Do you ever have those brief periods of time when you have nothing to do or need a distraction? We all do, and that’s where gaming can come in and save you from those 10 minutes of silence or emotionless wall-staring.
With our phones constantly in our pockets and the hybrid nature of the Nintendo Switch, gaming on the go is easier than ever. Each of the titles recommended in the following list is easy to pick up and play when you only have a few minutes to spare. Whether you’re playing for hours or in short bursts, you’re bound to have some fun.
Here are five great games you can play when you are short on time:
1. A Puzzling Good Challenge: Tetris 99
Puzzle games are a great genre to try when you don’t have a lot of time available. In Tetris 99, you compete against 98 other players, battle royale style, in this classic falling block game.
This new take on Tetris offers a competitive spin where you select opponents to attack using one of four targeting modes. “K.O.s” targets players close to being defeated. “Badges” takes out opponents with a high badge count. “Attackers” goes after players who attack you. And “Randoms,” as you probably can guess, chooses random opponents to strike.
Tetris 99 is one of my favorite palette cleanser titles for when I’m in between long, story-driven games. I love getting to test my skills against so many other players and usually only play one or two rounds each sitting. If playing against 98 opponents isn’t for you, there’s also an offline mode where you can play alone or battle friends via local multiplayer.
If you are an average player like me, the games themselves only last about three to five minutes each, so it’s easy to sneak in a game or two if you’re in a hurry.
- Where to play Tetris 99: Included with a Nintendo Switch Online membership
2. Great To Play With (or Without) Kids: Kirby’s Dream Buffet
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy Kirby’s Dream Buffet, but it sure is a hit with the youngins. It’s a wonderful party game and a budget-friendly title featuring our favorite pink spherical creature.
Up to four players can compete in Fall Guys-like levels to be the largest Kirby of the bunch. In this game, you roll through delicious-looking food-themed stages, collecting strawberries and “Copy Food Abilities.” The goal is to be the largest Kirby, which is dependent on the amount of strawberries you collect. As you go about the courses, you earn new colors, costumes, and more to customize your Kirby.
Kirby’s Dream Buffet is simple enough for children to play, and has both local and online co-op. Each level only lasts a few minutes, so it’s a perfect game to play with the kiddos before bed or when you’re in a pinch for time. I play this often with my nephews and we have a great time each playthrough!
- Where to play Kirby’s Dream Buffet: Available on Nintendo Switch for $14.99
3. A Thrill for a Song or Two: Samba de Amigo: Party Central
Rhythm games are another fantastic genre to play when time is short. In Samba de Amigo: Party Central, players “shake their maracas” while moving to the beat of the music. Featuring 40 hit songs including remixes of classics like Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” you don’t need to spend all day partying it up. It’s quick fun that will surely boost your mood.
For those on the go, there’s also a mobile version called Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go on Apple Arcade. It plays great on the touch screen, making it easy to throw random dance parties wherever you are.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central launched in August 2023 as the much-anticipated sequel to the original Samba de Amigo, which was released for the Sega Dreamcast back in 1999!
- Where to play Samba de Amigo: Party Central: Available on Nintendo Switch for $39.99; coming soon to Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro for $29.99; included with an Apple Arcade subscription
4. A Cozy Pizza-Making Simulation: Good Pizza, Great Pizza
Simulation games are one of my favorite genres, and Good Pizza, Great Pizza has quickly become one of my favorites. Best played on a touch screen, this game takes you on the adventure of opening up your own pizzeria and features lots of adorable patrons. You play the game one in-game day at a time while fulfilling pizza orders ranging from totally normal to totally wacky. Each order earns you money, which in turn can be used to upgrade your shop with new toppings, decor, and equipment to compete against rival pizza shops.
While the game has been out for a while, developer TapBlaze is still releasing new content. The studio just released a 5.0 update that adds a new chapter and introduces new ingredients, storyline, characters, achievements, and more! Each in-game day only takes around 10 minutes, so it’s a must-include on this list.
- Where to play Good Pizza, Great Pizza: Available on Nintendo Switch and PC for $9.99; free-to-play on iOS and Android
5. Sip Your Morning Cup of Joe With Friends: Pokémon Café ReMix
While I’m normally not a fan of free-to-play titles, Pokémon Café ReMix is an exception. The game puts you in charge of your own café where you work with and host various Pokémon. By completing puzzles that increase in difficulty, you create drinks and dishes to serve to your favorite pocket monsters.
Each of your Pokémon staff members has its own unique “Café Skill” that helps you with each new puzzle. For example, Eevee’s Café Skill clears surrounding Pokémon icons within the puzzle to create its famous Eevee Latte. Each item on the menu lures in more Pokémon customers; those who enjoy the café enough will eventually join your staff.
The game is cozy, charming, and great for players of varying abilities. It’s a must-play not only for Pokémon fans, but also for gamers who love a good puzzle. Not to mention, Pokémon Café ReMix is easily played in short bursts of time, perfect for when you have a few spare minutes.
- Where to play Pokémon Café ReMix: Free-to-play on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android
What Games Do You Play When You’re Short on Time?
Do you play any of the games listed above or do you have others to share? Let us know in the comments!
