Top Ten Roll & Write Games - with Zee Garcia

[@JulietMcArthur]

I would love for The Dice Tower to revisit this, maybe with Zee teaming up with others to compare their own lists ❤️

[@CamObscura88]

I would love to see an update! I’d be shocked if more than 1 of these made it on to a 2023 list.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

We need an updated list for 2021

[@GoodOwlGames]

It's lovely to see these type of games getting the recognition they deserve. Not everything has to be big and flashy to be fun and enjoyable!

[@spaztekwarrior]

Time for a refresh Zee... lots of new Roll and Writes since this video. :)

[@FireFlashX32]

This definitely needs a revisit! So many great games came out

[@kovray]

We just made our top ten list and it's fascinating how much this genre has evolved!

[@xiaoyingchen8560]

We need an updated list! 🎉

[@tvdavis]

I don’t think it was out at the time of Zee’s video, but Railroad Ink is superb.

[@daveb1101]

tvdavis Seconded: I’d be interested to see where it would come on this list!

[@modestcody123]

both the "So clever" games are phenomenal. My newest favorite RnW is Dinosaur Island Rawr n Write. We need an updated list!

[@christinazito7438]

My favorite roll and writes are Railroad Ink and Corinth! Highly recommend. Have you tried them?

[@jumpervii]

I'm confused by the title. These are all Roland Wright games.

[@JaviVader9]

Best r/boardgames post

[@laurenaxtonbrereton6954]

Ha. I was thinking that Colmanier Knaught was a really awesome board game company (also known as CMON).

[@ollenoren3358]

I would also love to see a revisit to this list

[@adammichelle8947]

We are playing Welcome To... and Railroad Ink these days. We also like Qwixx.

[@Spudkitty513]

Another great Zee video … just love them! Would have loved to have the actual board visuals up longer, so I could get a better idea of actual game play. No biggie though ...

[@MathieuVIII]

Have you played Welcome to...? It’s my favorite roll and write right now. I liked St-Malo but it quickly became repetitive and I end up doing exactly the same thing each game.

[@GamesOffTheShelf]

Roll Through the Ages The Bronze Age is a great roll and write game. Surprised not to see it on the list or as honorable mention at least. Anyway good list overall. Thanks Zee!

[@broodjekip6775]

Man I love your video’s Zee. They are just so good! Thanks a lot for making these video’s, they really help me to decide what game I should buy.

[@wicaksonoadi1035]

Please update this list with the other crew members!

[@coalitionofseekers9572]

Please update this. Especially a 2 player roll and write vid.

[@chriskorfmann4656]

Yes, this list needs an update. Looking forward to 25th Century's Ra and Write. I played the demo and it's really good!

[@ChrisLowResDream]

please do an updated list ❣️

[@SharlzG]

Great list. I also enjoy Railroad Ink because it super easy to teach/play but still has a decent level of complexity.

[@Dork2099]

One more voice in the chorus for Castles of Burgundy - The Dice Game. It’s like Catan Dice evolved. I also like Catan Dice but that’s probably just because I played it out on a balcony overlooking the ocean on a trip to Jamaica a few years back.

[@losfp]

One of my favourite genres at the moment. Right now my favourites include Welcome To..., Qwinto, Roll to the Top and Dice Stars. Also really enjoy Noch Mal, Rolling America, Qwixx, Twenty One and Kokoro out of the ones mentioned. Some others that I think were missed include: Castles of Burgundy the Dice Game, Kreuz Wort, Octo Dice, La Granja No Siesta.

[@danielnilsson430]

Damn you Des.

[@danielnilsson430]

Pretty sure I bought Saint Malo off of you!

[@losfp]

I think you did. Maybe I need to revisit it - I wasn't in my big roll and write kick at the time :)

[@tiagomarques9822]

My girlfriend and I love roll&writes and flip&fills, and my wish list has a couple of new ones in them. I wonder where some of them would place in this list if it were remade now, a little more than a year after. I’m pretty sure Fleet: the Dice Game, Railroad Ink, Doppelt Zo Clever, Cartographers, Silver and Gold and Kingdomino Duel would give Zee’s picks a good fight. By now, a Top 20 list is no longer an impossibility.

[@nshaw1299]

Certainly still a list to be revisited :-) And certainly because roll & writes usually have less staying power, so it's very interesting to have those that stood the test of time, like Saint Malo.

[@dsarrazin]

So many roll and write games have come out since this video came out - would your top 10 be very different now because of that, or is this list still mostly good?

[@TechnicolorSprite]

I hope Fleet: The Dice Game makes the list.

