Those who were around in the early 2000s will certainly remember the name Neopets.
This small, browser-based website was advertised everywhere, ran countless collaborations with multiple brands, and quickly became a game that many of us in school at the time were no strangers to sneaking onto during computer lab sessions. It was a phenomenon, to say the least, and even those who had no interest in these strange virtual pets would have at least heard of it at some point.
Although Neopets started as a crudely designed service with some questionable character designs, it continued to improve over the years and eventually added a wide variety of features and mini games. It was these games that kept many returning to the site, with the constant need to take care of a virtual pet serving as the primary incentive to keep playing. Although it wasn't always polished, it became addictive, and it seemed like the service would continue to grow. It was a highlight of the online world and players were hooked—but then things changed.
As the internet evolved and social media began running rampant, Neopets' popularity began to wane alongside other popular games and services of the era. Unable to keep up with the times, Neopets faded into obscurity and many inactive accounts were deleted—I apparently lost mine in 2010. While for many this seemed like the end of the brand, something unexpected happened in 2023: the service went under new independent leadership and a revival plan was put into place.
Since 2023, Neopets has been rebuilding what it once lost while also branching out in completely new ways. From a revamped website to a mobile app and new collaborations, Neopets is seeing a resurgence with both nostalgic longtime fans and newcomers alike jumping back in.
While the main Neopets website is the center of the series' return, the developers are hard at work on other projects as well, with Neopets - Mega Mini Games Collection – The Neopian Arcade Odyssey being another piece of the revival. As someone who secretly spent their high school years playing Neopets off and on, I was interested in the game, to say the least, but I also wasn't fully sure what to expect. Many of the classic games were designed for PC, so how would they translate to consoles?
I was given the opportunity to play the game ahead of release, and after spending countless hours with it, I can safely say it met all of my expectations—for better or worse. Thankfully, the controls worked perfectly fine, but the nature of the game itself is something that simply will not be for everyone. Fans of Neopets will already know what they are getting with this package, but those not already invested in the series may have little reason to even consider it. This is a game designed fully with old fans and current players in mind. While it isn't required, a Neopets account is recommended to get the most out of the experience, as the main reason for playing these mini games hasn't changed: credits are unlocked each time you submit a high score, subject to a daily limit, of course.
That being said, is this package worth picking up? Or are you better off sticking to the free website and mobile app?
Revisiting Classic Neopets Games:
As the game's title implies, Neopets: Mega Mini Games Collection – The Neopian Arcade Odyssey (yes, it is a mouthful) is a collection of 25 classic games, with the addition of a new Starlight Symphony game and a secret 27th title to unlock. All of these games have been remastered with new artwork, backgrounds, and sprites, yet they retain the original gameplay found on the website. While some titles support local two-player co-op, the vast majority are single-player experiences. The controls have been adapted for standard console controllers, though this can make mouse-based mini games feel a bit more difficult than they used to be—simply because the analog sticks are not as fast or responsive. This isn't a dealbreaker, however, as the games are generally easy enough; players will simply need to adapt to the new layout to reach their old high scores.
While the game plays well and the remastered versions look better—though they still retain that classic early 2000s Flash game aesthetic—the library itself is still very hit-or-miss. Of course, the 25 returning games are considered fan favorites, but that doesn't mean every player will enjoy all of them. Some are much more developed than others, with only a handful being engaging enough for players to return to for the sake of fun. The others serve primarily as activities to gain currency for Neopets.com, as their simplistic nature makes them perfect for farming easy credits. Although you can only submit your scores three times per day for rewards, playing all 27 games daily is a great way to boost your account, which is truthfully the main draw of this collection. So, while some games may be boring, generic, or even infuriating, there is still a reason to revisit them time and time again—just perhaps not for the gameplay itself.
When it comes to actually playing the mini games, there are two options available, though they are not both available by default. Initially, you must make your way through the Story Mode and achieve specified scores on each game to advance. A free-play Arcade Mode is eventually unlocked upon completion. The story itself isn't groundbreaking, but it features iconic characters and forces you to try every game at least once. In this mode, you can replay games as much as you want, but only within the specific "location" you currently have access to. Most areas feature three to four games; once you complete them, you move to the next set. At that point, the previous games remain inaccessible until the Arcade is unlocked later. Finishing the Story Mode simply returns you to the beginning, so outside of that initial unlock, the mode serves little purpose.
After unlocking the Arcade, the collection works exactly as one might expect. You have a full list of games to play to your heart's content and, as mentioned previously, you can submit your scores to earn rewards. This is where the true value of the game lies, but the roughly one hour Story Mode is a roadblock that must be overcome first.
