Sushi Go! Review

Intro

Sushi Go! turns the art of sushi dining into a delightfully frantic card game where timing is everything. This little gem from 2013 captures the essence of watching dishes float by on a conveyor belt, except here you're frantically grabbing cards instead of California rolls. For 2-5 players who can spare about 15 minutes, it's become a go-to choice for families and casual gamers alike, earning solid ratings around 7/10 across the board gaming community. The rules are simple enough for an 8-year-old to grasp, but don't let that fool you into thinking there's no strategy lurking beneath those adorable sushi illustrations.

How It Plays

The heart of Sushi Go! is card drafting—that tried-and-true mechanism where you pick a card from your hand, then pass the rest to your neighbor. Everyone does this simultaneously, round after round, until the cards run out. It's like musical chairs but with maki rolls.

Each card represents different types of sushi with unique scoring rules. Maki rolls reward whoever collects the most (or second-most) with bonus points. Sashimi cards are worthless unless you grab exactly three, then they're worth a hefty 10 points. Nigiri cards have decent base values, but dip them in wasabi and you triple their worth. The catch? You need to play that wasabi before you get the nigiri, not after.

The game runs three rounds, and here's where it gets interesting: pudding cards stick around for the final tally. Whoever hoards the most pudding gets 6 bonus points, while the poor soul with the fewest loses 6 points. It's a brilliant tension that makes you think beyond just the current round.

Highlights

What makes Sushi Go! special is how it distills complex card drafting into something anyone can understand in five minutes. Unlike its heavier cousins like 7 Wonders, you're not juggling resources or tech trees. You're just trying to make smart choices about cute food cards, which somehow makes the decisions feel both casual and crucial.

The simultaneous play keeps everyone engaged. There's no downtime, no waiting for someone to finish their turn while analyzing seventeen different options. Everyone picks, everyone passes, everyone scores. It creates this wonderful buzz of activity that makes 15 minutes feel like 5.

The card variety creates genuine tactical depth without overwhelming complexity. Do you grab that third sashimi for 10 points, or take the maki to prevent your opponent from getting the majority bonus? Should you hoard pudding now or focus on immediate points? These decisions matter, but they're never paralyzing.

Phil Walker-Harding deserves credit for the elegant scoring systems. Each sushi type feels different and meaningful. Chopsticks let you take two cards next turn. Tempura needs a pair to score. Every card type creates its own mini-puzzle within the larger game.

Criticisms

The biggest knock against Sushi Go! is that it can feel repetitive after many plays. With a fixed set of card types, the novelty wears thin faster than you might hope. Once everyone knows the scoring systems and optimal strategies, games can start feeling samey. The publisher addressed this somewhat with Sushi Go Party!, which adds variety through modular card sets, but the base game does have limited replayability.

The player count matters more than advertised. While it technically plays 2-5, it really shines with 4-5 players. With fewer players, the drafting feels less dynamic, and you have too much control over which cards you see. The chaos and unpredictability that makes the game fun gets diluted when there aren't enough people at the table.

Some groups find the lack of direct interaction disappointing. Yes, you're passing cards and occasionally blocking opponents, but you're mostly playing your own game. If your group thrives on negotiation, bluffing, or direct conflict, Sushi Go! might feel too polite and indirect for your taste.

Conclusion

Sushi Go! excels as a gateway game and filler. If you're introducing someone to card drafting, this is your starting point. Families will love the quick play time and accessible rules. Casual gamers appreciate how it delivers meaningful decisions without the mental overhead of heavier games. Gaming groups looking for a reliable 15-minute warm-up or cooldown game will find it invaluable.

The sweet spot is 4-5 players who want something light, interactive, and quick. It's perfect for those moments when you need a game that's more engaging than Uno but less commitment than Wingspan. Just be aware that once the novelty fades, you might find yourself reaching for Sushi Go Party! instead.