The Best Roll and Write Board Games in 2025

The roll-and-write game genre has exploded in popularity recently. Its accessible gameplay, reminiscent of classic Yahtzee, involves rolling dice or drawing cards, then using the results to fill in a personal score sheet. While simple in concept, this genre offers surprisingly sophisticated gameplay and endless possibilities for creative expression within a structured framework. This straightforward, immediately rewarding style appeals to a wide range of players, making it a genre ripe for exploration.

The ease of entry and satisfying gameplay make roll-and-write games incredibly popular. You're encouraged to personalize your sheet, yet the rules remain clear and concise. This winning combination makes them accessible to casual and seasoned gamers alike.

TL;DR: The Best Roll & 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

See it at Amazon

Rolling Realms offers a unique twist: each realm is inspired by another board game, presenting a mini-game reflecting its source material. Players simultaneously engage with three realms across nine rolls, then draw new realms and repeat. The diverse and cleverly designed realms, each a microcosm of its inspiration, provide delightful, family-friendly puzzles. For an even greater challenge, consider the standalone sequel, Rolling Realms Redux, featuring more intricate realms playable solo or combined with the base game.

Marabunta

See it at Amazon

Renowned game designer Reiner Knizia brings his strategic expertise to this two-player roll-and-write game. Depicting a struggle between ant tribes, Marabunta blends spatial strategy with mathematical elements. Dice rolls offer choices: expand your territory across color-coded hexes or gain bonus points. This fascinating mix of spatial and mathematical challenges showcases Knizia's signature blend of elegant mechanics and engaging gameplay.

The Fox Experiment

See it at Amazon

Inspired by a real-life experiment in fox domestication, this game uses dice to represent genetic heredity. Players breed foxes, selecting traits to achieve end-game goals. It's a more involved experience than some others on this list, but the unique use of dice to simulate genetic inheritance makes it a rewarding and engaging choice.

Twilight Inscription

See it at Amazon

A unique entry, Twilight Inscription adapts the sprawling 4X gameplay of Twilight Imperium into a roll-and-write format. This ambitious game simulates empire building through exploration, exploitation, expansion, and extermination within a surprisingly compact 90-minute playtime. The game uses separate sheets for each aspect, creating strategic trade-offs as players choose which area to focus on each turn. This depth and strategic complexity set it apart from typical roll-and-writes.

Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up

See it at Amazon

Super Skill Pinball cleverly simulates pinball using dice and a pen. Players choose a table, then strategically use dice rolls to hit bumpers and targets, aiming to maximize their score before their ball runs out of options. The restriction of not reusing boxes adds a puzzle-like element, creating a thrilling and engaging experience. Several themed sets exist, but Ramp It Up, with its cooperative mode, is a standout.

Welcome To... Your Perfect Home

See it at Amazon

A "flip-and-write" game, using cards instead of dice, Welcome To... challenges players to design suburban streets by selecting house numbers and building effects. The goal is to arrange houses numerically while maximizing bonus points from pools, parks, and fulfilling city plans. The strategic depth and satisfying town-planning theme make this a highly enjoyable choice.

My City: Roll & Build

See it at Amazon

Based on Reiner Knizia's popular board game, My City: Roll & Build offers a rewarding campaign experience. Gameplay unfolds across multiple episodes, each introducing new rules and increasing complexity gradually. The game is also flexible, allowing players to enjoy individual episodes as standalone sessions.

Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition

See it at Amazon & Target

Instead of filling a score sheet, players draw transport networks on a grid using custom dice. The challenge lies in linking exits while minimizing dead ends and strategically planning for future connections. The Deep Blue edition adds rivers and lakes, introducing ferry routes and increasing strategic complexity.

Next Station: London

See it at Amazon

A flip-and-write game where colored pencils are central to gameplay. Players draw train lines, aiming to cross districts and utilize tourist sites while adhering to line-crossing restrictions. The simple concept reveals surprising nuance and strategic depth over repeated plays.

Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

See it at Amazon

This game introduces greater complexity to the roll-and-write format. Players build a dinosaur theme park, managing resources, constructing attractions, and planning tour routes while avoiding incidents. The multiple aspects to manage create a rich and challenging experience.

Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale

See it at Amazon & Target

Cartographers introduces player interaction by having players draw monsters on each other's maps. The flip-and-write gameplay focuses on mapping a fantasy kingdom while fulfilling scoring challenges. This added interaction and the resulting unique maps enhance the overall experience.

Long Shot: The Dice Game

See it at Barnes & Noble

A horse racing game with a roll-and-write twist. Players bet on horses racing around a track determined by dice rolls, adding an element of interaction and excitement uncommon in the genre. The ability to buy horses and influence odds creates strategic depth and player interaction.

Three Sisters

See it at Amazon

Three Sisters emphasizes strategic planning and action chaining. Players grow crops and flowers, purchasing tools based on dice rolls. The ability to chain bonus actions creates a high level of strategic depth.

Fleet: The Dice Game

See it at Amazon

This game focuses on interconnected options. Players manage a fishing fleet, choosing between buying licenses and launching boats to catch seafood. The strategic challenge lies in maximizing rewards through carefully planned actions and resource management.

Sagrada Artisans

See it at Amazon

A campaign-based roll-and-write game where players create stained-glass windows. The campaign structure adds progressive challenges and tools, maintaining the original game's calming and enjoyable feel.

Motor City

See it at Amazon

This game simulates car production, requiring players to manage design, engineering, testing, production, and sales. The dice-drafting mechanic and blueprint board add a unique strategic layer to the roll-and-write experience.

For more gaming options, explore our lists of the best board games of all time and the best puzzle tables.