Let the cooking games begin
Board the bus or train and it’s impossible to miss the dozens of commuters gazing into their smartphone screens with the intensity of meditating monks.
It’s not Facebook or Twitter gluing these people to their screens – mobile phone games have become the perfect way to kill time, and their popularity is booming.
Candy Crush Saga may be topping the game charts with its lollybased gameplay, but it’s just one of many hits that revolve around yummy treats. And teenagers aren’t the only ones playing games these days. This was one of the restaurant-management simulators to hit smartphones, but it’s as addictive as ever. You’ll manage the entire eating experience, from cooking the meals to learning new recipes and dealing with ungrateful customers. Sadly, you can’t meddle with their meals, but it’s still good fun. Price: Free Platform: Android and iPhone.
first Budding restaurateurs have to deal with the stresses of managing a virtual restaurant – everything from keeping customers happy to ordering stock. You even choose the decor and fittings, all while ensuring the budget stays in the black. Perfect for proving you probably don’t have what it takes to launch your own restaurant. Price: Free Platform: Android. Ever get the urge to slice through hunks of juicy fruit with a razorsharp samurai sword? It’s OK to admit it. You can’t be alone, as Fruit Ninja celebrates the virtual slicing and dicing of organic material. There’s something strangely compelling about using your finger as a sword to chop through flying fruit, while ensuring you avoid the occasional bomb that’ll bring your game to a close. Price: Free Platform: Android and iPhone.
FreePlay Food Quiz
So, you think you know the difference between cabbage and kohlrabi? Put your foodie knowledge to the test with this ultimate food quiz. More than 1000 questions cover anything you can put in your mouth, and it’s surprisingly hard. Backed up with plenty of fact sheets, you’ll even learn a thing or two. Price: Free Platform: Android. For a game that’s all about slapping fast food together, Burger Shop sure is pretty with its eyecatching graphics. Ask any Maccas staffer what the job involves and they’ll tell you it’s all about time management, which is mirrored in this game. Your task is to put together complex burger orders while the clock is ticking, lest you lose your prized career as a burger-sculptor. Price: Free Platform: Android and iPhone.
Cooking Mama Seasons
All the joy of cooking without the mess – or tasty meal – at the end. Players must whip up recipes within a time limit, using the phone’s touchscreen to prepare ingredients. Whether it’s peeling potatoes or cutting up carrots, Cooking Mama Seasons somehow makes menial chores a fun way to waste time. Price: Free Platform: iPhone.
Candy Crush Saga
We’ve saved the best for last. Candy Crash Saga isn’t a mere game, it’s a phenomenon. This puzzle game seems simple enough; just match different lollies together to make them disappear, until you clear the entire board. For some reason it scratches the part of our brains that says ‘‘Just one more go’’, which is why it’s one of the most played games on the planet. Price: Free Platform: Android and iPhone.