How I navigated the wild world of meme-based party games and found my favorites

As someone who has hosted more game nights than I can count, I’ve become something of an unofficial expert on “What Do You Meme?” and its ever-expanding universe of picture cards. What started as a simple purchase to entertain friends has evolved into a borderline obsession with finding the perfect expansion packs. If you’re looking to expand your collection or just starting out, this guide reflects my personal journey through the meme-filled landscape, highlighting the best picture card options for different crowds and occasions.

I remember the first time I brought out the core game at a housewarming party. Within minutes, my living room erupted with laughter as friends paired absurd captions with awkward stock photos. That night sparked my quest to find the best picture cards to keep the game fresh and entertaining for years to come.

Understanding the “What Do You Meme?” Ecosystem

Before diving into specific expansion recommendations, it’s worth understanding what makes this game tick. At its core, “What Do You Meme?” operates similar to Cards Against Humanity but with a visual twist. Players match caption cards with photo cards, and a rotating judge decides which combination is funniest.

The magic of the game lies in its picture cards. These images – ranging from social media memes to awkward stock photos – serve as the canvas for comedy. The quality and relevance of your picture cards can make or break your game night experience, which is why choosing the right expansions matters so much.

When I first started collecting expansions, I quickly realized that not all picture packs are created equal. Some contain timeless images that consistently deliver laughs, while others feature references that may fade into obscurity. Over time, I’ve developed a sense for which expansions have staying power and which are more likely to collect dust.

Core Set Considerations: Where To Begin

If you’re new to the game, the core set is obviously your starting point. The original “What Do You Meme?” base game typically includes about 75 photo cards featuring a mix of popular internet memes and reaction images. These core cards provide a solid foundation, but I found they get repetitive after 4-5 game sessions with the same group.

My first piece of advice: play the core game a few times before expanding. This helps you understand your group’s humor style and which types of images generate the most laughs. I noticed that my friends particularly enjoyed reaction shots with exaggerated facial expressions, which guided my first expansion purchases.

Another consideration with the core set is its PG-13 nature. While not explicitly adult-oriented, some images and captions might not be appropriate for family gatherings. This realization led me to purchase the Family Edition as my second game, which has been perfect for holidays with relatives of all ages.

Expansion Strategies: Building Your Collection Thoughtfully

Rather than randomly purchasing expansions, I’ve found it helpful to build a collection strategically. Here’s how I approach expansion buying:

1. Identify gaps in your current collection
2. Consider your typical player groups
3. Balance timeless content with trendy references
4. Mix image styles for variety

When I first expanded beyond the core set, I made the mistake of buying packs based solely on their covers. This led to some duplication in content and styles. Now, I research each expansion’s theme and content before purchasing, ensuring I’m adding genuine variety to my collection.

The Celebrity Picture Expansion Universe

Some of my most successful game nights have featured celebrity-focused expansions. These packs include images of famous people in various situations, which provides instant recognition and relatability for players.

The “Fresh Memes” expansion was my first venture into celebrity content, featuring about 50 new photo cards. What I love about this pack is its mix of classic celebrity memes and more recent additions. Players instantly recognize images of celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Lawrence, and Drake, which creates an immediate connection to the content.

For groups that follow pop culture closely, I’ve found the “Basic Bitch” expansion to be surprisingly versatile. Despite its name suggesting a narrow focus, it contains a well-curated selection of celebrity reaction shots that work well with a wide range of caption cards.

However, the celebrity expansions come with a caveat: they age more quickly than abstract or conceptual images. References that were hilarious in 2019 might elicit blank stares in 2025. I’ve addressed this by periodically “retiring” certain cards that no longer resonate and replacing them with newer expansions.

Nostalgic and Cultural References: For the Pop Culture Enthusiasts

If your friend group shares a common cultural background or generational experiences, theme-specific expansions can be goldmines. My 90s-themed game night was elevated significantly by the “90s Nostalgia” expansion pack, which features images from iconic TV shows, movies, and cultural moments from that decade.

Similarly, the “Stoner Pack” has been surprisingly versatile, not because my friends are particularly into cannabis culture, but because the pack includes numerous reaction images and pop culture references that transcend its theme. I’ve found that these niche packs often contain gems that work well beyond their intended audience.

