From Clueless to Caption Master: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy the Internet’s Favorite Party Game

Let me tell you about the night that changed everything. Picture this: I’m at my friend Jamie’s place for what was supposed to be a “casual get-together.” Eight people crammed into a tiny apartment, pizza boxes stacked like modern art, and suddenly someone pulls out this blue box. “What Do You Meme?” it said, and I had no idea that within an hour, I’d be crying-laughing so hard that I nearly fell off my chair.

That night sparked my obsession with this game, and over the past year, I’ve played every edition, expansion, and spin-off I could get my hands on. I’ve hosted countless game nights, brought it to family reunions (with mixed results—sorry, Grandma), and even used it as an icebreaker at a work retreat (surprisingly effective).

So consider this your definitive guide to all things “What Do You Meme?” from someone who’s gone way too deep into this rabbit hole. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to expand your collection, I’m about to tell you everything you need to know to make the right purchase decision and become the undisputed host champion of your friend group.

What Exactly IS “What Do You Meme?”

Before we dive into the buying guide, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. “What Do You Meme?” is a card game that turns the internet’s favorite pastime—captioning memes—into a competitive party game. The premise is simple: players take turns being the judge, who reveals a photo card (usually a recognizable meme image). The other players select caption cards from their hands that they think pair best with the image. The judge picks their favorite combination, and that player wins the round.

Think of it as “Cards Against Humanity” but with visual components and focused specifically on internet culture. And just like CAH, it ranges from mildly amusing to “I can’t breathe, someone help me” levels of hilarious.

Why “What Do You Meme?” Is Worth Your Money

Let me be straight with you—I own a lot of party games. Too many, according to my partner, who keeps suggesting we need a dedicated game closet (they’re not wrong). But “What Do You Meme?” is consistently the one that gets the most play in our house, and here’s why:

1. It’s instantly accessible. Even your least tech-savvy friends understand memes at this point. The learning curve is basically flat.
2. It scales beautifully. I’ve played with 4 people and with 14 people, and both experiences were fantastic for different reasons.
3. It’s endlessly refreshable. With expansions and the ability to play with different groups (who bring different humor styles), the game rarely feels stale.
4. It creates moments. There’s something magical about the collective laughter when someone pairs a ridiculous caption with the perfect image.
5. It’s a cultural snapshot. Playing with the core game from 2016 versus the newest edition shows you just how quickly internet culture evolves.

The Different Versions: Which “What Do You Meme?” Is Right for YOU?

Here’s where things get a bit complicated. Success breeds iterations, and “What Do You Meme?” has spawned a whole ecosystem of products. Let me break down your main options:

The Core Game

What Do You Meme? Core Game – This is where most people should start. The original game includes 435 cards (360 caption cards and 75 photo cards) that form the foundation of the game. It’s designed for 3-20+ players and recommended for ages 17+.

The core game has gone through several editions since its 2016 launch, with updated memes to stay culturally relevant. If you’re buying new, you’ll likely get the most current edition, which is perfect—the newer the edition, the more recognizable the memes will be to a wider audience.

My take: The core game is essential. It has the best balance of photo quality, caption hilarity, and overall value. When I first bought it, I was skeptical about the $30 price point, but the number of hours of entertainment I’ve gotten from this makes it one of the best value purchases in my game collection.

The Party Game

What Do You Meme? Party Game – This is basically a repackaged version of the core game with some tweaks and updates. It’s still aimed at 17+ audiences and supports 3-20+ players. The key difference is that it tends to include more current memes and updated caption cards.

My take: If you don’t own any version yet, and you’re choosing between the Core Game and the Party Game, go with whichever is newer or on better sale. They’re similar enough that the differences are minimal.

Family Edition

What Do You Meme? Family Edition – This is the PG-rated version designed to be played with kids (ages 8+). It features more wholesome meme images and caption cards that won’t make you awkwardly explain adult concepts to your children.

My take: I played this with my nieces and nephews (ages 10-14), and it was legitimately fun. The captions are clever without being crude, and the kids actually understood the meme references better than some of the adults. If you’re looking for something to play with mixed age groups, this is absolutely worth the purchase. Just know that it’s a completely different set of cards from the core game—not just a filtered version.

Fresh Memes Expansion Packs

The company regularly releases expansion packs that include new photo and caption cards. These typically add 50-75 new cards to your collection and focus on themes or updated meme content.

My take: After about 6-8 game sessions with the same group, you’ll start to notice some repetition. That’s when an expansion pack breathes new life into the game. I recommend waiting until you feel the core game getting stale before investing in expansions, rather than buying everything at once.

