Buzz
Work holds a unique meaning for everyone, yet for many, the workday includes moments of downtime. If you find yourself with idle time between meetings or waiting for a colleague’s response, consider grabbing your Switch for a quick gaming session. However, a narrative-heavy game might leave you frustrated if interrupted mid-cutscene. Instead, opt for a game that’s easy to jump into and play briefly, like one of these 12 titles.
This list draws inspiration from Redditor Certain-Ad-2118, whose job involves frequent phone calls with short intervals in between. They sought recommendations on r/NintendoSwitch for games to fill these brief gaps, and the community delivered. I’ve curated 12 standout suggestions for such scenarios, but feel free to share your favorites in the comments if they’re missing here.
While the Switch’s sleep mode allows you to pause any game during work, such as playing a few minutes of Breath of the Wild, it’s not ideal. This list focuses on games designed for quick sessions, whether through short rounds or rapid progress, making them perfect for work breaks.
Hades
Capnthermostat recommended the indie hit Hades, a roguelike dungeon crawler where you battle through waves of enemies in the underworld. Rooted in Greek mythology, you play as Zagreus, Hades’ son, encountering iconic characters and foes. Death is not a setback but a core mechanic, allowing you to retain progress and grow stronger with each attempt. This makes Hades perfect for short bursts of play—die, attend a meeting, and return to continue your ascent, now more powerful than before.
Slay the Spire
DarkRenamon suggested the “deck-building, roguelike dungeon crawler,” Slay the Spire. Packed with multiple genres, this game offers a unique blend of strategy and replayability. As noted by IGN, reaching the top takes roughly an hour, making it a low-commitment yet rewarding experience. Each defeat teaches you more about effective strategies, sharpening your skills rather than boosting your character’s power. With procedurally generated runs, every attempt demands fresh tactics, ensuring endless variety—and a highly addictive experience.
Dicey Dungeons
Knuc85 praised Dicey Dungeons for its suitability for short gaming sessions. The game’s battles are swift, making it ideal for squeezing in a quick round between work tasks like calls or emails. Dicey Dungeons revolves around dice mechanics, where your rolls determine your abilities in combat, adding a layer of chance and excitement to every encounter.
Into the Breach
Foobarturtle recommended Into the Breach, a turn-based strategy game perfect for short play sessions. While it demands focus due to diverse character abilities and terrain challenges, the gameplay revolves around outsmarting enemies and securing victories on dynamic battlefields.
Loop Hero
PecosBillIsBack suggested Loop Hero, an ideal choice for workplace gaming as it largely plays itself. The game starts with an empty map where your character automatically battles foes and collects rewards. These rewards help build the map, creating a loop of progression that’s engaging yet not overly demanding, ensuring work interruptions don’t disrupt your experience.
Civilization VI
Czpl highlighted the latest installment in the renowned Civilization series. Civ VI’s turn-based mechanics allow for quick, manageable sessions. Complete your turn in minutes, then return to work while opponents strategize. By the end of the day, you might just achieve global domination.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Few AAA games are as laid-back as Animal Crossing. The game syncs with your Switch’s clock, mirroring real-world time, so mornings and nights in-game align with your own. Many Reddit users recommended Animal Crossing, with OpenForPeople specifically highlighting fishing as an ideal activity for a quick two- to three-minute break.
Super Monkey Ball
Redditor Yummie00 proposed several games, but the standout was Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. This game is a nostalgic treat for fans of the series, yet its straightforward gameplay makes it perfect for anyone seeking a quick dose of fun (or occasional frustration).
In Super Monkey Ball, you navigate a monkey-filled ball through courses, collecting bananas and other items. The levels are short enough for a work break, though they quickly increase in difficulty. Just remember to stay calm before jumping into an important meeting.
Grindstone
Grindstone is a vibrant yet gruesome puzzle game, ideal for short gaming breaks between tasks. Familiarity with popular puzzlers will ease you into Redditor ninouri’s pick, but don’t be fooled—this isn’t Candy Crush. Here, you’ll slay monsters, utilize RPG-style upgrades, and even visit the inn for a health-restoring beer.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley, much like Animal Crossing, offers a relaxing escape. Whether you have hours or just a few minutes, you can farm, mine, fish, or build relationships at your own pace. Unlike Animal Crossing, Stardew’s days pass quickly, allowing you to complete daily tasks in a short time (though slightly longer than two to three minutes). With numerous small activities to enjoy, it’s perfect for quick breaks. Redditor TheLazyLounger is among those who recommended this gem.
Picross
For a straightforward puzzle game to fill spare moments, Picross is a top choice, as suggested by ShadowLitOwl. The game presents a grid with numbers along the axes, guiding you to fill in specific squares to solve the puzzle. With countless Picross titles available, you can opt for classic versions or themed ones like Pokémon Picross or Mario’s Super Picross for the SNES.
Baba Is You
Schmattywinkle’s pick, Baba Is You, reimagines the classic block-pushing puzzle genre with a unique twist. The game’s mechanics revolve around phrases that dictate the rules of the environment. For example, WALL IS STOP prevents you from passing through walls, while ROCK IS PUSH allows you to move rocks. The genius lies in your ability to rearrange these phrases, altering the rules. Remove STOP from WALL, and suddenly walls become passable. This creative approach leads to increasingly complex puzzles, which might just occupy your thoughts during your next work call.
