Mobile games are a popular pastime for both kids and adults, as they give users a quick way to have fun, challenge their mind, or escape from the stresses of the day. Many people have a variety of games downloaded, but is that the case everywhere? In such a high stress environment, do Northwestern students still have games on their phone? McCormick second year Shaylee Fabio has many different games she likes to play in her free time.
[SHAYLEE FABIO] I have Minecraft, Roblox, Wordscapes, Heyday — I love Heyday. Happy Color, which is like a coloring game. And then Animal Restaurant, which is just like a restaurant simulator game.
For those unfamiliar, Animal Restaurant is a management simulation game that stays true to its name and features different animals working in and developing a restaurant. These cute cartoon games are perfect for when Fabio wants to relax.
[SHAYLEE FABIO] When I’m winding down for bed, I like to watch YouTube videos, like long form YouTube videos on random stuff. And then I’ll play a game on my phone, or like when I’m watching movies I like to play a game.
Relaxing, or “cozy games,” have grown in popularity since 2020, with games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley leading the genre. Communications sophomore Sar Thwaites finds a balance between calming and challenging when it comes to her games.
[ SAR THWAITES] I have New York Times games. I play that every day. Block Blast. It’s like an off-brand Tetris game. And then I have, um, Starbrew Cafe, which is just like a cute little cozy merging game.
Thwaites isn’t alone in her enthusiasm. The New York Times games, such as Wordle, Connections, and The Mini, became well-known in 2022 and have become a favorite of many students. Thwaites now sees them as part of her daily routine.
[ SAR THWAITES] I like got into the whole New York Times games trend back when it started, so it was just like a habit. It’s not even like a game to me anymore.
For Communications student Jordana Lenihan, mobile games were most important in her childhood.
[ JORDANA LENIHAN] I was definitely a Subway Surfer kind of girl. I really like Subway Surfer. I also have Roblox, that’s what I did when I was younger.
But now, Lenihan has offloaded most of the games on her phone.
[ JORDANA LENIHAN] When I watch TV or something, I like to have another thing going on, but I undownloaded them ’cause I would, like instead of doing homework, I’d just be playing them.
First year Josiah Ijaola takes a different approach to playing games on his phone.
[ JOSIAH IJAOLA] I use my phone as like an emulator for the most part. I usually emulate SNES games, Genesis games, PS1, PS2, and Dreamcast games.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or SNES, games can’t typically be played on a mobile device. Emulation opens up a new world of mobile-gaming by allowing the games of the past to be played on the devices of today
[ JOSIAH IJAOLA] So you basically, you download a software that allows your phone to act like a different console. It’s a different one for different emulators. Like there’s like Citra for 3Ds. There’s like Vita3K for PS Vita. There’s RetroArch for PS1, and then there’s like SNES Ninex for SNES games.
So whether it’s childhood favorites, the hottest new trends, or innovations in gaming, by and large Northwestern students do have games on their phone. For WNUR, I’m Olivia Payne.
