10 Coolest In-Game Arcades And Mini-Games

In-game arcades and mini-games add quick bursts of fun that break up big quests and can even net you gear, cash, or stat boosts. Some live inside full entertainment hubs while others pop up in bars, towns, or onboard gadgets. Many track high scores, unlock prizes, or feed into quests, so they are worth learning well. Here are ten standouts that are easy to find, simple to learn, and rewarding to master.

‘Club SEGA’ in ‘Yakuza’ series

‘Club SEGA’ locations appear around Kamurocho and other districts with authentic cabinets to play. You can hop into ‘Out Run’, ‘Space Harrier’, and ‘Virtua Fighter 5’ with real scoreboards and sound. Claw machines award plushies and items you can collect or gift. High scores, minigame challenges, and prize exchanges feed into completion points for upgrades.

‘Gold Saucer’ in ‘Final Fantasy VII’

The ‘Gold Saucer’ packs multiple attractions into a layered theme park structure. You earn GP from matches and events, then spend it on tickets and exclusive prizes. The Battle Square, racing, and other stalls track performance and unlock rewards. Park events and side quests tie certain attractions to character progress.

‘Gwent’ in ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’

‘Gwent’ is a collectible card game you can play with innkeepers, merchants, and named opponents across the map. Cards come from quest rewards, shops, and unique victories, letting you build faction decks with special effects. Tournaments and questlines track your wins and open rare card payouts. Matches also grant crowns and help complete region objectives.

‘Poker and Five Finger Fillet’ in ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’

Saloons and camps host ‘Poker’, ‘Blackjack’, and ‘Dominoes’ alongside ‘Five Finger Fillet’ challenges. You can buy in, manage stakes, and read table behavior while completing side challenges. Winnings support camp funds and personal upgrades. Certain story beats and stranger missions revolve around specific tables and high stakes sessions.

‘Dead Ops Arcade’ in ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’

‘Dead Ops Arcade’ is a top-down survival mode with arenas, multipliers, and temporary power boosts. Hidden rooms and bonus stages expand routes beyond a single map. Pickups stack score potential while round counts push leaderboards. Returning runs let you chase better paths and secret interactions.

‘Journey of the Prairie King’ in ‘Stardew Valley’

An arcade cabinet in the saloon launches ‘Journey of the Prairie King’ as a twin-stick shooter. Coins from waves fund temporary upgrades between stages. Finishing the game awards a farmhouse trophy and an achievement. A second cabinet later unlocks ‘Junimo Kart’ with track challenges and separate rewards.

‘Armax Arsenal Arena’ in ‘Mass Effect 3’

The ‘Armax Arsenal Arena’ on the Citadel runs scored combat simulations with selectable enemy sets and modifiers. You choose loadouts and squadmates, then tackle themed maps under time and scoring rules. Tokens from wins unlock new enemy packs and prizes. Leaderboards and rotating challenges encourage repeat runs for better payouts.

‘Holotape Games’ in ‘Fallout 4’

Holotapes found in vaults, diners, and offices load retro-style games into the Pip-Boy. Titles like ‘Red Menace’, ‘Atomic Command’, and ‘Zeta Invaders’ feature simple controls with escalating difficulty. You can replay collected tapes anytime from your device. Some tapes hide behind locks or quest rewards, adding exploration incentives.

‘Batting Cages and Darts’ in ‘Persona 5 Royal’

Tokyo neighborhoods offer batting cages that record accuracy and distance for prizes and stat boosts. Kichijoji adds darts and billiards with party bonuses tied to performance. Evening visits raise confidant stats while unlocking unique items. Seasonal rotations and shop changes refresh the available rewards.

‘Shield Surfing and Snow Bowling’ in ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’

Rito and Hebra regions host shield surfing time trials with rupee payouts and materials. Pondo’s lodge offers snow bowling where strikes return better rewards. Weather and shield durability affect runs, so extra equipment helps. Completion logs capture best times and scores for repeat attempts.

Share your favorite in-game arcades and mini-games in the comments so everyone can swap tips and hidden spots.