Video Game Review: Mini Motorways

Developer & Publisher: Dinosaur Polo Club

Genre: Strategy

Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch

Also Available On: PC, Mobile

In a surprise launch following the most recent Nintendo Indie World Showcase, Mini Motorways graces the Nintendo Switch. This strategy game in which players plan the roads and highways for some of the biggest cities in the world is the sequel to Mini Metro and was previously only available on mobile platforms. 

Anyone who has played Mini Metro before will feel right at home when picking up Mini Motorways. There are many differences in the way the game is played, but the core mechanics are still there. The beginning of most games start with a house and a business, and players will need to link those with roads. As more structures appear, the map will get bigger, leading to larger networks. Eventually the environment will get in the way, and players will need special structures like bridges or tunnels to keep everything as efficient as possible. The game goes on until a structure hasn’t had enough traffic for a certain amount of time. A score is recorded and players play again.

Mini Metro built the foundations here, so Mini Motorways isn’t as innovative as its predecessor. Still, the gameplay is crisp, and the new ways to solve puzzles feels as fun as ever. Drawing roads and deciding their shapes is always delightful. After every couple of in-game weeks, players will get to pick between two packages that typically consist of an amount of road spaces and features such as bridge, rotary, or overpass. Players will need to balance features and their supply of roads, since running out of roads will lead to congestion down the line.

Players can pick between the game’s various stages, which each represent a city with their own challenges. High score chasers will pursue perfection, and if that doesn’t offer enough replayability, there are also daily and weekly challenges. Despite how simple the game is, the core loop is so addicting that players don’t actually need much content to get their money’s worth. This is a nice experience that can be as relaxing or hectic as players want it to be. 

The Switch version is upgraded in a few ways, giving mobile players some incentive to double dip. Two new maps grace the Switch, as well as wealth of accessibility features to make the experience more enjoyable. There is also a new Night Lights update which gives the cars little headlights in night mode. It’s not a substantial amount of additions, but more content is always nice.

It’s incredibly simple, but Mini Motorways is a colorful, addicting experience that is perfect for fans of simulation and strategy puzzle games. The relaxing tunes, colors, and city planning will keep players coming back for more.