The 9 Days of SMOL are little bites of bigger game ideas, and the way Wonderful Elephant chooses to close out each year (starting now!). From the creator of all those little Flash games you played forever, these nine brand-new games are being released for this special collection!

These games are:

DO NOT Touch the Cake

Released December 7, 2024 for PC and MAC

A cake was presented
for the players to try
It didn't look quite right
Which made them ask, "why?"

"Why such a cake
with such corporate vibes?
What's happening here
Is this cake just a lie?"

Ten simple levels
ask the players to steer clear,
of the pretty pink cake
that brings death instead of cheer.

Author's Note: I don't know what brought me to make this game. I had a deep interest in teasing the player to select an object they knew they had no business selecting. I just let the game unravel into what it is today. I haven't made a game that attempts to grief players so vehemently in years, and what better way to start off this wonderful 9 day holiday season.

(Downloads are at the bottom of the entire list!)

A Perfect Fit

Released December 8, 2024 for PC and MAC

What if a box
was made for a square?
What if a box
fit perfectly in there?

How would we score
such a perfect display
of polygonal snugness
through these cold Winter days?

May your squares all fall
into the spaces within.
For another year ending,
and another to begin.

Author’s Note: I have a strange fascination with things that fit perfectly. We live in a measured world yet so many things fit together haphazardly. In exploring this concept, I started by simply giving the player one box and one container, the box fitting perfectly. This was really not fun on its own, so I explored different box sizes which worked much better. As a risk reward system I introduced a, “how close to the edge/perfect fit did you get” bonus, and that seemed to tie it all together. If you get a high enough score a new mode will appear!

A Date Worth Waiting For

Released December 11, 2024 for PC and Mac

What if a small game
was not played in small minutes,
But in days and months
Would you even begin it?

That is of course, unless
you had time travel powers
Instead of long weeks
you could be done in an hour

This little capybara
Has a really hot date
Maybe true love
Is made of both time and fate

Author’s Note: I’ve always wanted to make a game that relied greatly on the system clock. Years ago I started on an RPG that keyed off of system time for night/day effects, and ever since then I’ve wanted to go back to the Date object in Flash. I’m curious how players are going to play this one, as there’s not stopping anyone from cheesing the clock (in-fact, nothing discouraging it either). Will a player actually play in real-time is really my fascination. As of December 11, 2024, the game cannot be won naturally until 2026.

Flipside

Released December 11, 2024 for PC and MAC

What if the player
Has nowhere to hide
With falling white blocks
That comes from each side.

“Falling white blocks?
Is this Elephant Rave?”
“No,” replied John,
“It’s not quite the same.”

“See the blocks come from all sides
And the design is quite minimal.
You get smushed and you die.
Happy SMOL you filthy animal.

Author’s Note:

I really like these little score climb games. I’ve made quite a few of them over the years, even though I know they’re not everyone’s cuppa tea. That said, I really enjoy watching people play them more than my other types of games. People are just good at video games in a way that I am not, and I like to see what they are capable of. Screenshots warm my heart.

Batteries Not Included

Released December 13, 2024 for MAC/PC

The batteries must go
In the devices we found
That serve no good purpose
but to go to the next round

“A game about batteries?”
Y'all asked, “Are you positive?”
John grinned at his own poem,
“Pun intended- I make lots of them.”

“Finding joy in the things
We use every day
Is part of the joy
We feel on this SMOL day :)."

Author's Note:
I started on a game about Morse code called “Dot Dot Dash.” After more research and a bit of testing, I realized I was over my head (Morse code is surprisingly complex and I didn’t want to mess it up). Instead, I was inspired by a toy my daughter had left me to replace batteries on. It required a screwdriver and flipping different sized batteries into narrow slots. Like many puzzles in my life, it became a game.

Pizza NOW

Releasing December 14, 2024

YOU SHOULD Touch the Cake

Releasing December 14, 2024

[SMOL] Revamped

Releasing December 15, 2024

Starting December 6, 2024 and each day following, a new game will be updated. If you're joining us late, then welcome, enjoy the games in order order you choose!

This game is currently exclusive to backers of A Time For Good Things. This project will be made available to a wider audience at a later time.