The roll and write genre has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, drawing inspiration from the classic game Yahtzee. In these games, players roll dice or flip cards, using the outcomes to mark their individual score sheets. Despite the simplicity of the concept, the genre offers a rich playground for sophisticated gameplay and creative engagement. Players enjoy the freedom to personalize their sheets, yet the rules remain straightforward, making roll and writes a hit across a diverse player base due to their low entry barriers. Below is a curated list of the top roll and write games that showcase the genre's best offerings.
TL;DR: The Best Roll and Write Games
Rolling Realms Marabunta The Fox Experiment Twilight Inscription Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up Welcome To... Your Perfect Home My City: Roll & Build Railroad Ink Next Station: London Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write Cartographers Long Shot: The Dice Game Three Sisters Fleet: The Dice Game Sagrada Artisans Motor City Rolling Realms
Rolling Realms
0See it at Amazon Rolling Realms cleverly integrates mini-games inspired by other board games into its realms. Each player navigates the same three realms over nine rolls, then switches to three new realms from a set of twelve for two more rounds. The charm lies in the realms themselves, which are engaging microcosms of their source material, offering family-friendly puzzles to master. For those seeking more challenges, Rolling Realms Redux introduces additional realms that can be played independently or mixed with the base game.
Marabunta
Marabunta
0See it at Amazon Marabunta, crafted by renowned designer Reiner Knizia, brings strategic depth to the roll and write genre. This two-player game pits tribes of ants against each other for control of hexes filled with goodies like cupcakes. Players must strategically spread their influence across color-coded hexes or opt for bonuses, blending spatial tactics with mathematical strategy—a hallmark of Knizia's design.
The Fox Experiment
The Fox Experiment
0See it at Amazon Inspired by a real-life experiment on fox domestication, The Fox Experiment by Elizabeth Hargrave (creator of Wingspan) offers a unique twist on roll and writes. Players simulate genetic heredity using dice to breed foxes, aiming to meet end-game goals by selecting the right traits. This game stands out for its engaging theme and strategic depth.
Twilight Inscription
Twilight Inscription
1See it at Amazon Twilight Inscription ambitiously merges the expansive world of Twilight Imperium with the roll and write format, capturing the essence of 4X video games—exploration, exploitation, expansion, and extermination—in a concise 90-minute experience. Players manage multiple sheets, each representing a different aspect of their space empire, requiring careful focus and strategic choices. This game stands out for its strategic depth and scope, resembling a full-fledged board game more than a typical roll and write.
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
2See it at Amazon Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up uniquely captures the thrill of pinball with dice and a pen. Players choose from four tables, navigating bumpers and targets based on their rolls, with the challenge of maximizing scores without repeating boxes. This game excels in thematic immersion and strategic puzzle-solving, with the Ramp It Up set offering the best experience, including a cooperative mode.
The Best Board Game Deals
Welcome To
Welcome To... Your Perfect Home
3See it at Amazon Welcome To... Your Perfect Home, a flip and write game, focuses on town planning. Players use cards to select house numbers and building effects, aiming to create suburban streets while balancing bonuses and meeting city plans. It offers satisfying strategic depth, with a sci-fi variant, Welcome To The Moon, for those seeking more complexity.
My City: Roll & Build
My City: Roll & Build
1See it at Amazon Based on Reiner Knizia's popular My City, this roll and write game follows a campaign structure, introducing new rules gradually over multiple episodes. This approach allows for increasing complexity without overwhelming players. It's flexible, allowing for one-off sessions or full campaign play, making it a versatile and rewarding experience.
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Railroad Ink
9See it at Amazon Also at Target Railroad Ink challenges players to design a transport network on a grid using custom dice. The goal is to connect exits efficiently, balancing immediate connections with future opportunities. The Deep Blue edition, featuring rivers and ferry routes, adds variety and depth to the gameplay.
Next Station: London
Next Station: London
1See it at Amazon Next Station: London, a flip and write game, integrates color-coded pencils into the gameplay. Players start at different stations and build networks across districts, aiming to connect tourist sites and cross the river. The game's simplicity belies its strategic depth, offering a rewarding puzzle experience.
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write
Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write
4See it at Amazon Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write introduces complexity to the genre, challenging players to build a dinosaur theme park. Players use dice rolls to manage resources, build attractions, and conduct tours, all while balancing multiple aspects of park management. This game offers a rich strategic challenge and thematic engagement.
Cartographers
Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale
6See it at Amazon Also at Target Cartographers adds player interaction to the roll and write genre. Players map out a fantasy kingdom based on card draws, facing occasional monster cards that require neighbors to place negative icons on their maps. This twist adds a personal and thematic element, enhancing the game's engagement.
Long Shot: The Dice Game
Long Shot: The Dice Game
0See it at Barnes and Noble Long Shot: The Dice Game transforms horse racing into a roll and write experience. Players bet on horses based on dice rolls, with the ability to buy horses for special powers and bonuses. The game fosters interaction and excitement, as players' strategies intertwine with the race's outcome.
Three Sisters
Three Sisters
3See it at Amazon Three Sisters elevates the genre with its intense action chaining. Players manage a garden, using dice rolls to grow crops and purchase tools, with rewards often triggering additional actions. This strategic depth and tactical planning set it apart from typical roll and writes.
Fleet: The Dice Game
Fleet: The Dice Game
0See it at Amazon Fleet: The Dice Game challenges players to manage a fishing fleet, using dice rolls to buy licenses or launch boats. The game rewards strategic planning as players navigate interconnected options to maximize benefits. The thematic dice add to the immersive experience.
Sagrada Artisans
Sagrada Artisans
0See it at Amazon Sagrada Artisans expands on the original Sagrada, allowing players to color their stained-glass windows during gameplay. As a campaign game, it adds new tools and challenges over ten sessions, maintaining simplicity and a Zen-like feel. This version offers a relaxing yet engaging experience.
Motor City
Motor City
0See it at Amazon Motor City, from the creators of Three Sisters and Fleet, mirrors the car production process in a roll and write format. Players use dice-drafting and a blueprint board to manage different aspects of car production, aiming to bring their vehicle to market. This game offers innovative strategic challenges within the genre.
For more ideas, be sure to check out our list of the best board games of all time and the best puzzle tables featuring a great multi-purpose table (by Bits and Pieces) for playing cards and board games on, too.
