Card games have long been a favourite pastime, offering simple rules, quick rounds, and plenty of strategic twists. Games like UNO, with their easy-to-learn mechanics and vibrant, colourful design, have become some of the most recognisable and widely enjoyed card games nowadays.
What Makes a Game “Like UNO”?
You can consider games like UNO if they share several core traits. The main goal is usually to shed cards, with players racing to get rid of their hand as quickly as possible. Most also include special action cards, such as Skip, Reverse, or Draw cards, which alter the direction of play or disrupt opponents. Rules tend to be straightforward and quick to grasp, making these games accessible to all ages while still creating competitive tension. UNO itself belongs to the wider family of shedding games, descended from classics like Crazy Eights and Mau-Mau, but modern variations often add colourful decks.
Best Games Like UNO
There is no shortage of games that capture the simple originality and fast-paced fun that made UNO a classic. Many of these games use specially designed decks featuring unique symbols and colourful designs, while others adapt traditional playing cards with minor rule changes to mimic UNO’s gameplay. Games like UNO often introduce their own distinctive twists, such as new action cards or alternative win conditions, to keep the gameplay fresh and appealing to a wide variety of players.
Crazy Eights — The Original UNO-Style Classic
Before there was UNO, there was Crazy Eights. Played with a regular 52-card deck, Crazy Eights involves matching the top card by number or suit. The eight cards act as wilds, allowing you to change the suit at will. This mechanic directly inspired UNO’s colour-changing wild cards.
Crazy Eights is timeless because it requires no special set beyond a normal deck, yet offers endless replay value. It’s especially popular among children because the rules can be taught in minutes.
Phase 10
Phase 10 adds a collection twist to the classic shedding structure. Instead of just discarding all cards, players must complete specific phases, such as building runs or sets. Once a phase is achieved, you move to the next, and the first to finish all ten wins the game.
This adds a layer of progression without sacrificing accessibility. It’s perfect for players who enjoy a more structured challenge than UNO typically provides.
Skip-Bo
From the makers of UNO, Skip-Bo focuses on sequencing rather than colour or action effects. Players build piles in order from 1 through 12, using cards on hand along with a personal stockpile. While it shares UNO’s lively pace, Skip-Bo emphasises number management and planning.
Because of its sequencing nature, Skip-Bo appeals to those who like puzzle-like mechanics while still enjoying quick and casual group play.
DOS
As the official follow-up to UNO, DOS attempts to modernise the formula. Instead of one discard pile, there are two, and players can match in pairs to lay down multiple cards at once. Wild cards exist here as well, but the main twist lies in how multiple cards can be played simultaneously through number combinations. Despite being designed by the same company behind UNO, DOS never quite achieved the same universal popularity.
Mau-Mau
Popular in Europe, Mau-Mau plays almost identically to UNO but relies on a standard 52-card deck. What makes it distinctive is the role of special action cards, such as the Jack, which in many variations acts as a wild or activates penalties for opponents. Some regions use additional rules or assign effects to other face cards, giving the game a strong tradition of local variations passed down in different countries.
Taki
Taki, an Israeli classic, combines elements of UNO and Mau-Mau with some unique twists. The centerpiece is the Taki card: when placed, it allows a player to throw down any number of cards of the same colour, potentially clearing a large portion of their hand in one dramatic move.
Other special cards keep the pace lively by forcing opponents to draw extra cards or skip turns. Taki quickly became a household favourite in its home country, praised for its fast-moving rhythm and ability to swing momentum in surprising ways.
Best UNO Alternatives for 2 Players
While many card games are best enjoyed in larger groups, some alternatives to UNO work especially well for just two players. Skip-Bo is a strong choice in a head-to-head format, as its sequencing challenge means every move can directly influence your opponent’s progress. Phase 10 also adapts smoothly to two-player competition, with its structured phases maintaining balance across multiple rounds.
Crazy Eights, with its rapid play and flexible rules, functions just as effectively with two participants as it does in bigger groups. UNO itself can be played by two, though the experience tends to be less chaotic than in larger matches.
UNO-Style Games You Can Play Online or on Mobile
Digital platforms have also made UNO-style gaming widely accessible on mobile and online. The official UNO app, available on iOS, Android, and PC, provides online matchmaking along with themed events and various house rule options. Crazy Eights can be found in countless free browser versions, while Phase 10 is available as a polished mobile app suited to players who enjoy progression-based challenges.
General card game simulators also allow you to play titles like Mau-Mau or DOS with friends remotely. These online formats offer convenience and let people enjoy UNO-style gaming across distances.
FAQs
What makes a game “like UNO”?
To consider games like UNO, they need to involve shedding cards, using special actions that disrupt play order or force draws, and maintain quick match times. Additionally, such games typically feature simple rules that are easy to learn, making them accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages.
What’s the best UNO alternative for 2 players?
Skip-Bo and Phase 10 are both suitable to be played in two-player setups, since their structured mechanics remain fun without needing a big group.
Can I use a standard 52-card deck to play UNO-style games?
Yes, games like UNO, such as Crazy Eights and Mau-Mau, replicate much of UNO’s feel with only a regular deck, requiring no special purchase.
