Topic: Anti addicting games that are still fun

Hello!

I have been wanting games that are good for 10 minute or so play sessions, during breaks from work, etc., and that don't lend themselves to really long play sessions. Wondering if anyone has recommendations about games like this? I am looking for recommendations for me in particular, but still wondering if there are general recommendations here. I like games where you can do one or a few short runs and then kind of feel exhausted at the end. For me, the top contenders here are:

Cobalt Core
Tetris 99
Tetris Effect (online)
Wilmot's Warehouse
Bad North (maybe)

Anti-addicting games? Sounds like a misnomer. They're all addicting to some degree. If you enjoy playing any video game, you're always chasing the dopamine hit they give you.

My mind immediately goes to platformers, like Mario and Sonic and stuff. Pop in for 10 minutes to do a few courses, pop out for another time. You'll most likely not get all the collectibles the first time around, so there always remains a challenge in the near future.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition sounds like a great option for you. Most challenges take a few seconds to maybe a few minutes.

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer

If you want home arcade games then just say so.

Anyways, the games Hideki Kamiya has a history with are great for short bursts. Combat here and there, as his later games are always ranking you on a per fight basis, which roll into an overall rank. If you can turn your brain off once the fight dies off and get back to work on whatever you were doing. His games, besides Okami and Resident Evil 2, are good for that.

I tend to find 'play for short period' games some of the most addictive personally.

That said, Super Mario Maker 2 is a great 'play for 10 minutes' game — literally millions of levels you can play for a few minutes and then be done. I also agree with Tetris as well as Picross.

If by anti-addicting you mean welll defined end points, then here's my list

Does not need internet:
Mario Kart 8
Inertial Drift
Need for Speed
Cook Serve Delicious (1,2,3)
Islanders
Miitopia
Pretty much any deck builder (Slay the Spire is best)
Portal
Just Shapes and Beats
Mega Man the Power Battle
The Last Friend
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3

Needs Internet:
Splatoon 3 (Main Game or Side Order)
Fall Guys
Among Us
Pac-Man Chomp Champ
PvZ: Battle for Neighborville

I’m not really sure what you want. But you may wanna pick up Puyo Puyo Tetris based on what you play already. Without elaboration, I can’t give a better recommendation. Sorry.

Wait? You want a game that’s fun but not addicting? Is that even possible?

Adding to what @kkslider5552000 suggested, the DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Happy Home Paradise) would be another good pick. Every time I play it, I always run out of steam when I'm done with a character's vacation home, lol! I tend to overthink a lot, and I want their vacation homes to be as good as they can. So I pretty much do one home per session.

Similarly, I'm like that with turn-based strategy games like Fire Emblem and Shining Force. Just doing one battle per session since I also get burnt out on those games easily.

@Greatluigi Lol, it is indeed a weird category! I think picross is the closest I can think of.

@moonrepresentsmyhear if picross is what you’re looking for, I’d recommend the hatsune miku picross games.

It might be worth looking at some of the arcade archives games, I have moon patrol and bomb jack which they ported to the switch. Both are fun and fairly addictive games that can be played in short bursts.

Try Mini Metro for a quick, satisfying puzzle experience or Into the Breach for short, tactical strategy sessions. Both are perfect for brief breaks without encouraging long, addictive play

Go for gameplay density, a genre which ahas that is shmups. See things like; dodonpachi, ghost blade and gunvein.

Very difficult puzzle games which need to be played in shorter sessions;
Art of balance, baba is you, patricks parabox.

Or maybe simplistic minimal yet challenging games such as; moon lander, raindrop sprinters, kiai resonance to name a few.

I can expand on this list if you want.

Sociable Soccer. Loads fast, straight into games, and matches only 5 minutes long. Great to pick up and have a fast kick about, but also fine to spend longer playing a competition.

interesting category. I wholeheartedly recommend What The Golf? drop in, play a few holes. just the right amount of challenge without bogging you down. funny as heck and the most aptly named game ever. and it has a demo too, so you can check it out before you commit. I still consider it the best 8 bucks I ever spent

Part Time UFO. It's a perfect game for playing in short bursts, not only because of its quick levels but also because the music will drive you crazy if you play for longer

This is a misnomer by itself. What addicting isn't addicting to another. Clearly a misinformation thread is all this is.