NES Classics (Animal Crossing)
Animal Crossing is all about recreating a social experience, allowing players to do various activities like fishing, farming, and bug catching to pass the day. As such, it isn’t entirely surprising that video games are also among the social activities the game provides its characters.
It wasn’t simply enough to create small mini-games in Animal Crossing, though, as the title added a full roster of fully playable NES titles to be unlocked in-game.
From Donkey Kong to Excitebike and Golf, almost every title included was worth the price of admission itself. Even Donkey Kong Jr. Math wasn’t a terrible inclusion, as you could at least show your parents that video games could be a learning tool.
Gwent (The Witcher 3)
When Aldert Geert introduces Gwent to Geralt in White Orchard around the start of The Witcher 3’s first act, it seems like just another card game. Its appeal was clear by the end of the tutorial though, as win or lose, many felt the need to find more players and get better cards in order to fuel their growing Gwent addiction.
Between Gwent’s multiple effect-based factions, spell-centric cards, and powerful legendary characters, the game provides a plethora of different deck combinations and ways to approach each match. The side mission became so popular after The Witcher 3’s release that it even got its own game.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game released in 2018, adding even more depth, alongside making overpowered cards and combos fairer.
The only downside to the game in The Witcher 3 is that it doesn’t allow Geralt to ask any of the major villains if they want to play a round. The Unseen Elder likes to play Gwent too.
Club Sega (Judgement)
Just like the other games in the Yakuza series, Judgement features plenty of amazing mini-games. Whether it is something as intricate as drone racing or as simple as Mahjong, a lot of the extra content in the game is just as fun as the main gameplay.
While they’re a blast to play, none of those mini-games can hold a candle to Club Sega – an arcade that has a handful of classic Sega titles that can be completed for rewards. In total, the arcade has seven games, each from varied genres.
Whether its the on-rails shooter Kamuro of the Dead or the title matching puzzler Puyo Puyo, each inclusion is sure to tug on the nostalgic heartstrings of any Sega fanboy when played.
Pico-8 (Celeste)
Celeste took the indie world by storm when it released in early 2018, providing beautiful visuals and frustratingly fun gameplay that delighted platforming fans everywhere. None of that platforming mayhem would’ve been possible without the building blocks Matt Makes Games created within Pico-8 though.
Originally created over the span of four days, Pico-8 was what Matt Makes Games first created when they came up with the concept for Celeste.
The main difference between Celeste and Pico-8 – aside from the pixelation – is that players can not climb. This small change adds an extra level of difficulty that’s perfect for the masochists who love the main title.
This unique 8-bit version of the game can be found in Chapter 3 of the Celeste resort, hidden at the top right the laundry room. Even if you don’t have Celeste, Pico-8 can still be played here.
Masterpieces (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
The Smash Bros. series is all about taking well-established video game mascots and placing them in an all-out brawl against one another, wondering which unique power will win each fight.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl didn’t simply stop at each character’s inclusion though, as the title featured a mode known as Masterpieces.
In this mode, the game recreates the past adventures of the Smash combatants, which can be unlocked after completing specific challenges.
While these limited-time trial games might not have included each full title, getting to experience portions of some of the best games of all times proves quality beats quantity.
Geometry Wars (Project Gotham Racing 2)
A racing game is probably the last place players imagined they’d find a twin-stick shooter hidden within, let alone one that was actually good.
Bizarre Creations did just that in 2003 though, as Geometry Wars – a frenzied and colorful game where players must destroy all enemy ships to win – was found after exploring the garage in Project Gotham Racing 2.
Originally created as a way to test out how the Xbox controller would feel for a racing game, Geometry Wars became so popular that it got its own Arcade title. Not long after its debut, the twin-stick shooter held the record for the most downloaded Xbox Live Arcade Game.
Geometry Wars was so successful, it even managed to outlast Project Gotham Racing as a franchise. Almost a full decade after the last installment in the racing franchise it made its debut in, Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions released to critical acclaim.
Here is to hoping for another installment in the hectic multi-directional shooter in the near future.