[@BlueSapphyre]

Roland Wright games are some of my favourites.

[@JoostN86]

On Tour should be in there

[@apollonia6656]

Which can be played solo, please ? Thanks.

[@tirumalavan09]

Suzanne must be jumping and yelling while listening to this. She should do her own top 10 too!

[@isaiassp2355]

This is the type of game we´re looking for because we need to keep our students playing but sitting not so close to each other. The pandemic is still working hard over here.

[@ricke1732]

My top 10: 1. La Granja: No Siesta 2. Cosmic Run: Rapid Fire 3. VivaJava the Dice Game 4. Steamrollers 5. OctoDice 6. Roll through the Ages 7. Castles of Burgundy the Dice Game 8. Doodle City 9. Rolling America 10. Rolling Japan Games that I plan to get soon that could make this list: - Welcome to... - Railroad Ink - Ganz Schon Clever - Saint Malo - Kokoro - Fleet the Dice Game

[@danielcraig6615]

Just now watching this video. When Zee says there aren’t many of these roll and write style games I laughed so hard.

[@wl5609]

Great list Zee.. Saint Malo is probably my number 2 RnR. Right now we're addicted to Qwixx, and then Dice Stars for a little break. Looking forward to Ganz Shon Clever..💕

[@suorastas1]

I really like Catan Dice but it has to be the plus version. The regular dice game is not very fun since there’s barely any choice involved.

[@moniquehansford9040]

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of Saint Malo? I have only found it being sold in Germany and I'd love this game.

[@johna6108]

Love these games. Cheap, quick to setup, teach and pack away, light to travel with, and compact on the shelves. Harvest Dice I really like. Want to try Welcome to... and Steam Rollers.

[@davegildersleeve4316]

I'm guilty of not having played any of these. I tend to gravitate towards games with a theme, even if it's a light one,i.e., Zombie dice, Age of War, Dairyman, Grim, Viva Java Dice. Though, they may not all technically be considered roll and writes. Good video Zee! Thanks!

[@matthewrichardson1805]

Another great review, Zee! You have a great, very natural charisma in front of the camera. Pleasure to watch 😀

[@jimtompkins9946]

A game I enjoy is "Castles of Burgundy: the Dice Game".

[@XD-rd8zd]

great game, but the notepad is too thin ;)

[@jimtompkins9946]

Agree on that.

[@everdred4]

Katarzyna Szelenbaum Agreed. I'm planning on getting a few of each board laminated and using dry eraser markers so they'll last forever.

[@jimtompkins9946]

Fine idea. Thanks.

[@XD-rd8zd]

I laminated minimalistic versions of the maps (from BGG), but I have troubles with removing dry erase markers from them :(

[@Bbluesound]

I just saw this video and the #1 Saint Malo, I had never heard of! The Chase is on to get this game.

[@ryanfc]

I agree with many of the people below. Need an updated version of this for 2024/2025.

[@marjaveenstra9451]

Did you play Roll to the top. I Think you like it.

[@DavidWenzlick]

Who's Roland Wright? What games did he design?

[@silverfang6668]

...and let us not forget the greatest selling roll-n-write game of all time: Yahtzee!, whose mechanisms are used to this day in so many games.

[@Daggerleep]

I have explained the keep and reroll mechanic as "yahtzee style" during many game explanations.

[@ericdollarhyde3296]

i still play yahtzee, well, kismet right now..five dice and a score sheet in a small plastic bag in my pocket, and my boss will never know im smuggling in a game mooha!!

[@greenguy1455]

this was posted on my b-day

[@BentDoorFrame]

Zee I've been looking for a list just like this! You're a mind reader my dude! Thank you, ill be picking a couple of these up... I haven't tried any in this genre yet.

[@unowild]

I always carry with me, Phase Ten (dice version) and Farkle (random d6d's)

[@Redbrick2182]

I'm really enjoying Steam Rollers!

[@fearanarchy]

Did enjoy during Qwinto when he mentions Green. That obviously is in his brain from 3 other games, but no Green in Qwinto. Shame no PnP Roll & Writes. Paper Mech, Welcome to DinoWorld (GenCan't 2017 Contest winner!), Utopia Engine, and yes Fleet Dice will make a revised list. Such a good game. Was surprised no La Granja, I thought he really liked it.

[@EmpressG]

Utopia Engine is amazing! I don't think the DT does PnP though. There are quite a few PnPs that would blow these produced games out of the water....but you gotta remember that they are a commercial channel first. You can't buy PnP from CoolStuff ;)

[@vectorchan5647]

What's the board game behind him at eye level with "99LG" written on it?

