User blog:DCT0473/Thoughts on every PVZ 1 Minigame:

Last time, I tackled my thoughts on every plant from Plants vs. Zombies. (At least, the ones from the first game) This time, I'll be doing my thoughts on every PVZ 1 minigame. This includes every minigame from the PC version, as well as all the exclusive minigames for each of the games' rerelease and levels 4-10 and 5-5, as they were at one point meant to be minigames, and you can play them as minigames via the IOS version's Quick Play mode. Anyways, let's see what my thoughts on every minigame are, shall we?

Before we begin, I'd like to mention the rating system I'll be using to grade these minigames. I'm reusing the one from my Thoughts on Every PVZ 1 Plant post, and in case you can't remember how it went or you never read the post, here it is:

-0/10 or 1/10: Absolute Garbage

-2/10: Very Bad

-3/10: Bad

-4/10: Below Average

-5/10: Average/So-so

-6/10: Decent/Above Average

-7/10: OK

-8/10: Good

-9/10: Great

-10/10: Perfect/Excellent

Part 1: The OG Minigames (Aka, all the ones that originated from the PC version):
 * 1) Zombotany: Starting things strong, we have Zombotany. It's a fun concept where instead of Zombies eating plants, its plants... eating plants. Yeah, probably would've been funnier if all the plants were reskined just to look like Zombies in this level. Regardless, the level is a pretty good challenge that gets harder about halfway through with the introduction of super tough Wall-nut Zombies. All in all, this minigame gets a 7/10,
 * 2) Wall-nut Bowling: It's fun, addictive, and a decent way to grind money. 8/10.
 * 3) Slot Machine: Yeesh, this one is boring. It's just a genaric daytime level with slot machine mechanics thrown in. This level could take a few minutes, or a ludacris amount of time, depending on how many Sunflowers the slot machine feels like giving you. This can be bad, as if you take too long, the level just feels like spamming hordes of Zombies until you die or miraculously win someone. Also, good luck trying to get the Lucky Spin achivement. 2/10.
 * 4) It's Raining Seeds: This level is so simple, yet somehow so engaging. You'll never have playthroughs that repeat themselves, and with all the random plants you get, its fun trying to make makeshift defenses. 9/10.
 * 5) Beghouled: Eh, it isn't bad. I just never found it too engaging. 6/10.
 * 6) Invisighoul: Pretty fun, as you can never predict what may come next. 9/10.
 * 7) Seeing Stars: This level is boring, but at least you get it over quick since large groups of Starfruit can deal a ton of damage. 3/10.
 * 8) Zombiquarium: Hey look! It's an Insaniquarium homage without any of the skill, charm, or strategy that made the original so addicting! Also add in tedious gameplay and make the level pretty much physically impossible to lose. Sounds like a fun minigame, doesn't it? Sarcasm aside, Zombiquarium is so bad, it'll be the first thing I ever give in a blog a 0/10 rating... but probably not the last.
 * 9) Beghouled Twist: It's Beghouled, but with an akward control scheme that you can never seem to learn that makes the level way harder than it has any right to be. 3/10.
 * 10) Big Trouble, Little Zombie: This level is just really silly, as you just watch these tiny zombies getting wrecked by Peashooters. Even Football Zombies-one of the strongest zombies in game-succumbs to the Peashooter. That's just rediculous. Other than that, there's not much special to this level. 6/10.
 * 11) Portal Combat: It's a fun concept that PopCap hasn't really tried again (The closest thing to this level is the Lost Guide Zombie's gimic). 7/10.
 * 12) Collum Like You See 'Em: It's fun, yes. But I have one problem with it: Collum Like You See 'Em is incredibly hard and a drastic difficulty spike from most of the game, which kind of ways it down. 7/10.
 * 13) Bobsled Bonaza: If you aren't actively trying to make this level harder, it's kind of a snore. 4/10.
 * 14) Zombie Nimble, Zombie Quick: This is just Big Trouble, Little Zombie but without the charm. It's also somehow easier as you're no longer restricted to just Peashooters for offense. 4/10.
 * 15) Whack-a-Zombie: This minigame is so addictive and chaotic, just what I love in a minigame. 9/10.
 * 16) Last Stand: The only real strength this level has is that it's a good place to grind. Other than that, this level is just nothing special. 5/10.
 * 17) Zombotany 2: While this level introduces new Zombotanies-which is pretty amaing-this level is bonked down by the fact that it's so hard... and it goes on for so long. 4/10.
 * 18) Wall-nut Bowling 2: Just the original Wall-nut Bowling, but even more chaotic and there's a new  Giant Wall-nut thrown in the mix. Yet somehow, this is better than the original. 9/10.
 * 19) Pogo Party: Pretty easy and bland, with or without Tall-nuts and/or Magnet Shrooms. 4/10.
 * 20) Dr. Zomboss' Revenge: While yes, the fight with Dr. Zomboss is easily one of the best levels in the game, this level is just the original fight but with more health. No new zombies to span, no new environment to fight in, no new attacks, no new anything. That being said, the fight is still pretty good, so I'm gonna give it a 9/10.
 * Bonus: Dark and Stormy Night (Aka Level 4-10): A pretty good challenge that turns the game on its head. 8/10.
 * Bonus #2: Bungee Blitz (Aka Level 5-5): A level where your only offensive plants are Chompers and 2-3 Cherry Bombs? Plus the game spams Ladder Zombies and Bungee Zombies? Yeah, no. Add the fact that this level just drags on forever, and you get a downright bad minigame. 1/10.

