Games That Are Less Than 3 Hours (And Are Bangers From Start To Finish)

Weekends are perfect for gaming! With more free time than during the work week, you can either lose yourself in one big game or revisit a bunch of old favorites. It’s a great way to relax and have fun.

If you’ve been meaning to try some classic games but haven’t had much time, here’s some good news! These titles can all be completed in under three hours. Despite their short length, they’re surprisingly impactful and might even change the way you think about games. You can finish them over a weekend or whenever you have a free moment, and they’re all fantastic.

Astro’s Playroom

The PS5’s Best Launch Game

Main Story: 3 hours
Main + Sides: 4 hours
Completionist: 5 hours

Astro’s Playroom served as a great introduction to the Astro Bot character. What made it special was that it was a short, incredibly creative game that came free with every PS5 when the console first launched. The game’s levels are really inventive, and it brilliantly showcases the features of the PS5’s DualSense controller – like feeling the textures when you roll a ball.

Even simple details, like standing in the rain, feel real – you can practically feel the raindrops on the little robot’s umbrella. The main game takes about three hours to finish, but the optional extras are definitely worth playing and will only add another hour or two to your total playtime.

Portal

This Was A Triumph

Main Story: 3 hours
Main + Sides: 5 hours
Completionist: 10.5 hours

Before the game Portal, puzzle games usually didn’t have much of a story, and when they did, it was pretty basic. Valve changed that with Portal, building a compelling world largely through GLaDOS, a robot who guides you through a series of tests. As you play, it becomes clear that GLaDOS has a serious problem with humans, and things start to feel increasingly strange.

The game’s puzzles, which involved traveling through portals, were incredibly clever. Each solved puzzle felt rewarding and built anticipation for a stunning conclusion. It’s a remarkable puzzle game that still captivates players now.

Untitled Goose Game

Honk Honk!

Main Story: 3 hours
Main + Sides: 4 hours
Completionist: 6 hours

While not fast-paced, Untitled Goose Game is a delightfully silly and sneaky game that’s sure to win you over. You play as a goose, completing tasks in each area to progress. This might involve simple things like stealing a key from a farmer to unlock a gate, or playfully chasing a shopkeeper out of their shop.

A recent update to Untitled Goose Game lets you play with a friend, adding a whole new level of fun to the game. Whether you’re playing solo or with someone else, causing mischief as the goose is wonderfully chaotic and delightfully disruptive.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Pizza Time

Main Story: 3 hours
Main + Sides: 4 hours
Completionist: 19.5 hours

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a loving tribute to the classic game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time, and can almost be considered a continuation of that story. Like the original, it’s a fast-paced action game where you fight waves of enemies, but it adds some new features like character progression and the ability to play with up to six players at once.

Playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge feels like revisiting a classic 90s game, much like how the world map in Super Mario World lets you jump back and replay levels with different characters. It’s easily one of the best TMNT games ever made, offering a strong dose of nostalgia.

Bright Memory: Infinite

A Crushing FPS

Main Story: 2 hours
Main + Sides: 2.5 hours
Completionist: 6 hours

Bright Memory: Infinite is a fast-paced, action-packed first-person shooter that you can finish in under three hours—a rarity for games of this type. The game takes place in a world where time is falling apart, and you’ll battle enemies across beautifully designed, China-inspired environments. Expect to fight a variety of foes, from heavily armored soldiers reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series to standard armed gunmen.

The game features a diverse arsenal of weapons, including both firearms and melee options like swords. Players can also unlock special abilities through upgrades. One particularly impressive power lets you grab enemies and defeat them with a powerful, visually striking move – think of it as a more brutal version of Darth Vader’s Force grip.

Star Fox 64

Do A Barrel Roll

Main Story: 2 hours
Main + Sides: 4 hours
Completionist: 10 hours

Star Fox 64 remains incredibly fun to play. While its brief length might have disappointed players back in the 90s who were eager for a longer experience, it’s actually a benefit today. You can try it out for free with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but if you have the option, playing it on the 3DS is the best way to enjoy the game.

Whether you’re new to the series or a long-time fan, Star Fox 64 is a thrilling, fast-paced space shooter with a fantastic soundtrack and memorable characters. While the graphics might seem a little dated now, they were groundbreaking in 1997, and the unique polygonal style still holds appeal. Many players consider it the best Star Fox game ever made, and it remains a popular favorite even today.

PaRappa The Rapper

Dropping Sick Beats

Main Story: 1.5 hours
Main + Sides: 2.5 hours
Completionist: 4 hours

PaRappa The Rapper is a very short game, which might have disappointed players when it first came out on the PlayStation. But it’s still enjoyable today! It was one of the first rhythm games on consoles, and it features PaRappa, an aspiring dog rapper who finds himself in funny and unusual scenarios – like learning karate from an onion or taking a driving test.

The game’s music is fantastic – players will likely enjoy listening to it even when they’re not playing. Plus, the game still looks great thanks to its timeless cartoon style.

Metal Slug 3

Giant Enemy Crabs!

Main Story: 1.5 hours
Main + Sides: 3 hours
Completionist: 4.5 hours

The main Metal Slug games typically debuted in arcades and were later brought to home consoles, either as part of collections like Metal Slug Anthology or as individual releases, such as on Steam. But Metal Slug 3 is a must-play – it’s famous for its over-the-top, wild action!

This game has everything – huge crab enemies, blood-spewing zombies, and even ostriches equipped with cannons! If you love fast-paced, action-packed games, you absolutely need to play this. And even if you’re not usually a fan of 2D shooters, you’ll still be impressed by the incredible pixel art, which still looks amazing.

2025-12-05 06:06