People always talk about great games, but what about the mini-games within them? There’s nothing quite like setting a new record after catching a huge fish, or finally beating that tough NPC in a close card game.
I think we can all recall at least one side activity in a video game we couldn’t seem to pry ourselves away from. The ones here are the best in the business, and you may find your playtime is primarily by indulging in them instead of the main game.
10
Darts – Shenmue Games
Darts is one of the few entries on this list with a real-world equivalent. While a number of games incorporate darts, there’s something oddly satisfying about the way Shenmue I & II does it.
In the first Shenmue, Ryo plays alone and throws five darts. The game transitions to first-person mode, where you position his aim and gain points based on where the dart lands, plus a time bonus that correlates with how much time is left on the countdown timer. Shenmue II features darts as well, though you can also compete against others. The gameplay is almost the same, except in competitions you take turns with the opponent and try to beat their score.
Darts isn’t fast-paced or stress-inducing in the slightest, and I think that’s its biggest appeal. The music, especially in Shenmue, oozes tranquility, and it’s a great way to spend some downtime between story missions.
Shenmue 2
- Released
-
November 23, 2001
- ESRB
-
t
- Developer(s)
-
Sega
- Publisher(s)
-
Sega, Microsoft Game Studios
9
Pazaak – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic I & II
You may have started your journey in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic with the intent of saving the galaxy, but that’s going to have to wait, because Pazaak is too powerful to ignore.
Loosely based on blackjack, the goal is to get as close to 20 as you can without going over. The player with the highest score that is less than or equal to 20 wins a round, with a tie extending the round. To win the entire match, you must win three rounds.
It sounds simple enough, but players also get four cards that are randomly selected from their own side deck. These cards can add or subtract from their current total, with some cards having special effects, such as doubling the value of the last card that was played. Once you know what you’re doing, I guarantee you’ll be a victim of the “just one more match” itch.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Released
-
July 15, 2003
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Violence
- Developer(s)
-
BioWare
- Publisher(s)
-
LucasArts
8
Gwent – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Anyone who has played The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt knows the allure of a good game of Gwent. In fact, Gwent was so popular it eventually became its own stand-alone game, GWENT: The Witcher Card Game.
Players choose from one of five deck types that they can customize to their liking. A game begins with each player receiving 10 random cards from their decks, though they can discard two cards and redraw. Players then place a Unit card on the Gwent board in the appropriate combat row, and can only play one card a turn, unless an ability allows them to use more. Unit cards have strength points that are added to a player’s total, and you win a round when you have more points than your opponent and neither of you have cards to play, or the other player passes.
This is an explanation of the game at its most basic, as there are numerous cards with different effects to consider, such as combat, ability, and effect cards. This variety of cards and deck types allows for a lot of player expression and customization, not to mention there’s the collection aspect, since there are so many cards to acquire. Try a few rounds of Gwent, and you’ll quickly see why it became its own game.
Gwent
- Released
-
October 23, 2018
- ESRB
-
T For Teen due to Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Language, Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
-
CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
-
CD Projekt Red
7
Cabaret Club Czar – Yakuza 0
The Yakuza games are renowned for their side activities, but the Cabaret Club in Yakuza 0 has always been one of my favorite mini-games in the Yakuza franchise.
When playing as Goro Majima, you are eventually able to manage a cabaret club on the verge of closing down in Sotenbori. Your ultimate goal is to become Sotenbori’s best club, and that is done primarily through hiring and training hostesses. Each hostess has stats that help them do their jobs better, including individual talents and moods, so you have to be aware of all of these factors when setting up for the night. I’m barely even scratching the surface, as there are also platinum hostesses and business partners to consider when competing with the other clubs.
There are so many variables to consider when managing, but once you get the hang of it, you really do feel connected to both your club and its staff.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
- Released
-
June 5, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
-
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
-
Sega
- Engine
-
Dragon Engine
6
Fishing – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Located in the northeastern area of Lake Hylia, the Fishing Hole is a locale where Link can, you guessed it, fish. Though it is now a staple in many franchises, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time‘s fishing stands the test of time, and will hook you just as much as you hook the fish.
For the low price of 20 Rupees, child or adult Link can fish for as long as he wants. With your fishing rod in hand, aim anywhere in the water and cast your line. You can also target a specific fish to aim directly at them. Much like in real life, there is much more to fishing than just reeling in a bite, such as guiding the rod to where the fish is swimming, and not scaring it away with movement.
Even those typically uninterested in the sport will likely end up striving to catch the biggest fish in the pond. There’s some real stress when you have a whopper on the line, but the euphoria of breaking the record for catching the biggest fish makes it worth it.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- Released
-
June 19, 2011
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
-
Grezzo, Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Engine
-
Super Mario 64
5
Voltorb Flip – Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
At first, I played Voltorb Flip for rare Pokémon from the Goldenrod and Celadon Game Corners in Pokémon SoulSilver. Before I knew it, I’d long since exceeded the needed coins and was playing simply for the thrill.
Most describe Voltorb Flip as a cross between Minesweeper and Picross, which is fairly accurate. The game takes place on a five-by-five grid, and each tile either has a number or a Voltorb when you flip it over. The numbers serve as multipliers to increase your total coins, while the Voltorbs are basically the mines from Minesweeper, and end the game. Each row and column contains information about the total number count and Voltorbs, so it’s not completely random and players can try to discern which tiles to flip.
