Having a game within a game isn’t a new concept, and today it’s almost an expectation that any major release will feature at least one minigame. There are entire genres in which minigames play a major part. What’s less common, but no less intriguing, is when a minigame goes from being a small distraction to a significant reason that the game containing it gets talked about long after the original release.
The Calm in the Storm
A good reason for minigames to become memorable is if they are a much-needed lull in the action that defines the rest of the game. When players get a breather, their entire mindset alters, and they might even be compelled to stick with the minigame for longer than the designers intended, because it’s a sweet relief from the stress of the experience outside its bounds.
The fishing minigame in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a great example of this. The intensity of the dungeons and bosses is counterpointed perfectly by the chilled-out vibes of letting Link use a fishing rod to land minnows and whoppers alike. Because the fishing pond is an entirely separate area, free from enemies, it’s a safe haven that encourages an extended stay, making it seriously memorable.
The Chance of Rewards
Minigames can be tied to important rewards and bonuses that majorly impact the main game, whether that’s in the form of upgrades or experience points that unlock new abilities. In the case of Spelunky 2, the gambling shops run by standard shopkeepers and Madam Tusk can provide early-game access to important late-game equipment, all with a dose of RNG thrown in.
Meanwhile, casino games like this Big Bass Bonanza slot feature minigames that literally reward players with the chance of payouts that go beyond typical line pays. And slots with minigames tend to amp up the graphical juice when bonus modes are unlocked, further cementing the experience in the minds of players even if they don’t get that big win they’re looking for.
The Nostalgia
Another minigame trend that’s been around for quite some time now is including retro games as fully playable subsections of full-blown modern releases. We’ve seen it done with everything from Shenmue to Doom, and including games-within-games that are a lot more than ‘mini’ is another fast track to a memorable moment.
The Immersion
Minigames can be immersion-breaking, whether deliberately or accidentally. But if used right, they can also pull players deeper into the world of the game that the developers have so carefully built.
Playing poker in Red Dead Redemption 2 typifies this trend, as it’s not only an experience that players can happily sink hours into in its own right, but it also blends seamlessly with the Wild West setting that the game seeks to emulate.
The memorable minigames that get discussed and debated long into the future, when the original game is a distant memory or has too many big moments to talk about in one sitting, are a unique aspect of gaming as an entertainment medium. Long may they continue!