Minion Rush is a 2013 mobile video game developed by Gameloft based off the Minions from Despicable Me. It is a game in the Endless Running Game genre, done in a third-person perspective comparable to Subway Surfers. However, missions and achievements have been added since the game's release that have more defined structure.
The game is regularly updated to be filled with new locations, missions and achievements, as well as a plethora of cosmetic changes that can be applied to the minions. Operating for over 10 years, it is one of the, if not the, longest-running continuously supported mobile game based on a movie IP. The game is also available for PC.
Minion Rush contains examples of:
- Amusing Injuries: Downplayed, but there are a multitude of animations played
when the minion hits/collides an obstacle. Some examples include:- The minion stumbling in a circle, then falling down.
- The minion bumping into the object, giving a sore look before falling.
- The minion falling to the floor, then punching his hand before it immediately gets painful.
- The minion giving a pouting look after colliding.
- The minion getting electrocuted, which can either result in the minion doing a robotic dance or getting electrocuted once more.
- The minion getting flung to the screen, either sliding down or trying to climb back to the top.
- The minion hitting a small rocket from Gru's Lab, which will either make them fly with the rocket, or nearly get hit with the missile before smiling in relief.
- Ascended Extra: The main playable Minions in the game are Dave (who also functions as the game's protagonist), Carl, and Jerry. Later updates would later add Mel, the Minion Trio (Kevin, Stuart and Bob), and Phil (the main character of Minions Paradise) as available characters.
- Camera Abuse: If the minion hits another minion sitting on the edge of the runway, the minion will be hit and then be flung towards the screen with this effect. It will also give the player a point bonus.
- Canon Foreigner: Two of the bosses (Meena and The Villaintriloquist) are nowhere to be seen in the films.
- Endless Running Game: A third-person variant where the player character, usually a Minion, continuously runs forward through various settings while dodging obstacles.
- Interactive Start Up: An old version of the game had the selected minion standing and performing an idle animation. The player could tap the minion to have it react.
- Irony: Even though Bratt's Lair is one of the areas, Balthazar Bratt doesn't appear as a boss.
- Microtransactions: The game offers currency in the form of the bananas. However, most desired costumes and upgrades must be purchased with purple Gru coins, which are significantly more difficult to obtain. The coins can be purchased in bundles to make it easier to obtain, like many other free-to-play games.
- Sheet of Glass: These obstacles appear in the Residential and Downtown areas.
- The Smurfette Principle: Meena is the only female boss.
- Tactical Suicide Boss: All four bosses (Vector, Meena, El Macho, and The Villaintriloquist) make the mistake of attacking with projectiles that can be thrown back at them.
- Weapons That Suck: The minion can be temporarily equipped with a banana vacuum, which will help players obtain any bananas they missed.