Minigames are a great escape from the narrative driven games that we play. It allows us to see the characters in a less serious light, and is sometimes more fun than the main game itself. So Without further ado, here are my top 5 minigames in video games.
5. Blitzball (Final Fantasy X)
Blitzball is the most dominant sport in Spira (World of FFX) and is the primary source of entertainment for the citizens to get their mind off the threat of sin (Spiras enemy). Basically, it’s a 10 minute minigame where the aim is to get the blitzball into the other teams goal. There are several ways to play this particular minigame, which are tournament mode, where you go through brackets to get to the top, league, which you play in 10 games and whoever wins the most games gets the prize. Or Exhibition match which is basically just a single game with no reward for completing it.
Some of the prizes include overdrives for your party member “Wakka”, rare items, new techniques for Blitzball and more. Given the length of the game, the many prizes that can be won, and the pure enjoyment of this minigame. Blitzball easily has taken tens of hours of my time that I could have been spending training my characters, or trying to protect Spira, or any of the other many more important aspects of the game. But that’s just how it is with minigames.
4. Pokémon Contests (Pokémon Ruby)
Pokémon Ruby introduced a new minigame to the Pokémon franchise in the form of Pokémon contests, Pokémon are judged based on one of five categories of your choosing:
Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness or Toughness.
The Pokémon compete against Three other contestants and are ranked based off of their condition which can be enhanced with berries. And their move set. each move in Pokémon Ruby as well as having its battle effect, also had one of the previously mentioned categories to the left of the move as well. It’s a nice side activity to participate in and will give you plenty of hours of enjoyment.
3. Management (Yakuza: Like a dragon)
After recently playing ‘Yakuza: Like a Dragon’ on Xbox Game Pass. I had discovered a certain business management minigame that you unlock through part of the main quest. The gist of it is basically that you gain control of a business (Ichiban Confectionaries), and through investing in your business and going to shareholder meetings, you progressively improve your standing in the top 100 charts.
What makes this game fun apart from the classic Yakuza charm that makes all side aspects of the game entertaining, is the feeling of accomplishment as you advance your business, the side quests that you get along the way, and the joy you get from seeing the income of your business increase significantly.
2. Fishing (Final Fantasy XV)
Fishing in Final Fantasy XV is a great way to unwind from the troubles of Eos. catching your own ingredients to cook at campsites. Hunting for the biggest fish you can. Or simply to just relax. Fishing in this game as it is in most other games where fishing is present, is an amazing way to pass the time.
What makes fishing in this game unique however is the level of detail that goes into it.
Keeping in mind the lures you’re using, the equipment, and if the equipment is weaker then
you’d have to make up for that weakness with a bit more finesse. It’s challenging at times, but everyone i’ve spoken to about the fishing in FFXV has said it’s worth the effort.
1. Gwent (Witcher 3)
The Witcher 3, a game where you fight massive beasts, solve supernatural mysteries, and master your swordsmanship, comes the best activity one can hope for. Gwent is a strategy card game created for the world of Witcher 3. Whilst the game is really fun and heavily relies on skill rather than luck. The witcher 3 also has you travel across the map challenging different players of varying skills collecting their many rare cards for you to develop the ultimate deck.
Personally, I've completely disregarded the main quest for many hours and just decided to go card hunting instead. Fortunately for me “Gwent” was such a popular minigame that there is now a standalone free to play game called “Gwent the Witcher Card Game” which has certainly been my go-to game whenever i’m unsure of what to play just because it’s just that fun.
And there you have it, my Top 5 minigames in video games. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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