Genshin Impact is a massive game. Launched in 2020 asHoYoverse’s magnum opus, the game has amassed such a wealth of content that catching up to its story alone requires a considerable time investment. That time investment goes exponentially when you take its side content into account.
Apart from its usual exploration, combat and the endless grind of earning Primogems, Genshin has several mini games. Some of these are permanent, while others are time-limited to certain annual events, but all are engaging. Here are our favourites.
8Bing-Bang Finchball
Recurring Event
First introduced in the Secret Summer Paradise event of version 3.8, Bing-Bang Finchball proved popular enough for a 4.8 re-run in August 2024. This mini game has you throw balls in high-scoring zones while attempting to knock out rival balls.
The biggest reason to have faith in Bing-Bang Finchball’s return is itsco-op mode. you may play against friends, not just the CPU, in the Hardly Even Hardball mode. It stands to reason that HoYoverse would make this a yearly event with so much effort put into it - we can only hope they make it permanent.
7Theater Mechanicus
Even in its early days, Genshin Impact was always introducing new and innovative game modes for each version. An early addition was Theater Mechanicus, which debuted in Version 1.3. This was a tower defence mini game where you would place mechanici in certain slots to keep enemies from reaching a portal.
Theater Mechanicus had two re-runs in Version 2.0 and 2.6, but has since disappeared from the Genshin canon. HoYoverse may be too focused on the new game modes, but hopefully it will give this one another run.
6Bunshin Phantasm
Enchanted Tales of the Mikawa Festival
Version 5.4’s new story episode served as an effective introduction forYumemizuki Mizuki, but her story episode wasn’t the only narrative content included. Yumemizuki herself appears in the Mikawa Festival story, where she joins the Traveler in uncovering a mysterious Inazuman assailant.
The plot involves various characters designing new mini games, and the one designed by Sayu and Yoimiya is Bunshin Phantasm. This is a memory game where timing is important. You are given two attempts at each stage: your movements in the first stage are recorded, so you can use them to your advantage in unlocking pathways for the next run.
5Serenitea Pot
Permanent Game Mode
Serenitea Pot is a cozy game all on its own. To gain access to it, you need to complete the quest ‘A Teapot To Call Home’. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to access the Serenitea Pot from your inventory at any time.
The Serenitea Pot allows you to decorate your dream home, interact with your favourite characters and unlock new furniture and buildings to place in a dimension far away from the stressful grind. you may also visit friends' Serenitea Pots to see how they’re getting along in being happy home designers.
4Fishing
Is it even an open-world RPG if you can’t go fishing? Genshin Impact introduced afishing mini gamein version 2.1. To access it, you need to complete the ‘Exploding Population’ world quest. Once you do, you’ll be able to buy rods and bait and cast your line.
The fishing mini game is simple, but incredibly relaxing. Paimon gives you encouragement and commentates on whether you’re winning as you reel in bigger and bigger catches. The fish you catch can be used in cooking tasty new dishes.
If you see ripples on the water’s surface, it indicates a fishing spot.
3Immortal Combat
Lantern Rite 2025 Event
Immortal Combat is Puyo Puyo Tetris with a fruitier focus. You attempt to match your own blocks - represented by fruits and vegetables - while dealing damage to your opponent. This event debuted in 2025’s Lantern Rite event. You can go through progressively harder CPU opponents to earn rewards, but Immortal Combat’s true potential is unlocked when you play in PvP mode, letting you face off against a real person.
As a permanent game mode, Immortal Combat would run the danger of beingtoocompelling and making you ignore everything else, which is probably why Hoyoverse restricted it to the Lantern Rite event.
The fans clamoured and HoYoverse listened: in version 5.3, the long-sought-after rhythm game became a permanent fixture. To unlock this mode, all you have to do is reach Adventure Rank 35 and talk to Sansa in Mondstadt.
This rhythm mini game lets you play several legendary tracks and unlock more by spending Repertoire Coins. Unlike most Genshin mini games, which err on the easier side, it’s actually quite challenging - and a lot of fun. The compositions themselves are excellent too.
1Genius Invokation TCG
Genius Invokation TCG is consistently one of the most popular Genshin Impact mini games and for good reason. It is an entire trading card game in itself. you’re able to challenge all sorts of NPCs to play and expand your deck. Tounlock Genius Invokation TCG, reach Adventure Rank 32 and complete the ‘Come Try Genius Invokation TCG’ world quest.
you’re able to play against NPCs, playable characters, and even other Genshin fans. The cards have beautiful artwork, and there are all sorts of mechanics to pay attention to - the mini game incorporates dice rolls, status effects and more.
