Games Where the Minigames Are More Fun Than the Main Game

If you consider yourself a seasoned gamer, you’ve definitely played games where you spent more time on the side quests and minigames than the actual storyline.

This isn’t to say that the storyline wasn’t carefully curated and crafted by countless writers on the development team—it just means that they’ve taken the time to round out the game with some incredible side activities and minigames that are just as good. 

Video games will often implement them as little arcade games, as opportunities to build a more sophisticated world, or as breaks from the main gameplay to allow players to rack up more hours. After all, many gamers enjoy a change of pace or the opportunity to work towards 100% completion, even after finishing the main storyline. 

Curious to know what games out there have minigames and side quests dominating the spotlight? Let’s take a look.

Mario Party

Mario Party is a shining example of how minigames can become the main draw of a video game. Known for its family-friendly, occasionally chaotic, out-of-the-box minigames, Nintendo puts a fun spin on the classic board game format by inserting competitive minigames after every set of turns. 

While the main premise and goal of the game is to rack up as many stars and coins as possible to win, participating in dozens of minigames softens the blow if you don’t. It also means more fun to be had and varied games that cater to different interests and skills.

Maybe you’re better at matching, quick decision-making, using your reflexes, or simply having luck on your side. Either way, this timeless family-friendly game has captured the hearts of just about everyone, including non-gamers.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild redefined the long-running Legend of Zelda series with its expansive open world, setting the stage for endless exploration.

While there are tons of side quests, minigames, and extra activities to do around Hyrule, the main story is extremely well-developed, taking place 100 years after the Great Calamity. Link wakes up from a deep sleep and is given the Sheikah Slate to navigate the kingdom, restore Hyrule, and free Zelda. 

Completing every task and finding every single gem in the game is nearly impossible (unless you’re one of those streamers or YouTubers who does it for a living), with 900 Korok Seeds to hunt for, dozens of side missions given to you by NPCs, shrines to find, and places to discover. You can easily dedicate hundreds of hours to the game.

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most successful games ever made, and for good reason. It features an expansive and realistic open world, unique NPCs, dynamic weather, massive gameplay variety, and a multi-protagonist storyline. Despite being released in 2013, the game still has over 20 million monthly players across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation. 

Because there are three protagonists, each with his own storyline, to play as, GTA V provides a non-linear, in-depth approach to storytelling and introduces new opportunities to insert side activities. Strangers and Freaks missions, as they’re aptly termed, are tailored around these vastly different main characters, aligning with their backstories and personalities.

Franklin’s missions let you explore his old neighborhood, Michael’s involve interacting with his family and exploring his criminal past, and Trevor’s are downright chaotic, involving drugs and guns. These side missions are so engaging and offer so many unique features and rewards that Casinos.com once compared them to social casinos.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is another cultural phenomenon, like GTA V, known for its open-ended, flexible gameplay experience. For the most part, the gameplay involves doing whatever you please, but there’s a short introductory storyline to familiarize you with game mechanics and characters and set you on a path to building your dream island. 

The game is relaxing but offers progression as you gradually gain the ability to craft new items, upgrade your home, invite more villagers to live on the island, and unlock other features like terraforming and shops.

While there are no inherent minigames, many activities present themselves as side quests, such as leveling up your relationship with your villagers, collecting bugs, fish, and sea creatures for the museum, and paying off your home loans. 

Once you finish upgrading to a 5-star island and get anthropomorphic dog singer sensation K.K. Slider to perform on your island, you finish up the main storyline and get to pursue other projects.

Stardew Valley

One of the most popular farming simulations of all time is Stardew Valley, a charming pixel-style title that gives you free rein outside of its primary story. So, what’s the story here? Well, you inherit a decrepit farm from your late grandfather in Pelican Town and begin a new life there.

The main goals you’re encouraged to complete include reviving the Community Center and choosing whether to go the Joja corporate route or maintain the small-town community feel. 

However, everything else you choose to do is considered side activities and personal choices, like raising animals, planting certain crops, mining, getting married, and visiting specific businesses.

There are even recipes to learn, arcade games like Junimo Kart to play, and seasonal events to participate in. It’s all about how you want to shape your life on the farm.