Are you an avid gamer, but your day is just so busy, and you cannot find the chance to lock in for a full-blown gaming session? Perhaps you’re not a gamer at all, but you have found yourself with a bit of time on your hands, and you’re just looking for ways to pass the time. Regardless, those random, short, and unpredictable gaps throughout the day can be annoying if you didn’t bring a book to read, or you don’t have your handheld. However, there are some bite-sized gaming options you can try out that are short, sweet, and will keep you entertained.
Daily Word Challenge
Each day, The New York Times Company sets out a puzzle called Wordle wherein players need to guess a secret five-letter word. You get six tries, and after each attempt, the game provides colour-coded feedback where green means a letter is in the correct spot. If it’s yellow, then that specific letter can be found in the word, but it is currently in the wrong spot, whereas grey means it’s incorrect. Dordle, Quordle, and Octordle are alternative versions of the game, where you can up the difficulty and guess more than one word at a time.
Aviator
At times, a high-stakes game is exactly what you need to get your blood pumping alongside a good adrenaline rush. Aviator is a crash-style casino game that lets players place a bet and watch as a little plane ascends on screen: the higher the plane goes, the higher your winnings. The catch? You need to cash out at the perfect time, as you lose your money if the plane flies off-screen. These can be found at any dedicated aviator online casino, meaning there’s no need for lengthy downloads or installs. Most of the time, these platforms also provide players with generous welcome bonuses to get them started and a range of fast payment methods so you can play without delay. Each round takes between 10 to 30 seconds to complete, so gameplay is rapid.
2048
This classic tile-slider puzzle is perfect for those who enjoy mathematics or number games. In essence, players are presented with a 4×4 grid, and each tile contains a value (usually ranging between 2 to 4). You can move in four cardinal directions, and need to merge tiles so you end up with one huge tile that tallies up to 2084. Only tiles with the same values can merge, so you need to be really strategic in your approach. For larger versions of the game, it can take players days to complete the puzzle, but in its bite-sized form, it will take you a few minutes at most.
Hyper-Casual Runner/Tapper
You’re on the bus or train, and suddenly realize there is a delay in your commute. Of course, it’s impossible to tell how long this will last, so you wonder what you can do in the meantime. Subway Surfers, Temple Run 2, and Crossy Road are some great examples of hyper-casual runner and tapper games that can keep you entertained for a few minutes to a few hours. For all these game archetypes, the core mechanic is the same: you need quick reflexes as you tap to dodge and jump over obstacles as your character runs.
Quick-Draw Solitaire or Sudoku
Logic-based games are immensely fun, and can help you build some awesome pattern recognition skills in a few short sessions. Easy Go Solitaire is a compressed version of the classic card game, and prompts players to strategically build four core decks of cards (usually from Ace to King). Similarly, Sudoku presents a 9×9 grid wherein you need to use the process of elimination to make sure each row and column contains digits 1 through 9. On average, each game can take anywhere between 5 to 15 minutes (depending on difficulty), and is a great way to pass the time.
Bite-Sized Match-3
Candy Crush, Pet Rescue Saga, and Toon Blast are all great examples of match-3 games that offer you rapid-fire rounds. Just download the app on your smartphone, and you now have access to thousands of levels that range from easy to difficult. With these game types, players get a grid filled with colourful tiles that need to be swapped around to make rows or columns of three or more matches. Each round lasts for a few minutes, meaning you get endless fun in one app with no commitment if you are just trying to pass the time.
Casino-Adjacent Quick Spin
Delving back into casino-style games, quick spin slots, and scratch cards are another great way to pass the time. While most of the time, these will require you to bet with real money, there are options where you can play with free, in-game currency. There is an endless supply available online, and each of them requires you to just spin the lever and try to win some great prizes. Many are themed and will keep you entertained, especially if you’re searching for the simplest form of gaming you can find.
Simple Physics Puzzler
If drawing or manipulating objects to solve a puzzle is what gets you going, then options like Brain It On!, Cut the Rope, and Bump Bump Bump are perfect for you. Usually, the objective is to get something from Point A to Point B. With Cut the Rope, you need to guide candy into a monster’s mouth by snipping the rope at the right time. The catch is that you need to avoid obstacles. It’s not only a great way to learn more about complex physics concepts. It also requires a lot of attention and can be completed in a matter of minutes
Minimalist Merge Game
For the more creative players, games like Travel Town, Merge Designer-House Makeover, and EverMerge force you to think strategically while getting artsy. Players are presented with a set of objectives that revolve around building their world through merging. The only way to complete these objects is through smaller tasks where you need to merge things so you can unlock new areas. Each round will take only a few minutes.
Rapid-Fire Quiz or Trivia Apps
Looking for a cognitive workout? Then check out trivia apps like Jeopardy! World Tour, SpeedQuizzing, Charades, and other similar titles. Basically, you get asked a bunch of trivia questions at rapid speed, where you need to think quickly on your feet and provide an answer before the timer runs out. You pick the category you are most knowledgeable in, and the game does the rest. At times, it’s even fun to play with friends as some options let groups play together, and reward the fastest, most accurate answers.