Tell us which is the best minigame in video games and why

A problem we may have with this bounty is that 'minigames' come in many forms. Obviously you've got cute little card games within sprawling fantasy RPGs and the abstract ways in which immersive sims represent hacking, but then entire mechanics could be said to be minigames, such as arranging your attaché case case in Resident Evil 4, as a member wisely pointed out when we ran this bounty as a discussion long ago.

So we'll leave it up to community wisdom: don't hesitate to upvote or comment on any submissions that resonate with you as meeting the definition of 'a minigame', and if you'd like to make a case, submit in writing or video and tell us which minigame you think is the best in video games and be sure to explain/justify your pick!

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Created at 3:08pm, 3rd October, 2024. Page last updated at 10:54pm, 31st October, 2024.
Deadline at 12:00am, 1st November, 2024.

Submissions (31)

Limal10/31/2024

Won$2

I believe the best minigame is WoW pet battles. It’s a mystery to me why Blizzard hasn’t released it as a mobile game, whether standalone or as a companion app to let players compete against each other or face legendary creatures. An AR version, similar to Pokémon Go, would be amazing—imagine wandering the real world to collect pets!

This minigame has inspired countless fan sites, services, and even plushies! For a while, WoW pet battles became my main gameplay focus; the ‘gotta catch them all’ appeal sometimes meant defeating tough raid bosses, waiting for seasonal events, or farming thousands of mob kills. This feature introduced an engaging mechanic that extended play sessions by hundreds of hours for many players.

NotAValveGame10/31/2024

Luigi picture poker. I don't know why but when I was a kid I really enjoyed it.

Sturmer10/31/2024

Won$2

There’s no doubt that "Gwent" is a fantastic example of a minigame evolving into a standalone card game. However, it wasn’t the first to make that transition in video game history. Today, I want to spotlight a classic minigame called Arcomage!

First introduced in "Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor" in 1999, Arcomage was a straightforward card game you could play in taverns, later released as a standalone project. Despite its simplicity, the game offers deep strategic elements, balancing long-term strategy with short-term tactics—one of my favourite aspects. With its short session duration, Arcomage is ideal as a minigame within another game.

For those interested, there’s also a free web adaptation: ArcoMage HD

lebiadkin10/31/2024

Gwent! No doubt, it is fun, well structured and very addictive.

yan5743610/31/2024

It's impossible not to remember gwent, the witcher 3, when I saw the bounty, we simply have a game within a game! Gwent starts out as a brief pastime, but it ends up becoming an interaction of its own, several times I've entered the witcher but not even gone out into the world, I've gone to play gwent haha.

What makes Gwent so incredible?

Replayability: The game is extremely SIMPLE, in practically one playthrough you understand how it works and become curious about the decks that are possible
The universe in which it is set: The fact that it's set in the witcher universe enriches the game in itself, almost every npc will present you with a unique deck with unique cards and new challenges
Independent game: What reinforces my argument is the fact that gwent has become an independent game, going beyond the limits of a simple minigame within another game

Screenshots from the game's official website: GWENT: The Witcher Card Game – Apps no Google Play