Lately I’ve been pondering the merits of extremely short gaming experiences. Obviously I’m not the first, there are thousands of Flash game developing pioneers who have considered (and reaped!) the benefits of the short game.

And as I – and gamers in my generation – get older, there just isn’t as much time during the day to devote to a huge scale gaming experience. I love Final Fantasy games, and I finally got my hands on the God of War sequel so I can see what happens next on that front, but I just don’t have the time to put into it like I used to. So it becomes ever more satisfying to find a great little game – more of a toy, really – on the web that I can pump a minute or three into when I’m able.

Off-Road Velociraptor Safari is a fantastic example of this, doubly so because not only is it short on time in a scope sense, but it even has a timer to enforce the whole get-back-to-work factor.

As a person who’s pretty fairly dedicated to gaming, I lament the lack of time I’m able to put into something I enjoy. I’m looking forward to Gears of War 2 next month, and Rock Band 2 when I’m able to pick it up. And even the longer Persona 4 in December is going to be an attractive proposition.Plus, as I get even older and start a family or something, time will become even more of a commodity.

But it’s nice to know that there’s still the 60-second game to scratch that itch as it crops up.