Hands on with Mini Game Pack 2 on mobile
The best game we haven't played all year
Not every mobile game needs to be an epic adventure. Jamming on a few keys while riding on the train to work or waiting for your date to arrive is sometimes all you need. And if so, Mini Game Pack 2 has got you covered. We got our hands on this deviously addictive assortment of mini-games that has a surprising amount of depth for what is ultimately intended as a casual title.
As the name suggests, this offers a collection of short-form games. The ten mini-games range from skill-based goal tending to rope swinging to passive dream weaving. Each is designed to be picked up and played at a moment's notice, most using just the center key for control. They're simple enough for anyone to get into, although substantially entertaining to warrant more than just a one-time play.
When you first start playing, only a few mini-games are available. Unlocking all ten requires amassing stars to purchase each game and if you're unable to collect enough stars on your own, the game allows star swapping with friends. Send a message to anyone on your friends list and you can request stars (similarly, you're free to give some of your own stars to help a chum out). Additionally, you can create groups to share high scores and stars, while leaderboards for each mini-game are supported.
Before jumping into the games, you select a character from a roster of about a dozen. An adorably fuzzy monkey served as our persona and proceeded to tackle the rope swinging mini-game. Timed taps of the center key enable you to latch onto the ceiling of a bottomless stage. Depending on when you press the key, the rope from which you're swinging lengthens or contracts. Stars hanging in mid-air can therefore be collected by varying the length of your swings. Obviously, if you mistime a swing, you'll fall and the game ends.
Another of the mini-games has you tending goal. A devilish kicker attempts to bypass your guard to sink one into the net, but you can block his shots using the directional pad. The longer you can hold out against his attack, the more stars you earn.
The most creative mini-game of the bunch doesn't even require you to play. Starting the dream mini-game puts your cute little avatar to sleep, while his dreamy counterpart fetches stars in a cloud above his head. Touching the phone is forbidden, though, since your buddy will wake up the moment you press a key or someone rings your phone.
Not interacting with your mobile is more challenging than you could imagine. It runs contrary to the social, constantly connected dynamic of the platform and, as such, the mini-game is surprisingly fun. Imagine setting up your phone to run the mini-game while you sleep or work. As you go about your night's rest or whatever it may be, you're collecting stars – you're inactively playing game.
Mobile gaming could use more of this breed of innovative design that toys with the unique qualities of playing on a phone. Its incredibly simple yet entertaining gameplay ought to make Mini Game Pack 2 an appealing package. We're certainly eager to (not) play the intriguing dream game.
Mini Game Pack 2 is scheduled for early 2008 outside of Korea.
