Sushi Go! 10th Anniversary Edition features the Sushi Go! base game in a numbered limited edition bento box that contains a sushi boat leader marker, wasabi scoring cubes, wasabi scoring bowls, a squishy Strawberry pudding, and four packs of dessert cards that can be used instead of the usual strawberry pudding.
Sushi Go! remains a card drafting and set collection game for 2-5 players that plays in about 15 minutes. Sushi Go! plays best with 4-5 players.
Gameplay Overview:
Sushi Go! is played over the course of 3 rounds. Each round, players are dealt out a number of cards to begin with. They simultaneously select one card and play it. Afterwards, the remaining cards in their hand are passed to a neighbor. The cards played will give players various amounts of points at the end of the round based on how well they did with their set collection. At the end of the 3rd round, the player with the most points is the winner.
Game Experience:
For those who have played the game before, the standard gameplay has not changed. The only change is there are four dessert packs that offer different options from the standard strawberry pudding.
For those who have never played, Sushi Go! is a very light game that is easy to learn. I taught my mom and my 10-year-old in less than 5 minutes and they both understood how to play well enough to beat me by their second game.
Unlike most pick-and-pass games, there is no chance to discard a card at the end for strategy purposes, as you have to pass all cards. There are no negative cards, but you can be strategic and use chopsticks in the second to last round, so that you are passing chopsticks in the last round, which scores no points. Or you can always pass sashimi or tempura if it won’t complete a set to prevent your opponent from scoring more points.
The amount of strategy in the base Sushi Go! game is minimal and is quickly learned. The new dessert packs offer variability that the base game lacked. Each score uniquely and offers new strategies and opportunities to score.
However, the real stars here are the new components. This is what you are paying for with the 10th Anniversary edition. Sushi Go! was originally published by Adventureland Games after a successful Indiegogo campaign. Then the game was picked up by Gamewright and given a new look. 10 years later, the components have been upgraded again.
The artwork on the cards has mostly remained the same, but the quality of the cards has dramatically improved. The contents, which originally came in a portable metal tin, now come in a well-crafted bento box with a wood top. The scoring has evolved from a piece of paper to “Wasabi” scoring cubes in translucent green for 5 points and opaque green for one point. At the end of each round, players take the appropriate number of cubes and place them in restaurant-style wasabi scoring bowls.
After each round, the player with the most points gets the Sushi boat leader marker. Also, whenever any player takes the lead in the strawberry pudding category they get the new strawberry pudding squishy. In the bottom of the box there are 4 silver foiled packs of additional dessert cards which alter the game.
Final Thoughts:
Sushi Go! works best as a quick game to start game night, an in-between game, or for a quick fix when you don’t have time to play a longer game. It’s like going to a sushi bar that only sells Philly Rolls. It is light and delicious, but when you are finished you are still hungry and looking for something a little more filling or with more spice. If you have already liked Sushi Go! and don’t own it, you should run out and buy Sushi Go! 10th anniversary as the box, components, and game are better. The four dessert packs really make the game have more replayability. If you have never played it and are looking for a light game, consider picking a copy up. If you already own Sushi Go! keep your version and enjoy playing.
Final Score: A solid 3.5 stars, one of the most enjoyable light pass and play card games that lacks depth for “serious” gamers.
Hits:
• The Components are the highlight of the 10th Anniversary edition.
• The 4 Dessert packs offer significant variety of strategies and improving the replayability of the game.
• It is a great light game for all ages.
Misses:
• There are not many strategic choices.
• People may tire of this game after fewer than a dozen plays.
