Top Horror Mini-Games

Just like other popular genres, like action and fantasy, horror themes are ubiquitous throughout entertainment. And when it comes to gaming, horror has been one of the most important genres. In fact, some of the first horror projects from major developers helped steer the future of gaming.

For example, 1993’s DOOM required players to shoot down terrifying demons to battle their way through hell—all with a stellar metal album playing in the background. The game helped catapult interest in first-person shooters, which remains one of the most popular sectors in gaming today (and especially horror).

Shortly after, 1996’s Resident Evil introduced gamers to an even more terrifying survival premise. Once again, the emphasis was on shooter mechanics—but the game’s popular storyline quickly spurred a film franchise. Resident Evil 4 is set to continue next year with a brand new release.

Both games highlight just how influential horror has been for gaming—but both projects are long-form. That means gamers must invest hours upon hours if they want to finish the game. And some horror fans simply don’t have the skills or attention span to appreciate these kinds of large-scale projects. If you’re a horror fan looking for a mini-game to sink your teeth into, then try one of the titles below.

Slots

One thing fans of slots online always look forward to is shopping around for a new title. Thankfully, the industry offers a huge variation in themes, from mythology to action-adventure to music. Though less represented, horror is still a favorite for many players.

Online, you can find slots like Money Monsters, which plays on classic beasts like Frankenstein and Dracula. Others, like Dead Lucky, play on cultural horror themes, including Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos. These games are ideal for gamers that get frustrated with complex mechanics—for slots players, the most important button is simply ‘spin’.

Slide in the Woods

10-15 Minutes Playing Time

This mini-game takes gamers straight to a playground in the middle of the night… but limited visuals add to a highly spooky setting. The premise is also delightfully fear-inducing: a player’s main option is to slide down the red slide… but the world is never quite the same once they emerge at the bottom.

If you’re looking for a highly unique plot and a few killer twists, then download Slide in the Woods. You’ll never approach slides the same again.

Five Nights At Freddy’s

2 Hours Playing Time

Since its release back in 2014, Five Nights At Freddy’s has become a cult hit for horror gamers. In fact, the game has seen book spinoffs and plenty of mod creations from fans. But none have been able to top the brutal simplicity of the first title, which reads like a demonic Night at the Museum.

In the game, players have to help keep security guard Freddy alive as he’s tasked with looking over a pizzeria. The pizzeria is a lot like Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurants… except at this location, the animatronic animals tend to come alive at night. Oh, and they’re evil.

The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo

1 Hour Playing Time

True horror fans know the word ‘creepypasta’. The term is popular in online chat forums like Reddit, where users can invent their own creepy stories and rate them. The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo started out as a creepypasta before being released as a virtual novel on Itch.io, a platform that supports indie games.

The project covers a sleepover-turned-nightmare. As a virtual novel, gamers aren’t tasked with hunting down demons or slaying animatronic rats. Instead, they’re taken through a text-based journey that quickly gets creeper and creepier, especially as the game’s atmosphere changes.