Themed Editions

There are several themed standalone versions of the game, including:

• Basic Bitch Edition
• Stoner Edition
• 90s Edition
• College Edition
• Mean Girls Edition
• Friends Edition
• The Office Edition
• Game of Thrones Edition
• Rick and Morty Edition

Each of these contains cards specific to their theme and can be played independently of the core game.

My take: These are best purchased based on your group’s specific interests. I personally own the 90s Edition (perfect for millennial nostalgia nights) and The Office Edition (which is consistently hilarious with my work friends). The themed editions tend to have fewer cards than the core game, so I view them as specialized tools rather than replacements for the main game.

What You’re REALLY Paying For: Component Quality Breakdown

Let’s talk about what you’re actually getting for your money, because card games can vary wildly in quality:

Card Stock Quality

The photo cards are thick, glossy, and durable. After dozens of play sessions, my core set still looks great with minimal wear on the corners. The caption cards are standard playing card quality—not the absolute best I’ve seen, but certainly not flimsy.

One thing worth noting: the cards aren’t coated with the same finish as something like Bicycle playing cards, so they will show wear over time, especially if you play with people who have… let’s say “enthusiastic” card-handling techniques.

Box Design and Storage

The box is sturdy and includes a plastic insert that theoretically helps organize the cards. In practice, once you start shuffling everything together, the organization system becomes more aspirational than functional. I eventually bought some cheap plastic dividers to keep things separated.

The newer editions have slightly improved boxes with better inserts, so that’s something to consider if you’re choosing between an older used copy and a new one.

Photo Print Quality

The photo cards feature high-resolution images that really showcase the memes in all their glory. This is actually an important point—I’ve played knockoff versions of similar games where the image quality was poor, and it genuinely affects the game experience. WDYM doesn’t cut corners here.

Price Point Analysis: What’s a Fair Price?

Let’s talk money. The standard retail price for the core game typically hovers around $30, though you can often find it on sale for $20-25. Is it worth it? Let’s break it down:

• Cost per card: With 435 cards, you’re paying about 7 cents per card at full retail price.
• Cost per person: For a typical game night with 6 players, that’s $5 per person—less than a fancy coffee.
• Cost per hour: In my experience, a typical game session runs about 45-90 minutes, and we usually play multiple rounds in a night. Let’s say you get 10 hours of gameplay (which is extremely conservative)—that’s $3 per hour of entertainment.

When compared to other forms of group entertainment (movies, escape rooms, mini-golf), the value proposition of “What Do You Meme?” is exceptionally strong.

Expansion packs typically run $12-20, and themed editions are usually in the $25-30 range. These have fewer cards than the core game, so the per-card cost is higher, but they add significant variety.

My take on pricing: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need everything at once. Start with the core game, and if your group loves it, selectively add expansions or themed editions based on your interests. This measured approach will give you the best value over time.

When and Where to Buy: Timing Your Purchase

Like most games, “What Do You Meme?” follows predictable pricing patterns throughout the year:

• Black Friday/Cyber Monday: Almost always on sale, typically 30-40% off.
• Amazon Prime Day: Usually sees discounts of 25-35%.
• Back-to-college season (August): Often marketed to college students with 20-30% discounts.
• Post-holiday clearance (January): Can sometimes find deals as retailers clear holiday inventory.

As for where to buy, I’ve compared prices across multiple retailers over time, and here’s what I’ve found:

• Amazon: Typically has the best everyday pricing, especially if you have Prime.
• Target: Regular sales, and their RedCard gives an additional 5% off.
• Walmart: Occasionally has the lowest price, but selection of expansions can be limited.
• Game stores: Usually match MSRP but sometimes offer bundle deals with expansions.
• Direct from What Do You Meme website: Rarely the cheapest option, but they sometimes have exclusive bundles and are first to stock new releases.

Pro tip: If you’re not in a rush, set up price alerts on CamelCamelCamel or similar services to be notified when the price drops below a threshold you set. I’ve scored some expansions at 50% off this way.

Who Should NOT Buy This Game

Let me be clear—while I love this game, it’s definitely not for everyone. You probably should skip this purchase if:

• You’re easily offended by crude humor (the standard edition, not the Family Edition).
• You’re looking for deep strategic gameplay. This is a party game, not Chess.
• You don’t enjoy social, subjective games where winning is based on appealing to the judge’s sense of humor.
• You rarely have groups of 3+ people to play with.
• You or your regular gaming group aren’t connected to internet culture at all.

