For years, the mere mention of “One Button Games” has elicited groans and eye-rolls across our editorial desk. Volumes 1 and 2 were, frankly, an exercise in futility, a collection of half-baked concepts masquerading as minimalist games. We were ready to write off the entire ‘one-button’ genre as little more than a cheap gimmick. Then, against all rational expectations, One Button Games 5-in-1 vol. 3 arrived on our Xbox Series X, and to our genuine astonishment, it’s not just “not bad” — it’s genuinely enjoyable, featuring at least one title that we’d gladly pay for as a standalone experience. This volume doesn’t just defy the odds; it redefines the ceiling for what we thought was possible with such a restrictive design philosophy.

After the previous disappointments, our skepticism was at an all-time high. We’ve been burned before by collections promising innovative simplicity only to deliver unplayable frustration. But the developers behind this series have clearly been listening, iterating, and perhaps most importantly, innovating. Volume 3 isn't just an improvement; it's a paradigm shift for the collection, proving that the “off” button isn’t the only one worth pressing. Let's break down the surprisingly solid lineup.

Twin P – Our Rating: 3/5

“Twin P” is an absolute fever dream of a game, and we mean that in the best possible way. Picture a drunken, two-headed puppet show trying to navigate a minefield, and you're halfway there. You control two ‘P’s connected by an elastic band. A single press of ‘A’ lifts one P, rotating it around the other like a bizarre compass, then planting it, allowing the other to rotate. This circular ‘walk’ is as counter-intuitive as it sounds, yet there’s an ungainly charm reminiscent of the chaotic fun found in titles like Octodad or Clumsy Rush. Bombs home in, coins need snagging (by holding ‘A’ to stretch), and the whole affair devolves into a hilarious, stumbling mess. While not a daily driver for us, we can absolutely see “Twin P” being the star of a couch co-op interlude, a perfect chaotic palette cleanser between rounds of Jackbox. It's an acquired taste, but one we found surprisingly palatable.

Revolve A – Our Rating: 4/5

If “Twin P” is the charmingly disheveled relative, “Revolve A” is the polished, brilliant prodigy of this collection. This is where One Button Games 5-in-1 vol. 3 truly shines, demonstrating that a minimalist control scheme can support genuinely clever mechanics and compelling gameplay. “Revolve A” takes the classic Asteroids formula and flips it on its head. Your ship continuously spins and bounces, but a press of ‘A’ provides a gentle thrust in your current direction. The genius, however, lies in its combat loop. Instead of shooting, enemies tether to each other with electrical charges when in proximity. Your goal? Slalom through these tethers. Navigate successfully, and all connected enemies explode in a satisfying chain reaction, racking up massive points. Collision with enemies means instant death, creating a tense ‘risk vs. reward’ dynamic. Waiting out the initial waves for dozens of enemies to form a complex, interconnected net, then executing a perfect dash through a single thread to detonate the entire screen — that’s pure, unadulterated arcade bliss. The rhythmic balance of patience and decisive lunges provides an exquisite payoff that we’d happily see expanded into a full game.

Two Lane – Our Rating: 3.5/5

“Two Lane” is the game we’d probably design ourselves if tasked with creating a one-button experience. It's a retro-inspired racer where a single ‘A’ button press switches your car between two lanes, a concept as old as gaming itself. What elevates “Two Lane” beyond mere nostalgia is its “secret sauce” of generosity. Crashing into a wall isn’t an instant ‘Game Over’; as long as you quickly correct course into a free lane, you merely lose a bit of speed. The real challenge emerges when you hit a sequence of walls, causing your speed to drop precipitously. Much like Keanu Reeves’ bus in Speed, if your car dips below a critical MPH, you’re toast. This twist transforms a simple lane-switcher into a frantic, yet surprisingly strategic, speed management simulator. It ensures you’re not restarting every five seconds, adding a welcome layer of substance to an age-old arcade formula.

D Laser – Our Rating: 2.5/5

“D Laser” is a testament to inventive failure — and we say that with a nod of respect to the developers. The concept is refreshingly novel: a laser builds at the top of the screen, eventually firing a screen-wide death blast. Your only defense is to hide behind falling barricades. As a one-button game, control is limited: ‘A’ changes your side-to-side movement direction, and holding ‘A’ stops you (and, crucially, slows the laser’s advance). We love the ambition here, the high-stakes dance of precision timing and evasive maneuvers. However, the execution falls short. The margins for error are razor-thin — even a pixel out of place spells doom — and the controls feel unforgivably unwieldy. The ‘hold A’ mechanic, which simultaneously pauses the player and the laser, never quite found its utility in our playtests; we largely ignored it. “D Laser” is a fascinating curio, a brilliant idea that, regrettably, lacks the polish and intuitive feedback to be truly fun. It’s a proof-of-concept that needs a serious QoL pass or a complete re-think on player interaction.

Mirror Floor – Our Rating: 1.5/5

Every collection has its weak link, and for One Button Games 5-in-1 vol. 3, “Mirror Floor” is unequivocally it. This feels like a relic from the design philosophy that plagued previous volumes, an “idea” that didn’t quite mature into a “game.” It's an endless runner with a twist: you control one character, while a ghostly mirror image exists on the other side of the platform. Jump, and you instantly become the mirror version, with dual gravity dictating your fall. On paper, it sounds intriguing, but in practice, it’s a convoluted mess. The frantic speed combined with platforms often too short to facilitate character switches demands almost psychic anticipation. This mechanic leads to constant, frustrating deaths that feel unfair rather than challenging. Playing “Mirror Floor” is akin to trying to sprint a marathon with your shoelaces tied together; it’s an exercise in futility that drains goodwill earned by its stronger siblings. We suspect its position as the last game in the main menu order is no accident.

The In Game News Verdict: A Surprising Turnaround

Our initial cynicism for One Button Games 5-in-1 vol. 3 was well-earned, given the track record. But this latest collection proves that even the most rudimentary design constraints can yield genuinely creative and enjoyable experiences. While “Mirror Floor” is a clear misstep and “D Laser” is a noble failure, the strength of “Revolve A,” “Twin P,” and “Two Lane” more than compensates. These three games aren’t just clever gimmicks; they demonstrate thoughtful design, engaging loops, and a surprising amount of replayability for their price point of £4.19. We’re particularly keen to see “Revolve A” get a full, fleshed-out release.

The bigger picture here is the potential this volume unlocks. It legitimizes the “one-button game” as more than just a novelty, hinting at a future where minimalist mechanics can still deliver deep, satisfying gameplay. We entered this review bracing for another disappointment; we emerged cautiously optimistic for what volume 4 might bring.

Overall Assessment:

  • Pros:
    • “Revolve A” is a standout; we’d take a full game of it in a heartbeat.
    • Multiple titles transcend the “gimmick” label with genuine playability.
    • Even the less successful games show flashes of inventive design.
  • Cons:
    • Despite the highlights, some games still feel a bit “throwaway.”
    • “Mirror Floor” is a poorly executed concept that drags down the overall quality.
    • A glaring omission: the lack of high-score tables for competitive play, a missed opportunity for arcade-style games.

Key Information:

  • Formats: Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed), Xbox One, PC
  • Release Date: January 7, 2026
  • Price: £4.19
  • Game Pass: Not available Day One
  • Play Anywhere: Not enabled
  • Special thanks to Xitilon for the review copy.