As a series famous for mini games, we could have filled this entire list with entries from the Final Fantasy series, but we’ve settled for just two. The first is the card game Triple Triad on the PS1 classic Final Fantasy 8. This had you collecting cards of practically every named character and monster in the game, battling NPCs with these cards, and taking theirs as prizes. Cards in Triple Triad could also be converted into strong items and spells, meaning the best players were also rewarded with incredible power. As a mini game popular enough to spawn dedicated apps and websites, this title still stands out more than 20 years later. Discover all games!
Shooter games might not be the most outwardly suited to smaller mini games, but that didn’t stop Red Dead Redemption. Set in the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption allows faithful fans to play mini poker games with strangers or buddies online. Take a seat in a saloon, put your feet up, and try to make sure none of your opponents are cheating. If they are, a quick duel outside is a perfect way to settle any outstanding debts.
The Mario Party series is one where mini games are the game. As you play, you and your friends compete to collect coins and stars over a range of events until a final winner is decided. Some of the best mini games in this series are completely random, while others are bizarrely skill-intensive, while the most famous test the durability of your hand (Google “Mario Party palm destroyer” to learn more). They’re not all winners, but with the right company, they do add up to something great.
The first Tekken set the stage for a legendary series, while also pioneering the idea of offering mini games on the loading screen. In this case, users could play some Galaga while they waited for a level to load, where a perfect score would unlock the secret Devil character. The only downside here is that Namco patented this idea, so no other games could include mini games on loading screens until the patent expired in 2015!