For movie buffs, there are several cinema-focused expansions that have been hits at my gatherings. The “Movie Edition” features a solid mix of classic film moments and modern blockbusters. What makes this pack special is how the images often have layers of meaning – players who recognize the movie context might find additional humor that enhances the experience.

When collecting these culturally-specific expansions, I try to ensure they’re accessible enough that at least 75% of my regular players will understand the references. Nothing kills momentum in a game like having to explain why an image is supposed to be funny.

NSFW Expansions: When the Kids Go to Bed

Let’s be honest – some of the most memorable “What Do You Meme?” moments happen when you venture into more adult territory. After several game nights that gradually descended into increasingly risqué humor, I decided to invest in some of the NSFW expansions.

The “NSFW Edition” expansion is exactly what you’d expect – pictures that pair wonderfully with the more adult caption cards. What surprised me was how this pack actually expanded the creative possibilities of the game. The risqué images often prompt players to create more sophisticated jokes rather than just going for shock value.

For bachelor/bachelorette parties, I’ve found the “Naughty Edition” to be particularly well-received. This pack pushes boundaries further than the standard NSFW content, making it perfect for celebrations where inhibitions are lower. Just be sure to read the room – what works for a wild bachelor party might not be appropriate for a casual Friday night with coworkers.

A word of caution from personal experience: I once accidentally mixed some NSFW cards into my family-friendly deck before a holiday gathering. The moment my uncle pulled a particularly inappropriate image card is now family legend, but not in a good way. I now use different colored card sleeves to prevent such mix-ups.

Seasonal and Special Occasion Expansions

One strategy I’ve used to keep my collection fresh is investing in seasonal expansions. “What Do You Meme?” offers holiday-themed packs that bring timely humor to seasonal gatherings.

The “Holiday Pack” has become a December tradition in my household, featuring Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s themed images that perfectly capture both the joy and absurdity of the holiday season. What I appreciate about this pack is how it can make even standard caption cards feel festive when paired with holiday imagery.

For Halloween, the “Spooky Pack” brings a similar seasonal touch with horror movie references and supernatural themes. These seasonal packs have limited utility throughout the year, but they add tremendous value during their relevant seasons.

Beyond holidays, there are special occasion packs that target specific events. The “Wedding Pack” was an absolute hit at my friend’s engagement party, featuring images that playfully depict various aspects of relationships and marriage. These specialized packs can transform a good game night into a memorable event that feels personally tailored to the occasion.

Building a Versatile Collection for Different Audiences

Over time, I’ve realized that no single collection works for every audience. This has led me to develop several sub-collections that I can deploy depending on who’s playing:

1. Family-Friendly Collection: Combining the Family Edition with age-appropriate expansions like “Wholesome Pack”
2. Close Friends Collection: Core game plus a mix of trendy and nostalgic expansions
3. Party Collection: More accessible packs with broadly recognizable references
4. Adult Night Collection: NSFW expansions combined with sophisticated humor packs

This approach requires more initial investment, but it means I’m always prepared regardless of who joins game night. I use different colored sleeves and separate storage boxes to keep these collections organized and easily identifiable.

The Family-Friendly Collection has been particularly valuable as it allows me to include younger players or more conservative family members without worrying about inappropriate content. The “Wholesome Pack” specifically adds images that are funny without being edgy, proving that clean humor can be just as entertaining as its more risqué counterparts.

Storage and Organization: Practical Considerations

As my collection grew, so did my storage challenges. What started as a single box soon expanded to fill an entire shelf. Here’s how I’ve addressed the practical aspects of a large “What Do You Meme?” collection:

I invested in card sleeves to protect frequently used cards from wear and tear. Beyond protection, different colored sleeves help me quickly sort cards by category or appropriateness level. Red sleeves contain NSFW content, while blue indicates family-friendly cards.

For storage, I found that photo storage boxes work perfectly for organizing expansions. I label each box with the expansions contained inside and add notes about appropriate audiences. This system means I can quickly grab the right cards for any occasion without sifting through the entire collection.

Another practical tip: I created a small “highlight reel” box containing about 50 picture cards that consistently generate laughs. This condensed collection is perfect for introducing new players to the game or for nights when we only have time for a quick session.

Refreshing Your Collection: When to Retire Cards

Even the best picture cards eventually lose their appeal after multiple plays. I’ve developed a simple rotation system to keep the game fresh without constantly buying new expansions.

