There is something utterly irresistible about cats. They march into our homes as if they own the place, leap onto laps with perfect timing, and dominate the internet with a mix of elegance, chaos, and the occasional suspicious glare. From videos of cats squeezing into impossibly small boxes to novels starring mysteriously wise felines, they never fail to charm, frustrate, or utterly bewitch us. And yes, this blogger has a tuxedo at home who knows exactly where the cat treats are hidden and is not above using that knowledge to full advantage. Watching a cat swat at a moving object with the precision of a tiny ninja makes you wonder why anyone would ever play board games without a furry supervisor, which is precisely why I have hunted down five of the most delightfully cat-themed tabletop games you absolutely need to try.
If you have ever wanted to translate your cat’s quirky antics into game night glory, you are in for a treat. From strategic kitten boops to cosmic adventures with cat astronauts, these games capture every side of our feline companions. So pour a cuppa, grab your cat, and let’s explore the purrfect picks for your next game night.
1. Boop: Tactical Kitten Chaos
Aim: Outwit your opponent in a game of kitten placement and boops until you line up three cats in a row to win.
If abstract strategy had a cat version, it would be Boop, which sounds simple until you realise it is like trying to herd actual cats on a quilted bed. Each player takes turns placing adorable wooden kitten pieces onto a soft fabric board designed to look like a cosy bed. The catch is that every time you place a kitten, it boops all adjacent pieces one space away, and navigating that push mechanic becomes a delightful puzzle of positioning and cunning.
How to play: On your turn, you place a kitten on the board. If that kitten touches others, it boops them one space away. Line up three kittens, and they are promoted to adult cats. The first player to get three cats in a row wins. It is deceptively strategic, feels delightfully tactile, and you will absolutely make booping and meowing noises at the table.
Why cat lovers will adore it: The theme might be abstract, but whether you are booping virtual kittens around a board or watching actual ones boop everything on your desk, the joy is almost the same. Expect laughter, gentle head scratching, and strategic manoeuvres that feel a bit like trying to convince a cat to do exactly what you want.
2. Kyoto No Neko: Kitty Adventures in the City
Aim: Guide your curious kitten through the bustling streets of Kyoto, completing missions, earning medals, and outpacing your fellow feline explorers.
Kyoto No Neko is less about knocking pieces off a board and more about living your best kitten life in a picturesque Japanese city. Players embody kittens exploring Kyoto, interacting with its residents, both human and animal, and fulfilling adorable missions like befriending new friends, hunting insects, or even swiping a tasty snack from a rival dinner bowl.
How to play: Each turn, you move your kitten through different parts of the city, using a simple skill system that lets you climb rooftops, chase critters, or charm inhabitants. Completing missions earns medals, and whoever has the most medals at the end triumphs. This game blends exploration with light strategy and just enough chance to keep things playful.
Why cat lovers will adore it: The whimsy of imagining kittens navigating a city full of curiosity and chaos makes this a standout. It captures the essence of feline adventure, from stealthy climbs to sudden bursts of zoomies, and wraps it up in charming components and scenarios.
3. Cat Lady: Curate Your Own Cattery
Aim: Draft cards and collect cats, toys, food, and accessories to curate the most impressive cat collection and score the highest victory points.
Think of Cat Lady as the socially acceptable way to indulge in your inner crazy cat person. Each player takes on the role of a proud or slightly obsessed cat enthusiast, drafting cards to gather adorable cats, stock up on food, hoard toys and costumes, and try to balance resources so that every cat in your care is purring instead of demanding more treats.
How to play: At the start, a grid of cards is laid out. On your turn, you choose a row or column of cards, collecting cats and other items as you go. Make sure to always have enough food to feed your growing pride, or you will lose points faster than a startled kitty fleeing a cucumber. Score points for happy cats, sets of toys and costumes, and any bonus tokens you have snagged along the way.
Why cat lovers will adore it: This one feels like a cosy afternoon spent curled up with a mug of tea and your favourite feline. The cards are whimsical, the gameplay is breezy but thoughtful, and every time you draft a new cat, you will get that tiny thrill only a cat-themed game can deliver.
4. MLEM: Space Agency: Cats in Space
Aim: Lead your team of adventurous cats in a push-your-luck space race to land on moons and planets, scoring cosmic points while avoiding catastrophic crashes.
Ever wondered what happens when cats take to the stars? MLEM: Space Agency answers that question with style, laughter, and a delightful nod to kitty audacity. This light-hearted space adventure sends your brave or befuddled catstronauts into orbit, where you roll dice, make tough decisions about risk and reward, and hope that your space mission does not end in a brilliant cosmic boom.
How to play: Players take turns selecting cat astronauts and launching them aboard a shared rocket. You roll the dice to advance, then decide whether to stay in for more glory or eject your cat on a nearby moon or planet. Land safely and you score points. Let the rocket crash and the cats land back home ready for another go. The game ends when all cats are placed, or enough mishaps have occurred, and the highest score wins.
Why cat lovers will adore it: Cats in space. Really, what more do you need to hear? The theme is playful, the push-your-luck tension keeps everyone engaged, and every decision feels like a little homage to that moment when your own cat leaps onto the countertop despite all evidence suggesting it is a bad idea.
5. Cozy Cat Cafe: Build Your Purrfect Hangout
Aim: Build the most inviting cat café by adopting cats, placing furniture, and attracting customers for points and ambience.
If you have ever nodded along to the idea that the cosier your living room is, the contented your cat, then Cozy Cat Café might just be your spirit game. This warm, strategic tile placement game invites players to curate their own cat cafes, placing furniture and cats to optimise the ambience and delight visiting customers.
How to play: Over a series of rounds, players adopt cats, bring in furniture, and invite customers. Each choice affects your cafe’s vibe and earns points. Master combo placements, activate silly cat abilities, and snag bonuses from goal tiles to edge out the competition.
Why cat lovers will adore it: There is something deeply satisfying about building a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and strategically sound, especially when every piece of furniture and every purring cat contributes to a narrative of comfort and charm.
Closing: The Cat’s Out of the Bag
Whether you are out to strategically boop kittens off the bed or guide a kitten through the streets of Kyoto, these games offer a delightful spectrum of feline fun. From light drafting and charming tableau building to heart-pounding push your luck escapades in space, there is something here for every kind of cat lover.
So gather your friends, tempt fate with astronaut cats, or simply cosy up with a card drafting game and a warm lap cat. Because let us face it, cats are here to stay in popular media, and the board game world is all the richer for it. Grab these games and prepare for laughter, purring, and possibly a stray furball or three on your game table.
Happy gaming, and may your dice always roll nine lives' worth of luck
About the Author
I’m Kirsty Whyte, a confessed cat obsessive and proud blogger for Zatu Games. Cats have been a constant in my life since I was just one year old, and their presence has shaped everything from my childhood to my career. I have even worked with them professionally for several years, and in that time, I have come to deeply value the unique connection and quiet companionship that only a cat can provide. Whether it’s the gentle nudge of a head on my hand or the chaotic energy of a sudden zoom across the room, I adore every aspect of living with these fascinating creatures. And let’s be honest, I will never, ever refuse the chance to play a board game that features a feline friend. For me, cats and games are a perfect match, and I love sharing that joy with fellow enthusiasts.
