Every Alice in Borderland Game, Ranked Worst To Best

In the dystopian virtual world of Alice in Borderland, survival hinges on navigating a series of perilous games where each decision is a matter of life or death. Each game is marked by a suit from a deck of cards, with each suit representing an overarching theme for the challenge. The ultimate goal for most of the show’s protagonists is to win enough games to buy passage out of the Borderlands.

Along for the ride are a host of Alice in Borderland characters who come equipped with their own strengths and weaknesses, and also baggage carried from the real world. With a spectrum of challenges ranging from strategic battles to psychological puzzles, the stakes are high, and alliances are fleeting. Each game holds its unique blend of suspense and strategy, where death, agony, and loss are very real consequences of failure. Some Alice in Borderland games are much more difficult and perilous than others, however.

23 Queen of Diamonds

Queen of Diamonds

While searching for Yuzuha Usagi, Arisu happens upon the survivors of the Queen of Diamonds game, who are rejoicing over the fact that they’d won. Despite most of the contestants appearing exhausted and several of them nursing wounds, there are no indicators in the scene to suggest that anyone actually died. It can be deduced the game revolved around intellect since the governing suit was diamonds, but little else is known about the Queen of Diamonds game in Alice in Borderland. It isn’t fully explored in the Netflix adaptation of the manga, and doesn’t even exist in the manga itself.

22 King of Hearts

King of Hearts

In the enigmatic King of Hearts game, participants urgently dash through a seemingly infinite labyrinth, evading an undisclosed beast that lurks in the shadows. This game’s details remain shrouded in mystery, as it is fleetingly depicted alongside various other Alice in Borderland challenges. Despite this game not appearing in the manga, the live-action adaptation skillfully captures the essence of the game. The relentless pursuit through narrow passageways and the impending threat of the unseen beast contribute to the game’s suspenseful atmosphere.

21 Ten of Clubs

Bingo in Match Factory

In the mysterious Ten of Clubs game, challengers confront the daunting task of completing bingo cards within the shadowy confines of a match factory. Survival pivots on skillfully assembling a winning combination in the form of a row, column, or diagonal, yet each participant is allotted a mere nine matches to navigate the entire challenge. The eerie ambiance of the Ten of Clubs, coupled with the urgency induced by the ticking clock, sets the stage for a profound exploration of each player’s resilience in the face of fear and uncertainty. Notably, this game is an exclusive creation for the Netflix adaptation and does not exist in the original manga storyline.

20 Queen of Clubs

Target

In the Queen of Clubs challenge, players are seen hurling glowing balls at each other. Positioned on narrow beams, the objective is to dislodge opponents by accurately throwing glowing balls. Falling off one’s beam results in immediate elimination. The last remaining pair or player achieves a game clear. Set in the dimly lit sewage treatment plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, the Queen of Clubs montage unfolds amid seven beams with empty pits between them, creating a visually striking and intense contest that does not exist in the manga.

19 Two of Spades

Human Elevator

The vertigo-inducing Two of Spades challenge sees participants cling to the underside of an ascending elevator, striving to reach the pinnacle of a towering building. Victory hinges on successfully maintaining this precarious hold throughout the entire ordeal while falling results in a game over–and likely participant death. Two of Spades adds another layer of complexity by intermittently halting the elevator during its ascent, extending the duration unpredictably, and amplifying the strain on participants’ mental stamina. The ever-changing dynamics of the ascent, punctuated by moments of suspenseful stillness, contribute to the heightened intensity of this gripping challenge. Notably, this game is only portrayed through the Netflix Alice in Borderland adaptation.

18 Jack of Clubs

Jack of Clubs

Players grapple with unknown rules and uncertainties in the Jack of Clubs montage. The game sees participants navigating a complex web of ropes suspended at various heights throughout the venue, engaging in daring maneuvers like swinging, jumping, and kicking to maintain their precarious positions. The stakes are high; a player facing the spotlight platform’s precipice risks immediate elimination, either by a kick-off or failure to grip. This exclusive Alice in Borderland game in the Netflix adaptation unfolds amidst the intricate rope dynamics, heightening the suspense within the auditorium’s confines.

