It’s a thrill for every gamer to find a great new game. But there’s something extra special about finding one within another game that you are already playing. The concept is one that has been around for years – remember Psycho Pinball on the Mega Drive or going back even further, the poker game on The Wild Bunch? But as games have advanced, so have their depth, and there are some games within games that would hold their own as standalones.
It is a phenomenon that is familiar to those who play slots. The increased focus on bringing skill-based aspects to online casino games means the bonus games are often more important to the gameplay than the spin of the reels themselves. And here, we look at some of the best games that are available on Xbox that have hidden gems of their own. Enjoy!
Grand Theft Auto
Speaking of casinos, the one in Grand Theft Auto V is still not open, despite constant rumours that each new update will bring the opportunity to go in for a game of blackjack or a spin of the roulette wheel. However, there’s plenty of other things to do in Los Santos, and one of them is to visit the golf course. There are nine holes, and the gameplay and physics compares well to any off the shelf golf game. Just keep an eye out for the gunmen in the bunkers. You can also find places to play tennis and go cycling in Los Santos – it’s like a full workout without having to leave your sofa!
Call of Duty: Black Ops
It’s one of the most complex and multi layered first person shooters available, but that didn’t stop developers Treyarch from treating us to an extra little gem. Dead Ops is a traditional arcade-style shooter that can be unlocked during gameplay. It’s almost too good, as once you’ve found it, you won’t want to progress with the main game!
Sonic Generations
Like the Star Trek movie of the same name, this is a game that puts a modern twist on a classic formula. But the similarities don’t end there. In Star Trek: Generations, Jean Luc Picard found himself alongside James T Kirk. And in Sonic, you have the opportunity to earn points to acquire a Sega Genesis controller. This allows you to play the original Sonic the Hedgehog to your heart’s content. You can even buy unlimited lives, so if you never reached the end back in the early 1990s, this is your chance!
The Witcher 3
No discussion of games within games can be complete without giving an honourable mention to The Witcher 3. Gwent, the turn-based card game, has become a phenomenon in its own right, and there are websites and forums aplenty devoted to discussing strategy. It is probably the most successful game within a game ever, and will soon be released as a standalone. You get the feeling that its popularity will endure long after The Witcher 3 is long forgotten.
