SpecialEffect's accessible GameBase

The current 'Top 10' Switch accessible games on GameBase.info are...





1. Whacka-Monty-Mole

PC (opens in a separate window) - Smila and Stu
 

A really fun and very accessible version of the funfair game, in which you hit moles over the head with a mallet as they pop up from the nine holes. The game offers one switch, two switch, pointer controlled and pointer with automatic hammer mode play settings.

Difficulty can be selected, Scanning speed can be changed and screen size can be chosen from the fully scannable or pointer controlled menus. There are three modes of gameplay to chose from: Arcade, Endurance and Whacka Light for squeamish player, in which the moles are replaced by lights. Simple controls and simple gameplay make this an accessible easy to pick up and play entertaining activity for a wide range of players.

2. Strange Attractors 2

PC - Ominous Development

Strange attractors 2 is a 1 player game using two switches. The switches do require a certain amount of accurate control and the ability to hold and release them for varying amounts of time.

The game menu works with a scanning mode, you just need to wait for your selection choice to be highlighted and press a switch. In the game itself you use 2 switches, one to attract the balls and one to repel the balls. There are four levels of difficulty.

The aim, through the repelling and attracting method, is to direct the balls around the levels hitting the stars. Once the stars are collected you pass the ball through a gate to the next level. It sounds simple, but is a lot of challenging and fun. There is no time limit, but some of the later levels require good timing. The game is available to try for free from here.  

PC Windows and Mac - Scott McKay (freeware)

Switch Curling is an Olympic and Paralympic sport that involves lumps of granite, ice, a broom and a large target. And despite all that, it's actually a hugely enjoyable, tactical game.

This is undoubtedly most fun in two player mode, where it can be immensely satisfying to knock your opponents best shots out of play and out of contention. With a large range of adjustment for speed control, this is a mighty-fine one-switch sports game. More please, Scott!

Keyboard controls: Player 1 uses the SPACE BAR and optionally, Player 2 uses the RETURN key. Tap to select the force of the throw, then again to select the direction.

Playing this game well tends to require good pre-planning. However, hit it and hope tactics can work out just as well on occassion. The excellent speed adjustment options over the power bar and direction means that players only need tap their switch to play. English skills are helpful, but not necessary, to play this game.

Download link: OneSwitch.org.uk library or play on-line here.

Curling alternatives? Try New Age Curling from Help Kidz Learn.

PC - Fug Ugly Games

'The Pyramid' is an award winning (Retro Remakes 2006) game, packed with accessibility and customisation features.  Your objective is to take on the the barrage of enemies, gaining crystals which help you unlock doors and then navigate your way through 'The Pyramid.'

Using 'One Switch' mode you use a single switch, holding it down to gain alttitude for your ship and tapping it to face the opposite direction. There is an auto-fire feature which can be switched on when using any of the various input methods.

The cursor keys can also be used to move your ship around, with the space bar used for manual fire. You are also able to set your own key configuration, choosing whichever keys you wish to use to move direction and fire.
In addition a joystick or a mouse can be used can be used to control the gameplay. There are also four different levels of difficulty to choose from and three speed settings. After each controller set up you can select 'Test' to try it out quickly, allowing you to configure and choose the best controls for you in an 'easy to tweak' environment.

The game options also allow you to select a zoomed screen, with increments up to 300%. When using zoomed mode symbols around the edge of the screen to help signal where enemies are.

Download the game and all 120 levels for free here.

PC (opens in a separate window) - Namco

Namco have made an entirely switch accessible game. The menu can be scanned, by switching to ‘disability’ mode and the gameplay itself relies only on a single key/ switch.  The aim as a ‘Delta AC Recruit’ is to catch the stranded ‘Uchujin’ characters lost in space, using Dr Z’s invention, by forming triangles round them.

Timing is key, but fairly forging and you can retry shouts if you miss. You move your machine by releasing yourself from one planets orbit to another. A tutorial is available to learn when to release yourself. A trial is available here.

PC (opens in a separate window) - Webview Limited

Nanogames is a collection of 20 games, which offers extensive customisation options of both the gameplay and accessibility . This allows you to choose input methods such as pointer control, single scanning, step scanning and multiple key scanning.

PC Windows -  Super Sidearms (freeware)

Half PI D Golf is a unique one-switch one-player Golf game. You have nine holes to knock your ball into within five minutes, with the aim of winning 12 "celebrations" with skillful play.

The Celebrations tick-list include getting nine hole-in-ones and for whacking your ball all the way around a planet! Each achievement is highlighted in a pane on the right-side of the screen. The game has a really nice feel to it with basic but very clear graphics and sound effects. It's a good little game.

Keyboard controls: Hold the SPACE BAR to activate your power-bar which will rise and fall in power until you release it to hit the ball at that strength.

This game requires fairly accurate fore-thought and timing skills on some holes. Players will need to be able to hold their switch down for a short-period and release it with fairly fast timing due to the speed of the power-bar. It does help to be able to read on-screen English text, but is not essential.

Half PI D Golf is one of many one-button games entered into the Gamma IV competition.

Download link: OneSwitch.org.uk library.

Golfing alternatives? Try Mini-Golf 1 Button Style (PC) or Everybody's Golf (PS2)

PC (opens in a separate window) also available on iphone - Semi Secret