17 Jack of Diamonds

Mahjong

The Jack of Diamonds sees participants engage in a high-stakes Mahjong match. Limited to four players, including the Jack of Diamonds, the rules, though more detailed in the manga, remain unspecified in the Netflix adaptation. Upon entry, players must don electric collars, heightening the game’s tension. Movement is restricted, with players seated throughout the match. The dimly lit venue, adorned with Japanese art, provides a dramatic backdrop to this intense game of strategy, luck, and survival. The Netflix adaptation introduces variations from the manga, with Chishiya absent, replaced by three unnamed players, each facing distinct fates based on their rankings in the Mahjong showdown.

16 Six of Spades

Beast Hunter

Set in an amusement park, players collaborate to hunt a variety of predators using weapons, including firearms, in the Six of Spades challenge. The scoreboard dictates the strategy, assigning points to each creature: crows (1), eagles (30), wild boars (50), panthers (80), and tigers (100). Victory goes to the player who acquires the most points after all predators have been eliminated while losing is the result of players succumbing to the beasts. Noteworthy changes from the manga include the amusement park setting, an unclear scoring mechanic, a substantial increase in player count from five to at least 21, and alterations in Aguni’s impressive interactions with a tiger.

15 Two Of Clubs

Hunting Competition

Two of Clubs, known as the Hunting Competition, is a unique game found solely in the Netflix adaptation of Alice in Borderland, glimpsed briefly in the episode 5 montage. Executed by numerous unnamed players, the absence of stated rules shrouds the method of winning, losing, and any strategic nuances in mystery. As a Clubs game, it likely involves a team dynamic and clearly features elements of running and chasing. While the difficulty remains unspecified, the Two of Clubs game remarkably stands out as one of the few games in the Netflix adaptation without casualties.

14 Seven of Spades

Boiling Death

The Seven of Spades takes center stage in Alice in Borderland season 2’s games, closely mirroring its manga counterpart. Set in the Athletic Stadium, the game mandates escaping the arena before its imminent collapse. Victory awaits those who successfully exit, while failure looms for players who meet their demise. The arena’s destruction, caused by explosive materials, adds a suspenseful layer to the challenge. Notably, this game offers a fresh and intense addition to the ever-evolving trials within the Alice in Borderland universe despite its brief appearance.

13 Jack of Spades

Jack of Spades

The Jack of Spades unfolds in season 2, episode 5 of Alice in Borderland, with Kuina emerging as the sole victor. The game, set in the Sixth Floor Exhibition Hallway at GRANSHIP Convention & Arts Center, Shizuoka Prefecture, has an undisclosed player and time limit. Firearms are prohibited, urging players to engage in a physical brawl against the Jack of Spades and his crew. Victory depends on successfully overcoming each adversary while succumbing to wounds or dying leads to failure. The exhibition hallway, dark except for a central illumination, features one-way exits and an array of weapons, fostering a tense and immersive environment for the participants.

12 Four of Clubs

Distance

Set in an unnamed highway tunnel, the Four of Clubs game featured a unique twist, deviating significantly from the Three of Clubs challenge from the first episode. With no specified player limit and a two-hour time constraint, participants started on a bus. Victory, or GAME CLEAR, was achieved by reaching the assumed end goal within the timeframe, while GAME OVER awaited those who failed to do so or perished en route. Players had access to a distance counter through their phones, although the unit of measurement remained unclear.

Dangers, including a replenishment station with ambiguous water safety and a perilous encounter with a black panther, heaped on additional anxiety and stress. The surprising revelation unfolded as the bus itself, hinted at by the spray paint, served as the ultimate goal, requiring teamwork rather than physical prowess. The strategies, varied outcomes, and intriguing trivia surrounding the Clubs card’s unexpected twist underscored the unique challenges presented in the Distance game.

