Final Fantasy’s impressive video game legacy continues to grow after more than 35 years, 16 mainline titles, and close to 100 games in the iconic franchise. Final Fantasy XVI finds ways to incorporate new concepts while also paying respect to the past. Mini-games are hardly a mandatory Final Fantasy component, but they’ve been present since the franchise’s first game with its 15 Puzzle bonus challenge.
Final Fantasy games have featured dozens of minigames over the years, some of which have even become more popular than the larger games that they’re from. Final Fantasy XVI developers have been vocal about the removal of conventional mini-games as a way to improve immersion in the game’s adventure, which is a very valid strategy. But some players will always miss being able to take a break from the main story and enjoy a classic Final Fantasy minigame.
10 Chocobo World
Final Fantasy VIII
The PlayStation's PocketStation peripheral was never released outside of Japan, but it's the home of an ambitious mini-game in Final Fantasy VIII. “Chocobo World” is a lo-fi simulation game that's akin to a Tamagotchi or virtual pet. Players control and raise Boko, a Chocobo which can then be used to transfer rare items into Final Fantasy VIII proper.
"Chocobo World"is a charming use of the Chocobo, but the PocketStation's limitations hold it back. Chocobo World was unfortunately removed from 2019's Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, but it was included in the original PC port of Final Fantasy VIII, where many North American audiences experienced it for the first time.
9 Fort Condor
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII is a major upgrade for the JRPG series that fully takes advantage of the PlayStation's hardware. In one of the side quests, a scrappy battle to protect a giant condor's nesting egg turns into a strategic mini-game reminiscent of something like Final Fantasy Tactics.
Fort Condor is incorporated in a fairly clunky manner, even if it proves to be a helpful way to earn Huge Materia. Curiously, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade's "Episode INTERmission" brought back Fort Condor, but with several smart board game-like revisions that improve upon the original.
8 Chocobo Racing
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy’s adorable Chocobo creatures have quickly found popularity and are at the center of many of the franchise’s mini-games. Chocobo Racing made its debut in Final Fantasy VII, but it has turned into a longstanding mini-game tradition that’s carried over into Final Fantasy X, XI, XIII-2, XIV, and most recently Final Fantasy XV.
Each Chocobo Racing iteration remains true to the original concept, but Final Fantasy XIV really upgraded it into a deeply nuanced racing experience. Chocobo Racing has proven itself as such an entertaining mini-game that it's even been spun off into a full game in '99's Chocobo Racing and its 2022 Switch sequel, Chocobo GP.
7 Sphere Break
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy X-2, one of the first true mainline sequels in the franchise, brought back more blitzball chaos. However, it also introduced a fun coin-based mini-game designed to entertain the masses during blitzball's off-season. Some Final Fantasy mini-games involve a lot of luck and chance, but Sphere Break is reliant upon math.
Sphere Break begins with a Core Number between one and nine. Players then fill up a four-by-four grid with Entry Coins whose number totals must equal multiples of the original Core Number. Sphere Break is like Final Fantasy's unique take on Sudoku and it's a fun change of pace from constant battles.
6 Fishing
Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy players turn to mini-games for many different reasons. Fishing can offer tense and challenging competitions, but there's also value in relaxing pastimes that help players unwind after endless battles. Final Fantasy XV has a rich world to explore, which includes a detailed fishing mini-game where patience is a virtue.
Players can unlock new recipes through fishing, but the mini-game is designed to slow down gameplay. Final Fantasy XV's fishing mini-game even received an enhanced VR spin-off, Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV, which truly immerses audiences in Eos' aquatic world.
5 Blitzball
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X was the first entry in the series for the PlayStation 2, which led to some major upgrades like fully voice-acted dialogue. Final Fantasy X was also able to deliver a more substantial variety of mini-game. Spira's official sport, Blitzball, is an easy way to lose hours.
Blitzball is an aquatic sport where teams try to get the signature blitzball into the other's net. Blitzball can be an acquired taste, but there's a lot of room to experiment and grow with this sport. Players can casually give it a shot out of curiosity or set out to become league champions.
4 Gold Saucer’s Snowboarding & G-Bike Racing
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII’s shift to a more industrial setting opened up some fascinating possibilities for the franchise, particularly when it came to new mini-games. Wonder Square is a dedicated arcade area located within the Gold Saucer theme park. Some of Final Fantasy VII’s best mini-games are located here, but the standouts are G-Bike Racing and Snow Game, two unique styles of race.
Both of these are rewarding distractions that are even more fun thanks to their unusual nature. It’s strange to control Cloud on a snowboard and to perform dazzling aerial tricks, but that’s also part of these mini-games’ odd charm.
3 Tetra Master
Final Fantasy IX
The popularity of Final Fantasy VIII's Triple Triad led to the series' successor, Final Fantasy IX, developing a fresh card-based mini-game rather than just delivering a second Triple Triad dose. "Tetra Master" plays out on a four-by-four grid where cards of contrasting values are put into combat.
Tetra Master develops a fun, fast-paced rhythm, but there's also a fun collection aspect to the mini-game with over 100 unique Tetra Master cards available in Final Fantasy IX's world. Tetra Master is easy to get lost in and it's a fun way to see new sides of characters.
2 Chocobo Hot & Cold
Final Fantasy IX
Chocobo Hot and Cold may at first seem like a glorified version of hide and seek or a cryptic treasure hunt. However, it's a fun way to explore Final Fantasy IX's world and fill some time for those who are tired of grinding in battle.
Struggling players can experience a condensed version of the mini-game in chocobo forests, but Final Fantasy IX's entire open world functions as one big playground for Chocobo Hot and Cold. The most intrepid of Chocobo Hot and Cold players will even be rewarded with Fat Chocobo's Tetra Master card, a relic for one of Final Fantasy IX's other most popular mini-games.
1 Triple Triad
Final Fantasy VIII
Card games are some of Final Fantasy's most successful and entertaining mini-games. Triple Triad is an engaging card game that plays out on a three-by-three game grid where players battle with five cards apiece to capture the other player's cards.
Triple Triad was designed by prolific Final Fantasy developer and director Hiroyuki Ito, which is why it's not just some empty diversion. Triple Triad made its debut in Final Fantasy VIII, but it triumphantly returned in Final Fantasy XIV. Triple Triad has struck such a chord with Final Fantasy players that Bandai even produced limited copies of a physical Triple Triad card game in Japan.