After about 8-10 plays with the same group, I’ll “retire” about 20% of the picture cards, storing them in a separate box. These retired cards return to the rotation after a few months, by which time they feel fresh again. This artificial scarcity helps extend the life of my collection while ensuring players don’t see the same images repeatedly.

For viral meme-based cards that reference very specific events or trends, I’m more aggressive with retirement. These cards often have a shorter shelf life, becoming dated within months rather than years. I’ve created a “meme archive” box for these cards – occasionally we’ll revisit them for nostalgia, but they rarely return to regular rotation.

Custom and DIY Picture Cards: Personalizing Your Experience

After exhausting commercial expansion options, I ventured into creating custom picture cards. This has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my “What Do You Meme?” journey.

Using online printing services, I’ve created cards featuring:

• Inside jokes from our friend group
• Reaction shots of friends and family (with permission)
• Local references that only our community would understand
• Parodies of popular memes featuring people we know

These custom cards elevate the game to a new level of personalization. There’s something uniquely hilarious about seeing your friend’s face as a meme card, especially when paired with an absurdly fitting caption.

For DIY creation, I use standard photo paper cut to size and sleeves to give them the same feel as official cards. For higher quality, online card printing services can create professional-looking cards for about $0.50-$1.00 per card, depending on quantity.

The most successful custom pack I created featured “reaction shots” of our friend group that I’d collected over years of social gatherings. These cards are now requested at every game night, often generating more laughter than the commercial expansions.

Expansion Pack Reviews: My Personal Top Picks

After playing with numerous expansions, I’ve developed clear favorites for different situations. Here are my top picks based on countless game nights:

Best All-Around Expansion: “Fresh Memes Pack”

This pack strikes the perfect balance between recognizable content and fresh material. The images have stayed relevant longer than expected, and they work well with nearly any caption card. I find myself returning to this pack for almost every game session, regardless of the audience.

Best for Close Friends: “Basic Bitch Pack”

Despite its potentially off-putting name, this pack consistently delivers laughs with a diverse range of images. It works particularly well with groups who share similar pop culture knowledge and aren’t easily offended.

Best for Family Gatherings: “Family Edition Expansion 1”

This expansion to the already family-friendly base set maintains the clean humor while introducing new images that appeal to multiple generations. I’ve used this successfully with players ranging from teenagers to grandparents.

Most Versatile Themed Pack: “Geek Pack”

Even friends who don’t consider themselves “geeks” find the references in this pack accessible and funny. It covers everything from classic video games to modern tech culture, with images that work surprisingly well even when paired with unrelated captions.

Best Investment for Longevity: “Classic Pack”

This expansion focuses on timeless memes and images rather than trending content, making it a worthy investment that won’t quickly become dated. After several years, these cards remain in regular rotation while trendier packs have been relegated to storage.

Pricing and Value Considerations

When I first started collecting “What Do You Meme?” expansions, I purchased everything available without much thought to value. Now, I’m more strategic about my investments.

Standard expansion packs typically retail between $12-20 and contain 50-75 new picture cards. This breaks down to roughly $0.25 per card, which I consider reasonable value if at least 75% of the cards are usable for my groups.

However, not all expansions offer equal value. I’ve found that themed packs sometimes contain fewer universally appealing cards, making them less cost-effective unless you specifically want that theme. The “TV Pack,” for example, was less versatile than I expected, with many images requiring specific show knowledge to appreciate.

For maximum value, I recommend watching for holiday sales or bundle deals. I once found a three-pack bundle at 40% off regular price, which significantly improved the value proposition. Similarly, end-of-season clearances often include game expansions, particularly for holiday-themed content.

When to Invest in a New Core Set vs. Expansions

After about two years of regular play, my original core set showed significant wear. Cards were bent, some had visible wear patterns that made them identifiable, and a few had been damaged by spilled drinks (an inevitable casualty of game night).

I faced a decision: continue buying expansions or replace the core set? I ultimately did both, but this experience taught me some valuable lessons about long-term collection management.

If your core set is showing wear but your expansions remain in good condition, replacing just the base game can be more economical than replacing individual damaged cards. Additionally, newer editions of the core game sometimes include updated content that refreshes the experience.

However, if you’re simply bored with your current cards, expansions typically offer better value than purchasing a second core set. The core set contains a mix of caption and picture cards, whereas expansions allow you to target specifically what you need to refresh your game.