The Family Edition addresses the first point for those concerned about appropriateness, but the other caveats still apply.

The Social Dynamics: How This Game Actually Plays in Real Life

I’ve introduced this game to dozens of different groups, and I’ve noticed some interesting patterns in how it plays out:

The First-Time Experience

The first round or two always starts a bit tentatively. People are getting a feel for the boundaries and the judge’s sense of humor. By round three, everyone loosens up, and that’s when the magic happens.

One fascinating aspect is how different groups develop their own “meta” around what kinds of captions win. My work friends reward clever wordplay, while my college friends go for the most outrageous combinations.

The Unexpected MVP

In almost every session, there’s someone who surprises everyone with their meme game. Often it’s the quiet person, the older participant, or someone who claims they “don’t really get internet stuff.” These unexpected MVPs make for the best moments.

I’ll never forget my 67-year-old aunt absolutely dominating a round with captions that had us all in tears. When asked how she got so good, she just said, “I have grandkids who send me things.” Legendary.

The Pacing Challenge

The one consistent challenge with “What Do You Meme?” is pacing. As the night goes on and drinks flow, deliberation times tend to increase as people laugh longer at each submission. I’ve found it helpful to:

• Use a sand timer for selection (optional, but keeps things moving)
• Take short breaks every 30-45 minutes
• Consider implementing a house rule where after winning 3-4 rounds, a player has to sit out one round as judge

These small adjustments keep the energy high and prevent the game from dragging.

Customizing Your Experience: House Rules That Actually Work

Over many, many game nights, my friends and I have developed some house rules that significantly improve the experience:

The Comeback Rule

If a player is trailing by 3 or more points, they get to submit two caption cards in a round and choose which one to use after seeing all submissions. This keeps everyone engaged even when they’re behind.

The Mystery Card

Each player contributes one random caption card to a central “mystery pile” at the start of the game. During each round, the judge also draws from this pile and includes it among the submissions. If the mystery card wins, everyone has to drink (or eat a snack, or do a silly dance—whatever fits your group).

The Caption Switch

Once per game, a player can announce “Caption Switch” before cards are submitted. All players then pass their hand to the left and must play from their new hand. This creates delightful chaos and levels the playing field.

The Meme Expert Handicap

If someone is dominating (winning more than 40% of rounds), they must explain what the meme is referring to before judging. If they can’t, they lose their turn as judge. This is both educational and prevents the game from being dominated by the most internet-savvy player.

Combining With Other Games: Next-Level Hosting

One of my favorite discoveries was how well “What Do You Meme?” combines with other party games to create unique experiences. Some successful combinations:

The Drinking Game Integration

For adult groups, we sometimes combine WDYM with simple drinking games. For example, everyone drinks when:

• A card mentions social media
• Someone doesn’t recognize a meme
• A card perfectly describes someone in the room (and they have to drink twice)

The Tournament Bracket

For larger gatherings, set up a WDYM tournament. Split into groups of 4-6, play short rounds, and have winners advance. The finals become an epic showdown with high stakes (we use a dollar store trophy that gets passed around).

The Mixed Media Night

My personal favorite hosting trick is to pair WDYM with other creative games in a progressive party format:

1. Start with Pictionary or Telestrations to get creative juices flowing
2. Move to WDYM for the main event
3. End with Jackbox games (particularly Quiplash) to keep the creative energy going digitally

This combination creates a perfect arc for a game night that keeps people engaged for hours.

Storage and Organization: Practical Tips

After expanding my collection significantly, I learned some practical lessons about keeping everything organized:

Card Separation

Color-coding the card backs by set would have been helpful, but since that’s not how they’re designed, I use small stickers on the backs to identify which expansion each card belongs to. This makes it easier to sort them back after mixed play.

Expandable Storage

Rather than keeping each set in its original box, I invested in a card game organizer box (similar to those used for trading card games). This holds the core game plus several expansions in one convenient container with dividers.

Travel Configuration

For taking the game on trips, I created a “greatest hits” travel pack with 100 caption cards and 25 photo cards that consistently get the biggest laughs. This fits in a small deck box that slips easily into luggage.

Longevity and Replay Value: Will It Collect Dust?

The most important question for any game purchase: will you still be playing it a year from now? Based on my experience:

The Refresh Factor

Meme culture evolves rapidly, which is both a challenge and an opportunity for this game. Cards referencing “Harambe” or “Tide Pods” might get blank stares from players in a few years, but the core mechanic remains fun regardless of specific references.

