diff --git a/src/ui/Overlay.ts b/src/ui/Overlay.ts
index c792420e..c67370d8 100644
--- a/src/ui/Overlay.ts
+++ b/src/ui/Overlay.ts
@@ -107,9 +107,11 @@ export function createOverlayBackground(
     objects.push(overlayBox);
   }
 
-  // If the scene exposes a top-level HUD container, parent overlay objects
-  // into it so all overlays share a single, stable top-layer container.
-  // This keeps z-ordering consistent across Main Street overlays.
+  // Parent overlay box/background into hudContainer so all overlay content
+  // (box + text + buttons) shares the same depth-sort space.  HUD-level
+  // game elements (e.g. "Stock" label) must also be parented into
+  // hudContainer so overlays can correctly cover them.  This keeps z-
+  // ordering consistent and predictable across all games.
   try {
     const overlayContainer: any = (scene as any).hudContainer;
     if (overlayContainer && typeof overlayContainer.add === 'function') {
diff --git a/src/ui/OverlayManager.ts b/src/ui/OverlayManager.ts
index 0503506e..2c2773c0 100644
--- a/src/ui/OverlayManager.ts
+++ b/src/ui/OverlayManager.ts
@@ -60,6 +60,15 @@ export class OverlayManager {
   }
 
   add(...objects: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]): void {
+    // Auto-parent all overlay content objects to hudContainer so they render
+    // above the overlay background box. This centralises z-ordering for all
+    // overlay content across every game that uses OverlayManager.
+    // createOverlayBackground() already parents the box/background itself;
+    // this handles all application-level content (text, buttons, etc.).
+    const hud = (this.scene as any).hudContainer as { add: (obj: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => void } | undefined;
+    for (const obj of objects) {
+      hud?.add(obj);
+    }
     this._objects.push(...objects);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/BeleagueredCastleAdapter.ts b/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/BeleagueredCastleAdapter.ts
index 9a148a03..2c2b9d43 100644
--- a/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/BeleagueredCastleAdapter.ts
+++ b/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/BeleagueredCastleAdapter.ts
@@ -51,7 +51,15 @@ export function createBcHudText(
     fontFamily: FONT_FAMILY,
     ...options,
   });
+  // Parent into hudContainer so it shares the same depth-sort space as
+  // overlay content (game-over text, buttons, overlay box).  This ensures
+  // HUD labels are correctly covered by overlays that use
+  // createOverlayBackground + OverlayManager.add().
   try {
+    const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer;
+    if (hud && typeof hud.add === 'function') {
+      hud.add(textObj);
+    }
     textObj.setDepth(BC_DEPTH_HUD);
   } catch {
     // Depth may not be available in headless / test environments.
diff --git a/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/GolfAdapter.ts b/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/GolfAdapter.ts
index 7da79b66..b06e2676 100644
--- a/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/GolfAdapter.ts
+++ b/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/GolfAdapter.ts
@@ -72,7 +72,15 @@ export function createGolfHudText(
     fontFamily: FONT_FAMILY,
     ...options,
   });
+  // Parent into hudContainer so it shares the same depth sort space as
+  // overlay content (game-over text, buttons).  This ensures HUD labels
+  // like "Stock" are correctly covered by overlays that use
+  // createOverlayBackground + OverlayManager.add().
   try {
+    const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer;
+    if (hud && typeof hud.add === 'function') {
+      hud.add(textObj);
+    }
     textObj.setDepth(GOLF_DEPTH_HUD);
   } catch {
     // Depth may not be available in headless / test environments.
diff --git a/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/LostCitiesAdapter.ts b/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/LostCitiesAdapter.ts
index 89801f2d..c286bbcf 100644
--- a/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/LostCitiesAdapter.ts
+++ b/src/ui/Renderer/adapters/LostCitiesAdapter.ts
@@ -66,7 +66,15 @@ export function createLcHudText(
     fontFamily: FONT_FAMILY,
     ...options,
   });
+  // Parent into hudContainer so it shares the same depth-sort space as
+  // overlay content (game-over text, buttons, overlay box).  This ensures
+  // HUD labels are correctly covered by overlays that use
+  // createOverlayBackground + OverlayManager.add().
   try {
+    const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer;
+    if (hud && typeof hud.add === 'function') {
+      hud.add(textObj);
+    }
     textObj.setDepth(LC_DEPTH_HUD);
   } catch {
     // Depth may not be available in headless / test environments.
diff --git a/tests/beleaguered-castle/BeleagueredCastleOverlay.browser.test.ts b/tests/beleaguered-castle/BeleagueredCastleOverlay.browser.test.ts
index ca538c04..99102d92 100644
--- a/tests/beleaguered-castle/BeleagueredCastleOverlay.browser.test.ts
+++ b/tests/beleaguered-castle/BeleagueredCastleOverlay.browser.test.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,29 @@ function getOverlayManager(scene: Phaser.Scene): any {
   return (scene as any).overlayManager;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Collect display objects from scene children and the HUD container.
+ * Phaser 4 containers store children in .list (not .children).
+ */
+function collectFromSceneAndHud<T extends Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject>(
+  scene: Phaser.Scene,
+  predicate: (obj: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => obj is T,
+): T[] {
+  const result: T[] = [];
+  const walk = (parent: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+    for (const child of parent) {
+      if (predicate(child)) result.push(child);
+      if (child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container && (child as any).list) {
+        walk((child as any).list);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  walk(scene.children.list);
+  const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+  if (hud && hud.list) walk(hud.list);
+  return result;
+}
+
 describe('Beleaguered Castle help panel', () => {
   let game: Phaser.Game | null = null;
 
