Mini Motorways

Mini Motorways isn’t as revelatory as Mini Metro was, but it’s just as easy to get completely and utterly absorbed with. It’s a bit better for players on the go as building the roads can be a little fussy with the button controls, but I think however you play it you’ll have a really good time with its tense, challenging puzzle gameplay. As the game has been out for a few years now on other platforms, there’s already a plethora of content to enjoy in this Switch version, and if Mini Metro is any indicator there will likely be more on the way. A fantastic pick-up for puzzle fans or those who enjoy being stressed in a good way.

Though it lacks content and features, Mini Motorways has consumed much of my gaming time since I downloaded it more than a week ago. The simple gameplay, clean interface, and satisfying difficulty ramp led me to say, “Just one more run,” several times a session before ultimately calling it quits. Mini Metro hooked me when it first came to iOS years ago and has remained one of my favorite games to enjoy in short bursts, and I’m glad to add Mini Motorways to that same gaming rotation.

Mini Motorways is simple and extremely addictive. Experimentation with how best to use each element is fun and satisfying when something clicks. And when it doesn’t, you simply pick that piece back up and try something else. It has been quite a while since a puzzle game so immediately conveyed its appeal to me and while there are certainly some small things I’d improve, it won’t stop me from continuing to play this for a very long time.

Mini Motorways is the kind of deceptively simple puzzler that you'll somewhat dig at first but as you formulate new strategies and practice levels over and over again, you'll absolutely fall in love with what it has to offer, especially if you enjoy a good challenge.

Simple to learn, difficult to master, Mini Motorways is a game best enjoyed in short sessions, and with its minimalistic but effective audiovisual presentation and growing complexity, it's certain to appeal to players who enjoy games with a strong strategic component.

With its gentle ambient sounds and pastel colour palette, Mini Motorways presents an enjoyable and addictive city management challenge. It’s a particularly immersive treat when played in handheld mode, featuring a steady difficulty curve that lures you back for more.

Mini Motorways is a fun and oddly relaxing traffic management sim that’s ideally suited for short play sessions. What it lacks in options and modes, it makes up for with a gameplay hook that’s surprisingly easy to pick up and offers plenty of room for strategic thinking. Who knew traffic could be so calming?

Mini Motorways is a zen-puzzler that achieves everything it sets out to do, offering an engaging experience for any problem-solving gamer, and an alternative to the convoluted transport sim. While there are a couple of potholes, and at times you’ll wish for a slightly more scenic route, Dinosaur Polo Club’s second outing is a smooth ride that makes time fly by like a fast lane free of traffic.

This cracking little title will make you look at boring road building in a completely different way. The popular Apple Arcade indie hit has finally found a new home on Nintendo’s handheld device. And the two are a perfect fit if you’re looking for a game on-the-go that’s simple to play but will keep your hands busy for hours on end.

Mini Motorways is an excellent alternative for puzzle lovers. Its port to Nintendo Switch shines thanks to its portable soul, especially in the OLED model.

Obviously, if Mini Motorways is actually intended to be a subtle critique of how dystopian car-centred cities are, then it absolutely succeeds at that beyond any shadow of a doubt. More likely, though, Mini Motorways is simply an attempt to apply the Mini Metro formula to roads instead of subways. While it hits some of the same notes – and it would undoubtedly be much easier to embrace if it didn’t have such an insanely great predecessor to live up to – it’s simply not quite as good. That still means it’s better made than most other puzzle games, but if you’re hoping for the next Mini Metro, Mini Motorways isn’t quite it.

Good puzzle games make you see the pathways in your mind before they show up in the game. Mini Motorways does this, and does it well. At its heart, Mini Motorways is about failure. Or your attempt to push failure back as long as possible, just like my parents' marriage. Eventually your city will collapse under its own pressure. But if you need a half hour to kill Mini Motorways is a great choice.