Ranking The Best & Worst Minigames In Gaming

At their best, minigames add texture to a video game. They might expand on a character’s known storyline through an engaging side quest, like introducing a backstory that was previously left vague. Minigames can also be relevant to an in-game currency or type of ‘luck’ meter, which allows players to ‘boost up’ before continuing on in a game’s main quest. 

But not all minigames hit the mark. At their very worst, they can be infuriating due to a lack of functional gameplay mechanics and, in other cases, detract from the game’s primary mission. Rather than enrich the game, they muddy the waters. But that’s not always for lack of trying.

Let’s cover one great example from Fallout: New Vegas. The game is set in the post-apocalyptic remnants of Las Vegas, which means players were initially expecting poker minigames like those in the Red Dead franchise. Instead, developers created caravan, an invented card game. Though not all gamers hate caravan, not everyone warmed to it thanks to the general expectation that poker would feature. 

Given how popular online poker is, it’s become a common choice for a minigame. Many gamers felt that developers could have opted for a variation of poker in Fallout. For example, while Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of poker, tons of players like one of its most popular off-shoots: Omaha. Rather than invent an entirely new card game, developers could have swapped Texas Hold’em for Omaha, providing a unique perspective and challenge for the average player.

Viewed in this way, minigames don’t have to reinvent the wheel. They just need to touch on player interests and fit into their genre. Keep reading for a breakdown of some of the best and worst minigames in modern gaming, along with why they hit or miss the mark.

Best: Gwent (The Witcher 3)

The Witcher 3 saw developers introduce a made-up card game called Gwent. Unlike caravan, Gwent quickly became popular with gamers. It’s a collectible card game, which means players can build up their deck as they advance in the regular game—and use their winnings for vital resources and other in-game results.

Hailed as one of the best minigames ever created, Gwent received its own spin-off as Gwent: The Witcher Card Game back in 2018. And some prefer it over Hearthstone… and even Magic: The Gathering.

Worst: Atlantica (Kingdom Hearts 2)

The Kingdom Hearts franchise bravely went where no other games had gone before, bridging the wonderful characters of Disney with Square Enix’s expertise in RPGs. Unfortunately, the character of Ariel from The Little Mermaid didn’t quite land with players. That’s because developers chose to focus on singing and dancing rather than other complex storylines tied to the beloved mermaid, like language barriers and even culture shock.

Best: Crash Bandicoot (Uncharted 4)

Let’s be clear: developers of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End didn’t create a minigame. Instead, they crafted one of the most surprising and satisfying ‘game within a game’ reveals. Despite how difficult the title is in general, players are treated to a surprise Crash Bandicoot game, which is played as Nathan Drake resigns himself to normal life at home. 

So, what makes this game so satisfying for players? First, it adds to the storyline in a way that many people find relatable: Drake plays at home with his wife during downtime. Second, many gamers fondly remember playing Crash Bandicoot in the past, which touches on nostalgia. Lastly, it challenges gamers to beat the high score… which is actually infuriatingly high at 3,500 points.

Worst: Conversation (The Elder Scrolls 4)

The Elder Scrolls franchise has been incredibly influential in the realm of gaming. With so much innovation, there’s bound to be a few lackluster projects—and the attempt at realistic dialogue as a minigame flopped. Conversations were navigated with four options (from ‘admire’ to ‘boast’), which didn’t have any clear effects on the overall game. The minigame was such a serious flub that developers removed it altogether before the subsequent release.

Written by: MKAU Gaming

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