@@ -122,29 +145,31 @@ describe('Beleaguered Castle overlays', () => {
     const scene = game.scene.getScene('BeleagueredCastleScene') as any;
     await waitFrames(8);
 
-    getOverlayManager(scene).showWinOverlay(0);
+    (scene as any).showWinOverlay(0);
     await waitFrames(5);
 
-    // Check blocker
-    const rects = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 2000,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle[];
-    expect(rects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
-    const blocker = rects.find((r: any) => r.width === 1280 && r.height === 720 && r.input?.enabled);
+    // Check blocker - objects are in HUD container
+    const allRects = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 2000,
+    );
+    expect(allRects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+    const blocker = allRects.find((r) => r.width === 1280 && r.height === 720 && r.input?.enabled);
     expect(blocker).toBeDefined();
 
     // Check buttons at depth 2001
     const labels = ['[ New Game ]', '[ Restart ]', '[ Menu ]'];
-    const btns = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && labels.includes(child.text) && child.depth === 2001,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+    const btns = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && labels.includes(child.text) && child.depth === 2001,
+    );
     expect(btns.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
     for (const btn of btns) expect(btn.input?.enabled).toBe(true);
 
     // Dismiss
     getOverlayManager(scene).dismiss();
     await waitFrames(3);
-    const winText = scene.children.list.filter((child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && child.text === 'You Win!');
+    const winText = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && child.text === 'You Win!',
+    );
     expect(winText.length).toBe(0);
   });
 
@@ -153,30 +178,30 @@ describe('Beleaguered Castle overlays', () => {
     const scene = game.scene.getScene('BeleagueredCastleScene') as any;
     await waitFrames(8);
 
-    getOverlayManager(scene).showNoMovesOverlay();
+    (scene as any).showNoMovesOverlay();
     await waitFrames(5);
 
-    // Check blocker
-    const rects = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 2000,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle[];
-    expect(rects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
-    const blocker = rects.find((r: any) => r.width === 1280 && r.height === 720 && r.input?.enabled);
+    // Check blocker - objects are in HUD container
+    const allRects = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 2000,
+    );
+    expect(allRects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+    const blocker = allRects.find((r) => r.width === 1280 && r.height === 720 && r.input?.enabled);
     expect(blocker).toBeDefined();
 
     // Check buttons
     const labels = ['[ Undo Last ]', '[ New Game ]', '[ Restart ]', '[ Menu ]'];
-    const btns = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && labels.includes(child.text) && child.depth === 2001,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+    const btns = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && labels.includes(child.text) && child.depth === 2001,
+    );
     expect(btns.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(3);
     for (const btn of btns) expect(btn.input?.enabled).toBe(true);
 