Included Games:
Of course simply discussing what the collection is doesn't do it justice. What truly matters with this Mega Mini Games Collection is in fact which games are included. This, mixed with the fact that you can earn Neopets.com rewards (can't stress this enough), is the reason for even playing the title to begin with. If it doesn't include anything that sounds interesting, then there isn't much of a point to play.
Jumpin' Gem Heist
The first game in the collection is Jumpin' Gem Heist. This mini game has you throwing rocks at mine carts passing by overhead, and attempting to collect the gems that fall out. Along the way you must avoid falling rocks, and try to pick up clocks to extend your time. It is a simple mini game, where timing and positioning is key to obtaining chain combos.
Snowball Fight
Snowball Fight is, as the name implies, a snowball fight. By holding the throw button you can take aim at targets in the distance, with smaller targets rewarding you with more points and additional snow. Hit the wrong target however and snow will be taken away, leading to an early game over. As throwing is controlled by how long you hold the action button down, aiming is a matter of both timing and foresight as you need to predict the enemy's movements in addition to timing the distance of your throw.
Faerie Bubbles
Faerie Bubbles is, to put it simply, a clone of Puzzle Bobble and Bust-A-Move. You have different colored bubbles at the top of the screen, and you aim a launcher to shoot matching colors to clear them. Like with other mini games the goal is to reach as high of a score as possible, but due to its puzzle game nature, this is one of the handful of games that players can spend countless hours on alone. While it isn't as developed as the "real" Puzzle Bobble, that doesn't make it any less fun.
Spinacles
Spinacles is similar to Faerie Bubbles, but with a spinning center piece that other colored pieces become attached to. Rather than being at the bottom of the screen, the launcher is at the top, and the idea is to clear out all of the colors in the center as quickly as possible. This can be accomplished by not just matching the same colors, but by taking out the connecting supports as well, causing all attached colors to fall off together, regardless of color.
Moon Rock Rampage
Moon Rock Rampage is a top-down puzzle game with light combat elements. The idea here is to shoot enemies to turn them into blocks, and to then push the blocks into lava to form paths. You must collect all of the items within a stage to progress, and pushing the blocks into a wrong location can trap you and cause you to fail.
Destruct-O-Match
Destruct-O-Match is a Neopets version of the classic computer game Collapse! where blocks fill the screen, and you must click a group of matching colors to remove them. The idea is to remove blocks in a way that causes more blocks to match up, allowing for larger chain combos when you remove them.
Usuki Frenzy
Usuki Frenzy is a match game where players need to navigate multiple rooms of a house, and locate the required items. Picking up the wrong item will make it so you cannot carry anything else, so you'll need to go drop it off at one of the many shelves located across the building. This game is all about speed, and how quickly you can recognize which items you need or don't need.
Nova Defender
Nova Defender is a classic styled twin stick space shooter where your goal is to destroy as many enemies as possible, and pick up the items they drop. Between rounds currency can be spent on upgrades, giving you more of an advantage as the game progresses. Of course the difficulty increases as well with each wave, so players should choose their upgrades wisely.
Hasee Bounce
Hasee Bounce is an item collecting game with a teeter totter to mix things up. Players jump from up high while attempting to pick up items as they fall, and upon landing the second character is launched into the air on the other side. You simply repeat this process over and over again as you try to score as many points as possible, and spell out the word Hasee.
Kass Basher
Kass Basher is a game that will be familiar to fans of flash games, and even titles such as Super Smash Bros. The object here is to use a bat to hit a plushie and send it flying as far as possible. Not only do players need to time their hit, but also pay attention to the wind if they'd like to achieve a high score.
Spellseeker
Spellseeker is a puzzle game that can be played with either symbols or numbers. The idea here is to chain the symbols (or numbers) in order, to clear the board and score as many points as possible.
Gadgadsgame
Gadgadsgame is a classic styled stacking puzzle game where fruits fall from the top of the screen, and need to be lined up with matching fruit to clear them out. Combining multiple fruit of the same type will initially transform them into a larger one before clearing them, and it is also possible to smartly place fruit to transform the types that have already been placed. Again, similar to other puzzle games in this collection, this is a mini game that is easy to return to time and time again, but takes some practice due to its unique rules and transforming fruit.
Turmac Roll
Turmac Roll is a platforming style game where the character rolls forward, and characters need to time jumps to collect items and increase their score. Sometimes it is better to miss a jump to achieve additional points, but you are only given a split second to make such decisions since you are always moving forward.
Meerca Chase
Meerca Chase is a Neopets version of the classic game Snake. Players navigate a maze while picking up points to increase their own size, but they also need to avoid objects to avoid an early game over. It is a familiar setup for anyone who owned a cell phone in the late 90s and early 2000s, or those who spent a lot of time on flash game websites.
