Qotd

Every so often a game comes along that just burns up the wires. The latest such game is the auto-runner called, very simply and aptly, Mr. Jump. This simple yet almost annoyingly difficult game is experiencing its own kind of jump: a jump up the charts!

In the course of a very short time – namely, a four day period – this new game was downloaded an astounding 5 MILLION times. No, that was not a typo, that is a 5 with 6 zeros in a row behind it. And get this, that may be a conservative estimate, as some sources are claiming that this number is closer to 6 million!

So, what is it about this game that has caught the attention and devotion of such a large number of gamers in such a short time? The answer may lie in its utter simplicity.

The object of the game is utterly basic, the player simply wants Mr. Jump to jump at the right moments, thus avoiding or exploiting certain hazards. The character does the moving all on its own, so all the gamer has to do is tap the screen and hope for the best!

Even though this game is faintly reminiscent of the venerable game, Mario Bros. it just may be more difficult. Oh, it starts out easily enough, with the player getting a couple of practice goes at the beginning. After that, it’s into the water, sink or swim.

With this game, it is very easy to sink. One wrong move, and the player is back to the beginning of the level, given the opportunity to try again.

But it has some pretty nice features. Each level boasts a unique and catchy soundtrack, that can actually provide the player with a little motivation. It is a finite game, but at the moment it offers a decent number of levels to conquer, each with its own unique environment and challenges.

The game is available for free downloads, but players that may be frustrated with a particular level can buy into the next one for $1.99. Not bad.

Mr. Jump is the brainchild of the French programming trio that operates under the company name 1Button. According to team leader Jeremy Francone, they named the company to reflect their commitment to the principles of simplicity and efficiency of the design process. The programmers seem fully committed to pushing the game to new heights, promising to regularly issue new content and features that they believe will keep fans coming back for more.

All in all, Mr. Jump is a surprisingly entertaining game, and its popularity will probably continue to grow in the near future.