     // Dismiss
     getOverlayManager(scene).dismiss();
     await waitFrames(3);
-    const noMoveText = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && child.text === 'No Productive Moves Available',
+    const noMoveText = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && child.text === 'No Productive Moves Available',
     );
     expect(noMoveText.length).toBe(0);
   });
diff --git a/tests/golf/GolfOverlay.browser.test.ts b/tests/golf/GolfOverlay.browser.test.ts
index d21da845..d96c630b 100644
--- a/tests/golf/GolfOverlay.browser.test.ts
+++ b/tests/golf/GolfOverlay.browser.test.ts
@@ -88,10 +88,32 @@ async function waitForCondition(
  * Get scene private properties via type-safe cast.
  */
 function getSceneInternals(scene: Phaser.Scene) {
-   
   return scene as any;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Collect display objects from scene children and the HUD container.
+ * Phaser 4 containers store children in .list.
+ */
+function collectFromSceneAndHud<T extends Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject>(
+  scene: Phaser.Scene,
+  predicate: (obj: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => obj is T,
+): T[] {
+  const result: T[] = [];
+  const walk = (parent: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+    for (const child of parent) {
+      if (predicate(child)) result.push(child);
+      if (child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container && (child as any).list) {
+        walk((child as any).list);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  walk(scene.children.list);
+  const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+  if (hud && hud.list) walk(hud.list);
+  return result;
+}
+
 /**
  * Dispatch a real DOM MouseEvent on the game canvas at the given
  * game-world coordinates. This routes through Phaser's full input
@@ -179,17 +201,26 @@ describe('Golf overlay button tests', () => {
     await waitFrames(3);
 
     // Helper: find a container that contains a Text child with the given label.
+    // Search both scene children and HUD container (Phaser 4 uses .list)
     const findContainerByText = (
       label: string,
     ): Phaser.GameObjects.Container | undefined => {
-      return scene.children.list.find(
-        (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
-          child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container &&
-          (child as Phaser.GameObjects.Container).list.some(
-            (c: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
-              c instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && c.text === label,
-          ),
-      ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container | undefined;
+      const findInList = (items: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+        const found = items.find(
+          (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+            child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container &&
+            (child as any).list.some(
+              (c: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+                c instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && c.text === label,
+            ),
+        );
+        return found as Phaser.GameObjects.Container | undefined;
+      };
+      const found = findInList(scene.children.list);
+      if (found) return found;
+      const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+      if (hud && hud.list) return findInList(hud.list);
+      return undefined;
     };
 
     const playAgainBtn = findContainerByText('[ Play Again ]');
@@ -223,17 +254,26 @@ describe('Golf overlay button tests', () => {
 
     // Helper: find a container that contains a Text child with the given label
     // and return the interactive Rectangle (background) inside it.
+    // Search both scene children and HUD container (OverlayManager.add now
+    // parents content to hudContainer for correct z-ordering).
     const findButtonContainer = (
       label: string,
     ): Phaser.GameObjects.Container | undefined => {
-      return scene.children.list.find(
-        (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
-          child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container &&
-          (child as Phaser.GameObjects.Container).list.some(
-            (c: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
-              c instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && c.text === label,
-          ),
-      ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container | undefined;
+      const findIn = (items: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+        return items.find(
+          (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+            child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container &&
+            (child as Phaser.GameObjects.Container).list.some(
+              (c: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+                c instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && c.text === label,
+            ),
+        ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container | undefined;
+      };
+      let result = findIn(scene.children.list);
+      if (result) return result;
+      const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+      if (hud && hud.list) result = findIn(hud.list);
+      return result;
     };
 
     // Find the "Play Again" button container.
@@ -280,11 +320,11 @@ describe('Golf overlay button tests', () => {
     await waitFrames(3);
 
     // Find interactive rectangles at depth 10 (the input blocker)
-    const rects = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
-        child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle &&
-        (child as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle).depth === 10,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle[];
+    // The overlay system parents objects into the HUD container in Phaser 4
+    const allRects = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle,
+    );
+    const rects = allRects.filter((r) => r.depth === 10);
 
     // Should have at least 2 rectangles at depth 10: the full-screen blocker and the visible overlay
     expect(rects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
diff --git a/tests/sushi-go/SushiGoOverlay.browser.test.ts b/tests/sushi-go/SushiGoOverlay.browser.test.ts
index c0ebf084..8a428960 100644
--- a/tests/sushi-go/SushiGoOverlay.browser.test.ts
+++ b/tests/sushi-go/SushiGoOverlay.browser.test.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,29 @@ function waitFrames(n: number): Promise<void> {
   });
 }
 
+/**
+ * Collect display objects from scene children and the HUD container.
+ * Phaser 4 containers store children in .list (not .children).
+ */
+function collectFromSceneAndHud<T extends Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject>(
+  scene: Phaser.Scene,
+  predicate: (obj: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => obj is T,
+): T[] {
+  const result: T[] = [];
+  const walk = (parent: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+    for (const child of parent) {
+      if (predicate(child)) result.push(child);
+      if (child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container && (child as any).list) {
+        walk((child as any).list);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  walk(scene.children.list);
+  const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+  if (hud && hud.list) walk(hud.list);
+  return result;
+}
+
 describe('Sushi Go round-score overlay', () => {
   let game: Phaser.Game | null = null;
 
@@ -66,9 +89,9 @@ describe('Sushi Go round-score overlay', () => {
     await waitFrames(3);
 
     // Find the "Next Round" button container
-    const containers = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container[];
+    const containers = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Container =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
+    );
 
     const findButtonLabel = (container: Phaser.GameObjects.Container, label: string): boolean => {
       return (container as any).list?.some(
@@ -89,9 +112,9 @@ describe('Sushi Go round-score overlay', () => {
     expect(bg?.input?.enabled).toBe(true);
 
     // Verify the full-screen input blocker exists and is interactive
-    const rects = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 10,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle[];
+    const rects = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 10,
+    );
     expect(rects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2); // blocker + visible box
     const blocker = rects.find((r: any) => r.width === 1280 && r.height === 720 && r.input?.enabled);
     expect(blocker).toBeDefined();
@@ -131,9 +154,9 @@ describe('Sushi Go game-over overlay', () => {
     await waitFrames(3);
 
     // Action buttons are Containers with Text children (migrated to shared Renderer API).
-    const containers = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container[];
+    const containers = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Container =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
+    );
 
     const findButtonLabel = (container: Phaser.GameObjects.Container, label: string): boolean => {
       return (container as any).list?.some(
@@ -157,9 +180,9 @@ describe('Sushi Go game-over overlay', () => {
     expect(menuBg?.input?.enabled).toBe(true);
 
     // Verify the full-screen input blocker exists and is interactive
-    const rects = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 10,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle[];
+    const rects = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle && child.depth === 10,
+    );
     expect(rects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2); // blocker + visible box
     const blocker = rects.find((r: any) => r.width === 1280 && r.height === 720 && r.input?.enabled);
     expect(blocker).toBeDefined();
@@ -167,13 +190,179 @@ describe('Sushi Go game-over overlay', () => {
     // Verify dismissal cleans up overlay
     scene.overlayManager.dismiss();
     await waitFrames(2);
-    const textsAfterDismiss = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && 
+    const textsAfterDismiss = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && 
         (child as Phaser.GameObjects.Text).text.includes('You Win!'),
     );
     expect(textsAfterDismiss.length).toBe(0);
   });
 