Jubble Bubble
Jubble Bubble is a game all about using bubbles to protect JubJubs as they sink to the ocean floor. Line up below them, release a bubble to catch them, and that's about it. A pretty simple game overall, but there are hazards that need to be avoided.
Ultimate Bullseye
Ultimate Bullseye is another game that is very similar to the dozens of flash games that flooded the internet in the early 2000s. Pull a bow back while adjusting the strength and angle, and release the arrow to hit the targets. Harder difficulties have moving targets, but they can be stationary as well.
Meepit Juice Break
Meepit Juice Break is a pipe mini game where fruit comes out of one end of the screen, and it needs to be directed to the Meepits awaiting on the right side. Rotate the pipes to create a path, and use tees to mix fruit colors together to achieve the requested type.
Kou-Jong
Kou-Jong is one of the more developed mini games in the collection, and is Neopet's version of Mahjong. Match the tiles on top of the stack to clear them out, and gain access to the lower level ones to continue. Clear all of the tiles to win, but keep in mind choosing the wrong ones to remove can cause you to fail.
Extreme Herder
Extreme Herder is a simple game where one must get all of the Petpets into their pen in the center before a wolf like creature gets them. Run into them to pick them up, then run into the pen to drop them off. Portals on the outside of the map let you quickly access the opposite side, and speed boost items increase your running speed.
Dubloon Disaster
Another simple title, Dubloon Disaster sees players using a rowboat to navigate the water and pick up as many dubloons as possible as hazards constantly spawn in.
Bouncy Supreme
Bouncy Supreme is one of the more difficult games in the collection. It is a platforming challenge game where you must adjust your angle and power to hop across rocks, and pick up point along the way. The first few screens let you see a physical dotted line of where your jump will land, but all following screens will have you completely blind. All you have to go off of is the number readouts that help you judge your jumps, which can give you an idea of where you might land. After some practice judging the distances and required angles isn't too big of a deal, but this isn't a mini game everyone can just pick up right from the start.
Snowmuncher
Snowmuncher is a puzzle game where you control Polarchuck and eat blocks of colored snow. Eating snow will take away some of the player character's health, but blocks of the same color will be eaten together if they are touching. By taking out groups at a time, the goal is to reach the bottom of the stage and score as many points as possible along the way.
Sutek's Tomb
Sutek's Tomb is a Neopets version of the classic game Bejeweled (which games such as Candy Crush Saga were also inspired by). Match three or more shapes by flipping two tiles, and watch the points roll in as you achieve chain combos. Bejeweled has always been addicting, and Sutek's Tomb isn't any different.
Starlight Symphony (New)
The new game for the collection, Starlight Symphony is a basic rhythm game where notes float in from the right side of the screen, and players must tap the button as it passes the line on the left. There are a few songs that play in the same order each time, and tapping with perfect timing will reward more points. Additionally hitting notes in a row will create chain combos, meaning there is a maximum score that can be obtained by landing every single note perfectly. It feels a lot like other popular music mini games (karaoke in Yakuza), but it doesn't have as much replay value compared to them—though the songs are catchy and continue to live rent free in my head.
Ice Cream Machine
Ice Cream Machine is a game made with a mouse in mind, but it still works quite well with a controller. Drag your character around while avoiding scoops of ice cream, and last as long as possible without getting hit.
Pyramids
Pyramids is in fact Pyramid Solitaire. Cards are placed in a pyramid shape, with a deck of cards and a single drawn card located at the top right. The idea is to clear the pyramid by placing cards that are either one higher or one lower than the drawn card at the top. So if a "4" is drawn and the bottom of the pyramid has a "3," that 3 can be moved to the top to replace the 4. If a 3 or a 5 doesn't exist on your pyramid however, one must draw yet another card to hopefully get something they can match. Go through your entire deck of cards however and it is game over, with the final score being based on how many cards were cleared in the process.
This is everything included in the Mega Mini Games Collection, minus the secret game, and fans of Neopets will already know exactly what to expect out of them. As for newcomers, one should ask themselves if any of the above games sound fun, and also consider opening an actual Neopets account if you have yet to do so. While the collection can be fun to play on its own, you are missing out on its true use as a companion title by not being a member.
Should you play it?
Neopets: Mega Mini Games Collection – The Neopian Arcade Odyssey is a difficult title to recommend. While it features a handful of addictive mini games, the appeal is inconsistent, and many of these titles exist in more "complete" versions elsewhere. However, the 2000s-infused aesthetic carries a certain charm that is bound to trigger nostalgia. This collection is likely a must-have for active Neopets members looking to farm daily rewards, but it offers very little for anyone else besides fans.
VERDICT: Maybe
Reviewed on PlayStation 5
Review Copy was Provided
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