Mini Words Collection Review – Nintendo Switch

Mini Words Collection for Switch is not a game. Despite what the product description says, Mini Words Collection should only ever be seen as a language tool as it lacks any sort joy or fun that one would typically associate with the word ‘game’. Mini Words Collection functions better as a tool to learn another language or for infants learning their first language.

Game Information
Release Date: 24^th March 2022
Developer: Mens Sana Interactive
Publisher: QUByte Interactive
Availability: Nintendo Switch

The collection comprises three versions of the simple Mini Words exercises. The fundamentals of each version being almost identical with each stage offering a different word or words to spell out using the on-screen tiles.

Gameplay is basic and each puzzle is solved by highlighting the first letter of each word in the solution with the A button, using the left stick to navigate to the next letter in the word and tapping the R button to confirm. The A button must be held down throughout the puzzle attempt or else the letter tiles will flash red and a restart is required. I found this input method needlessly fiddly and it could be too fussy for youngsters to use effectively.

Bafflingly, the touchscreen on the Nintendo Switch is not used at all in Mini Words Collection. It’s a huge missed opportunity as the puzzles are a natural fit for touchscreen integration in handheld mode.

While functional in the majority of instances, using the left stick to select my next letter would occasionally result in an inaccurate manoeuvre that there is no way to correct on the fly.

The differences between each of the versions in the collection boils down to the clues that players are given to solve each puzzle. Mini Words is the most straightforward experience on offer, with the clues to each puzzle solution being a description of the type of word such as a noun, a verb or an adjective.

Pathfinders, the second experience in the collection, swaps word descriptors for cute cartoon images that aren’t entirely without charm but are no better than ClipArt elements in most cases. Lastly, Mini Words: Polyglot uses words from 6 other languages to help you find your solution.

Mini Words Collection demonstrates the most rudimentary design throughout with user interfaces restricted to plain text, dull backgrounds and minimal sound or music. Pathfinders does mix things up a bit by introducing a cartoon robot to proceedings as a way to appeal to younger audiences. The problem is that there are any number of free language apps available elsewhere that offer much better design and user interfaces.

Potentially the biggest selling point for Mini Words Collection is the number of words available with over 700 word puzzles to work though in Mini Words alone. Completing each and every stage will take a few hours however the complexity of each puzzle never leaves you feeling stumped for long. For fans of puzzle games on Switch, it is hard to recommend something like Mini Word Collection over much better brainteasers like The Last Cube or Baba Is You.

Review Disclaimer: This review was carried out using a copy of the game provided by the publisher. For more information, please read our Review Policy.

Primary version tested: Nintendo Switch