The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Cooperative Card Game
✓ Product data checked October 30, 2026
The Crew turns trick-taking, the family of games behind hearts and spades, into a cooperative campaign: players must win specific tricks to complete each mission, but can only share limited information about their hands. Its 50 missions get harder as the crew travels toward Planet Nine, each lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Thames & Kosmos lists 2 to 5 players aged 10 and up; the game won the Kennerspiel des Jahres in 2020. Rated 4.7 across 5,500+ reviews on Amazon US, at about $15.
Why it makes a good gift
Best for : Card players who grew up on hearts, spades or euchre.
Best occasion : Christmas, a birthday, a stocking.
Why it works : It gives familiar card skills a new purpose, and the campaign of 50 missions keeps a group coming back night after night, all from a box under $20.
Avoid if : Someone who has never enjoyed card games.
For
Him, Her, Couples, Friend
Budget
$ — Budget-friendly
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to know trick-taking games?
It helps, but the first missions teach the basics.
How many players?
2 to 5, with a variant for two.
How long does it last?
Each mission takes 5 to 10 minutes; the campaign has 50.
