Which Expansion

The Isle of Cats expansions

Base game: 1–4 players60–90 minThe City of Games6 expansions checked
  1. #1 overall

    Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts

    Buy this first

    Rated 8.23 from 1,180 BGG ratings. BGG posters call it the only expansion that changes gameplay and the one essential pick; one finds the events too abstract.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Kitten, Beast and Event modules usable alone or in any mix, plus a new lesson module (I) and 6 new family cards.

    Expansion1–4 playersAdds more rulesFine for any groupPrice: $20–$40
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games product page+1 more
  2. #2 overall

    Isle of Cats: Boat Pack

    Worth it

    Rated 8.14 from 881 BGG ratings. BGG posters call it easy to add with no rule changes, but say the extra layouts add variety without changing the game much.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Six new boats with different shapes and layouts, for standard, family and solo modes.

    Expansion1–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: $20–$40
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games product page+1 more
  3. #3 overall

    Isle of Cats: Late Arrivals

    Depends on your group

    Needed for 5-6 players, where a Reddit poster says you run out of cats and cards without it. At 1-4 players it is extra content only; BGG posters split on its value.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Two boards for 5-6 players plus more cat tiles, treasures, 5-6 player discovery cards and lesson modules that work at any player count.

    More players1–6 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: $20–$40
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games product page
  4. #4 overall

    Isle of Cats: Kickstarter Pack

    Most groups can skip

    The designer says the fish and meeples are cosmetic and the lesson cards matter most to players with many plays. BGG posters call it swag or tile variety.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Wooden fish, large cat meeples, new special tiles, 24 lesson cards in 3 modules, plus new cat, Oshax and large rare treasure tiles.

    Expansion1–4 playersAbout the same rules loadBest for experienced groupsPrice: $20–$40
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games product page
  5. #5 overall

    Isle of Cats: Kickstarter Pack 2

    Most groups can skip

    Rated 8.13 from 468 BGG ratings; only publisher text was found and no reviews. BGG posters lump the Kickstarter packs in as swag or extra tile variety.

    Get Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts first.

    Needs: Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts first

    Adds: 25 large wooden beast meeples, Oshax kittens, special rescue cards, more lesson cards and more cat, beast and event tiles for Kittens + Beasts.

    Expansion1–4 playersBest for experienced groupsPrice: $20–$40
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games product page+1 more
  6. #6 overall

    Isle of Cats: Treasure Pack

    Most groups can skip

    Rated 8.28 from only 56 BGG ratings, with only publisher text and no reviews found. It changes one tile type, so most groups will not miss it.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Rare treasure tiles now give bonuses for placing cats next to them, and the more cats placed beside one, the more bonuses it gives.

    Expansion1–4 playersPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games product page

Need the base game?

Reference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:The City of Games US storeThe City of Games UK/worldwide storeThe City of Games US store (Kickstarter Edition)

Check before you buy

  • Kickstarter Pack 2 needs the Kittens + Beasts expansion. Both Kickstarter packs are sold by the publisher directly rather than through retail.

Stuck between two?

The Isle of Cats expansions: quick answers

Which The Isle of Cats expansion should I buy first?

Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts. Rated 8.23 from 1,180 BGG ratings. In a 2022 BGG thread on which expansions to get, posters call it the only one that changes gameplay and the one essential pick; one finds the events too abstract.

Is Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts worth it?

Our verdict: buy this first. It adds: Three modules that can be used alone or in any combination: Kitten (easy), Beast (medium) and Event (hard). Also adds a new lesson module (I) and 6 new family cards.

Do I need Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts before Isle of Cats: Kickstarter Pack 2?

Yes. Isle of Cats: Kickstarter Pack 2 needs Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts first.

Can I play The Isle of Cats with more players?

Isle of Cats: Late Arrivals extends it to 6 players. Our verdict: depends on your group.

Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts or Isle of Cats: Boat Pack: which first?

We’d buy Isle of Cats: Kittens + Beasts first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.

Other games’ expansion guides

Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-10-15.