11 Four of Diamonds

Light Bulb

The Four of Diamonds game unfolds as a pivotal challenge for Arisu as it marks the last numeric Diamond card needed to complete the deck at the Beach. Within a confined space featuring one light bulb and three switches in an adjacent room, players face a strategic puzzle. The door dictates switch accessibility, with specific rules governing flips. The goal is to correctly identify the switch that turns on the lights, leading to GAME CLEAR. The consequences of a water rise or wire contact result in GAME OVER and the electrocution of participants still in the water.

Initially perceived as a game of chance, Arisu introduces a clever strategy involving the bulb’s heat, increasing the probability of success significantly. An’s calculations and Tatta’s misinterpretation of probabilities add complexity and stress to the narrative. In the Netflix adaptation, venue expansion transforms the setting into an underground sewer reservoir with an electrical transformer. Kuina and Tatta’s participation introduces plot deviations as well, emphasizing An’s evaluation of Arisu’s suitability as an executive.

10 Five of Spades

A Game of Tag

The Five of Spades takes center stage in episode 2 of the Netflix adaptation of Alice in Borderland. Set within the Toei Sendagaya Apartment, this game challenges 16 players, including Ryohei Arisu, Yuzuha Usagi, and the debut of Morizono Aguni and Kōdai Tatta. The objective is to locate a safe zone on the fourth floor, room 406, and simultaneously press two buttons within a tight 20-minute timeframe. Uzi-wielding, horse-masked taggers add an extra layer of tension and stress for the game’s participants.

Players must observe the layout from strategic vantage points, climb between floors, and coordinate with shoutouts to evade the taggers effectively. Arisu’s deduction, Tatta’s observation, and Usagi’s agility contribute to the game’s success. In contrast to the manga, the Netflix adaptation introduces variations, such as the omission of landmines and the alteration of the apartment’s shape, stairwells, and floors. Noteworthy character debuts, plot deviations, and intriguing trivia, including Chishiya’s sketch discovery and Aguni’s oversight, enrich the Five of Spades game’s narrative complexity.

9 Queen of Hearts

Croquet

Alice in Borderland season 2 introduces Queen of Hearts, aligning closely with its manga counterpart. This rooftop game unfolds with no specified player or time limits, permitting weapons and adopting standard croquet regulations. The objective is straightforward: complete three sets of croquet according to regulations for a Game Clear; retiring results in Game Over. The game’s inherent simplicity becomes a psychological challenge, skillfully exploited by Ryohei Arisu’s quest for answers.

The rooftop setting at Shibuya Scramble Square adds a dynamic backdrop to the game. Notably, this game stands out as one of the few exempt from the requirement of equipping devices, such as phones, bracelets, or collars, and lacks a screen interface. The Queen of Hearts game becomes a visual and thematic reference to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, symbolized by Arisu as “Alice,” playing croquet alongside Usagi as the observant “rabbit.” The nuanced interplay of rules and psychological strategy adds depth to this seemingly straightforward challenge in the realm of Alice in Borderland.

8 Ten of Hearts

Witch Hunt

The Ten of Hearts unfolds dramatically in episodes 6 to 8 of Alice in Borderland, serving as the pivotal challenge before the Second Stage and concluding season 1. The game is set at the Seaside Paradise Resort, with a staggering player limit of approximately 224, each armed with phones to facilitate communication. Players converge in the lobby to confront a sinister twist: an evil witch, responsible for Momoka Inoue’s demise, is hiding among them. The objective is to identify and burn the witch within the two-hour time limit.

The game’s macabre details reveal Momoka’s lifeless body in the lobby, serving as a catalyst for escalating tensions between idealists and militants, plunging the resort into a chaotic war zone. Noteworthy trivia includes the expanded player count in the Netflix adaptation, surpassing the manga, making Witch Hunt the game with the highest player and casualty count among numbered games. As the last numbered game before the Second Stage, the Ten of Hearts game marks a poignant conclusion to season 1, leaving a lingering impact as the second deadliest game in the series, closely trailing The King of Spades.

