WHY DO MINIGAMES EXIST?

Personally, every example of a "great" minigame that "almost everyone" likes that someone has mentioned in this thread so far has been something I utterly despised. I universally wanted to get back to the main game in every case.

I do understand the importance of pacing however, and I understand the intended purpose of minigames, and I recognize that they kinda succeed at that purpose most of the time. I would just rather my break from the main game be in the form of sneaking around South Figaro trying to rescue Celes and escape from town in disguise, instead of betting on races. And frankly I thought FF13 was perfect for the first forty hours of hallways. So really I'm on board with Craze as far as my own preferences; I just recognize that 99% of RPG players disagree with me.

The only times I've actually enjoyed minigames were when I really didn't even like the main game and was only playing it for the story or the nostalgia or the setting. Like, I will play Triple Triad all day, but frankly I'd prefer if every single battle in FF8 were replaced by a Triple Triad card match.

I do think it's interesting that minigames seem to be genre-specific. They exist in RPGs, adventure games, and action-adventure games (like Zelda), and basically nothing else. With very few exceptions, there are no minigames in first-person shooters, and no minigames in strategy games, and no minigames in MOBAs, and no minigames in racing games (except for the ones starring Mario), and no minigames in sports games (except for the ones starring Mario), and no minigames in fighting games (except for the ones starring Mario). I wonder if developers of those types of games simply have more confidence that they know what they're doing in the main game, and thus don't need anything else. I also wonder what the hell is up with Mario showing up in random genres and bringing a bunch of minigames with him every time.

That's the point, it didn't feel like you weren't playing the actual game any more, the way a minigame does. But it was also different enough from trekking through a dungeon as to give you a break and variety.

author=LockeZ
Personally, every example of a "great" minigame that "almost everyone" likes that someone has mentioned in this thread so far has been something I utterly despised. I universally wanted to get back to the main game in every case.

And that is why they're kept short in the plot parts and then added as a side diversion later on - so the few like yourself don't have to worry about them after that one (or two) examples, but so that others who do like them can have at. Best of both worlds.

author=LockeZ
I wonder if developers of those types of games simply have more confidence that they know what they're doing in the main game, and thus don't need anything else.

I doubt it. More likely they realise that people want to be amused and spend more time on the game than just the story would allow for. It also adds interesting ways for people to get treasure outside of the old 'find a chest that is mysteriously unopened on a well-travelled trail in a dungeon area' or monster drops. Because most people hate grinding, even when it comes to the best battle system. Too much of something requires you to take a step back and breathe and what better way to do that than still in the game?

I mean, you could stop the game and go do something else for a while OR you could head to the nearest casino and bet on your pet monster in a battle arena for leet treasure.

Easy choice for the majority of us~

The implementation is always the biggest problem, i guess. I haven't played so many games so far, but I have some pretty bad memories related to them.
Like walking in spacesuit in KOTOR, that was boring as hell. Or racing in Mafia (driving around was essential for the game, but this one mission was extremely frustrating and I spent several days on it even on the easiest difficulty).
Some just don't add anything to my experience like optional Shmup stages in Jade Empire or any slot machines ever.
Shmup stages in Jade Empire ere pretty well implemented, tho. They make your travel more connected.
I like minigames in GTA and it's clones and also i loved loading screen mingame in Awesomenauts.

Most of them are pointless and bad. If I want a break from the main game, I will save/turn off and do something else.

Ah, I remember the golden age of games when games only had you do one thing through its entirety. My favorites were Solar Fox and Phoenix. And unlike most people I did enjoy Pac-Man on the Atari 2600 (but I didn't know any better!)

The ill-defined concept of "minigames" in the OP is not a terrible thing. They add flavor and variety and atmosphere. I welcome them.

Also, LockeZ nailed it with his comment about minigames being a viable tool for pacing in a game.

*rides swoop bike off to the next Pazaak tournament*

EDIT:
OH! I forgot to mention!

The WORST minigame ever conceived that ruins (if not from the getgo, then eventually) every MMORPG is PVP arenas. Designers sacrifice so much control, flavour, and balancing options just to appease and "balance" this complete sideshow of PVP that it just hamstrings the main game.

I hate it and the existence of it. I wish I could just ignore it but changes made for the sake of PVP inevitably negatively impact my enjoyment of the real game.

Let me tell you about grinding arena gear in WoW ffff I just wanna stab people ;_;