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There are two types of individuals across the globe: those who engage in gaming while using the toilet and those who don’t. I proudly belong to the former group. This may not be the most “Guardian-esque” opening for an article, but let’s face it—everyone uses the restroom, and many of us enjoy games while we’re there. I’m merely drawing a Venn diagram of sorts.
In the past, we spent our time reading books in there. I even had a small bookshelf dedicated to my collection, but I can remember a time when an office was deemed incomplete unless every cubicle was adorned with the daily newspaper.
When we were certain everyone was reading in those moments, bathroom books became a publishing sensation. This was particularly true for titles like Qi, which offered bite-sized, intellectually stimulating entertainment that made bathroom breaks feel productive.
Then came the phone, which revolutionized everything. The adult version of myself played with a Nokia, diving into a different kind of snake game. The crinkly newspapers gave way to pixelated avians.
My own foray into toilet gaming began with Nintendo titles and clocks before it all shifted to mobile. My school friends were fortunate to have consoles, and there’s no greater testament to friendship than someone trusting you with their cherished handheld devices. Before that, I had the challenge of timing myself on my Casio digital watch, with my best time being 0.07 seconds. Ah, youthful days.
Curiously enough, dedicated handheld gaming consoles didn’t work well for me. The Game Boy was too bulky and eye-catching, with a battery that wouldn’t last even a single visit, making options like Game Gear or Atari Links impractical.
The Game Boy Advance SP changed everything in toilet gaming, being compact and boasting a 10-hour battery life. However, I soon learned the challenges of playing while on the throne. A game had to allow for short bursts of play. Advanced Wars almost led to my demise; during lengthy missions, I’d experience numbness in my legs and stumble out of the restroom like a fallen tree. Fortunately, no one else was around to witness my plight.
Today’s toilets offer a perfect environment for gaming—free from distractions. Nobody’s going to disturb you in there, and just as importantly, there’s no guilt involved. Parenting often comes with its share of guilt for gamers; you constantly feel the need to be more productive. Parents work hard to equip their kids for school and navigate life’s challenges. The bathroom becomes a mini oasis—an isolated haven where games cater to nature’s call rather than the demands of parenthood.
Zenith…Lego Hill Climb Adventure. Photo: Fingersoft
My gaming escapades in the restroom have only increased as my children have grown older. I stubbornly refuse to fix our noisy bathroom fan. Recently, games like Alto’s Adventure, Pocket Run Pool, Prune, NFL RB25, Pocket Card Jockey, and Marvel Snap have become the ideal companions for bathroom breaks—perfect for stolen moments of joy that don’t make you feel like time is slipping away. The pinnacle of my toilet gaming experience has been Lego Hill Climb Adventure, which offers a delightful escape from workplace stress.
This game engrosses me to the point where I forget about the outside world. Initially, we turned to books as a distraction to ease our minds. As a child, I found solace in a ZX Spectrum tucked away in my cupboard, escaping the constant conflicts of my parents in another life. That was the allure of gaming for me, and I’m thrilled that others can now enjoy the same experience in the smallest and safest room of their homes, nearly five decades later.
Source: www.theguardian.com
