After 25 years of kicking down doors and stabbing kobolds, Munchkin is getting its first proper second edition, and the late pledge window is about to slam shut. Steve Jackson Games' BackerKit campaign for the refreshed classic ended in February with $371,613 raised from 8,221 backers, but anyone who missed the launch can still grab a copy through late pledging until 4 May 2026.
Stop juggling Meetup, WhatsApp, and spreadsheets. One platform for your gaming group's events, RSVPs, and member management.
See how it worksIf you've never played, Munchkin is a card-based dungeon crawl spoof for 3 to 6 players where you race to level 10 by killing monsters and stabbing your friends in the back. It's been a fixture of game nights since 2001, with over 30 expansions covering everything from Cthulhu to Star Trek.
The second edition keeps the core gleeful chaos but tightens up everything around it. Original artist John Kovalic has redrawn every card, board and box, and the rules now offer a smoother setup and faster mid-game. The headline new mechanic is Gold Pieces, a currency system that lets you make change when selling items and micro-bribe rivals when the dice go against you. There's also a new co-op win condition where one player can call on a single ally to push them across the line at level 10.
Looking for board gamers near you? Browse local communities and find your next game night.
Find events near youPlayer reference cards finally arrive too, so you don't have to crack the rulebook every time someone asks what curses do. Card backs are now colour-coded by type, with blue for Doors and yellow for Treasures, which sounds small but makes a huge difference at six players.
Backer copies ship in July, with Steve Jackson Games hoping to have the new edition on shelves at Gen Con. If you fancy starting a regular Munchkin night for your group, list it on Backseat Gamer so other locals can join in.
Sources: BackerKit | Tabletop Sentinel | GeekDad
