The 4 Best Mini Games From Classic Video Games
The groundbreaking mechanics and pixelated graphics that bring about an aura of nostalgia have allowed classic video games to hold a special place in the hearts of many gamers, keeping them popular and remembered.
But these old school classic video games often had much more to them than first meets the eye. One of the best hidden gems of classic video games was their inclusion of mini games, which have often been excluded in more recent, advanced games. These mini-games were sometimes unexpected and more addictive to play than the main game. They brought humour, depth, and variety to otherwise fairly linear gameplay.
But what are the best mini games that came about from these classic video games?
The Pokémon Blue and Red Game Corner
Firmly established as a quintessential and absolute gaming classic, Pokémon Blue and Red revolutionised gaming at the time of their arrival in the late 90s. They were the catalyst that launched one of the most successful gaming franchises in history, where players would build up their Pokédex and explore the Kanto region to try and catch ‘em all. The graphics were simple, the story linear, and the mechanics limited, but the game was enthralling and remains adored by many. Despite this, the game had an immense depth with creative characters. There were a lot of side quests and additional content, including the Game Corner. This was an iconic mini-game that players could access in Celadon. Here, players could take a break from fighting, training, and trading Pokémon. Instead, players could participate in some gambling on slot machines, much like traditional pokies found in adult establishments worldwide, for extra coins, in which they could purchase additional Pokémon and items.
Whilst this mini-game was limited to just slots, it soon became an iconic addition to the Pokémon franchise. It may not be as sophisticated as online casinos and casinos accepting crypto payments these days, which are large markets with rapid transactions and real-money prize pots, but it was a lot of fun and a nice break in the game for players.
Opera House from Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI is the most iconic game in one of the longest and largest-selling RPG franchises. FFVI has one of the most iconic mini games in RPG history - the Opera House. It is a masterpiece of design and storytelling. The Opera House sees players diverge away from battling monsters and move to controlling Celes to perform the correct musical input for the Opera House. This required players to memorize and perform a sequence correctly to perform at the Opera House and needed timing and correct input for musical success. Something players would likely not have expected going into the game.
This mini-game evoked emotion, which had rarely been seen in video games before, and was a glimpse at how games could truly touch players, along with a focus on something that wasn't just killing monsters or hurting others. The Opera House blurred the lines between a mini-game and an emotional narrative, which drew players in and created a memorable moment for many gamers playing this game.
The Shooting Gallery and Fishing in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Nintendo is known for adding little mini-games throughout the Zelda series, but none were quite as groundbreaking and memorable as the Shooting Gallery and fishing in the original Ocarina of Time. Using the bow or slingshot in Link's inventory, players were to quickly hit moving targets within a time limit to gain a heart or upgrades. This was a throwback for many to real-life trips from their childhood to arcades and carnivals. Nintendo also added fishing to this game, which required players to use accurate timing and precision to catch the biggest fish they could, and they could gain a heart by acquiring it.
These mini-games were quite difficult and required players to knuckle down on the learning curve until they had mastered the precision and reflex of the games. It was dotted in amongst the expansive exploration of the wider game and set a real precedent for many more mini-games that would come after.
Gwent From The Witcher III
Gwent was by no means the first tabletop card mini-game to come out of a larger gaming title RPG - that title probably goes to Final Fantasy’s Triple Triad. It may also not be the most realistic card game offered by classic gaming titles - that probably goes to the Poker you can play in Red Dead Redemption. But Gwent, from The Witcher 3, was the first card game mini-game that truly engrossed players thanks to its strategy and addictive nature that came from its balance and entertainment value.
The familiar characters and artwork from the Witcher world were a welcome change from battling the beasts of ‘The Continent’ as Geralt. It added immense depth to the lore of the game and served as an extremely entertaining mini-game in its own right. It became so popular as a mini-game that it got its own digitalised card game as well as a huge physical collectible card game that players could play in real life, marking its true status as a great example of the mini-game variety.
