Game review: Triple the chaos, triple the fun

At home or on the go, here are the video games we’re playing right now

Now Playing

Revved up, turbocharged craziness: Mario Kart World — (Nintendo Switch 2)

In an era where most racing games rely on hyper-realistic graphics and physics to draw players in, Mario Kart World delivers a completely different kind of adrenaline rush—one that thrives on the exact opposite approach. The result is a game overflowing with personality, serving up pure racing pandemonium while staying true to the heart of every great Nintendo title—the distinctive fun factor. Building on its predecessor, the game surprisingly feels like a fresh breeze, putting out new gimmicks while retaining the classic Mario Kart charm, favoring simple, enjoyable gameplay over technical complexity. 

The second you hit start, the game’s solid controls snap to life—drifts feel buttery, item tossing is innate, and the series’ trademark delightful disorder is in full swing. There’s a looseness in Mario Kart World that never feels sloppy—just liberating. Do whatever you want while you unleash your inner chaos… just with a rulebook. That’s exactly where Mario Kart World magic lies.

Similar to your favorite mall’s Christmas decor, the Mario Kart World race environment is a visual buffet. With 30 main racetracks—each with superb art design—the game is constantly throwing new colors, locations, and wonders at your eyeballs. Check out the lush, hand-painted landscape of Moo Moo Meadows and the Airship Fortress’ familiar brick patterns; every race feels like a playable art piece—in high definition. The tracks can change when it’s raining or snowing, weather elements that can affect your driving experience.    

The massive lineup of characters is also a major draw. Hit the track with 32 starters—Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and more—and have a blast unlocking 50 more. Pair them with the game’s 40 vehicles, spread across karts, bikes, and ATVs, and it’s an experimentation playground. The new Free Roam mode offers seamless driving, while the new racing mechanics Charge Jump and Wall Riding add more variety. 

Ultimately, Mario Kart World sparkles when shared. Highly recommended to play it with friends and family, where every boost, tumble, and banana slip-up turns into a conversation you’ll laugh about for days. Playing alone has its charm, yet multiplayer is where the magic of Mario Kart World truly spreads. 

Sorry for the slightly belated review (the game dropped last June), but for anyone thinking of spending their Christmas bonus on a Nintendo Switch 2 this season, Mario Kart World is STILL totally worth it—so addictive and endlessly replayable, your office boss might just sneak in a race or two.

Games on the Go

Cook to de-stress: Cooking Mama: Let’s Cook! — (IOS/Android)

Cooking Mama: Let’s Cook is a classic cooking simulation game released years ago and arguably one of the most recognizable Nintendo titles out there. Getting started is easy—slicing, grilling, baking, and all the kitchen chaos come to life with just a swipe of your finger. That’s why the game feels better on a tablet, where the bigger display makes a real difference.

The game keeps its story light—a home cook by the name of Mama guides you through a series of mini games to make dishes you can serve in your restaurant or give to husband Papa. It also packs in plenty of extra mini challenges for players to get hooked—from restaurant management and simple puzzles to trickier tasks like breaking eggs or skewering meat. 

Who knew swiping and tapping could be a cooking masterclass? From chopping like a pro to knowing your peppers, keeping an eye on the sizzle, and making your plate Instagram-ready, it’s basically a culinary crash course—with zero dish duty. There are parts where you must pay for extra materials, but you can still enjoy the entire game without spending money. 

Don’t expect too much when it comes to graphics. The game’s presentation leans on its cartoon aesthetic, targeting younger players curious about what happens inside the kitchen. The game’s playful visuals mixed with semi-realistic food art give it a unique charm—though sometimes the main menu pops out too much info (i.e. ads, promos, options, rewards, etc.) that it gets a little hectic, which can feel overwhelming for us “experienced” gamers. If you want extra recipe packs and customization, you’ll need Wi-Fi and your real-life mama to whip out her wallet—digitally, of course.

“Cooking Mama: Let’s Cook! serves up fun by the swipe—whether you’re an aspiring mini chef or a grown-up seeking some low-stress culinary therapy. Who knows, it might even inspire you to experiment beyond your screen and level up your Lucky Me Instant Pancit Canton masterpiece.

Classics Reloaded

One more line… one more line: Tetris — (platform: too many to mention)

Before cellphones stole everyone’s attention, Tetris pioneered the whole “Do not disturb, I’m playing” era, with players glued to their handhelds. I recall the late honorable film critic—a devoted Tetris enthusiast—playing well into the early hours on a rattan chair until the rooster crowed at dawn. “Umaga na pala?” he joked, as if the sun gatecrashed his Tetris marathon and sleep was the enemy he just couldn’t defeat. Like Tito Mario, Tetris gamers of all ages are everywhere, unwinding for hours with this timeless little stress-buster—whether it’s on a classic Game Boy or a cheap handheld grabbed in Divisoria.

For the unfamiliar, the basic Tetris version strips puzzle gaming to the basics—just geometric shapes tumbling from above. Each piece shouts, “I am falling!” And somehow, without thinking, you succumb to its rhythm, with a gentle panic of trying to make a clean line before the next shape drops. It shouldn’t make sense, yet it does, pulling you back with almost hypnotic certainty.

Tetris is a perfect example of order vs. chaos. In the middle of that anxious stacking, there’s a zen-like satisfaction gamers feel, where the ability to think four shapes ahead is the key and beating one’s personal record is the objective. Some days, assembling patterns feels effortless, like the game’s AI is whispering, “You got this, pare.” Other days, it’s pure torment, as if Tetris itself is a sadistic machine, throwing impossible shapes that mock your carefully laid plans.

Tetris just celebrated 41 years of falling blocks and endless line clearances. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the most-ported video game, with over 220 versions across 70 platforms, and even its own annual showdown—The Classic Tetris World Championship. Decades in, it still challenges, delights, and charms players, proving this game doesn’t age—it just keeps stacking up.

Written with guest writer Lara Kei Hernando

READ: