Fluxx - The Card Game of Chaos

Fluxx is the name of a series of card games published by Looney Labs, and available at most game shops. Each deck has 100 different unique cards. Basic rules are players start with a hand of 3 cards, and they draw a card and play a card during a turn. The cards in play change the number of cards drawn or played, the victory conditions, and other aspects of the game.

There are several card types:
Keepers - played in front of a player to use for goals, and may offer extra benefits, too!
Goals - cards stating which keepers (and sometimes creepers) a player needs win the game.
Creepers - cards that prevent victory, unless the goal says otherwise
New Rule - changes the rules of the game
Action - do whatever the card says
Surprise - the only card that can be played during another player's turn, used to prevent an action or change the result of an action. This card type is not in all sets.
Ungoal - Defines conditions that cause all players to lose. This card type is not in all sets.

The game is solid, but it just doesn't tickle my funny bone the way the other sets do. It can be a great intro to the concepts behind the game, and is suitable for people who may not be fans of the various other offerings.

Star Fluxx lampoons all things Science Fiction. There are references to B-movie tropes, Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and more. Essential for anyone who loves sci-fi and has a sense of humor. There are only 3 creepers, but they attach to keepers in play, adding an interesting twist by deactivating the benefits the keepers otherwise offer as well as preventing victory!

Defend yourself from the undead by gathering items to achieve victory, or overwhelm the survivors with shambling hordes of zombie Creepers. Gas up the car, or build a Zombie Baseball team!

Lovecraftian horror meets hilarious Fluxx insanity. Appropriately enough, this set introduced the Ungoal card. Not every tale has a happy ending...

Sail the Seven Seas, find buried treasure, avoid scurvy, acquire the Captain's Hat, and commit mutiny in this deck! This is one of the best themed decks for younger players, too.

Fluxx is a crazy game. Monty Python is an absurdist comedy troupe. This is a match made in heaven. If you understand references to Brave Sir Robin, resting parrots, and know how to always look on the bright side of life, this game is for you. There's even a rule rewarding players for using an outrageous accent!

There are also other sets that are out of print, produced for specific markets, or limited-run themed decks. Check your local game shop and take a look! With any luck, someone will even let you try a game with a store copy. The game is suitable for 2-6 players, but unlike some games, more players is generally better. 4-6 is not overly-complicated, because the turns usually move fairly fast unless some jerk has set the rules to "Draw 5, play 1, hand limit 1." Then you hope one of your cards is a Rules Reset!

All images via the Looney Labs website