Mini game within a game

Question

Are there any board games where you play a mini game within the main game?

For example, imagine playing Axis & Allies where you play a quick game of Tic-Tac-Toe each round to see which side gets a free submarine.

Enter the Dungeon not only has you play a Magic subgame but you play it under the table. (I suppose there was also Shahrazad, but that's clearly not as cool.) — Cascabel, May 09 '13 at 05:17
Also, if what you're actually looking for is to learn how a mechanic like this might be used (and how well it works), you might want to edit your question. As it is, you're kind of polling (asking for a list of many games), as evidenced by the answers, which is a valid reason to close questions, since we like directly answerable questions. — Cascabel, May 09 '13 at 14:52
This is a poll question, where every answer is equally valid. As Jefromi says, it encourages many answers, each listing one example of the mechanic. Think about what you really want to know, and try and reword the question so that a single answer could give you that. In other words, focus on the motivation for asking for the list. I'm closing this for now to prevent more of the same answers. Feel free to flag for reopening after you've adjusted the question. — ire_and_curses, May 09 '13 at 16:22
Actually, the only answers I expected were "Yes" and "No", instead of examples. Since people answered with examples, I'm fine with leaving this one closed. — Joe, May 09 '13 at 16:39

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered May 09 '13 at 11:36

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Trajan has you playing a round of Mancala each turn to decide what action you take, with bonuses for accumulating the correct colored pieces in certain locations.

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answered May 09 '13 at 11:36

bwarner

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered May 09 '13 at 12:19

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Mansions of Madness has a number of 'puzzles' that are like mini-games. You have to solve them to uncover clues and gather other important things.

Mansions of Madness Puzzle setup example page

answered May 09 '13 at 12:19

Pow-Ian

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 09 '13 at 08:19

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The Shahrazad card in Magic the Gathering has the players stop playing the game and play another game of Magic with their remaining cards.

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answered May 09 '13 at 08:19

Omar Kooheji

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A very controversial card, given that its main function seems to be for building decks that can spin out the length of a game of Magic long enough to guarantee a draw under tournament conditions... – thesunneversets May 09 '13 at 15:40

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered May 09 '13 at 12:31

If you play Gipf with potentials then each time you activate a potential you play the game the potential if based on. If you win you are allowed to use the potential power.

Note that these rules are optional (for one you would need to own the game, and it also takes a long time if you play with many potential). Also, while each game is played on its own all of them are full games, worth playin gin their own right.

Mini game within a game

4 Answers4