Part 2: Minigames exlusive to certain versions of the game:
 * 1) Butter Popcorn (IOS Exclusive): A good challenge that makes great use of the IOS touchscreen via stunning Zombies with butter. Plus it shows off one of my favorite plants: Cob Cannon. That adds some points into how much I like this level. 9/10.
 * 2) Vasebreaker (IOS Exclusive): Just level 4-5, which in itself isn't a bad level. 7/10.
 * 3) Heavy Weapon (Xbox/Playstation Exclusive): I actually quite like this minigame, considering the fact I grew up with the Xbox-360 version of PVZ. The minigame completely flips the game mechanics on their head and opts for a shoot 'em up style level where you pilot a lawn mower tank. Yet it somehow retains the tower defense aspect of the game with a house you must defend with Zombies. You can also upgrade the mower use abilities of various plants. But dang, is this level hard. 9/10.
 * 4) Heat Wave (DS/DSi Exclusive): If you saw an old post of mine on the PVZ 1 Forum of Wisdom, you'll know that Heat Wave is my favorite minigame. It has a interesting concept, with you having to use your scarce amount of plants to fend off hordes of zombies, with no replacements for said plants. The heat charge gimmic is also fun, as it gives your plants a quick boost at the cost of making them stop attacking for a bit. It is easily one of the most strategic levels in PVZ history, and that's why I love it. 10/10.
 * 5) Bomb All Together (DS/DSi Exclusive): A fun level that makes great use of resourcefulness and the explosive plants. 8/10.
 * 6) Homerun Derby (DS/DSi Exclusive): Very tedious, and not too enjoyable. I do like how the Baseball Zombies say "Play..." instead of "Brains...". That's a pretty fun little detail. But still, this minigame gets a 3/10. Easily the worst exclusive Minigame.
 * 7) Air Raid  not to be confused with the cancelled minigame  (DS/DSi Exclusive): A fun challenge, yes. But it doesn't feel very PVZ-esque aside from you control a Gatling Pea and you fight Dr. Zomboss. It's still fun, though, and is a good challenge. 8/10.
 * 8) Zombie Trap (DSi Exclusive): It's fun and challenging, but like Air Raid, it doesn't feel like very much like PVZ. 8/10.

Part 3: Top and Bottom 5:

-Best: -Worst: So that's it for this time. Comment down below what you agree and disagree with, and maybe we can debate about it. Until then, I'll see you guys next time. Bye!
 * 5: It's Raining Seeds
 * 4: Wall-nut Bowling 2
 * 3: Buttered Popcorn
 * 2: Heavy Weapon
 * 1: Heat Wave
 * 5:  Home Run Derby
 * 4: Slot Machine
 * 3: Beghould Twist
 * 2: Bungee Blitz
 * 1: Zombiquarium

NEXT TIME:

We'll take one last look at the original game, and go over arguably the most crucial asset of the game: Zombies.