Minigame

Aminigame(also spelledmini gameandmini-game,sometimes called asubgameormicrogame) is a short game often contained within anothervideo game.A minigame contains differentgameplayelements and is often smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained.

A "beachstickball" minigame inA Short Hike

Some video games consist entirely of minigames which tie into an overall theme, such asOlympic Decathlon(1980). Minigames can also be used to represent a specific experience, such ashacking,lock picking,or scanning an area, that ties into a larger game.

Minigame compilations

Some games are made up of many minigames strung together into one video game, such asNintendo'sWarioWareseries(which are called microgames in the series),Universal'sVideo Action,David Whittaker'sLazy Jonesand themobile gamePhone Story.Some similar games specifically developed formultiplayerare consideredparty games,such as theItadaki Streetseries bySquare Enixand Nintendo'sMario Partyseries. In party games, minigames usually involve performing an activity faster or collecting more of a specified item than other players to win; some may be entirely luck.

Examples

TheFinal Fantasyseries includes minigames in every entry, since the firstFinal Fantasy(1987), in which a15 puzzlein the form of anEaster eggcan be uncovered by entering a specific sequence of inputs while piloting a ship. It was added into the game by programmerNasir Gebellidespite it not being part ofSquaresoft's original game design.

ThePocketStationforPlayStationandVMUforDreamcastaccessories allowed the user to download minigames from the main console onto the pocket device, and often then sync progress in the minigame back on to the console. Two examples of this include theChocobo Worldminigame insideFinal Fantasy VIII.

See also

• Casual game
• Invade-a-Load
• Minigames ofFinal Fantasy
• Party video game