50 Short Games received positive attention from critics for its unusual format and novel method of creation, and was showcased at Apexart as part of an exhibition in 2019.

[5] The compilation was also pursued as a self-imposed project to seek motivation after being "very unhappy as a result of doing very little", wanting to "overcompensate for my slothfulness" by "posting things constantly, regardless of quality, with no indication of what was worth playing and what wasn't.

[3] Gillmurphy composed detailed notes providing context to the underlying inspiration and process behind the creation of each game.

[8] Julian Bension of PCGamesN stated "each [game] is bizarre, broken, and wonderful in good measure.

[7] Writing for Art News, Charlie Markbreiter praised the exhibit as a countercultural attempt to differentiate the titles from studio video games, "frequently viewed as a commercial and thus inherently unartistic medium", observing that in contrast the Dire Jank on display are "short and circular narratives of futility.