There is nothing worse than having to wait around for something, whether it is a bus or an appointment – and there is a huge range of games that have been developed to help you out when you are in this situation.
Hyper casual games are defined as games that have simple gameplay mechanics, often including few features and rules that are easy to understand. These games are usually free to download, and include ads (when played on mobile, which is where they are popular), and you don’t need to know a lot about gaming to play them.
The first game that used this idea was Flappy Bird, a ridiculously simple concept of a side scroller game where you just needed to press the screen to make the bird flap and avoid obstacles. First released in 2013, this was a truly global phenomenon that saw 50 million downloads by January 2014, and really paved the way for those games that were based on super simple ideas backed with addictive gameplay.
Back to the hyper casual games – and what to look for when you are downloading new apps. The best games to play when you have ten minutes to spare are simply designed which makes them easy to produce; you’ll recognise them because they have multiple levels and huge replayability value. Playing these games will help alleviate stress, give you a feeling of accomplishment, and help you pass the time, too.
Top Games to Download
Helix Jump
Released back in 2018, this is a game all about simplicity. All you need to do is guide a bouncing ball through a moving helix tower, moving around and through gaps and platforms.
In terms of design, it focuses on simple colours and animations, without too much focus on background – but the increasing difficulty of the levels make it perfect for some time wasting, as you will no doubt want to keep going to beat each level.
Developed by h8games, you can download Helix Jump on iOS and Android, as well as Microsoft Windows.
Crossy Road
One of the oldest games on this list, Crossy Road was first released in 2014 and has been described as an endless runner version of the old-school game Frogger. Whether that was the aim when the designers created it remains to be seen.
In the game, you control a character (initially a chicken), and you need to move through static and moving objects, either on a road, a river, or on train tracks. Simple, addictive, and sometimes frustrating, this game has multiple levels, characters, and add-ons, not to mention the spin offs (the Disney Crossy Road is a firm favourite).
For a casual game of this nature, having 50 million downloads and making $10 million in revenue within three months shows just how good it is.
Jackpot Party
Released in December of 2012, Jackpot Party has remained a top game with over 30 million downloads. It can be played at anytime and anywhere so is perfect for your spare 10 minutes if you enjoy Slot games.
There are loads of different categories to choose from, from Egyptians to Irish themed games. Jackpot Party Slots Casino allows you to join a thriving community that is free to join and includes high-end graphics and even better storylines and narratives to play. It is no wonder that this Site has made over $1 billion in revenue even with it being a game that does not include real money gambling.
Royal Match
If you have played any mobile games in the last couple of years, you will have seen ads for Royal Match, the completely free, ad-free game that everyone seems to be talking about.
This game combines a super-simple game (match three tiles) with an overarching story, like Gardenscapes, where you need to solve puzzles to save King Robert and help him rebuild his crumbling castle.
Developed and published by Dream Games, Royal Match came out in 2020 and seems to have a strong following – along with some solid celebrity endorsements from the likes of the judges on AGT as well as others.
IT’s super simple, doesn’t need to access the internet, and is bright and colourful – what isn’t to love?
Rise Up
This game gets on the list for pure relaxation – the main character on the screen is a balloon floating through the sky, and you need to protect it from random sharp and heavy objects to help it Rise Up.
You will need fast reflexes to keep your balloon safe from the odd number of sharp things there are, but the imagery is blissful and you don’t need to do much to play.
Fun Race 3D
There are many games that use similar mechanics to this – two blobby looking humanoid creatures on an endless track full of obstacles. In this version of Fun Race 3D, you are racing against an opponent using parkour skills to jump over and duck under obstacles, avoiding traps.
It is simple and you’ll need to make quick decisions, but there is no learning curve to get started and if you like this sort of animation, it’s pretty perfect.
Finding the perfect game to occupy your free minutes is a great way to keep your brain active and engaged. There are loads of new games coming out every month, another example would be Monopoly Go! If you like continuous friendly competition.
