Windows Central Roundup: Top Windows Phone Endless Runner Games
Endless runner games can be an entertaining way to pass the time and the Windows Phone Store has plenty titles to choose from. The gaming concept is simple, run your character for as long as you can while ducking, dodging, jumping and diving under a wide sundry of obstacles.
While the concept sounds simple, there are hordes of variations available and for this week's roundup I'll share my top Windows Phone endless runner games. These are some of my "go-to" titles when I'm in the mood for a quick gaming fix or need a little help passing short bits of time. These titles can also carry the weight when the urge for longer gaming spells hits.
Please note that all the titles in this week's roundup are available for low-memory Windows Phones.
Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Despicable Me is a popular, animated motion picture that movie goers of all ages can enjoy. Part of the movies appeal comes from little yellow characters, Minions, which serve as comedic relief throughout the movie. This same appeal carries over to the Windows Phone game Despicable Me: Minion Rush.
This endless runner game has you playing the role of a Minion who has to navigate its way through the super-villain Gru's lab, his neighborhood and El Macho's lair. Multi-level play has you working to reach specific gaming objectives such as collecting a number of bananas (used as gaming currency), jumping over a number of obstacles, etc.
There are plenty of bonus items to collect to power-up your Minion and the game does a nice job of mixing up gaming perspectives. One minute you are controlling your Minion from an over-the-shoulder point of view, the next you have a side view on the action and the next you are watching your Minion speed down a slide.
Add boss fights, a wide assortment of costumes to unlock and Minion giggles throughout your runs and Despicable Me: Minion Rush is a fun game to pass the time with. You will also find periodic updates to give the game a holiday feel such as with Halloween and the current Christmas themes.
Subway Surfers
Subway Surfers is a fun, almost casual endless runner game. A very popular title on other platforms, it was nice to see the game land in the Windows Phone Store and eventually become available for low-memory Windows Phones as well.
The concept has you playing the role of a Subway Surfer who tries to stay one step ahead of the Train Inspector. You duck, dodge, jump and dive to avoid obstacles that include trains, train cars, tunnels, platforms, and barricades.
Subway Surfers has plenty of characters and gear to unlock, quality graphics and challenging game play. You also have routine updates to the game that changes the venue. We have seen Subway Surfers move to New Orleans, Bangkok, Paris, Hollywood and Brazil. Often the moves correspond with holidays such as the current Christmas theme that takes place in London. It is nice to see the developer keeping the game fresh with these updates.
At last check, Subway Surfers is pulling down a 4.5 Star rating in the Windows Phone Store with almost 35,000 reviews. I am a little surprised that the rating wasn't higher. If you are new to Windows Phone or simply haven't tried Subway Surfers, it's worth the 35MB download.
Spider-Man Unlimited
Growing up my comic book collection was mostly comprised of Spiderman, The Avengers and Sgt. Rock comics. Needless to say, it was nice to see Spiderman featured in a Windows Phone game.
Gameloft still has a few bugs to iron out with Spider-Man Unlimited (slow load times, game credits don't always renew on time, etc.) but for all the shortcomings, the game is really enjoyable. I think its strength lies with the variety of games, scenery and characters, all of which keeps the game fresh.
Spider-Man Unlimited is a collection of endless runner games that features just about every incarnation of the web slinger that has graced Marvel Comics over the years. You also have a nice collection of the many Spider Women who have graced the comics. All the games are endless runner in nature and include:
- Events: These are daily challenges of sorts that can last 24 hours or longer. You are tasked with certain objectives such as traveling certain distances that will earn you bonus items. Achieve top score amongst all the other gamers and a grand prize will be yours.
- Storyline: This multi-level game mode follows a storyline where you are battling against some of Spiderman's arch enemies.
- Free Play: The only goal with this mode is to see how high of a score you can achieve. Free Play does have daily prizes that are more valuable the higher you rank on the leaderboard.
- Spidey Ops: Spidey Ops are automated missions you can send some of your Spidermen on. It's an easy way to earn experience points for the characters you don't use regularly, plus you can earn some extra energy vials as well.
There are plenty of bonus items you can purchase with your energy vials or ISO-8 crystals that are earned during game play. You also have a slight social aspect to Spider-Man with Facebook integration and leaderboard competition amongst all the Spider-Man Unlimited players. There's a lot to Spider-Man Unlimited, which helps add to the games appeal.
Currently, Spider-Man Unlimited tops my go-to list of games and if you are a comic book fan, you'll want to give this gaming title a try. Hopefully, Gameloft will recognize the popularity Spider-Man Unlimited has and offer a similar game featuring Thor or maybe even the Avengers!
Honorable Mentions
While the above three games often find their way to my Windows Phone Start Screen, here are a few more endless runner titles that are also a part of my Windows Phone gaming library.
Dark Lands
Dark Lands is one of the many projects coming out of the AppCampus initiative and first crossed our paths during the early beta stages. Dark Lands is a wonderfully drawn-up title that combines RPG combat with an endless runner game.
Rail Rush
While technically an endless runner game, Rail Rush doesn't include any running. Instead you guide your characters down an assortment of mines and cave in a runaway mine car. The game includes seventeen different characters to unlock, nine different worlds to explore, plenty of power-ups to collect. If you are looking for a fast-paced endless runner game that will have you leaning in your seat with every turn, give Rail Rush a try.
Octagon
Octagon is one of the new kids on the block with regards to endless runner games and takes on the genre in unique fashion. You have to guide a ball down an 8-sided tunnel that has plenty of gaps to navigate around. Graphics are simple, yet colorful and gaming controls are equally as simple. Octagon is an enjoyable game for those looking for an endless runner game that is off the beaten path.
Rainbow Rapture
Rainbow Rapture is another non-traditional endless runner game that you play from a side view and your character is an angry cloud that needs to take out its frustration on society. You race your cloud up and down a hilly course, destroying vehicles and gobbling up people. You keep your cloud energized with the hang time you create jumping from hill to hill. As an added bonus, the game comes with some fun ringtones and wallpapers.
- Download Rainbow Rapture - Ad Free - for Windows Phone ($1.49)
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Please remember that these are titles that top my list of top endless runner games.There are plenty more to choose from in the Windows Phone Store such as Sonic Dash, Temple Run and Gravity Guy.
Now that I've shared my top endless runner games, it is your turn. If I've overlooked your favorite endless runner game, feel free to toss out your recommendation below in the comments.