Minigames within games

[R-Tape]

For example the bomb diffusion in Joe Blade, or the DNA decoding in Encyclopaedia Galactica.

Can anyone think of other good examples of such games? They don't have to be decoding/defusing games, just something with a similar feel; a small task to fulfil. They don't have to be speccy games either - I'd be interested in any platform, new or old.

For the record, I always found the Joe Blade defusing very stressful!

[Einar Saukas]

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/list?gr ... 010&crap=2

[evilpaul]

I'll add Max Headroom to that list for the lift and floor control minigames - I used to love those

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=3079

[Evil Genius]

I was watching a walkthrough video a little while back of some kind of shoot em up with a 'towers of Hanoi' minigame, can't remember the name but it doesn't appear to be in Einar's list.

[R-Tape]

Cheers fellas. I'm aware of that group, but I've been vague. I'm not even sure how to rephrase, so I guess even I don't know what I mean!

I posted in the design forum because I'm trying to think how a minigame that is integral to the game could be done better. I don't find the bomb defusing enjoyable in Joe Blade, and the decoding in EG is a bit easy/throwaway.

Contrary to my original post, if we stick with defusing, decoding, lock picking and the like, which games have done this particularly well in your opinion? Any platform, new or old.

[Audionautas]

Hi

Wudang (https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3 ... rum/Wudang), also includes a couple of mini-games.

All the best!

[Evil Genius]

Is this for a game you're designing? If so maybe we could approach it from the other side - if you can describe what the game is about we could come up with a suitable mini-game.

[Andre Leao]

Frankie goes to Hollywood has loads of minigames. Bedlam has a pinball minigames, as well

[MonkZy]

Contrary to my original post, if we stick with defusing, decoding, lock picking and the like, which games have done this particularly well in your opinion?

I like Rasterscan. The Pickford Bros were not happy with the game at all, but I beg to differ. The lock picking puzzles in this game are quite enjoyable. I can confess to using an infinite energy poke to play through the whole game, there is not nearly enough time for me otherwise.

I agree with you on Joe Blade..Those firkin bombs ruin it for me.

[Joefish]

I quite enjoy the circuit-duelling minigame in Quazatron.

[Juan F. Ramirez]

The martians room in Pyjamarama is a classic. And Dinamic's AMC (IIRC) has a curious mini-game on screen while loading.

[Morkin]

I quite enjoy the circuit-duelling minigame in Quazatron.

Yeah, I always thought that mini-game was brilliant. I wasn't sure if it was taken from elsewhere - if it was invented just for Quazatron it's pretty inspired, I'd be happy to play it as a standalone game on its own, on an incrementally difficult level-by-level basis.

The combination of the different circuit components, limited 'shots', the time limit and the computer opponent makes it very clever and tactical.

[Ralf]

I was watching a walkthrough video a little while back of some kind of shoot em up with a 'towers of Hanoi' minigame, can't remember the name but it doesn't appear to be in Einar's list.

It could be Task Force:
https://www.spectrumcomputing.co.uk/ent ... Task_Force

See recording for example at 13:30:

https://youtu.be/PxWICZrBfwA

[Joefish]

I quite enjoy the circuit-duelling minigame in Quazatron.

Yeah, I always thought that mini-game was brilliant. I wasn't sure if it was taken from elsewhere - if it was invented just for Quazatron it's pretty inspired, I'd be happy to play it as a standalone game on its own, on an incrementally difficult level-by-level basis.
The combination of the different circuit components, limited 'shots', the time limit and the computer opponent makes it very clever and tactical.

Well, it was ported over from Paradroid.

[Manu128k]

Has the safe cracking minigame from All or Nothing been mentioned?

[Morkin]

I quite enjoy the circuit-duelling minigame in Quazatron.

Yeah, I always thought that mini-game was brilliant. I wasn't sure if it was taken from elsewhere - if it was invented just for Quazatron it's pretty inspired, I'd be happy to play it as a standalone game on its own, on an incrementally difficult level-by-level basis.
The combination of the different circuit components, limited 'shots', the time limit and the computer opponent makes it very clever and tactical.

Well, it was ported over from Paradroid.

Ah - of course, I guess it would have..! (I haven't played Paradroid).

[Evil Genius]

It could be Task Force

That's the one. Nice looking game, from the same team as 'Shark'

[R-Tape]

Is this for a game you're designing? If so maybe we could approach it from the other side - if you can describe what the game is about we could come up with a suitable mini-game.

Yes, but I'm just at the brainstorming stage. I have something in mind where you're exploring somewhere and finding things that you can fix/unlock/decode/do something to. I'd prefer to keep anything more specific to myself, as I feel the more I say, the less likely it is to happen

I like Rasterscan. The Pickford Bros were not happy with the game at all, but I beg to differ. The lock picking puzzles in this game are quite enjoyable. I can confess to using an infinite energy poke to play through the whole game, there is not nearly enough time for me otherwise.

That's a tripped out game! Yes the lock picking in that is the kind of thing, but perhaps a bit more elaborate.

I quite enjoy the circuit-duelling minigame in Quazatron.

Good call. It's more than just a sidenote puzzle - it's something you actually look forward to encountering.

[R-Tape]

Has the safe cracking minigame from All or Nothing been mentioned?

Is it anywhere in the youtube vid? I can't find it.

[Manu128k]

Has the safe cracking minigame from All or Nothing been mentioned?

Is it anywhere in the youtube vid? I can't find it.

It is featured in the video at 02:01, but as the whole walkthrough is recorded using rollbacks, it seems that the player magically knows the key number.

In a normal game, if you enter a wrong digit, it removes all the digits you previously entered and you have to remember all of them. It's not that easy to do, I think that if you spend too much time working the safe, an alarm is triggered.

[RWAC]

Does Lenslok count as a mini game?

[Morkin]

Does Lenslok count as a mini game?

Yep, with the same amount of fun and anger generation as Monopoly...

[Nick]

That frustratingly pixel perfect face matching section in Robocop.

[druellan]

I think Lazy Jones (https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/2 ... Lazy_Jones) can be considered a compilation of minigames.
And for something more modern, Wake Me Up! (https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3 ... Wake_Me_Up) by J.B.G.V. (big fan of his games, btw!).

[catmeows]

I like Gwent in Witcher 3. It is card game (Magic The Gathering/Heartstone type) but the most interesting aspect it that you can get new cards in many ways in Witcher world - you can find, steal or win it while interacting with NPC.