7 King of Spades

Survival

Unlike other games, The King of Spades doesn’t adhere to conventional setup constraints, featuring no player limit or time restriction. Participants are automatically enrolled if they aren’t engaged in other games, setting a relentless tone for this survival challenge. The rules dictate that players must contend with the formidable King of Spades, equipped with an arsenal including an assault rifle, pistol, and knife. Strikingly distinct from other games, players aren’t furnished with weapons but are free to procure their own, ranging from melee tools to firearms and explosives.

The game’s expansive scope unfolds across Japan, as the King of Spades ruthlessly pursues players in cities, trailer parks, and even remote landscapes like forests and cliffs. Notably, the sanctuaries of other game venues serve as the sole refuge from the relentless pursuit, with any violation deemed a breach of rules by other citizens. Accompanying its prolonged duration is a grim distinction, marking it as the game with the highest death toll. Furthermore, it stands alone as the sole game without voluntary registration, heightening the suspense and unpredictability that permeates Survival in the King of Spades.

6 King of Clubs

Osmosis

With a player limit of five and a time limit of two hours, King of Clubs sees participants equipped with provided bracelets and explicitly prohibited from carrying weapons or metallic objects into the venue. The overarching objective is for a team to amass the most points after the designated time, achievable through battles, item acquisitions, or securing bases. Remarkably, The King of Clubs game marks the inception of the Second Stage, showcasing the series’ most intricate rules.

Strategic nuances are evident in Arisu’s point distribution strategy and Usagi’s clever use of the terrain. A unique twist involves the removal of bracelets, a challenging task requiring life-threatening force, as demonstrated by Arisu leveraging Tatta’s bracelet to secure victory but at the cost of Tatta’s life. The participants, including Arisu, Kuina, Usagi, Niragi, and Tatta, successfully outsmarted the King of Clubs Team comprised of Kyūma, Kanzaki, Maki, Kisaragi, and Shitara.

5 King of Diamonds

Balance Scale

With a player limit of 5, including the King of Diamonds, and a time limit of 3 minutes per round, the game revolves around players strategically selecting numbers from a grid of 0 to 100 on their tablets. Players, securely buckled into seats, start with 0 points. The game demands foresight as the selected numbers undergo an average calculation multiplied by 0.8. The player closest to this number wins the round, while others lose points symbolized by a sulfuric acid-filled scale above their heads. Reaching -10 points results in a GAME OVER–and a gruesome death–for that player.

The evolving dynamics introduce new rules with each elimination, intensifying the challenge. Strategies range from avoiding numbers exceeding 80 to predicting the likely choices of opponents. The King of Diamonds showcases Shuntaro Chishiya’s dominating intellectual alacrity in outpacing other players in mind games. Notably, the Netflix adaptation replaces Aqua Regia with sulfuric acid from the manga, maintaining the suspense and intricacies of the game.

4 Queen of Spades

Checkmate

Queen of Spades emerges as an exclusive game in the Netflix adaptation of Alice in Borderland, unfolding its suspenseful dynamics in episodes 5-6 of season 2. The game pits a Challenger Team of 16 against the Queen’s Team in a strategic face-off, with each team having a king selected by the Queen of Spades. Set in a limited time frame of 16 rounds, each lasting 5 minutes, players must chase and press the buttons on the vests of the opposing team. A strategic twist unfolds as each player, once shocked, joins the team that captures them in the subsequent round. The kings, however, remain exempt from team changes.

Cooperation proves paramount in this game, but the constant team changes make loyalty challenging. Strategies involve dynamic movement to avoid capture, risky attacks on opponents, and forming small groups for effective chasing. Weapons are prohibited, emphasizing hand-to-hand combat within a narrow venue. Notably, Queen of Spades stands out as one of the least deadly face card games, introducing a unique element where players can become temporary citizens if the Queen’s Team emerges victorious. The venue, situated at the Hibikinada Thermal Power Station in Fukuoka Prefecture, sets the stage for a thrilling and strategic confrontation.