So here we are, the final (for now) look at Suikoden's minigames. I of course haven't started Suikoden V yet, and Tactics didn't actually have any minigames so it's automatically out. Oddly enough, Suikoden IV didn't do that badly with its minigames, given that only two are required to recruit characters and the rest are completely optional. So let's see here.
Tops
This minigame can be played with Basil before being exiled from Razril or after you recruit the guy, but thankfully you don't have to play it to recruit him. I hate this game if it isn't obvious, but that may be because I played it via keyboard. Think of this one game as something to do with Beyblades or whatever kids in the 2000's played that involved spinning things, except done with a Playstation 2. It's awkward. The goal is to put spinning tops on a table, you have up to three, and you need to ensure you have the last spinning top standing in order to win. Which is harder than it sounds because you can lose even when you have tops in reserve, and you also gotta ensure that the tops don't either fly off the table or lose their spin. Apparently, it is possible to get a valuable Treasure map for another minigame, but only after twenty consecutive wins. I played this game once and decided not to do it again. Hey, maybe having a PS2 controller would help.
Chinchirorin
Yep, it's back, although Gunter (the guy who has it) calls it Triple Toss. It's entirely the same deal as before, completely luck-based, very save-scummable (hey, they didn't find some way to tinker the RNG this time). Only real difference is three 1's, which quintuples winnings instead of losing triple. Also there's this "Down to One" game, but no one played that, seriously. Gunter is an annoying recruit, but not actually because of this minigame, you don't even have to play him in order to actually recruit him. It's just he has to be seen in a few towns before he actually becomes recruitable.
Ritapon
Well, here's the big one. I STILL have no idea how this game is supposed to be played, and the bad news is that you not only need to play it to recruit Rita, but also have to earn a set score, apparently such thing has to exist for this very complex game. It's save-scummable still, but it's complicated nature is really bothersome. What you are supposed to do is get 3 sets of 3 identical coloured tiles, or the 1-2-3 combo ordeal. It's also got these rune tiles which are liable to be used right away to help you or hinder your opponent. My biggest issue is that Rita immediately uses one the moment she gets one, and these things often turn the advantage to her. Not helping is the terminology. I often confuse Ron (a winning condition) with Pon (not actually a winning condition). I can probably picture a few people thinking it's fun, but only after getting into it a lot. I couldn't figure out a lot of it and it was pretty much luck for me.
Cards
I don't know what this game is called, but Noah plays it, pre-recruitment and post-recruitment. But it's not necessary to recruit her by playing this minigame. It's sort of like Blackjack, except the target value is 51 and you can go over, also you alternate turns. There's combos with elements and all that. The prizes for this minigame are really not worth it and this game isn't all that fun. Thankfully it's optional.
Fishing
Well there's two kinds, the net-fishing with Shiramine, which isn't a minigame, and the regular rod one with Ugetsu. This is the more minigame one is and exactly what you expect.
Treasure hunting
This almost doesn't count as a minigame, but it's actually the most rewarding thing I can think of in this game. Basically after recruiting Rene, she can be controlled on some islands, and the treasure maps help in finding the treasures in places. It's nice and free stuff too, high-level runes and equipment are good to get. Only problem is random encounters, which is why I don't necessarily consider this that much of a minigame. Still, the rewards are excellent.
Coin-tossing
Once you recruit Igor this one becomes available. It's also simplistic to a fault due to just guessing which side to land on or to get more heads than Igor (or all tails for some reason). The prizes are not worth it. There's again no need to play this to recruit him.
Mice-catching
This is the other required minigame, for Nalkul and Champo. It's super silly and actually fun, because you are Champo catching the mice in the building and putting them into a cage. Sometimes when chasing mice some will try to free the caged ones, which is easy to tangle with, and it's somewhat funny watching the cat bang into the wall. Afterwards, I think you need to have Champo in the party to redo the minigame, and there are a few good prizes.
Mushroom/Mint wars
The procedures for getting to do this are lame, but like Chinchirorin, it's a purely nostalgic game. A throwback to the original war battle system in Suikoden. Something so fun to see for once, even if it's completely silly. Obviously, it functions exactly how fans would expect, with only marginal differences. No real rewards besides maybe the mushroom/mint, and no real penalties either.
So yeah, only two minigames are required, while the rest are either not fun and not required or pretty good overall and also not required. I didn't include the naval battle system, even though it could count, it's pretty integral as part of the storyline overall (despite being lame). I also don't include the Training Hall or the Confession Booth. One's not an actual minigame while the other, you are really supposed to forgive people anyways, since not forgiving them is actually gonna hurt the chances for Suikoden IV's best ending.
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