real estate auctions, offering a richer and more rewarding gaming experience filled with strategic depth and unpredictable moments.
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Cockroach Poker
Cockroach Poker is the perfect bluffing game, and probably the fun you can have with a single deck of cards. It’s a quirky game that is pure, unadulterated fun and one of the best card games to play with a larger group. This game excels in its simplicity. You play cards, face down, in front of your opponents announcing what type of insect is pictured on it and they are faced with a simple choice: should they call your bluff or pass. The game ends when someone either runs out of cards or ends up with four of the same type of creepy crawly in front of them. There’s no room for extraneous elements – just non-stop hilarious moments.
Why play this over UNO?
What sets Cockroach Poker apart is its ability to create a rich group dynamic reminiscent of UNO’s nostalgic experiences. Similar to the group meta that tends to develop in UNO with house rules and playful arguments over who said UNO first, Cockroach Poker is designed from the ground up to foster these interactions. The game’s structure revolves around calling bluffs or passing, and it thrives on creating an atmosphere where players engage in laughter-inducing moments.
However, it’s essential to note that, unlike UNO, where there’s a single winner, Cockroach Poker has only one loser. While this might pose a challenge for some family members, as it has the potential to feel more mean-spirited, it also adds a unique twist to the game’s dynamics.
The simplicity of the mechanics ensures that everyone can participate in the joyous chaos, making Cockroach Poker an ideal choice for those who enjoy bluffing. This simple card game is sure to generate endless laughter and memorable moments.
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Take Five
Take Five (or 6 Nimmit!) is an excellent card game that is sure to engage players with its intuitive mechanics and dynamic gameplay. The game is centered around players trying to play their cards into the middle of the table, fitting them into one of several rows in ascending order. The catch? When a sixth card is added to a row, the player who placed it must take the first five cards, hence the game’s title. This creates an interesting dynamic where players must carefully consider where to place their cards to avoid taking undesirable cards, as each card collected is worth penalty points and the player with the lowest score wins.
Why would you play this over UNO?
While UNO is certainly a classic, Take Five offers a refreshing change of pace. Like UNO, it’s easy to learn, but offers an added layer of strategic depth. The balance of trying to play your cards, while avoiding collecting unwanted cards, provides just the right amount of tension and excitement that keeps players engaged from start to finish. The game features a more tactical approach compared to the luck-based elements of UNO, allowing players to feel a greater sense of control over their fates in the game. If you’re seeking a card game that offers that blend of simplicity and strategy, Take Five is a fantastic choice.
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Skull King
Skull King is a thrilling trick-taking card game that captivates players with its pirate-themed deck and unpredictable gameplay. Centered around players predicting how many tricks they will take each round, Skull King adds a unique twist to traditional trick-taking games. The game is infused with special cards like pirates, the Skull King, and mermaids, which introduce exciting mechanics and turn the tide of the game in unexpected ways.
At its heart it’s a trick taking game, which has broad appeal, especially with people who already play card games with playing cards. But, while this game has the feel of a traditional card game played with a standard deck, its unique theming and scoring system improves on many of those popular card games.
Why play this over UNO?
In contrast to UNO, Skull King offers a deeper level of strategic thinking and player interaction. As players must anticipate the number of tricks they might win each round, there’s a constant sense of tension and excitement. You have to keep your eye on the other players, since the unique abilities of the special cards allow for spectacular comebacks and surprising turns of events.
While UNO provides straightforward fun, players searching for a card game with a bit more complexity and unpredictability will find Skull King to be a perfect fit. Its blend of strategy, prediction, and a dash of luck makes it an incredibly engaging game that’s easy to learn but challenging to master.
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Love Letter
Love Letter is an elegant and simple card game that delivers a lot of fun in a small package. The game is built around the premise of delivering a love letter to the princess while trying to knock your competitors out of contention. It is a game of risk, deduction, and luck for 2-6 players.