+  it('renders round-score text inside hudContainer for correct z-ordering', async () => {
+    game = await bootGame();
+    const scene = game.scene.getScene('SushiGoScene') as any;
+
+    const fakeRoundResult = {
+      round: 1,
+      tableauScores: [9, 8],
+      tableauBreakdowns: [
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+      ],
+      makiCounts: [0, 0],
+      makiBonuses: [0, 0],
+      roundScores: [9, 8],
+      puddingCounts: [0, 0],
+      puddingBonuses: [0, 0],
+    };
+
+    scene.overlayManager.showRoundScoreOverlay(fakeRoundResult, () => {});
+    await waitFrames(3);
+
+    // Verify hudContainer exists
+    expect(scene.hudContainer).toBeDefined();
+    expect(scene.hudContainer).toBeInstanceOf(Phaser.GameObjects.Container);
+
+    // Collect text from hudContainer specifically
+    const hud = scene.hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] };
+    const hudTexts = hud.list?.filter(
+      (child) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
+    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+
+    // The round-score overlay text should be in hudContainer so it renders above the overlay box
+    const roundScoreText = hudTexts.find((t) => (t.text as string).includes('Round') && (t.text as string).includes('Complete'));
+    expect(roundScoreText).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
+  it('renders Next Round button inside hudContainer for correct z-ordering', async () => {
+    game = await bootGame();
+    const scene = game.scene.getScene('SushiGoScene') as any;
+
+    const fakeRoundResult = {
+      round: 1,
+      tableauScores: [9, 8],
+      tableauBreakdowns: [
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+      ],
+      makiCounts: [0, 0],
+      makiBonuses: [0, 0],
+      roundScores: [9, 8],
+      puddingCounts: [0, 0],
+      puddingBonuses: [0, 0],
+    };
+
+    scene.overlayManager.showRoundScoreOverlay(fakeRoundResult, () => {});
+    await waitFrames(3);
+
+    // Collect containers from hudContainer
+    const hud = scene.hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] };
+    const hudContainers = hud.list?.filter(
+      (child) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
+    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container[];
+
+    const findButtonLabel = (container: Phaser.GameObjects.Container, label: string): boolean => {
+      return (container as any).list?.some(
+        (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && child.text === label,
+      );
+    };
+
+    // The Next Round button container should be in hudContainer so it renders above the overlay box
+    const nextRoundBtn = hudContainers.find((c) => findButtonLabel(c, 'Next Round'));
+    expect(nextRoundBtn).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
+  it('renders game-over text inside hudContainer for correct z-ordering', async () => {
+    game = await bootGame();
+    const scene = game.scene.getScene('SushiGoScene') as any;
+
+    // Prepare session roundScores so computeDisplayedTotal can sum them
+    scene.session.players[0].roundScores = [9];
+    scene.session.players[1].roundScores = [8];
+
+    const fakeRoundResult = {
+      round: 2,
+      tableauScores: [9, 8],
+      tableauBreakdowns: [
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+      ],
+      makiCounts: [0, 0],
+      makiBonuses: [0, 0],
+      roundScores: [9, 8],
+      puddingCounts: [0, 0],
+      puddingBonuses: [0, 0],
+    };
+
+    scene.overlayManager.showGameOverOverlay(fakeRoundResult, null, () => {
+      scene.scene.restart();
+    });
+
+    await waitFrames(3);
+
+    // Verify hudContainer exists
+    expect(scene.hudContainer).toBeDefined();
+    expect(scene.hudContainer).toBeInstanceOf(Phaser.GameObjects.Container);
+
+    // Collect text from hudContainer specifically
+    const hud = scene.hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] };
+    const hudTexts = hud.list?.filter(
+      (child) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
+    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+
+    // The game-over text should be in hudContainer so it renders above the overlay box
+    const winnerText = hudTexts.find((t) => (t.text as string).includes('You Win!') || (t.text as string).includes('AI Wins!'));
+    const finalText = hudTexts.find((t) => (t.text as string).includes('Final:'));
+    expect(winnerText).toBeDefined();
+    expect(finalText).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
+  it('renders game-over buttons inside hudContainer for correct z-ordering', async () => {
+    game = await bootGame();
+    const scene = game.scene.getScene('SushiGoScene') as any;
+
+    // Prepare session roundScores so computeDisplayedTotal can sum them
+    scene.session.players[0].roundScores = [9];
+    scene.session.players[1].roundScores = [8];
+
+    const fakeRoundResult = {
+      round: 2,
+      tableauScores: [9, 8],
+      tableauBreakdowns: [
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+        { tempura: 0, sashimi: 0, dumpling: 0, nigiri: 0, chopsticks: 0, puddingCount: 0 },
+      ],
+      makiCounts: [0, 0],
+      makiBonuses: [0, 0],
+      roundScores: [9, 8],
+      puddingCounts: [0, 0],
+      puddingBonuses: [0, 0],
+    };
+
+    scene.overlayManager.showGameOverOverlay(fakeRoundResult, null, () => {
+      scene.scene.restart();
+    });
+
+    await waitFrames(3);
+
+    // Collect containers from hudContainer
+    const hud = scene.hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] };
+    const hudContainers = hud.list?.filter(
+      (child) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
+    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container[];
+
+    const findButtonLabel = (container: Phaser.GameObjects.Container, label: string): boolean => {
+      return (container as any).list?.some(
+        (child: any) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text && child.text === label,
+      );
+    };
+
+    // Both game-over buttons should be in hudContainer so they render above the overlay box
+    const playAgainBtn = hudContainers.find((c) => findButtonLabel(c, 'Play Again'));
+    const menuBtn = hudContainers.find((c) => findButtonLabel(c, 'Menu'));
+    expect(playAgainBtn).toBeDefined();
+    expect(menuBtn).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
   it('displays correct final totals including pudding bonuses when provided', async () => {
     game = await bootGame();
     const scene = game.scene.getScene('SushiGoScene') as any;
@@ -202,9 +391,9 @@ describe('Sushi Go game-over overlay', () => {
 
