7 squishy reasons you should play JellyCar Worlds

Is the car made of jelly? Or is the world? It’s both! It’s JellyCar Worlds. The game is a triumph of squishy physics, and a lot of fun to play.

If you enjoy driving games and puzzlers, you really owe it to yourself to try this. I have seven good reasons why it needs to be on your weekend agenda.

Why you should play JellyCar Worlds

1. Yes, I said ‘squishy physics’

JellyCar Worlds is a driving game, but far from a typical one. Rather than speeding down racetracks at 140 mph, players navigate a squishy car through mazes.

The mazes are vertical, so there’s a lot of flying through the air and falling off things. And the car is very squishy, so it can squeeze through tight spaces.

It’s surprisingly fun watching a car smoosh down to fit underneath a roller, then pop back out on the other side.

2. Solve puzzles, not outrace opponents

The mazes include arrows pointing the way so you’re never lost. The challenge is figuring out how to maneuver over, under or through obstacles.

You’ll need to figure out the mechanics of the world. Do you get past a barrier by squeezing under it? Crashing into it hard enough to knock it over? Or do you look for a ramp so you can jump it? Maybe this is the time for a power-up …

If you get turned around, or make a mistake, your car will end up out of bounds. (That usually involves falling.) That’s no disaster, though. You only need to start the level over.

3. There’s plenty to play

Your squishy vehicle can do a lot more than drive and bounce. When it launched in 2022, JellyCar Worlds was made up of seven worlds, each a collection of levels designed to spotlight a different power-up. Those include grappling hooks, giant monster truck tires and helium-filled balloons.

JellyCar? More like SpiderCar lol pic.twitter.com/8qYrLqbvoE

— JellyCar dev! (@walaber) February 3, 2023

Walaber Entertainment (the pseudonym of solo developer Tim FitzRandolph) recently released an eighth world. It is centered on a “Chilli Pepper” power-up that gives the car an intense burst of speed, but it’s very hard to control.

And development on the game hasn’t stopped. FitzRandolph promises he’s working on a level editor, one of the most-requested features.

4. An odd pudding of silly, relaxing and exciting

Puzzle games can be frustrating. But you’re less likely to find yourself swearing at JellyCar Worlds because it’s deliberately so silly. You may have missed that jump for the third time, but it’s hard to get mad when your vehicle goes “bwong” when it bounces off the floor. I frequently find myself laughing at the ridiculous sound effects.

The game’s design is based on a kid drawing on graph paper when they’re supposed to be paying attention in class. Your car is roughly car-shaped, with comically big wheels. This is so very much the direct opposite of photorealistic graphics in many console games that it’s fun.

And that goes for the sounds, too. The car’s engine is the b-b-b-b-b noise kids make when pushing a toy car. That “bwong” I mentioned is a guy saying “bwong.”

5. So very customizable

Your vehicle in JellyCar Worlds is deliberately plain and generic-looking. That’s because you can put on a personalized paint job.

And that’s not the end of customization. You can also record your own car noises. It can be your own “bweep” you hear when your car bumps into something.

6. An old favorite returns

If the name sounds familiar, this Apple Arcade game is the return of a classic. JellyCar launched right after the introduction of Apple’s App Store in 2008. That makes it one of the first modern mobile games.

So you may have fond memories of playing the original on an iPod touch, back when there was still an iPod touch.

7. JellyCar Worlds is ready to play today

I hope I’ve convinced you to give the game a try. If so, JellyCar Worlds is ready to download from the Apple Arcade section of the App Store. It’s playable on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.

There are onscreen controls on devices with touchscreens, but I prefer playing with a game controller on my iPad. That’s an option for any platform.

Rather than a one-time fee, the game comes with a $4.99-per-month subscription to Apple Arcade. Before you leave in disgust at the mention of a subscription fee, let me point out the advantages.

The gaming service includes more than 200 titles, all available with that one fee. That includes racing games, RPGs, puzzlers, sports titles and many more.

Another nice thing about Apple Arcade is that one subscription works for up to six family members. And there are never hidden costs in the games because in-app purchases are forbidden.

Best games on Apple Arcade

Need more convincing? Here are some more of the best in Apple’s gaming service:

• 6 reasons you should play Sneaky Sasquatch
• 7 reasons you should be slashing through Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon
• 5 fun reasons you should be playing Spire Blast
• 6 reasons you should be spinning your way through Sp!ng