Short games that can be beat on the FIRST run-through

[dogman91]

What would be nice to have IMO is a list of games that are easy enough to beat in a single play-through in 3 to 4 hours or less for those of us still wanting to enjoy gaming, but can't necessarily dedicate a week or more to a single game thanks to busy schedules with school, work, and all that. Obviously these games will tend to be pretty shallow (or not) compared to in-depth/longer games, but that's the way it goes.

Just to clarify this a bit, what DOESN'T count in this list are games that CAN be beat in 3-4 hours or less like the original Castlevania, but requires many more hours to master. So technically, they have to be easy by default unfortunately, unless there is some kind of odd exception.

So yep another list thread. Here are two console specific threads on this I found here on Racketboy.com for the original Xbox and PS2:
PS2: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=19847
oXbox: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=9835

Here's what I have based on my very limited experience with these type of games:
The Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout (NES): It's not as bad as the AVGN makes it out to be; I thought it was actually somewhat enjoyable. A somewhat choppy, easy platformer with a bazillion lives and health. Beat it within a few hours.

Haven't played it, but I heard "Lost in Blue" is an excellent interactive visual novel-esque game for the Nintendo DS that is around 3 hours long.

...and that's literally all I have, hence me starting this thread. Any suggestions?

[Nemoide]

Your suggested list is an odd one for me because I find playing a game for 3-4 hours straight to be TOO MUCH. Maybe Animaniacs or Garfield: Caught in the Act for Genesis?

Haven't played it, but I heard "Lost in Blue" is an excellent interactive visual novel-esque game for the Nintendo DS that is around 3 hours long.

I haven't touched my copy in years, but I remember sinking more time into it than 3 hours, although part of that was me stumbling as I learned how to properly get food/shelter. At a certain point, stealth elements pop up and that turned me off in a big way. I wouldn't describe any of it as being "visual novel-esque" though... unless my memory is totally wrong.

[isiolia]

Journey is 2-3 hours, and has very little that might be considered a challenge in order to get through to the credits.

Similarly, To the Moon comes in around the 4 hour mark, and is largely a matter of continuing to push forward than any need to "master" it.

Portal is in the 3-4 hour range.

Dear Esther is hard to call a game, but can be traversed in 1-2 hours.

In general though, I think there are a lot of games that are digestible on not a lot of game time. Many modern games could be beaten in a handful of those 3-4 hour playtimes set forth. So, you know, not one playtime, but a few weekends or something.
HowLongToBeat lists many rough playtimes.

[nightrnr]

hmm, a short game beaten on the VERY 1st run?...

I've only done that with one game: Valis for Sega Genesis.
I had a good time with it, but beat it twice, back-to-back in the same session. Might be TOO short and easy for what you want.

Otherwise, I'm sure there are plenty of other 8 or 16-bit platformers that would fit the bill.

[Hobie-wan]

Trax on the Gameboy. I beat it the very first play when I pulled it out of the bubble pack. It was still fun and will be revisited.

[Frerix]

The Stanley Parable comes to mind.
It takes just a few hours to beat it.


Other possible titles (although I haven't played them yet);

Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP
Flower
Bastion

[fastbilly1]

Anodyne - a Gameboy Zelda styled game for the PC and mobile OS's. My first run through of it was sub four hours - there is an achievement for under two.

Raptor Call of the Shadows - the vertical shooter with an upgrade path.

[Ack]

There are quite a few game show-based games that you can do this in, such as Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. Edutainment games like the Mario's Early Years trilogy can easily be gone through in under an hour. So can The Great Waldo Search, which I sat down and beat in 20 minutes while testing it when I got my copy.

Xardion also comes to mind. I beat that the first time through.

[Luke]

TMNT Fall of the Foot Clan (Gameboy)
Kirby's Adventure (Gameboy)
Aladdin (snes)
Starfox, easy path (snes)
Vectorman (Genesis)
Golden Axe (Genesis)

[Damm64]

There's gonna be a bunch of 8 and 16 bit era games listed.

Batman Returns almost beated on my first run but run out of continues (damn catwoman!). Can be beaten in about 2 hours (i think it was less).

Super Mario Land, can be beaten in a hour.

Star Fox 64, i think any path can be beaten in less of 4 hours.

Technically Contra can also be beaten in a hour, even without the konami code, just stick with the spread gun and you're ready.