[@CapriciousIntent]

vector chan Millennium Blades

[@LookAtTheBacon]

Amazing list, agree with all your picks. Really well done Zee.

[@lyndaorm5076]

I like Pasha. I am sure the Penny Papers dice games will be a favorite. Knister, Criss Cross and the classic Kismet.

[@dearmrdw]

I think this list will have to be redone by the end of the year :) At the very least to include Welcome To.

[@Charcharazard]

Cosmic Run: Rapid Fire is one of my favs

[@vonwoolf9963]

I agree with Noch Mal! being a bit too long. I love this game, but I wish they made smaller boards, or made smaller boards for expansions. For example, a board 1 less column and 1 less row could be nice. Well, now that I think about it, it would need some quick balancing, but it can be easily done!

[@alexisle7053]

No 3 is very similar to Get On Board

[@joeyjojojunior1794]

Whiz bang, reminded me of The Music Man

[@wolflarson71]

Ganz Schon, Welcome To and Let's Make a Bus Route are the three best at the moment. Fleet Dice has a lot of potential fingers crossed.

[@cashliam]

1. Welcome To 2. MetroX 3. Gans Schön Clever 4. Qwinto 5. La Granja: No Siesta 6. Kokoro 7. SteamRollers 8. Rolling America 9. Traxx 10. OctoDice

[@kau6912]

I like La Granja: No Siesta as well :o)

[@wl5609]

Thanks for the great list, I'll check those out!.. 💕

[@DavidLuchetti]

i wonder if Zee has played Harvest Dice, "Welcome to ...", or Steamrollers .... i LOVE RnRs as a genre and those are some of my favorites i prefer Qwinto the dice game over the card game ... i found the card game was too slow and analytical and largely removed the fun and excitement of pushing-your-luck, looking for the perfect roll.

[@mgk2020]

David Luchetti Agreed, it would be nice to know if a lot of the popular ones not appearing on the list are absent due to preference or lack of play.

[@jeroendriehuis1740]

I really enjoy Welcome to, both Welcome to dino world and Welcome to your perfect home. Castles of burgundy the dice game is also pretty fun

[@clumsydad7158]

I’m going to act like a neaderthal and say I like my roll and writes with actual dice (-: I’ll stick with Dice Stars and Qwixx but Quinto; card game did catch my interest. Well done.

[@JulienGrenier42]

Good list but my two favorites are not in this list : Welcome to ... and Castles of Burgundy : the dice game. Also, I wish they will improve the Ganz Schon Clever app.

[@martinba9629]

Have you played the Penny Papers Adventures ones from this year? ... Heh. Even though you say at the start that you'd have had a hard time coming up with a decent top 20, even the few comments just now seem to up the lot to more that twenty. :-)

[@fearanarchy]

Martin Ba - watch his reviews of Penny Papers. They wouldn't make Top 30

[@martinba9629]

fearanarchy - Cheers. They seemed neat enough to me, but I don't think I saw Zee's Revs.

[@Bgarz06]

Very good top 10 !!!

[@bcmaledragon]

Come on Zee buddy there's at least a few 100 or so good Roll n Write games out there trust me I've played a ton myself. I'm shocked that you didn't mention Knister(Aka Wurfel Bingo) considering you've played that game and even did a review of it a just 5 months ago. As for my list of top Roll n Write games and proof that there are quite a few I've come up with a top 30 list(I could do more because I've played wayyy more then just these 30 but I think 30 will suffice for now).... 1) Qwixx 2) Ganz Schon Clever 3) Welcome To(Sure it's not a Roll n Write per-say but it is pretty damn good)...If you want a Roll n Write though Doodle City gets my #3 spot 4) Knister(Aka Wurfel Bingo) 5) Octo Dice 6) 30 Rails 7) Can't Stop 8) Roll to the Top 9) La Granja No Siesta 10) Qwingo 11) Steam Rollers 12) Dice Stars 13) Sweets Stacks 14) Super Race 15) Balloon Pop 16) Cosmic Run: Rapid Fire 17) Blood Royals 18) Harvest Dice 19) Welcome to Dino World 20) Raging Bulls 21) Chekov 22) 25 to Die 23) Ancient Artifacts 24) The Great Races 25) Zock n Roll 26) Pencil Park 27) Castles of Burgundy: The Dice Game 28) Snakey Dice 29) Financier 30) Reiner Knizia's Decathlon

[@CapriciousIntent]

bcmaledragon I'll have to check out 30 Rails again. I love my one page roll and writes (Raging Bulls is a big hit with me.) You might check out the Legends of Dsyx series and Tempus Imperium/Fumus. They might be up your alley.