     await waitFrames(3);
 
-    const texts = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+    const texts = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
+    );
 
     const finalTextObj = texts.find((t) => (t.text as string).includes('Final: You'));
 
diff --git a/tests/the-mind/TheMindOverlay.browser.test.ts b/tests/the-mind/TheMindOverlay.browser.test.ts
index f8f25d30..365e1cc4 100644
--- a/tests/the-mind/TheMindOverlay.browser.test.ts
+++ b/tests/the-mind/TheMindOverlay.browser.test.ts
@@ -60,10 +60,32 @@ function waitFrames(n: number): Promise<void> {
  * Get scene private properties via type-safe cast.
  */
 function getSceneInternals(scene: Phaser.Scene) {
-   
   return scene as any;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Collect display objects from scene children and the HUD container.
+ * Phaser 4 containers store children in .list (not .children).
+ */
+function collectFromSceneAndHud<T extends Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject>(
+  scene: Phaser.Scene,
+  predicate: (obj: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => obj is T,
+): T[] {
+  const result: T[] = [];
+  const walk = (parent: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+    for (const child of parent) {
+      if (predicate(child)) result.push(child);
+      if (child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container && (child as any).list) {
+        walk((child as any).list);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  walk(scene.children.list);
+  const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+  if (hud && hud.list) walk(hud.list);
+  return result;
+}
+
 /**
  * Dispatch a real DOM MouseEvent on the game canvas at the given
  * game-world coordinates. This routes through Phaser's full input
@@ -157,10 +179,9 @@ describe('The Mind overlay button tests', () => {
     await waitFrames(3);
 
     // Find text objects with overlay button labels
-    const texts = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+    const texts = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
         child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+      );
 
     const tryAgainBtn = texts.find((t) => t.text === '[ Try Again ]');
     const menuBtn = texts.find((t) => t.text === '[ Menu ]');
@@ -183,10 +204,9 @@ describe('The Mind overlay button tests', () => {
     await waitFrames(5);
 
     // Find the "Try Again" button to get its coordinates
-    const texts = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+    const texts = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
         child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+      );
     const tryAgainBtn = texts.find((t) => t.text === '[ Try Again ]');
     expect(tryAgainBtn).toBeDefined();
 
@@ -210,10 +230,9 @@ describe('The Mind overlay button tests', () => {
     expect(newPhase).not.toBe('game-won');
 
     // Verify: overlay buttons no longer exist
-    const newTexts = newScene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
-        child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+    const newTexts = collectFromSceneAndHud(newScene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
+    );
     const tryAgainAfterRestart = newTexts.find(
       (t) => t.text === '[ Try Again ]',
     );
@@ -230,10 +249,9 @@ describe('The Mind overlay button tests', () => {
     await waitFrames(5);
 
     // Find the "Play Again" button
-    const texts = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+    const texts = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
         child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+      );
     const playAgainBtn = texts.find((t) => t.text === '[ Play Again ]');
     expect(playAgainBtn).toBeDefined();
     expect(playAgainBtn!.input?.enabled).toBe(true);
@@ -260,11 +278,10 @@ describe('The Mind overlay button tests', () => {
     await waitFrames(3);
 
     // Find interactive rectangles at depth 2000 (the overlay background)
-    const rects = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) =>
+    const rects = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle =>
         child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle &&
         (child as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle).depth === 2000,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle[];
+      );
 
