When most people go to pick up their favorite video games, they probably aren’t expecting to be required to have an encyclopedic-like knowledge of the world as well. Some developers love to throw little quiz sections into their games to test their most devoted fans. While many are fantastic optional quests or segments, some games actually work quizzes right into their core gameplay.
Not all quizzes are created equal, something that has made more than a few stand out in the minds of most people over the years. Whether played for laughs, taken ultra-seriously, or even a bit of a life or death situation, you’ll need to keep your mind sharp in order to thrive in some in-game quizzes.
10 Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows
Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows works a surprising quiz into the mix in a bit of a fun way. The quiz happens thanks to a bit of conflict between Spider-Man and Wolverine, and while it’s not the most difficult thing for the biggest Spidey fans, it is probably tough for the average Marvel fan.
Most people probably wouldn’t have expected something like this to be in a game like Web Of Shadows, but most people agree that it’s a fun little inclusion for the biggest fans of the wall-crawler.
9 Yooka-Laylee
You actually have to take on a number of different little quizzes throughout Yooka-Laylee, and all of them are surprisingly difficult. If you haven’t studied up on your prior progress or paid close attention to your own movements, you might have to try more than a few times in each instance.
The sections are fun little reminders of everything that you’ve had to go through to get to the point of the quiz, but their overall difficulty is something that keeps them from being the most entertaining of all the quizzes on this list.
8 Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Having background knowledge of the wider Marvel universe is actually incredibly helpful in unique ways in each of the Marvel Ultimate Alliance games. While the quizzes in the series are relatively simple, they are a ton of fun for the biggest Marvel fans that want to flex their muscles.
There is a lot that can be learned from the quizzes in the first two games, as some of the questions are far trickier than most might think. The average Marvel fan these days may not know who Dum Dum Dugan is or what he was before joining the military.
7 Paper Mario 64
The thing about the brief quizzes in Paper Mario 64 is that they’re incredibly useful for players with enough knowledge to answer the questions correctly. Correct answers will net you star pieces, things that are essentially a precious currency in the game.
The questions range from 'incredibly easy' to 'making you wonder if there was any way you could have found an answer without simply guessing,' but the theatric nature of the segment makes it worth experiencing. Mario fans and quiz show fans can come together to appreciate segments like these.
6 Majora’s Mask
The Keaton Quiz is one of the toughest challenges and best side quests in Majora’s Mask for players who haven’t been keeping notes of their own. The questions ask about things most people probably never even thought to keep track of, and they'll make you pay for it.
Luckily, the quiz costs nothing to take, but unfortunately, it’s a tough challenge that has to be overcome in order to complete your heart-piece collection. Without checking, what’s the name of the mayor of Clock Town? Yup, that’s one of the questions.
5 Super Mario Odyssey
While Paper Mario has generally been a bit flashier with its presentation than many other Mario games, Super Mario Odyssey has quiz sections of its own. Sure, the reward is usually just a simple moon for your troubles, but they are still fun.
Finding all the Sphinxes throughout the various worlds and taking on their quizzes isn’t always the easiest thing either. Luckily, you do get unlimited tries at answering the different questions with no real penalty, something that makes the game incredibly beginner friendly.
4 Pokemon Sword And Shield
The quiz that you’re forced into at the Ballonlea gym in Pokemon Sword and Shield isn’t really all that fair at times. It can be tough, but answering the questions correctly can be incredibly useful, considering it’ll help you avoid stat debuffs.
There’s no shame in getting a question or two wrong, especially if you have an over-leveled team, but if you get too many wrong, it can make the gym surprisingly tough to overcome. Dust off that Pokemon encyclopedia and get ready for a stiff challenge.
3 Persona 5 Royal
A lot of people likely went into Persona 5 aware that it was a kind of life simulator, but most people probably didn’t think they’d actually have to take exams. You are quizzed all throughout the year by various teachers, something that can help when exams roll around.
If you aren’t paying enough attention when the teacher corrects an incorrect answer, you may have no clue how to score well on exams. Considering scoring well actually helps you in the long run by increasing your Knowledge stat, it's pretty important to study up.
2 Undertale
Unlike most ordinary quiz sections in games, Undertale made theirs into an actual boss fight that can cause some stress. The quiz is exactly what anyone would expect from a game like Undertale. It’s a chaotic mess that is both hilarious and a ton of fun to experience.
The Mettaton Quiz Show is an unexpected but fun little break from the rest of the game. Luckily, Alphys is there to assist you through the quiz, so while it’s not all that difficult, it is absolutely hilarious from start to finish.
1 Banjo-Kazooie
When people think of quizzes in video games, it would be a shock if most people didn’t immediately think of Banjo-Kazooie. The game works a quiz right into its gameplay, and it can be an unforgiving one.
While it is definitely tough, it’s not one that ever feels unfair. The quiz constantly beckons you to keep on trying until you finally make it to the end of the board game-like setup. Those who haven’t experienced it might want to check out the Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo 64 collection.