Each player starts with one card in hand; on their turn, they draw one card and play one card, trying to expose others and knock them from the game. Powerful cards lead to early gains, but make you a target. Rely on weaker cards for too long, however, and your letter may be tossed in the fire!
Why play this over UNO?
Love Letter manages to create deep strategic possibilities within a tiny deck of just 16 cards. Unlike UNO, the game is less about hand management and more about carefully navigating social dynamics. It’s a game of intrigue and deduction, where every decision matters and a single misstep can be your downfall. Players enjoy the tension and strategic thinking that Love Letter requires, making it a standout choice for those seeking a game with a little more depth than UNO.
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Sushi Go Party!
Sushi Go Party! is a fast-paced card drafting and set collection game with delightful sushi-themed artwork. The game entertains players as they grab the best combination of sushi dishes from the passing sushi conveyor belt. From maki rolls to sashimi, your choice must be strategic as each dish scores differently and the player with the most points at the end wins.
Why play this over UNO?
Sushi Go Party! presents a compelling blend of simplicity and strategy that offers a refreshing alternative to UNO. While UNO primarily focuses on color and number matching, Sushi Go Party introduces the elements of strategic card selection and set collection. The game’s dynamic scoring system, where different combinations of cards score different points, adds an exciting layer of complexity. Furthermore, the cute and colorful artwork is a joy to behold, adding to the overall appeal of the game. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to understand yet offers more strategic depth than UNO, Sushi Go Party! is a delightful option.
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Abandon All Artichokes
Abandon All Artichokes is an innovative deck-building game that flips the traditional mechanics on its head. The game begins with each player having a deck filled with undesired artichoke cards. The objective? To deplete your deck of all artichokes by the end of the game. On each turn, players draw cards from a central garden deck, which contains a variety of vegetable cards with unique abilities that help players discard or pass along their artichokes. The game ends when a player is able to draw a hand without any artichoke cards, highlighting a fun twist to the deck-building game genre.
Why play this over UNO?
Compared to UNO, Abandon All Artichokes brings a fresh and entertaining perspective to the table. The game provides a deeper level of strategy as players have to continuously adapt their strategy based on the evolving garden deck. The game also encourages player interaction as you can use your vegetable cards to affect others’ decks. Its charming design, quick gameplay, and the blend of strategy and luck make it a unique alternative to UNO. If you’re looking for a game that is easy to learn, visually appealing, and offers a bit more strategic planning, Abandon All Artichokes is worth checking out.
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Conclusion – Your Next Great Card Game Is Out There
In the realm of family-friendly card games, trying out some more modern board games that offer unique and engaging experiences that cater to diverse preferences. The rich variety of options ensures there’s something for everyone, elevating family game nights with laughter, strategy, and shared moments. These games not only pay homage to the nostalgia of classics but also carve their own space, creating new traditions and memories that make them stand out in the ever-growing landscape of family card games.
And if you are looking for a great way to store all these great new games, check out our review of the Gamegenic 600+, which can hold all these and so much more. It’s how I keep all my great card games organized and portable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are these games suitable for all ages?
A1: Most of these games are indeed suitable for a wide range of ages. However, it’s always a good idea to check the recommended age range on the game’s packaging or online description.
Q2: Where can I purchase these games?
A2: Each game’s title is linked directly to its Amazon page for easy purchasing.
Q3: What is the average duration of these games?
A3: The duration varies by game. Some, such as Cockroach Poker, can be played quickly, while others, like For Sale, might require more time. It’s best to check each game’s estimated playtime.
Q4: Can these games be played with two players?
A4: While some games are adaptable for two players, others may require more participants for the optimal experience. Check out our other articles for help finding a two player game.
Q5: Can these games be played virtually?
A5: While these games are primarily designed for in-person play, some may be adaptable for virtual play using video conferencing tools and digital platforms. However, the experience may differ from an in-person game.
Q6: What if a game I purchased is missing pieces or has a manufacturing defect?
A6: Most publishers offer excellent customer service and will replace missing or defective parts. Contact the publisher directly or the retailer where you purchased the game for assistance.