Try as you might, some people have problems with Minesweeper, not even after reading up on my hints section. Some want new ways to play. Some are just bored and looking for a fun variation to stir up your game. Well, all of you, you're in the right place! Variations I've come up with or heard about are listed below.
Competitive MinesweeperPlay this one with a friend. Basically, you play like regular Minesweeper. The difference is, you each take turns clicking one square. First one to hit a mine loses. This one's interesting because your opponent will often open up new opportunities for you- or vice versa.
Suicide Minesweeper:
Use the Expert-size board, but set the mine total as high as it can go. Whoop-de-doo, you've gotten yourself into Suicide Minesweeper- nearly impossible to win. It's a good thing that first click won't kill you. (Note: If you manage to win this, you are either A) cheating B) a Minesweeper god/goddess whom I admire.)
Click-A-Thon:
This is a variation I picked up from a friend who never could figure out the game- she seems to like it just fine, though. Basically, you must click squares, none adjacent to each other, until you hit a mine. Luck must be on your side. You win if all the remaining squares are adjacent to each other- i.e. you can't click them according to the rules. Set records if this is out of reach- 5 clicks in a row? 10? 15?
The next are not so much "variations" as "interesting ways to start a game". They're certainly not the best ways, but they're fun if you want a change from the usual random-center-click routine.
Down the Line:
Try to click a vertical column down the grid without hitting a mine. Hopefully, you'll find an opening in this, if you don't hit any mines. For an even more challenging challenge, try horizontally.
Four Corners:
Find an opening in the middle, then click each of the four corners. Ideally, this gives you 5 openings to choose from. Realistically, you'll hit a mine or some of the corners won't be openings.
Geometric Minesweeper:
Put your clicks in patterns- little stars, diamonds, asterisks, letters- anything under the sun. Create your own "Minesweeper Art"!
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