Voltorb Flip is rather easy to pick up and understand, and just as easy to get lost in. Though you can quit at any time, the rush from fully completing a board almost makes it impossible to stop while you’re ahead. All I’m saying is, if Voltorb Flip existed in casinos, I might be in trouble.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Released
-
March 14, 2010
- ESRB
-
e
- Developer(s)
-
Game Freak
4
Geometry Wars – Project Gotham Racing 2
Like Gwent, Geometry Wars began as a mini-game in Project Gotham Racing 2, but was so beloved it launched as its own game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, which spawned several sequels.
Similar in scope to Asteroids, your objective is to survive as long as possible while destroying swarms of enemies that gradually increase in number and ferocity. It takes place on a rectangular field, with you being able to move your ship in any direction while firing independently at oncoming enemies. There are two game modes: Retro is what was present in Project Gotham Racing 2, and Evolved is the harder variant, as enemy waves quickly grow in number to overwhelm the player.
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved‘s catchy music, fast pacing, and pick-up-and-play nature make it an easy recommendation for someone looking for a modernized old-school experience.
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
- Released
-
November 22, 2005
- ESRB
-
E
- Developer(s)
-
Bizarre Creations
- Publisher(s)
-
Activision
3
Blitzball – Final Fantasy X
Blitzball is shown in an early story cutscene in Final Fantasy X, and what an introduction it is. The aquatic mini-game is the premiere spectator sport of Spira’s citizens, and it’ll take over your life too once you try it.
The best way I can describe Blitzball is a mix of rugby, soccer, and water polo that takes place in a giant sphere of water. Each team has three fielders, two defenders, and one goalkeeper on the field at a time. Players grab the ball and try to land it in the other team’s goal, be it with their hands or feet. Besides swimming around and shooting, you can pass the ball, or physically charge opponents who have it in an attempt to steal it.
It sounds straightforward enough, but there are a number of stats each player has that you need to consider when fielding your team, and even dozens of players you can recruit during the course of the game. That, along with the vast amount of techniques characters can learn, gives players a remarkable degree of customization for team-building. You’ll be rocking out to Blitz Off and loving life as you sink an inordinate amount of time into Blitzball, I assure you.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD
- Released
-
March 18, 2014
- ESRB
-
T For Teen due to Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
-
Square Enix
2
Chao Garden – Sonic Adventure and Sonic Advance Games
The Chao Garden was a revolutionary feature in the Sonic Adventure and Sonic Advance games. Chao Gardens house Chao, small infant-like creatures that change their appearance and capabilities based on how the player raises them.
Though you can feed Chao and give them toys to play with, their biggest draw is how you raise them. Chao have several life stages, and depending on which of their stats is the highest, such as running or swimming, they will look radically different as they age. How nice you were to them, or whether a good or evil character was the most affectionate with them, also dictates what form they take. Stats don’t just dictate how a Chao grows either, they additionally play a role in how the Chao performs in activities such as karate and racing.
The Chao Garden is surprisingly deep and incredibly addictive. It’s also such a wholesome experience, especially when you return and one of your Chao runs up to your character to hug their leg. Given Sonic’s popularity and fan demand for it, I’d say now is the perfect time to bring back the Chao Garden.
Sonic Adventure 2
- Released
-
June 19, 2001
- ESRB
-
e
- Developer(s)
-
Sonic Team USA
- Publisher(s)
-
Sega
- Engine
-
The Hedgehog Engine
1
Triple Triad – Final Fantasy VIII
To this day, when I replay Final Fantasy VIII, I have to make a conscious decision to pry myself away from Triple Triad, otherwise the story will never progress. This simple, yet satisfying, card game is so renowned that Final Fantasy XIV added it to the Gold Saucer.
Triple Triad takes place on a three-by-three grid, and players take turns placing cards from their hand onto the board. Each player’s hand consists of five cards of their choosing from their collection, and every card has four numbers (called Ranks) in the top left corner. The numbers range from one to nine, though they can also be an A, which is the highest possible amount. You capture an opponent’s card if the number on the side touching their card is greater when you place yours down.
For example, if I place a card with an eight on the bottom on top of an opponent’s card with a seven on the top, I capture it. It may sound a bit confusing, but it’s pretty intuitive once you start playing. If you have more cards than your opponent when the board is filled, you win.
Unless the rules say otherwise, when you win, you get to select an opponent’s card to keep. On the subject of rules, there are a variety of different rules that can be enacted depending on the region, such as hands being randomized or not being able to see your opponent’s cards until they play them. Whether you’re trying to collect all the cards or simply love the game, you’ll lose dozens of hours to Triple Triad.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
- Released
-
September 3, 2019
- ESRB
-
T For Teen Due To Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Dotemu, Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
-
Square Enix
It’s very telling that almost every single entry on this list has had a huge outcry from fans to either feature them more frequently or to be their own game entirely. In fact, they’ve only continued to get better, with some mini-games being my favorite part of AAA games. It doesn’t matter if it’s something as easygoing as fishing, or something as complex as running an entire business, a good mini-game is always a welcome addition.