The roll and write genre has seen a significant surge in popularity in recent years, drawing inspiration from the timeless board game Yahtzee. In these games, players roll dice or flip cards to reveal numbers or symbols, which they then use to mark their personal sheets. Despite the simplicity of the concept, the genre offers a rich field for innovative and complex gameplay.
Roll and write games are particularly appealing due to their accessibility and instant gratification. They allow for creative freedom in how players fill out their sheets, yet maintain a straightforward rule set. This combination makes them a hit with a broad audience, as they require minimal setup and are easy to learn. Below, we highlight some of the finest examples in the roll and write genre.
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
0See it at Amazon
Rolling Realms stands out by integrating mini-games inspired by other board games into each realm. Players simultaneously engage with three realms across nine rolls, then draw three new realms from twelve available, repeating this cycle twice for a complete game. The charm lies in these realms, which serve as delightful microcosms of their source games, presenting engaging puzzles that are both family-friendly and challenging. For even more variety, consider the standalone sequel, Rolling Realms Redux, which introduces new realms that can be played solo or mixed with the original set.
Marabunta
0See it at Amazon
Marabunta, designed by the renowned Reiner Knizia, brings his strategic expertise to the roll and write genre. This two-player game simulates the battle between two ant tribes over hexes containing various resources, including cupcakes. Players use dice to expand their territory across color-coded hexes or secure bonuses, blending spatial strategy with mathematical challenges in a way that Knizia excels at.
The Fox Experiment
0See it at Amazon
Inspired by a real-life fox domestication experiment from the 1950s, The Fox Experiment, designed by Elizabeth Hargrave of Wingspan fame, offers a deeper dive into roll and write mechanics. Players use dice to simulate genetic traits, selecting parent foxes to breed offspring that help meet end-game goals. This game's unique approach to using dice for genetic selection makes it a rewarding experience as you strive to breed the friendliest foxes.
Twilight Inscription
1See it at Amazon
Twilight Inscription is a unique entry, merging the expansive universe of Twilight Imperium with the roll and write format. This game captures the essence of 4X video games—exploration, exploitation, expansion, and extermination—within a 90-minute timeframe. Players manage different aspects of their space empire on separate sheets, choosing which to focus on each turn. This creates a strategic depth and variety that sets it apart from typical roll and write games.
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
2See it at Amazon
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up uniquely captures the thrill of a pinball machine through roll and write mechanics. Players select one of four tables, navigating bumpers and targets based on their dice rolls, aiming to maximize scores within specific rules. The game's engaging puzzle-like challenge is both fascinating and thrilling, with the Ramp It Up set standing out, even offering a cooperative mode.
The Best Board Game Deals
Welcome To... Your Perfect Home
3See it at Amazon
While technically a flip and write game, Welcome To... Your Perfect Home offers a similar experience to roll and writes. Players plan suburban streets using house numbers and building effect cards, aiming to balance scores across various bonuses. Its strategic depth and satisfying gameplay make it a standout, with a more complex sci-fi version, Welcome To The Moon, available for those seeking additional challenge.
My City: Roll & Build
1See it at Amazon
Adapted from the popular board game My City, this roll and write version by Reiner Knizia offers a campaign-style play across multiple episodes. Each 30-minute session introduces new rules, gradually increasing complexity in a manageable way. The game's flexibility allows for one-off sessions or full campaign play, making it a versatile and rewarding choice.
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
9See it at Amazon
Also at Target
Railroad Ink challenges players to draw a transport network on a grid using custom dice. The goal is to connect as many exits as possible while minimizing dead ends and keeping options open for future connections. The Deep Blue edition, featuring rivers and lakes, is particularly engaging, but other versions with different themes are also available.
Next Station: London
1See it at Amazon
Another flip and write game, Next Station: London, integrates pencil colors into gameplay. Players start at colored stations on their maps, drawing lines based on drawn cards, aiming to cross districts and connect tourist sites. The game's simple yet nuanced mechanics lead to engaging puzzles and colorful maps.
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write
4See it at Amazon
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write pushes the roll and write genre toward greater complexity, allowing players to build and manage a dinosaur theme park. Using dice rolls to acquire resources, players design their parks, manage staff, and ensure safety, culminating in a tour that scores points. The game's depth and thematic elements make it a challenging yet rewarding experience.
Cartographers
6See it at Amazon
Also at Target
Cartographers introduces player interaction to the genre, where players map out a fantasy kingdom using cards. Periodically, monster cards are drawn, and players pass their maps to neighbors to place negative icons, adding a personal twist. The game's world-building aspect and dynamic monsters in the sequel, Cartographers: Heroes, enhance its thematic engagement.
Long Shot: The Dice Game
0See it at Barnes and Noble
Long Shot: The Dice Game transforms the horse racing experience into a roll and write format. Players bet on horses as they race around a board, using dice rolls to influence outcomes. The game's interactive betting system and strategic depth make it a thrilling experience.
Three Sisters
3See it at Amazon
Three Sisters elevates the genre with intense action chaining. Players grow crops and acquire tools based on dice rolls, with completed actions triggering bonus actions. This strategic depth requires careful planning, making it a tactical delight.
Fleet: The Dice Game
0See it at Amazon
Fleet: The Dice Game challenges players to manage a fishing fleet, using dice to buy licenses or launch boats to catch seafood. The interconnected options and thematic elements create a fast-paced, engaging experience.
Sagrada Artisans
0See it at Amazon
Sagrada Artisans builds on the original Sagrada, allowing players to color their stained-glass windows as they play. The game introduces a campaign mode over ten sessions, adding new tools and challenges while maintaining its calm, meditative feel.
Motor City
0See it at Amazon
Motor City, from the designers of Three Sisters and Fleet, reflects the car production process in a roll and write format. Players coordinate design, engineering, testing, production, and sales using dice-drafting mechanics. This game offers a strategic challenge that innovates on the genre's typical gameplay.
For more gaming ideas, explore our list of the best board games of all time and the best puzzle tables, featuring a versatile table by Bits and Pieces perfect for cards and board games.
