Top Trumps deserves a space in the board game hall of fame - it's notorious thanks to a perfect blend of education and downright fun. It’s a great game for the whole family, as once the rules are learnt (see below), you can play any of the versions released over the 43 years of its existence.
In this ultimate Top Trumps guide, you'll not only learn the basics of how to play the game but also the best packs to buy online to arrive on your doorstep just in time for a family games night. There are hundreds of editions to choose from, so we've made it easy with a variety of picks that'll suit any mood. Making every player happy during games night is miracle work, but it's possible with Top Trumps and its wide scope of topics.
How to play Top Trumps
Top Trumps is a game in which two or more players are randomly dealt a hand of cards that are based on the topic of the game. This could include a TV character, an animal or a supercar. On the cards, you'll find numerical data placed into categories, and players must compete to see who has the highest data number in the category chosen. For example (from the Supercars pack), if the car you receive's top speed is 100 mph, and that number is higher than the other players' speeds, you win the cards they played.
What are the best Top Trumps cards to buy?
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Celebrate the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, with this limited edition Top Trumps pack, where all the classic characters you love are up to play. Plus, discover some awesome MI6 facts along the way. Player age: 6+. Educational objectives: James Bond Franchise Trivia.
Assemble your squad to play Top Trump's Marvel Cinematic Universe Specials Edition. Marvel is guaranteed to convince any kid to play. Each card brings a superhero to life, so battle it out to find who trumps as the best Marvel character. Player age: 3+. Educational objectives: Marvel Cinematic Universe Trivia.
Top Trumps' promise is to educate its players, and this is the perfect gift for anyone who loves science. Players must compare properties of the elements (e.g, discovery date and the size of the atom, melting point, price, density) and choose the category they think will win. Player age: 7+. Educational objectives: Chemistry.
For the motorhead in the family, consider buying the Top Trumps Supercars edition. Find out the horsepower of the 2018 Rimac Concept Two, or how many 2014 Lykan Hypersports were produced. Time to start your engines. Educational objectives: Car Trivia.
Related: Everything you need to know about switching to an electric car
For the literary buff, the Shakespeare's Plays Top Trumps Edition is ideal. Players must pit the famous playwright's plays against each other. To buy or not to buy? Buy it, we reckon. Player age: 36 months+. Educational objectives: Literacy.
Learning about the planet's sea life is more important than ever, and the Sea Life in Danger Top Trumps edition does just that. The younger ones can learn about how crucial protecting these creatures are. Dive in! Educational objectives: Biology and ecology.
Want to switch things up? Enter a new hybrid called Top Trumps Quiz with a Twist. This asks players to answer quiz questions relating to the topic at hand, with the surprise addition of having to memorise previous answers later down the line. No one can resist a Disney quiz, so this Disney Classic Quiz Game is a great buy to expand your board game cupboard. Player age: 8+. Educational objectives: Disney franchise.
"You're a quiz-ard Harry". Test your knowledge of the wizarding world with the Harry Potter Top Trumps Quiz Game, with questions on characters, spells and magical creatures. Player age: 3+. Educational objectives: Harry Potter universe.
Top Trumps FAQs
How many cards are in a Top Trumps pack?
There are 30 cards in one pack.
Can I make my own Top Trumps pack?
The website MyTopTrumps.com allows you to personalise a pack of Top Trumps for any occasion- whether it be for a wedding favour, hen party, sports team or a drinking game. For example, you could make a pack where each card is a member of your family, with the numerical data points being their age, the number of pets they have, or the frequency of decibels their snores create. It's creative, fun, and a perfect way to bring people together.
Are Top Trumps worth anything?
As with any board game, the older the brand, the more value it holds. As Top Trumps are known for being collectable, vintage packs of the game can go for £80 or more. Packs that are credited with the original makers of Top Trumps, Waddingtons, are more valuable than its current owner Winning Moves. Other factors in selling price can be the condition of the cards, the number of packs in a bundle, or rarity. For example, here are some Top Trumps that have sold on eBay within the past two months - check out how much they sold for below.