The company addresses this by regularly releasing updates and expansions, which helps keep the game current. I’d estimate that about 20% of the cards in my original set feel dated now, but 80% still land well.

The Group Variability

The single biggest factor in replay value is playing with different groups. The same cards take on entirely new dimensions when judged by different people. I’ve played the same core set with my work colleagues, college friends, and family, and it felt like three different games.

The Strategic Depth

While not a strategy game in the traditional sense, regular players develop a meta-understanding of what works with specific judges. This emergent strategy layer adds unexpected depth to repeated plays with the same group.

Comparisons to Similar Games

To help you decide if WDYM is right for your collection, here’s how it stacks up against similar party games:

vs. Cards Against Humanity

• Similarities: Subjective judging, humor-based, expandable with packs
• Key differences: WDYM adds visual elements, CAH is text-only
• Who would prefer WDYM: People who enjoy internet culture, visual learners
• Who would prefer CAH: Those who enjoy more literary humor, people who prefer broader topical range

vs. Joking Hazard

• Similarities: Visual component, comic creation
• Key differences: WDYM uses existing memes, JH creates new comics panel by panel
• Who would prefer WDYM: Those who enjoy recognizable internet references
• Who would prefer JH: People who enjoy sequential storytelling, more controlled content creation

vs. Meme Game/Knockoffs

There are several similar meme-based games on the market at lower price points.

• Key differences: WDYM has superior card quality, better-curated memes, and more consistent caption quality
• Who would prefer WDYM: Those looking for a polished, reliable experience
• Who would prefer knockoffs: Budget-conscious buyers willing to sacrifice some quality

Real Talk: The Cultural Lifespan Consideration

Let’s address something important about this purchase that most reviews don’t mention: meme games have a cultural shelf life. Unlike classic games that remain playable for decades, games centered on current cultural references naturally become dated over time.

I think of WDYM as a cultural time capsule—the core 2016 game perfectly captures internet humor from that era. The newer editions capture their respective periods. This isn’t necessarily a negative; playing with older cards can be a nostalgic trip through internet history.

But it does mean that to keep the game feeling fresh and relevant, you’ll either need to:

1. Regularly invest in new expansions (essentially a subscription model)
2. Accept that older references will gradually become more obscure
3. Play with younger players who can explain the references to you (humbling but educational)

My Final Verdict: Is “What Do You Meme?” Worth YOUR Money?

After countless game nights, expansions, and different play groups, here’s my honest assessment:

For casual game players who host gatherings: Absolutely worth the purchase. The core game will provide 10-15 solid play sessions before feeling repetitive, and each expansion extends that significantly.

For serious game collectors: A worthwhile addition to your rotation, though not likely to become your forever favorite. Consider it a well-executed cultural moment rather than a timeless classic.

For families with teens: The Family Edition is an excellent purchase that bridges generational gaps better than most games I’ve played.

For those on tight budgets: Start with just the core game and play it thoroughly before expanding. The base game offers the best value-to-cost ratio.

What I Wish I’d Known Before Buying

If I could go back and give myself advice before starting my WDYM journey, here’s what I’d say:

1. Don’t try to collect everything. Be selective about expansions based on your group’s humor style.
2. The game plays differently at different player counts. It’s good with 3-5 players, best with 6-9, and becomes more of a spectator sport beyond that.
3. It’s worth investing in card protection if you play frequently. Sleeve the photo cards at minimum, as they show wear the fastest.
4. Documenting the best combinations adds another layer of fun. We started keeping a “Hall of Fame” photo album of the most hilarious pairings.
5. The game’s tone is set by the group, not the cards. The same deck can produce wildly different experiences depending on who’s playing.

The Bottom Line

“What Do You Meme?” occupies a unique position in modern party games—it’s accessible enough for casual players but offers enough depth and variability to satisfy more dedicated gamers. Its greatest strength is creating moments of shared hilarity that turn into inside jokes and memories.

Is it perfect? No. Is it timeless? Probably not. But is it worth the price for the experiences it creates? Absolutely.

In a world where we’re increasingly looking at separate screens, there’s something magical about gathering around a table to laugh at the same ridiculous combinations. And for that reason alone, I consider my investment in this blue box of memes to be money incredibly well spent.

So go ahead, budget for the core game, make room on your shelf, and prepare to discover which of your friends has been secretly harboring an extraordinary meme sense of humor all along. I promise you’ll be surprised.