microgames
Brief playable snippets
Microgames are very short video games designed to be completed in seconds rather than minutes or hours.
The term gained currency through Nintendo's WarioWare series, where players face rapid-fire sequences of simple challenges—press a button, dodge an obstacle, catch a falling object—each lasting only moments.
The format emphasizes quick reflexes and comedic absurdity over narrative depth.
Outside gaming, microgame sometimes describes any brief, self-contained activity or challenge: The interview included microgames to test problem-solving speed.
Rapid-fire microgame series
- quickplayImmediate game start
- secondsTime units, or extras
- snappyQuick and clever
- rapidMoving with haste
instant · fleeting · momentary · bite-sized · timed · countdown · split-second · ephemeral
Tilting lever for control
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- quartersAssigned living accommodations
- highscoreTop recorded result
- coin-opRequires inserted currency
tokens · retro · multiplayer · leaderboard · classic · pixel · 8-bit · continue
Capable of movement
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- swipeQuick sliding motion
- accessibleAble to be reached
family-friendly · party · simple · intuitive · colorful · whimsical · playful · fun
Challenge testing ingenuity
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- timingArt of choosing moments
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- tappingRepeated light striking
swiping · shaking · tilting · matching · dodging · catching · sorting · aiming
Gathered works assembled together
- anthologyCollected literary works volume
- varietyState of being diverse
- medleyVaried mixture or blend
- assortmentMixed collection of things
unlockable · progression · themed · rotation · randomized · batch · series · set
WarioWare
Rapid-fire microgame series
rapid · instant · fleeting · momentary · bite-sized · timed · countdown · split-second · ephemeral · miniature
joystick
Tilting lever for control
coin-op · tokens · retro · multiplayer · leaderboard · classic · pixel · 8-bit · continue · lives
mobile
Capable of movement
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- swipeQuick sliding motion
accessible · family-friendly · party · simple · intuitive · colorful · whimsical · playful · fun · lighthearted
puzzle
Challenge testing ingenuity
tapping · swiping · shaking · tilting · matching · dodging · catching · sorting · aiming · balancing
compilation
Gathered works assembled together
assortment · unlockable · progression · themed · rotation · randomized · batch · series · set · bundle
microgamesopen-world games
Games with unrestricted exploration
MMORPGs · sandbox games · Skyrim · World of Warcraft · Civilization