The best roll & write games 🎲🖋 2025
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 2025
That's Pretty Clever!
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: 11% 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
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
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
Qwixx
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 10 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
Encore!
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.
🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Encore!- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Encore!
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
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
Qwixx: Connected
More details for Qwixx: ConnectedQwixx: Connected features two new score pads that slightly alter the standard gameplay. In "The Steps," players track a meandering series of black-bordered spaces that intersect the four colored rows, adding a new layer of strategy as players can score additional Xs. "The Chain" introduces a mechanism where marking one circle in a connected pair automatically marks the other, providing extra opportunities to fill in gaps on the score sheet.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Qwinto
More details for QwintoQwinto 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.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Lost Cities: Roll & Write
Players embark on expeditions along six colored paths, aiming to start with the smallest possible dice rolls. They must decide whether to continue an expedition or begin a new one each round, while artifacts and acceleration fields help them progress quickly. Each player has a scoring sheet with columns for colored paths, artifacts, and dice, and points are earned based on the filled fields, with bonuses for being the first to fill certain boxes. The game concludes when all players are exhausted or all bridges are crossed, and the player with the highest score wins.
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 12% 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
My City: Roll & Build
Players create a unique city over four chapters, each containing three episodes. A die roll indicates which building to draw on the player board, with new challenges arising in each episode. Players can choose to play through the entire campaign or select individual episodes or chapters to replay.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for My City: Roll & Build- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green Edition
More details for Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green EditionRailroad 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.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Qwixx: 10 Jahre Limited-Edition
More details for Qwixx: 10 Jahre Limited-EditionQwixx: 10 Jahre Limited-Edition is a special edition celebrating the game's ten-year anniversary. It includes the base game as well as the expansions Bonus and Gemixxt, along with components needed for the standalone game Qwixx Longo. All game boards are wipeable, and it comes with dry-erase markers.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Qwixx: Big Points
More details for Qwixx: Big PointsQwixx: Big Points is an expansion for Qwixx that introduces two 80-page scorepads, allowing players to earn larger points. Each scorepad adds two new lines to the original, creating opportunities for additional scoring. Players can mark off numbers in the new lines based on the standard rules, and the game ends when a second row is completed or a player has failed to cross off four numbers. The highest score wins!
- 2 - 5 Players
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Calavera
More details for CalaveraCalavera is a dice game where players aim to score as many crosses on their block as possible, as more crosses mean more points. However, if players become too greedy, their precious points may melt away. The player with the best dice result who places the crosses correctly will emerge victorious.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Calavera
Qwixx Mixx
More details for Qwixx MixxQwixx gemixxt includes two new score sheet blocks for use with Qwixx. The rules remain unchanged as players aim to mark off numbers from left to right. However, one block features colors distributed across the number rows, while the other presents numbers in a non-numeric order.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Qwixx: Bonus
More details for Qwixx: BonusThe bonus features two new scorepads that change how Qwixx is played. One scorepad includes twelve boxes with three boxes in each colored row and a row of twelve colored boxes below, allowing players to trigger chain reactions. The other scorepad has ten bonus boxes that provide special rewards upon marking specific bonuses.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Noch mal! Deluxe
Encore! Deluxe follows the same gameplay as its predecessor, engaging players with three color dice and three number dice to mark areas on their personal player boards. Players aim to fill columns or colors for bonus points. The game features wipeable boards, a 3D dice tower, a cooperative mode with shared objectives, and both an original solo variant and a new solo challenge with missions.
🔥 Deal: 11% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Noch mal! Deluxe- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Twice as Clever!
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.
More details for Twice as Clever!- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Qwixx On Board
More details for Qwixx On BoardPlayers use rules identical to Qwixx but with the addition of a game board. They move their pawns forward, occupy spaces, tactically cross out numbers, avoid mistakes, and strive to complete the game point by point.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
That's Pretty Clever! Kids
Collect balloons, gifts, candles, and mountains of sweets at the birthday party. Players roll dice and select their desired items while others take what's left over. Each color coded area on their scoring sheets has different rules for checking off items, and completing sections will earn them rainbow stars. The game ends once a player marks all items in an area, and the player with the most stars wins.
Nominated for 2 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2022
More details for That's Pretty Clever! Kids- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dizzle
More details for DizzlePlayers fill their scorecards with dice collected each round. They take turns choosing dice from the center of the table, ensuring that the next die matches the previous ones. At the end of a round, they mark all boxes on their filled scorecard, but competition for the needed dice adds a challenging twist.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Fleet: The Dice Game (Second Edition)
More details for Fleet: The Dice Game (Second Edition)The English second edition of Fleet: The Dice Game includes an updated rulebook, scorepads, and captain and trophy cards. Players return to beautiful Ridback Bay to reap rewards over 10 rounds, with each round consisting of a boat phase and a town phase. During the boat phase, players roll dice and select actions to mark off boat types and unlock fishing licenses, while the town phase allows them to activate special buildings for bonuses and earn points. A fully integrated solo mode lets players compete against Captain Ruth for high scores.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Trek 12: Himalaya
Players engage in a dice and writing game with progressive difficulty levels. They aim to create chains of consecutive numbers from 0 to 12 and areas with the same number to score points.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Trek 12: Himalaya- 1 - 50 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age
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 11 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
Dizzle: Levels 5-8
More details for Dizzle: Levels 5-8Dizzle: Level 5-8 includes exactly what it promises: 4 new levels for the base game. Players can expand their gameplay with these additional challenges.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Railroad Ink Challenge: Shining Yellow Edition
More details for Railroad Ink Challenge: Shining Yellow EditionRailroad Ink Challenge: Shining Yellow Edition offers everything you love about the original games, along with a new focus on player interaction through in-game objectives. Players must watch their opponents to be the first to achieve these goals for rewards. Unique dice enable unprecedented track configurations and special structures in the network trigger new effects, enhancing strategic gameplay. This quick roll-and-write game accommodates 1 to 4 players, requiring careful planning to connect exits while avoiding penalties for open connections.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Rolling Realms
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
Knapp Daneben!
More details for Knapp Daneben!Players collect numbers that are close to their existing totals without being identical. Each player has a scoring sheet and rolls five colored dice in a round. They combine numbers from their dice, recording the sums on their scoring sheets while following specific rules to earn points, with the game concluding after 25 rounds. The player with the most points at the end wins.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Knapp Daneben!
Fleet: The Dice Game
More details for Fleet: The Dice GameFleet: 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.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Roll Through the Ages: The Late Bronze Age
Set in the Late Bronze Age, this print-and-play expansion introduces new rules and a note sheet. It adds four developments—preservation, forging, shipping, and trade—while modifying the costs and rewards of five others. Player trade has become a fundamental rule, and completing the shipping development allows players to build ships for resource conversion.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Roll Through the Ages: The Late Bronze Age- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Harvest Dice
Harvest Dice is a fast-paced and fun dice game where players draw dice and sketch vegetables. In each round, players take turns rolling and selecting dice to plant vegetables in their gardens or feed them to their pigs, all while keeping an eye on the ever-changing market to ensure they have enough valuable produce by harvest time.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Harvest Dice- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
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