[@Juegosmontt]

Un cafecito antes de hacer el video sería ideal

[@checkrazor76]

Surprisingly I own four of the games on your list.

[@boardgamekrucke5212]

What about ONE DECK DUNGEON? OK, its more a "Roll and kill"-game, but its very thematic!

[@guillermoz4914]

Welcome to...is my Favorite

[@danielcarlsson615]

What game is the best solo/2 players? I Want a good solo or with My girl :)

[@guillermoz4914]

Daniel Carlsson "welcome to"....it's a Flip and Fill

[@vexienroe]

Please redo this list

[@Bada4ever]

I hope you try Castles of Burgundy the Dice Game. It was my ex's favorite one. But since we broke up, and they were here favorite types of games we played, I no longer can handle playing them emotionally. I was excited for the Kickstarter "On Tour", but I'll probably sell mine. However, thanks for this list Zee!

[@bertrand391]

Zee, where is Welcome to ... !!!

[@Hardcorestilllives]

where is welcome to..., the Kartograph, Railroad ink and trails of tucana? :O

[@EclecticCamel]

No Castles of Burgundy the dice game? Shenanigans.

[@purplepaisleypassion]

I dont want to be the narcissistic American and just assume all things are in English simply because *I* speak it... so I'm going to go ahead and ask, Are there English instructions for game play, with Noch Mal? If not, what would you gamers suggest as the best video(s) to explain the finer points? TIA

[@bobgabriels8456]

Roll to the top

[@69robtaylor]

ZEE?????? Welcome to....... its absolutely fantastic. Shocked that’s it’s not on your list.

[@sandratolhurst9035]

I like steam roller

[@nguinguingui]

Let's Make Bus Route is $70 CAD ....

[@micahgmiranda]

VivaJava The Coffee Game The Dice Game! It's stimulating!

[@lgmhorus]

No love for Roll Through the Ages? I'm sad.

[@narutosan1377]

I know this isn't roll & write but Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space is really good.

[@dutch_blades]

No love for Dungeon Roll :(

[@Dork2099]

Dungeon Roll was the game that really launched me into board games a few years back (I’m primarily a solitaire gamer).

[@dutch_blades]

It's pretty underrated sadly... The expansions bring some extra replayability + the fact that each round/delve is different from the next makes me come back to it :) Most games I play are solo; you can set your own pace and there's so many great solo games nowadays. Dungeon Roll gets played often, but then there's Onirim, Robinson Crusoe, Plague Inc., 7th Continent, etc. etc. :)

[@aaronfirewing9196]

2 words. Railroad Ink

[@MrLinguist88]

A lot of pretty abstract games on the list ... :/

[@fluffylee]

Shut the Box?

[@TheDiceMatrix]

Im sure this video received a seal of excellence from the viewers, as all of Garcia Great Game Reviews do... However.I rate Roll & Write games a 1 on a d20, therefore I sadly passed on the video content today. But. I shall return for more GGGRs (or 3GRs) n the near future. ;)

[@Slyfox1775]

Man this is a disappointment. I thought I would see some of the great roll and write games I’ve seen come out this yr and last .. to each their own!

[@wilpuriarts5895]

It really seems roll & write is not my thing. These seem really boring to me... maybe I just like trash.

[@joeysalt8974]

NO 2- 4 are not roll and writes. Ganz schon clever is heads above the rest. I enjoy Saint Malo also.

[@RowantarotBlogspot]

Roll and write is so boring to me. Oh well!

[@Tegre]

No offense to Zee, very surprised it wasn't Suzanne doing this video - or least some commentary from her.

[@narutosan1377]

I noticed the Dicetower fan base seems to have taken a liking to Crystal. Her videos have a better like to dislike ratio than Mandi and Suzanne.

[@juliebggeek6545]

Yeah Suzanne needs to make her top 20 roll and write games!! There’s like 100 to choose from after all and she probably has all of them...!

[@ArnieHorta]

Suzanne has already done this list on the podcast

[@juliebggeek6545]

Arnie Horta yup I know they did a roll and write episode. But it’s not a top list. Mandi and Suzanne just listed games. I would love to see it in a top format to see which ones are her favourite.

[@ArnieHorta]

Julie LeBouthillier the only reason it wasn’t a top list is because Mandi HATES top 10 lists..but their banter made me buy too many of these games. 😫