Creating Themed Game Nights with Targeted Expansions

Some of my most memorable game nights have featured carefully curated card selections centered around a theme. This approach requires owning multiple expansions, but the payoff in player enjoyment is worth the investment.

For a 90s nostalgia night, I combined the “90s Pack” with select cards from the “TV Pack” and “Movie Pack” that referenced 90s content. I paired this with themed snacks and a playlist of 90s hits to create an immersive experience that was about more than just the game itself.

Similarly, a “Geek Night” featured cards from the “Geek Pack,” “Video Game Pack,” and technology-related cards from various other expansions. This targeted approach works especially well for friend groups with shared interests, as it makes the humor more accessible and relevant.

These themed nights typically require more preparation, as I need to sort through multiple expansions to create a cohesive experience. To simplify this process, I now keep notes about which cards belong to which themes, making it easier to assemble themed decks quickly.

The Evolution of Meme Culture and Its Impact on Picture Cards

One fascinating aspect of collecting “What Do You Meme?” expansions over several years has been watching how meme culture evolves. Cards that seemed cutting-edge and hilarious in 2018 sometimes elicit confusion from newer players in 2025.

This evolution presents both challenges and opportunities for expansion buying. On one hand, trend-focused expansions have shorter lifespans than those featuring more timeless content. On the other hand, this planned obsolescence creates natural opportunities to refresh your collection.

I’ve noticed that certain types of images have more staying power:

• Reaction shots showing clear emotions
• Absurd situations without specific cultural references
• Universally recognizable celebrities in candid moments
• Classic movie and TV scenes

When investing in new expansions, I now prioritize these timeless elements alongside trendier content, ensuring my collection remains partially relevant even as meme culture evolves.

Online Communities and Resources for Expansion Research

Before purchasing new expansions, I’ve found tremendous value in online communities dedicated to “What Do You Meme?” enthusiasts. Reddit, Board Game Geek, and Facebook groups offer reviews and discussions about specific expansions, helping me make informed decisions.

These communities often share “compatibility guides” suggesting which expansions work well together or which are most appropriate for specific audiences. This crowd-sourced wisdom has saved me from several potentially disappointing purchases.

Additionally, watching gameplay videos featuring specific expansions gives me a better sense of the content than the marketing materials alone. Several YouTube channels specialize in game night recordings that showcase how different expansions perform in real play settings.

Counterfeit and Unofficial Expansions: Buyer Beware

As “What Do You Meme?” has grown in popularity, I’ve noticed an increase in unofficial or counterfeit expansions on marketplace sites. While sometimes temptingly priced, these unauthorized products often have quality issues that diminish the gameplay experience.

I learned this lesson the hard way after purchasing what I thought was a bargain-priced expansion from an online marketplace. The cards arrived with noticeable differences in size, cardstock quality, and print resolution compared to official products. These differences made the cards easily identifiable during gameplay, essentially ruining any humor from unexpected combinations.

To avoid counterfeits, I recommend purchasing directly from the official “What Do You Meme?” website, established retailers, or authorized online sellers. The slight premium for authentic products is worth it for consistent quality and compatibility with your existing collection.

Conclusion: Building Your Perfect Picture Card Collection

After several years of collecting and hundreds of game nights, my journey through the world of “What Do You Meme?” picture cards has taught me that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to building the perfect collection. The ideal mix depends entirely on your regular players, their shared references, and your collective sense of humor.

That said, investing thoughtfully in expansion packs that match your specific group’s interests will significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Rather than attempting to own every expansion, focus on building a curated collection that consistently delivers laughs for your particular audience.

My current collection includes elements from over 15 different expansion packs, custom cards featuring friends and local references, and a rotation system that keeps content fresh without requiring constant new purchases. This personalized approach has transformed a simple party game into a cornerstone of our social gatherings.

Whether you’re just starting your collection or looking to refresh an existing one, I hope my experiences help guide your expansion choices. The perfect “What Do You Meme?” collection isn’t about quantity – it’s about finding the picture cards that resonate with your unique circle of friends and family, creating moments of shared laughter that you’ll reference long after game night ends.

Remember that beyond all the strategy and considerations, the true purpose of these expansions is simple: to create joy and connection through shared humor. With that as your north star, you can’t go wrong in building your collection.