     // Should have at least 2 rectangles: the full-screen blocker and the visible overlay box
     expect(rects.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2);
diff --git a/tests/ui/HelpPanel.browser.test.ts b/tests/ui/HelpPanel.browser.test.ts
index b6b9a343..bdc2ebc1 100644
--- a/tests/ui/HelpPanel.browser.test.ts
+++ b/tests/ui/HelpPanel.browser.test.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,38 @@ function waitFrames(n: number): Promise<void> {
   });
 }
 
+/**
+ * Collect display objects from scene children and the HUD container.
+ * In Phaser 4, containers store children in .list (not .children).
+ */
+function collectFromSceneAndHud<T extends Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject>(
+  scene: Phaser.Scene,
+  predicate: (obj: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject) => obj is T,
+): T[] {
+  const result: T[] = [];
+
+  // Walk scene children recursively
+  const walk = (parent: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[]) => {
+    for (const child of parent) {
+      if (predicate(child)) {
+        result.push(child);
+      }
+      if (child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container && (child as any).list) {
+        walk((child as any).list);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  walk(scene.children.list);
+
+  // Also walk the HUD container
+  const hud = (scene as any).hudContainer as { list: Phaser.GameObjects.GameObject[] } | undefined;
+  if (hud && hud.list) {
+    walk(hud.list);
+  }
+
+  return result;
+}
+
 // ── Tests ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 describe('UI module exports (browser)', () => {
@@ -69,11 +101,12 @@ describe('HelpPanel browser tests', () => {
     game = await bootGame();
     const scene = game.scene.getScene('GolfScene') as Phaser.Scene;
 
-    const texts = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Text[];
+    // Collect Text objects from scene and HUD container (Phaser 4 uses .list)
+    const allTexts = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Text =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Text
+    );
 
-    const helpButtonText = texts.find((t) => t.text === '?');
+    const helpButtonText = allTexts.find((t) => t.text === '?');
     expect(helpButtonText).toBeDefined();
   });
 
@@ -81,16 +114,17 @@ describe('HelpPanel browser tests', () => {
     game = await bootGame();
     const scene = game.scene.getScene('GolfScene') as Phaser.Scene;
 
-    // The HelpPanel container should exist but not be visible
-    const containers = scene.children.list.filter(
-      (child) => child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container,
-    ) as Phaser.GameObjects.Container[];
+    // Collect Containers from scene and HUD container
+    const allContainers = collectFromSceneAndHud(scene, (child): child is Phaser.GameObjects.Container =>
+      child instanceof Phaser.GameObjects.Container
+    );
 
     // At least one container should exist (the help panel)
-    expect(containers.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
+    expect(allContainers.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
 
     // The help panel container should be hidden (not visible or off-screen)
-    const panelContainer = containers.find((c) => c.x < 0 || !c.visible);
+    // HelpPanel creates its container at x = -panelWidth
+    const panelContainer = allContainers.find((c) => c.x < 0 || !c.visible);
     expect(panelContainer).toBeDefined();
   });
 
diff --git a/tests/ui/Overlay.test.ts b/tests/ui/Overlay.test.ts
index ab393549..a09d41cb 100644
--- a/tests/ui/Overlay.test.ts
+++ b/tests/ui/Overlay.test.ts
@@ -121,13 +121,17 @@ describe('createOverlayBackground', () => {
   });
 
   it('parents overlay objects into scene.hudContainer when present', () => {
-    // Provide a scene with a hudContainer that has an `add` spy
+    // Provide a scene with a hudContainer that has an `add` spy.
+    // Overlay box/background are parented into hudContainer so all overlay
+    // content (box + text + buttons) shares the same depth-sort space.  HUD-
+    // level game elements (e.g. "Stock" label) must also be parented into
+    // hudContainer so overlays can correctly cover them.
     const hudScene: any = mockScene();
     hudScene.hudContainer = { add: vi.fn() };
 
     const res = createOverlayBackground(hudScene);
 
-    // hudContainer.add should have been called for the background (and box if present)
+    // hudContainer.add should have been called for the background
     expect(hudScene.hudContainer.add).toHaveBeenCalledWith(res.background);
   });