The top ten games to play if you just have an hour to spare

While there are many games in which you might lose hours of your life, this is not always the best way to enjoy your games. If you only have a limited amount of time to spend to gaming, diving into a major RPG with a large universe and extensive skill tree can be difficult. Instead, if you’re short on time, you’ll want a good game to play in small bursts or even finish in one sitting. Here are our recommendations for the finest games to play in an hour.

Best games to play for an hour — our top ten suggestions

Donut County

Donut County is one of the most laid-back and enjoyable games available. The concept is straightforward: you just control a hole in the ground and pull it around. The more items that fall into the hole, the larger it will gradually grow, allowing you to get even more in there. If you want to unwind after a long day, there aren’t many games we suggest more than Donut County.

Hitman 3

Hitman 3 is a game in which you must hunt down and eliminate targets while escaping without being discovered and murdered by the area’s security. This is sometimes easier said than done, but a single game of any level should take between 20 minutes and an hour. It all depends on how you handle each situation with your gear and whether you go in stealth mode. You can spend a lot of time researching these places and finding out how to take down Agent 47’s target while remaining undetected.

Kirby’s Dream Buffet

Kirby’s Buffet is a cute game that follows one of Nintendo’s many beloved round pink characters. This game is similar to Fall Guys in that you must avoid going down the edge of the map. You can also play with up to four friends while locking some cute dessert-themed objects and inhaling everything around you. This game can be intense if you want it to be, or it can be a fun way to pass the time while doing chores or other things.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a game that you can play for an hour and then put down for later. You may, of course, play the several Grand Prix tracks included in the original game or the Booster Pass, or you can accept the challenge online and compete against random players from around the world. You may also play some Battle Mode if you want a more head-to-head experience, but the races in this entry are considerably more varied and filled out.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Almost any Pokémon game can be picked up and played for a short period of time before being saved and set aside for the next day. The map is much more spacious and less linear with Scarlet and Violet. This can lead to you naturally exploring the area and creating a one-of-a-kind experience for yourself as you discover new critters. There is no obligation to follow any path here; simply travel where you want, when you want. You may even sprint around these places with pals in local or online multiplayer, which makes gathering Pokémon much more enjoyable.

Rocket League

Rocket League is one of the most popular competitive video games available. You’re basically playing soccer in rocket-powered automobiles. Matches are shorter than in real life, with regular lasting five minutes and overtime finishing whenever someone scores if the teams are tied. Rocket League is a dynamic game that provides a lot of adrenaline in short bursts and can be played alone or with friends.

Splatoon 3

Splatoon is a terrific way to get some fun and charming battle-action if you’re in a hurry. Matches in this game take about 3 minutes, and the goal is to get as much paint for your team as possible all over the turf map. So you load into the game with four other players, whether friends or strangers, and you battle it out with them, splattering them with paint from power-ups and other items. This game will keep you on your toes and entertain you for the short time you have to play it.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Speaking of games that are enjoyable both alone and with others, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate lives up to its name by offering the most full Smash experience to date. With dozens and dozens of gaming icons in the roster, you will appreciate the colorful stages and unique moves of each character. You can play single-player games or compete in online and offline competitions. These bouts are entertaining and can keep you occupied for an hour.

Tetris Effect

Any Tetris game may be included on this list, but we choose Tetris Effect since it is the most recent and visually stunning installment in the franchise. If you want to unwind after a long day, you can lose yourself in the simple music and scenes that pass by while you clear lines in this classic puzzler. You know what you’re getting into because it’s plain Tetris, but sometimes a familiar game is all you need to play in an hour.