Let’s take a look inside this tin box!

Sushi GO! is a pick-and-pass card game for 2-5 people crafted by Gamewright. The goal is to make combinations of sushi dishes, and whoever scores the most points wins. Its simplicity is one of its biggest strengths, as it has been a hit with everyone I’ve played it.

Art

I admit it! I have a soft spot for cute things, and Sushi GO! is all about adorable sushi dishes. The game brings sushi to life through colourful and bright illustrations of kawaii faces that also give a playful charm. The art style is cartoonish, combining bold colours with clean and simple lines that make each card type recognisable at a glance, even for new players. If I had to pick a favourite, that would be the dumpling. It looks so relaxed, like it knows it’s a top tier.

The box

The game’s compact tin box is almost perfect. It fits easily in a backpack or a purse, and the sturdy metal case provides excellent protection, ideal for travelling game sessions or tossing together with other stuff in your bag. Wait! Why would you toss a game like that? The box holds the cards and a small 12-page booklet with rules tucked behind them.

If you prefer to sleeve your cards for extra protection from everything because life happens, here’s the catch: they won’t fit back into the box without removing the insert. And that’s a shame because the insert is embossed with the game’s logo, adding a nice touch to the packaging. Keep in mind, though, that by doing so, the cards will slide inside loosely, a possible deal-breaker for organisational monsters like me organised people.

Card Types & Rules

Now it’s time to break down each card type, the key to mastering the game.

• Let’s start with the nigiri gang. There are three variations of nigiri cards: egg, salmon, and squid. For each type, you get a different score written at the bottom of the card. Pretty straightforward, right?
• Wasabi: What if I told you that you can increase the value of your nigiri by dipping it in wasabi? A wasabi card doesn’t score any points, but multiplies your next nigiri card’s value by 3 points.
• Dumpling: The value increases the more you collect. The row at the bottom tells you how many points you get for 1 to 5 dumplings.
• Tempura: You need a pair of these to score 5 points. One simple tempura card doesn’t reward you.
• Sashimi: a set of three is needed here for 10 points. Again, if you have fewer cards, you score zero points.
• Maki roll: The points are based on how many maki symbols you have compared to the other players. Each card shows 1, 2, or 3 makis at the top of each card. The person with the most maki rolls scores 6 points, while the second place scores 3.
• Chopsticks: Although it is not worth any points, you swap this card later for two cards in one turn.
• Pudding: Scored at the end of the game, the player with the most pudding cards gets 6 points, while the player with the fewest loses 6. So do not ignore the dessert! No pressure.
  
  The game includes clear rules for handling possible ties, so rest assured that everything stays fair.

Gameplay

Everyone familiar with the drafting games will recognise the core mechanic here. Each player begins with a hand of cards, the number depending on the number of players, picks one card, places it face down, reveals it when every player has made their choice and then passes their remaining hand to the next player. This process is repeated until you run out of cards, and then it’s time to score points. Then, you clear the table except for the puddings, because as we said, they are scored at the end, and repeat for 2 more rounds, totalling to a 3-round game.

Every card you don’t pick may go to your neighbour, so you need to be careful and consider defensive techniques. For example, picking a card not because you need it, but because someone else really does, which is also known as hate draft. You also need to stay alert and flexible, adapting your strategy as the game unfolds, reacting quickly to whatever comes your way with each passing hand.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Sushi GO! is a fast, straightforward and affordable game. I find it a perfect choice for families, as it’s easy to learn and accessible to all ages. Don’t let its appearance deceive you. Beneath the cute exterior lies enough strategy to make things spicy and keep even veteran players engaged.
Whether you are travelling, introducing someone to board games, or simply looking for an in-between game during a long game night, this game is always welcome at the table. So, are you ready to draft your sushi dishes?

Stay crafty and bite that sushi,
Your new favourite author.