The best roll & write games 🎲🖋 2024

Roll&Write games are (usually) small and handy dice games 🎲🖋. The player rolls the dice and marks the results on sheets of paper or erasable boards. Another common factor is that marking decisions made in previous turns constrain a player's marking decisions in future turns.

Roll & Write games in a nutshell

  • The forefather of roll-and-write games is Yahtzee). In Germany named "Kniffel" appeared in 1972, but in the USA under the name "Yahtzee" already in 1956. Since then many different kinds of games with many creative ideas have appeared.
  • In contrast to Kniffel (Once on your turn, you may roll the dice 3 times to make special combinations of dice. The goal is to achieve the highest possible score at the end. Risky decisions are provoked to win the game), modern incarnations of roll-&-write games may involve more direct player interaction. Sometimes in the form of dice selection, but sometimes by being the first to trigger a particular event or by locking out other players.
  • Often not only one player's dice result is active, but all players can use it to take an action. The waiting time is therefore much shorter than with Kniffel - especially with several people.
  • The games in the Kniffel family and their generic version "Yacht" are subgroups of the Roll-and-Write family. So these games also belong in this overview.
  • Roll & Write often contain an extra solo variant.
  • Sometimes cards are used instead of dice - then the games are called "Flip-and-Write". Since the principles are so similar, we have included the flip-and-write games in this list as well.

The best Flip-/Roll-&-Write games 🎲🖋

But now to our overview with the best Flip- and Roll-&-Write games 2024

This list was last updated on November 30, 2024. We compared 777 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. That's Pretty Clever!

    All details for the board game That's Pretty Clever! and similar games

    That's Pretty Clever is a strategic dice game where players must make thoughtful choices to optimize their score. The game's title, Ganz schön clever in German, aptly describes the need for cleverness and tactical thinking.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for That's Pretty Clever!
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  2. Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition

    All details for the board game Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition and similar games

    Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition is a captivating multiplayer puzzle game that combines strategy and luck to create a unique gaming experience.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Qwixx

    All details for the board game Qwixx and similar games

    Qwixx is a fast-paced and engaging dice game that involves all players actively, regardless of whose turn it is. It combines simple mechanics with a need for strategic decision-making, making it a fun and interactive game for all involved.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2013

    More details for Qwixx
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Encore!

    All details for the board game Encore! and similar games

    Encore! (originally published as Noch mal!) is a dice-based board game that challenges players with strategic choices and a touch of luck. In this game, players use dice to determine the colors and the number of spaces they can mark off on their playing sheets.

    More details for Encore!
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Encore!

    • YouTube Review for the game "Encore!" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  5. Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition

    All details for the board game Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition and similar games

    Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition is a dynamic and engaging multiplayer puzzle game where players aim to build the most efficient transportation network. The game revolves around connecting as many exits as possible on individual erasable boards using routes determined by dice rolls. Strategic planning is key, as players must balance the desire to expand their network with the risk of leaving routes incomplete.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Qwixx: Connected

    All details for the board game Qwixx: Connected and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  7. Qwixx: 10 Jahre Limited-Edition

    All details for the board game Qwixx: 10 Jahre Limited-Edition and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  8. Qwinto

    All details for the board game Qwinto and similar games

    Qwinto offers a refreshing twist on the roll-and-write genre, engaging players in a simultaneous play experience where quick thinking and strategic number placement are key to victory. In this game, players race to fill out their scoresheets with ascending numbers in three colorful rows, while navigating the constraints of overlapping columns and avoiding duplicates to maximize their scores.

    More details for Qwinto
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Lost Cities: Roll & Write

    All details for the board game Lost Cities: Roll & Write and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    🔥 Deal: 9% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Lost Cities: Roll & Write
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. My City: Roll & Build

    All details for the board game My City: Roll & Build and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  11. Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green Edition

    All details for the board game Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green Edition and similar games

    Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green Edition enhances the well-loved roll-and-write gameplay of the original Railroad Ink series, introducing lush new strategies and player interactions. This version of the game is designed for 1 to 4 players and emphasizes not only route-building but also competitive objectives that encourage keeping an eye on opponents' progress.

    More details for Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green Edition
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Qwixx: Big Points

    All details for the board game Qwixx: Big Points and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Calavera

    All details for the board game Calavera and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Calavera

    • YouTube Review for the game "Calavera" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  14. Qwixx: Bonus

    All details for the board game Qwixx: Bonus and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. Qwixx Mixx

    All details for the board game Qwixx Mixx and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Twice as Clever!

    All details for the board game Twice as Clever! and similar games

    Twice as Clever! (original title: Doppelt so clever) is a dice-based strategy game that builds on the mechanics introduced in its predecessor, Ganz schön clever. This game offers new challenges and additional strategic layers, providing an engaging experience for both fans of the original game and newcomers.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    🔥 Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Twice as Clever!
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Qwixx On Board

    All details for the board game Qwixx On Board and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. Dizzle

    All details for the board game Dizzle and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. That's Pretty Clever! Kids

    All details for the board game That's Pretty Clever! Kids and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2022

    🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for That's Pretty Clever! Kids
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Trek 12: Himalaya

    All details for the board game Trek 12: Himalaya and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    🔥 Deal: 8% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Trek 12: Himalaya
    • 1 - 50 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Fleet: The Dice Game (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game Fleet: The Dice Game (Second Edition) and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age

    All details for the board game Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age and similar games

    Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age is a captivating dice game that immerses players in the task of building and advancing their civilizations. This game combines elements of luck, strategy, and resource management, making it an engaging experience for players who enjoy civilization-building themes.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2010

    More details for Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Dizzle: Levels 5-8

    All details for the board game Dizzle: Levels 5-8 and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. Railroad Ink Challenge: Shining Yellow Edition

    All details for the board game Railroad Ink Challenge: Shining Yellow Edition and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Rolling Realms

    All details for the board game Rolling Realms and similar games

    Rolling Realms is a roll-and-write game designed by Jamey Stegmaier, born out of the desire to connect and engage with people globally during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. This game transcends the traditional board game format by allowing an infinite number of players to join, making it ideal for both live and virtual play sessions.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Rolling Realms
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Harvest Dice

    All details for the board game Harvest Dice and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Harvest Dice
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  27. Knapp Daneben!

    All details for the board game Knapp Daneben! and similar games
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Knapp Daneben!

    • YouTube Review for the game "Knapp Daneben!" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  28. Fleet: The Dice Game

    All details for the board game Fleet: The Dice Game and similar games

    Fleet: The Dice Game offers a strategic and immersive experience as players return to the bustling Ridback Bay to engage in the competitive fishing industry. Unlike typical roll and write games, Fleet: The Dice Game introduces complex decision-making and strategy, accommodating 1-4 players and including a robust solo mode.

    More details for Fleet: The Dice Game
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  29. Roll Through the Ages: The Late Bronze Age

    All details for the board game Roll Through the Ages: The Late Bronze Age and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Criss Cross

    All details for the board game Criss Cross and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Criss Cross

    • YouTube Review for the game "Criss Cross" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English

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