The roll and write genre has seen a remarkable surge in popularity in recent years, evolving from the classic gameplay of Yahtzee. In these games, players roll dice or flip cards, using the results to fill in their personal score sheets. Despite its simple foundation, the genre offers a rich playground for sophisticated gameplay and creative expression. Players enjoy the freedom to personalize their sheets while navigating straightforward rules, making roll and write games incredibly accessible and rewarding. This winning combination has propelled their success across a diverse audience, as the barriers to entry are remarkably low. Below is a curated list of the best roll and write games that showcase the genre's potential.

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 invites players into a universe where each realm is inspired by another board game. Using a card, you assign dice rolls to engage in mini-games that reflect these inspirations. Over nine rolls, all players tackle the same three realms, then draw three new ones from a set of twelve, repeating this process twice for a complete game. The allure lies in the realms themselves, each a microcosm of its source material, offering engaging and family-friendly mini-puzzles. For those craving more, the standalone sequel Rolling Realms Redux introduces more challenging realms that can be enjoyed independently or mixed with the original game.

Marabunta

0See it at Amazon
Marabunta, crafted by renowned strategy game designer Reiner Knizia, dives into the roll and write genre with a focus on two-player competition. Players represent rival ant tribes vying for territory, including coveted cupcakes and other rewards. The dice mechanics allow players to expand their influence across color-coded hexes or secure bonuses to boost their final scores. This game masterfully blends spatial and mathematical strategies, a hallmark of Knizia's design.

The Fox Experiment

0See it at Amazon
Inspired by a real-world fox domestication experiment from the 1950s, The Fox Experiment by Elizabeth Hargrave, the creator of Wingspan, offers a deeper roll and write experience. Players use dice to simulate genetic heredity, selecting traits from parent foxes to breed offspring that align with end-game goals. This game adds a layer of complexity as you progress through rounds of selection, aiming to cultivate the friendliest foxes for your research.

Twilight Inscription

1See it at Amazon
Twilight Inscription stands out by merging the expansive world of Twilight Imperium with the roll and write format. This game encapsulates the 4X genre (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) of video games into a 90-minute experience. Each aspect of the game is represented by a separate sheet, creating sub-sections that players can explore and master. The strategic depth comes from choosing which sheet to focus on each turn, leading to varied approaches and a scope that feels more like a full-fledged strategy game than a typical roll and write.

Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up

2See it at Amazon
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up captures the essence of a pinball machine through a roll and write lens. Players select one of four tables and navigate through bumpers and targets based on their dice rolls. The challenge lies in avoiding previously used boxes, ensuring the ball eventually drops, requiring strategic play to maximize scores. The game includes various sets, including a Star Trek-themed one, but Ramp It Up, with its cooperative table, is the standout choice.

The Best Board Game Deals

Welcome To... Your Perfect Home

3See it at Amazon
Welcome To... Your Perfect Home is technically a flip and write game, using cards instead of dice. Players engage in town planning, selecting house numbers and building effects to develop three suburban streets. The challenge is to arrange houses in numerical order while balancing scores across various bonuses. For those seeking more complexity, the sci-fi themed Welcome To The Moon offers an advanced experience.

My City: Roll & Build

1See it at Amazon
My City: Roll & Build, based on Reiner Knizia's popular board game, offers a campaign-style experience. Each 30-minute episode introduces new rules, gradually increasing complexity without overwhelming players. This approach allows for flexibility, enabling episodes to be played as one-offs or as part of the campaign. The game's adaptability and engaging play make it a standout 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 based on dice rolls. The goal is to link as many exits as possible to the same network, balancing the avoidance of dead ends with the potential for future connections. The Deep Blue Edition adds rivers and lakes, enhancing the gameplay with ferry routes. Other editions, such as Blazing Red, Lush Green, and Shining Yellow, offer varied themes and challenges.

Next Station: London

1See it at Amazon
Next Station: London, a flip and write game, introduces colored pencils as a central mechanic. Players begin at a starting station and draw lines based on card-drawn symbols, aiming to cross districts, visit tourist sites, and connect lines while navigating the river. The game's simple yet nuanced gameplay encourages strategic planning and results in vibrant, multicolored maps.

Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write

4See it at Amazon
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write pushes the roll and write genre towards greater complexity. Players use dice rolls to gather resources and build a dinosaur theme park, managing attractions, concessions, staff, and security. At the end of each turn, players run a tour through their park, scoring points and ensuring no visitors are eaten. This game offers a rich, strategic challenge wrapped in a thematic experience.

Cartographers

6See it at Amazon
Also at Target
Cartographers breaks the mold by introducing player interaction to the roll and write genre. Players map a fantasy kingdom using cards, aiming to meet variable scoring goals. Occasionally, monster cards prompt players to pass their maps to neighbors, who place negative icons, adding a personal touch to the gameplay. The game's sequel, Cartographers: Heroes, enhances the experience with dynamic monsters and hero cards.

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 moving around a track based on dice rolls, using their cash to buy horses or manipulate odds. The game's interactive nature, with players' bets influencing each other, adds excitement and strategic depth, setting it apart from typical roll and write games.

Three Sisters

3See it at Amazon
Three Sisters elevates the concept of action chaining in roll and write games. Players cultivate a garden using dice rolls to grow crops, flowers, and purchase tools. Completing actions often triggers bonus actions, leading to intricate chains that require strategic planning. This game's tactical depth makes it a standout in the genre.

Fleet: The Dice Game

0See it at Amazon
Fleet: The Dice Game immerses players in the world of fishing fleets. Players choose between buying licenses or launching boats to catch seafood, with increasing rewards as they progress. The game's interconnected options and thematic dice make it a fast-paced and engaging experience.

Sagrada Artisans

0See it at Amazon
Sagrada Artisans builds on the original Sagrada's stained-glass theme by introducing coloring mechanics and a campaign structure. Players complete windows over ten sessions, adding new tools and challenges while maintaining a calm, Zen-like experience. The game's artistic and strategic elements combine for a satisfying journey.

Motor City

0See it at Amazon
Motor City, from the designers of Three Sisters and Fleet, encapsulates the roll and write genre in the world of car production. Players manage different aspects of vehicle design, engineering, testing, production, and sales using a dice-drafting mechanic. The game's innovative approach focuses on strategic coordination, offering a unique challenge within the genre.

For more gaming inspiration, explore our list of the best board games of all time and the best puzzle tables, including a versatile multi-purpose table from Bits and Pieces, perfect for enjoying cards and board games.