Sushi Go Party —Detailed Review of How to Play

In my experience, Sushi Go Party! is the ultimate version of the classic Sushi Go card game. Designed by Phil Walker-Harding, this expanded edition takes the beloved “pick and pass” mechanic and turns it into a customizable feast. It is a fantastic set collection game that perfectly balances light strategy with a bit of luck, making it a staple for our family game nights.

Why I Love This Version

One of the best things about this version is the variety. While the original game is great, the “Party” edition allows you to swap out different menu items every time you play. The cute artwork and fast-paced nature make it an attractive option for gamers of all skill levels.

The Objective

The goal is simple: I want to create the most valuable meal possible! You earn points by selecting and passing sushi cards over three rounds. The player with the highest total score at the end of the third round is crowned the winner.

Setting Up the Feast

I usually spend a few minutes getting the “menu” ready before we dive in. Here is how I set it up:

• The Board & Pawns: Place the game board in the center and have everyone choose a pawn. We place these on the “0” space to track our scores.

• Card Selection: This is the best part! Collectively, we decide which cards to use. If it’s your first time, I recommend the “My First Meal” or “Party Sampler” presets.

• The Menu Tiles: Once we’ve picked our cards, I slide the corresponding menu tiles into the board slots. This lets everyone easily see which combinations are in play and how they score.

• The Decks: I shuffle the chosen dessert cards and place them facedown. Then, I shuffle the rest of the chosen cards to form the main draw pile.

• Mixing in Desserts: Depending on the player count, I mix a specific number of dessert cards into the main deck for each of the three rounds.

How to Play Sushi Go Party!

This is a simultaneous play game, which means there is no waiting around for someone else to finish their turn!

1. The Deal: If we have 2–5 players, I deal 10 cards to each person.

2. Pick and Pass: Everyone looks at their hand, picks one card they want to keep, and places it facedown.

3. The Reveal: Once everyone is ready, we flip our chosen cards over at the same time. Then, we pass the remaining cards in our hands to the player on our left.

4. Special Actions: If I play a “Special” card (like Chopsticks), I make sure to call out the action before picking up my new hand. Chopsticks are great because they allow me to take two cards on a future turn!

5. Handling Desserts: If I pick a dessert card, I place it to the side. These aren’t scored until the very end of the third round.

6. Scoring: After all cards are played, we move our pawns along the board based on the points we earned that round.

After three rounds of drafting and scoring, we add up our final dessert points. In my house, the person with the most pudding usually has a huge advantage!