Sushi Go! Board Game Review

Sushi Go! is a fast-paced card drafting game designed by Phil Walker-Harding and published by Gamewright in 2013. This compact tin contains a quick-playing set collection game that accommodates 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up. Games typically wrap up in about 15 minutes, making it an excellent filler or gateway game. This review examines whether Sushi Go! deserves a spot in your collection.

Sushi Go! Overview

Players compete to create the most valuable combinations of sushi dishes over three rounds. The drafting mechanism drives gameplay: select one card from your hand, place it face-down, then pass the remaining cards to your neighbor. Everyone reveals simultaneously, creating moments of tension as you discover what opponents collected.

The theme pairs perfectly with the mechanics. Grabbing sushi from a conveyor belt translates naturally into the pick-and-pass card flow. Each card type scores differently, rewarding players who commit to specific strategies while remaining flexible enough to pivot when opportunities arise.

Specification	Details
Designer	Phil Walker-Harding
Publisher	Gamewright
Year Released	2013
Players	2-5
Age Range	8+
Playing Time	15 minutes
Game Type	Card Game, Party Game
Complexity Rating	1.16 / 5

What’s in the Sushi Go! Box

The game ships in a compact metal tin decorated with charming cartoon sushi characters. Inside you’ll find 108 sushi cards featuring artwork by Nan Rangsima and Tobias Schweiger. The illustrated food items have expressive faces that give the game considerable visual appeal.

Component	Quantity
Tempura Cards	14
Sashimi Cards	14
Dumpling Cards	14
Sushi Roll Cards	26 (various icon counts)
Nigiri Cards (Salmon, Squid, Egg)	20
Wasabi Cards	6
Chopsticks Cards	4
Pudding Cards	10
Train & Tray Score Cards	10 (5 sets)
Rules Booklet	1

Card stock holds up well to repeated shuffling. The train and tray scoring system works by sliding cards against each other to track points, eliminating the need for pen and paper.

Sushi Go! Pros and Cons

How to Play Sushi Go!

Setup takes roughly two minutes. Shuffle all cards and deal hands based on player count: 10 cards for 2 players, 9 for 3 players, 8 for 4 players, or 7 for 5 players. Each player receives a train and tray card combination for tracking scores.

Round Structure

Each round follows a simple rhythm. Select one card from your hand and place it face-down. Once everyone has chosen, reveal simultaneously. Pass remaining cards to the player on your left. Repeat until all cards have been drafted.

After each round, calculate scores for everything except Pudding. Discard scored cards, keeping only Pudding in front of you. Deal new hands and begin the next round. The game spans three complete rounds.

Scoring Categories

Sushi Rolls award 6 points to whoever collects the most roll icons and 3 points for second place. Ties split points evenly. Tempura scores 5 points per pair while single cards earn nothing. Sashimi requires sets of three for 10 points each.

Dumplings scale exponentially: one earns 1 point, two earn 3, three earn 6, four earn 10, and five or more earn 15 points. Nigiri cards score based on type—Egg gives 1 point, Salmon 2, and Squid 3. Placing Nigiri on Wasabi triples its value.

Pudding resolves only after the final round. The player with the most Pudding gains 6 points while the player with the least loses 6 points. In two-player games, ignore the negative scoring.

Sushi Go! Game Mechanics

Card drafting forms the core experience. The pick-and-pass system creates constant tension between taking cards you need and denying opponents their targets. Watching the same hand travel around the table lets you track what others collect and plan accordingly.

Set collection encourages commitment to specific scoring paths. Chasing Sashimi means gambling on three cards appearing across a round. Dumplings reward players who draft them consistently. This push-and-pull between focused collecting and opportunistic grabbing drives replayability.

Simultaneous selection eliminates downtime. Every player makes decisions at once, keeping everyone engaged throughout. The reveal phase generates excitement as plans succeed or fall apart together. These mechanics mirror 7 Wonders but in a more accessible package.

Who Should Play Sushi Go!

Families with children aged 8 and up will find Sushi Go! hits the sweet spot between simplicity and engagement. The rules take minutes to explain, but the drafting decisions remain interesting for adults. It functions excellently as a gateway game for introducing card drafting to new players.

Casual gaming groups benefit from the quick playtime. Sushi Go! works well as an opener before heavier games or a closer when energy runs low. The portable size makes it ideal for travel, restaurants, or anywhere space is limited.

Competitive players seeking deep strategy may find the game too light. Randomness in card distribution limits long-term planning. However, the Sushi Go Party! expansion adds modules that increase complexity for groups wanting more variety.

Where to Buy Sushi Go!

Retailer	Notes
Amazon	Wide availability, competitive pricing
Target	Often stocked in store
BoardGameBliss	Canadian retailer
Zatu Games	UK-based retailer
Local Game Stores	Support local businesses

FAQ

Is Sushi Go! good for beginners?

Sushi Go! ranks among the best introductory card drafting games available. The rules explain in under five minutes, and the iconography on cards remains intuitive throughout. Players grasp the pick-and-pass rhythm within a single round, making it perfect for introducing the drafting mechanism to newcomers.

How long does Sushi Go! take to play?

Most games finish within 15 minutes once players understand the rules. First games with new players may run slightly longer as everyone learns card types and scoring. Setup and teardown add minimal time thanks to the simple shuffle-and-deal preparation.

What’s the best player count for Sushi Go!?

Three to four players offers the optimal experience. This range provides enough competition for Sushi Rolls and Pudding while keeping card visibility manageable. Two players works but feels less dynamic. Five players remains fun though hands deplete quickly.

Is Sushi Go! worth buying?

For families and casual gamers seeking a quick, portable card game, Sushi Go! delivers excellent value. The low price point, charming presentation, and accessible gameplay justify purchase for most collections. Experienced gamers may prefer the expanded Sushi Go Party! version.

What games are similar to Sushi Go!?

Players who enjoy Sushi Go! often appreciate 7 Wonders and its two-player spin-off 7 Wonders Duel. Fairy Tale uses similar drafting mechanisms with fantasy theming. For more complexity in a similar style, consider Wingspan or Azul as natural progressions.