15

I'm trying to figure out what the genre of games is called in which the only (or primary) control is to hold a single down a button to move the vehicle/character up and when letting go of the button, you float or move down. You generally try to avoid obstacles by moving above or below them.

Examples of this genre would be The Helicopter Game, or Jetpack Joyride. There are no doubt many others that you may have run across over time as well. I just didn't know if there was a genre name for them. I've seen things like 'cave flyer' or 'dodging', didn't know if there was anything better or official to classify them.

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    I'm not sure there is one, but this is a super question.
    – Merus
    Dec 2, 2011 at 13:08

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
15

They are usually called "endless survival games" and are in the same vein as Canabalt or Robot Unicorn Attack.

Improve this answer
22

Another term for games like these are "infinite runners".

Improve this answer
5

I've heard "auto-runner" on some gaming podcasts, because your character constantly/automatically runs. It doesn't seem to be very widespread though--Googling it mainly turns up task scheduling programs.

Improve this answer
0
2

Sometimes they are just called "One Button Games". Kongregate has an entire section devoted to them here. I guess it depends how specific you want to limit the genre to.

Improve this answer
1

According to the developer Jetpack Joyride is in the genre Joyride 'Em Up.

I guess if it's their game they get to decide.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    Appreciate the answer, but I'm looking for something that encompasses the entire group of games, not just Jetpack Joyride. Only using it as an example because that's the one I played most recently.
    – Doozer Blake
    Sep 2, 2011 at 15:43
  • 3
    They get to decide on the marketing for their game, but I don't think they get to decide the name of an existing genre.
    – Kip
    Feb 4, 2012 at 15:53
  • 3
    Fruit Ninja is "Slash 'em up", and Monster Dash is "Run and Jump 'em up" -- I'm not sure I'd take them too seriously.
    – Nicole
    Aug 12, 2012 at 7:50

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .