Sushi Go!
Officially Sushi Go! / Sushi Go Party!
DELIGHTFUL PICK-AND-PASS CARD GAME by PHIL WALKER-HARDING + GAMEWRIGHT (2013). 2-5 players draft cards from constantly-rotating hands (Nigiri, Sashimi, Tempura, Dumpling, Maki Rolls, Wasabi, Pudding); score points via set-collection over 3 rounds. SIMPLE + PORTABLE + CUTE illustrations. 15-min games. Deluxe SUSHI GO PARTY! (2016) adds 4-8 players + more variety cards. Bestseller — 3M+ copies. Family gateway drafting game + genre-defining light drafter.
What is Sushi Go!?
SUSHI GO! is a DELIGHTFUL PICK-AND-PASS CARD DRAFTING GAME designed by PHIL WALKER-HARDING (also Bärenpark, Cacao, Silver & Gold, Gizmos) + published by GAMEWRIGHT (2013). 2-5 PLAYERS draft cards from constantly-rotating hands (each player has 7-10 cards; keep 1, pass rest to next player, repeat until all cards drafted); score points based on drafted card types over 3 ROUNDS. CARDS include: NIGIRI (Egg = 1pt, Salmon = 2pt, Squid = 3pt; scale with Wasabi ×3), SASHIMI (set of 3 = 10pts, alone = 0pt), TEMPURA (set of 2 = 5pts, alone = 0pt), DUMPLING (scaling: 1=1, 2=3, 3=6, 4=10, 5=15), MAKI ROLLS (most rolls per round = 6pt, 2nd most = 3pt), WASABI (put down; next Nigiri you draft is ×3), CHOPSTICKS (draft 2 cards next turn), PUDDING (scored at end of GAME, not round; most = +6pt, fewest = -6pt). SIMPLE + PORTABLE + CUTE illustrations by Sarah Skeate. 15-MIN GAMES. DELUXE VERSION: SUSHI GO PARTY! (2016) — bigger box with menu of 20+ card types (you choose 8 per game); scales to 2-8 players; considered upgraded version. BESTSELLER — 3M+ COPIES sold combined. Family gateway drafting game + genre-defining light drafter for Kids + Adults. Won multiple family game awards including Kinderspiel des Jahres 2016 nominee (Sushi Go Party).
Quick facts
Category
Card Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–8
Duration
~15 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Small tabletop
Country of origin
🇦🇺 Australia
Estimated origin
2013 Sushi Go!; 2016 Sushi Go Party! deluxe
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
Score most points across 3 rounds via strategic card drafting (nigiri, sashimi sets, dumplings, maki, etc.).
Rules
Basic rules
3 rounds; each round players draft cards (pick 1, pass hand)
Standard drafting mechanic.
Score cards based on collection type per round
Sashimi = need 3 for 10pt, Dumpling scales, Maki most-rolls.
Wasabi ×3 Nigiri if placed first
Combo trick.
Chopsticks draft 2 cards next turn
Action card.
Pudding scored at end of GAME only
Long-term scoring.
Scoring
Point-based across 3 rounds.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Nigiri (Egg=1, Salmon=2, Squid=3; ×3 with Wasabi) | 1-9 pts |
| Sashimi (set of 3 = 10pts, alone = 0) | 0 or 10 pts |
| Tempura (set of 2 = 5pts, alone = 0) | 0 or 5 pts |
| Dumpling (scaling 1/3/6/10/15) | 1-15 pts |
| Maki (most rolls = 6pt, 2nd = 3pt) | 0-6 pts per round |
| Pudding (game end: most = +6, fewest = -6) | -6 to +6 pts |
Win condition · Most points after 3 rounds + Pudding endgame.
Playing area
Called
Small tabletop
Dimensions
Small tabletop or coffee table (~40cm × 60cm)
Home tabletop; portable (small box), travel-friendly.
Equipment
Sushi Go! ($12 USD)
Base 2-5 player game; adorable little tin
Sushi Go Party! ($25)
Deluxe 2-8 player upgrade with 20+ card types
Sushi Roll (dice version, $20)
Dice-based spinoff by same designer
Strategies
Prioritize Dumplings; they scale to 15 pts
Big returns.
Sashimi needs 3 — high risk, high reward
Only pursue if achievable.
Wasabi before high-value Nigiri
×3 combo.
Deny opponent Maki + Dumpling
Draft cards you don't need to block.
Track opponent hands as they pass
Deduce their strategies.
Terminology
- Draft (pick + pass)
- Take 1 card, pass hand to left.
- Nigiri
- Egg/Salmon/Squid; base scoring cards.
- Wasabi
- ×3 next Nigiri (chain combo).
- Sashimi
- Set of 3 = 10pts, alone = 0.
- Dumpling
- Scaling: 1/3/6/10/15 pts.
- Maki Rolls
- Most rolls per round = 6, 2nd = 3.
- Tempura
- Set of 2 = 5pts.
- Chopsticks
- Draft 2 cards next turn.
- Pudding
- End-game scoring (+6 most, -6 fewest).
Major competitions
Casual family game; no formal competitions
N/A · worldwide · since 2013
Kinderspiel des Jahres 2016 nomination (Sushi Go Party)
annual · Germany · since 2016
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Gamewright (publisher)
Founded 1994 · Newton, Massachusetts, USA
Ceaco (parent of Gamewright)
Founded 1987 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Phil Walker-Harding (AU) — Designer; also Bärenpark, Cacao, Silver & Gold
- Sarah Skeate (AU) — Illustrator; iconic cute style
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy Sushi Go! ($12) — cute tin
Simple + fast.
intermediate
- 1
Upgrade to Sushi Go Party! ($25) for more variety + 2-8 players
Deluxe experience.
advanced
- 1
Try Sushi Roll dice version
Different mechanics + same theme.
Frequently asked
What is Sushi Go!?+
DELIGHTFUL PICK-AND-PASS CARD GAME by PHIL WALKER-HARDING + GAMEWRIGHT (2013). 2-5 players draft cards from constantly-rotating hands (Nigiri, Sashimi, Tempura, Dumpling, Maki Rolls, Wasabi, Pudding); score points via set-collection over 3 rounds. SIMPLE + PORTABLE + CUTE illustrations. 15-min games. Deluxe SUSHI GO PARTY! (2016) adds 4-8 players + more variety cards. Bestseller — 3M+ copies. Family gateway drafting game + genre-defining light drafter for kids + adults.
Sushi Go! vs Sushi Go Party! — which to buy?+
BOTH WORK BUT PARTY IS UPGRADED. Sushi Go! ($12) = original small tin, 2-5 players, ~20 cards. Sushi Go Party! ($25) = deluxe box, 2-8 players, MENU of 20+ cards where you choose 8 per game (huge variety). RECOMMENDATION: Get SUSHI GO PARTY! for $25 unless budget is very tight — provides much more variety + higher player count + is the definitive experience. Sushi Go! is fine as the small $12 travel version. Both share the same core drafting mechanic.
Sources & provenance
- Gamewright — Sushi Go!— Gamewright
- Wikipedia — Sushi Go!— Wikipedia