Zombie Dice

ZOMBIE DICE is a PRESS-YOUR-LUCK DICE FILLER GAME (2010) designed by STEVE JACKSON, published by STEVE JACKSON GAMES (SJGames, Texas — publisher of GURPS, MUNCHKIN, ILLUMINATI). Widely praised as a PERFECT GATEWAY + FILLER game — simple to learn (2 minutes), fast to play (15 min), + genuinely engaging. Has sold OVER 500,000 UNITS + spawned multiple sequels + expansions. GAMEPLAY: 2+ players (best at 3-6). Each player is a ZOMBIE trying to eat 13 BRAINS. The game uses 13 CUSTOM DICE in a CARDBOARD CUP: 6 GREEN dice (easiest — mostly brains), 4 YELLOW dice (medium mix), 3 RED dice (hardest — mostly shotguns). Each die has 6 sides showing 3 SYMBOLS distributed differently: BRAIN (score 1 brain if kept), SHOTGUN (bad, damages zombie), FOOTPRINTS (runner escaped, re-roll die). TURN: (1) Shake the cup + draw 3 DICE at random. (2) ROLL those 3 dice. (3) Resolve results — set aside all BRAINS + SHOTGUNS (keep them); FOOTPRINTS dice are re-rolled next roll. (4) DECISION POINT: STOP + BANK your brains (score them + end turn) OR CONTINUE — draw more dice from the cup to bring your total roll to 3 (adding new dice to your footprints) + roll again. IF you accumulate 3 SHOTGUNS at any point during your turn, your zombie DIES + you lose ALL BRAINS scored this turn (0 for the turn). GAME END: First player to reach 13 BRAINS (or agreed target) triggers the FINAL ROUND — remaining players take one more turn to try to beat that score. Highest brains wins ties. GAME LENGTH: 15 MIN typical (4-6 rounds). VARIANTS + EXPANSIONS: ZOMBIE DICE 2: DOUBLE FEATURE (2012 — adds hero dice, energy drink, etc.); ZOMBIE DICE 3: SCHOOL BUS (2014 — adds school bus card + additional dice); ZOMBIE DICE HORDE MODE (2019 — team play). DESIGN: STEVE JACKSON has cited MARTIAN DICE (2011, his other press-your-luck) + PICKOMINO / HECK MECK (2005) as inspirations for the mechanic. STEVE JACKSON GAMES also uses zombie theme in ZOMBIE DICE consistently. RECEPTION: Universally acclaimed as a PERFECT LIGHT DICE FILLER; ranked BGG top-500 family/party consistently; still sold in stores 14+ years later. Great for BEER-AND-PRETZELS gaming, kids 8+, + as a warmup before longer games. STRATEGY: Track dice remaining in cup — early red dice = risky; accumulated footprints = more chances. Push luck when trailing; play conservatively when leading.

Brains kept + banked = score; 3 shotguns = bust (0 for turn).

Win condition · Most brains at end of final round.

Cardboard cup + 13 dice + score sheet; portable filler game.

• Zombie Dice base box ($15)

  13 dice + cup + rules

• 13 custom dice (6 green + 4 yellow + 3 red)

  Different brain/shotgun ratios

• Cardboard cup

  For drawing dice randomly

• Score pad + pencil

  Track brains per player

• Expansions: Double Feature, School Bus, Horde Mode

  Alternate + additional variants

• Track red dice remaining in cup

  Fewer reds = safer to push.

• Push aggressively when trailing

  Catch-up requires risk.

• Bank early when leading late in game

  Preserve win.

• Watch shotgun count — 2 shotguns = often stop

  One more roll high-risk.

Brain

Positive symbol; 1 point each.

Shotgun

Bad symbol; 3 in a turn = bust.

Footprints

Neutral symbol; die re-rolls next round.

Bust

3 shotguns in a turn = 0 brains this turn + turn ends.

Bank

Voluntarily end turn + keep accumulated brains.

• Casual party/family game play (widespread)

  ongoing · Global · since 2010

• Convention demos (Origins, Gen Con, PAX)

  annual · USA · since 2010

• 🇺🇸United States
• 🇬🇧United Kingdom
• 🇩🇪Germany
• 🇫🇷France
• 🇮🇹Italy
• 🇪🇸Spain
• 🇨🇦Canada
• 🇦🇺Australia
• 🇧🇷Brazil
• 🇲🇽Mexico
• 🇯🇵Japan

• Steve Jackson Games (publisher)

  Founded 1980 · Austin, Texas, USA

• BoardGameGeek community

  Founded 2000 · Online

• Steve Jackson Games — Zombie Dice— SJGames
• BoardGameGeek — Zombie Dice— BGG