Very few things connect action-horror and 3D platformer, but a minecart segment is absolutely one of them. After completing Resident Evil 4 (remake) and listening to a retrospective podcast on Donkey Kong 64, I realize that minecarts are a lot more common in video games than I thought–and they tend to be awesome. What is it about mine carts that make them a game play option across all genres?
Firstly, let’s list a humble few video games with mine cart segments or levels, in no particular order:
- The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap (Cave of Flames)
- Super Mario RPG (Moleville Mountain)
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (in the Lanayru region)
- Resident Evil 4
- Donkey Kong Country (Mine Cart Carnage)
- Donkey Kong 64
- Kirby Superstar (The Great Cave Offensive)
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (The Fire Temple)
Each may vary on how the mine-cart segment is executed, but altogether it provides a rush of adrenaline (or stress) to the gamer. Minecarts go fast, and quick thinking is involved when enemies are chasing after you and/or there are other tracks or gaps to navigate. The pacing speeds up, no pun intended, and the concept can be applied to the silliest or serious of games.
I actually appreciate how this mechanic could fit into almost any video game. It breaks from whatever else is going on, and hopefully, give you a nice hit of dopamine. If minecarts weren’t such a successful or enjoyable mechanic, I don’t think they’d be as common in games, don’t you think?
Do you like games with minecarts in them? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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The Boss Rush Podcast – The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and the Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, Stephanie, LeRon, and their friends from around the internet come together with other creators, developers, and industry veterans to talk about games they’ve been playing, discuss video game and entertainment based topics, and answer questions solicited on social media and the community Discord.
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