Our Review
Minesweeper XY by BGaming is one of the strangest Mines releases I have tested in a long while, not because of bad gameplay, but because its design philosophy veers completely off the main road.
Gameplay experience and features
Instead of the classic 5×5 grid seen in Stake’s Originals or BC Game’s version, BGaming approaches the genre with a “row-based” format and unconventional field shapes.
You can choose from field sizes of 2×3, 3×6, 4×9, 5×12, and 6×5, which already sets it apart.
But instead of clicking around freely across the whole field, each round requires you to choose one tile from the current row only, then progress to the next row.
It feels closer to a structured obstacle course than traditional Mines gameplay.
Visually, it is stunning. The game uses a full 3D grass field, and each tile reveals either a bomb or a little flag rendered in high detail.
The animations are smooth and grounded, almost like a mobile puzzle game built by a studio that prioritizes aesthetics above everything else.
And honestly, on that front, Minesweeper XY is unmatched. No other Mines game even attempts this level of visual fidelity.
But gameplay depth and interface planning tell a different story.
Desktop version
On desktop, Minesweeper XY looks beautiful, but using it can sometimes feel unintuitive.
The biggest oddity is that most of the core controls: bet amount, grid size, game settings, sit inside a tiny menu in the top-right corner.
You don’t get the standard bottom bar or side panel commonly found in other Mines games.
Everything from bet adjustments to field selection is hidden away behind this dropdown-like interface, and that slows down gameplay far more than it should.
The oversized font used for balances and buttons does not help either.
It looks almost cartoonishly large compared to the rest of the interface, and it eats up screen real estate without adding clarity.
There are no standout features like instant betting, hotkeys, or turbo modes. You get the core game, the 3D visuals, and that is essentially it.
For players who value simplicity, this may not be a problem.
But for strategy-focused players or those who enjoy long sessions, the lack of ergonomics becomes noticeable fast.
On the positive side, performance is flawless.
The game loads instantly, animations never stutter, and the 3D effects run smoothly across multiple window sizes.
BGaming knows how to build polished engines, and that shows.
Leaderboard and statistics
Here is where Minesweeper XY shows its limitations. The game does not have any leaderboards, big-win feeds, or community challenges.
To me, Minesweeper XY feels “abandoned”.
The only available resource is the history tab, which is detailed but not interactive.
It shows your past bets clearly, but it includes no provable fairness information and no export features.
You can track your results, but you cannot analyze them deeply or verify seed data.
Mobile version
Minesweeper XY looks great, but the game feels unfinished, and the lack of a mobile version confirms it.
If you want a Mines game that actually works everywhere and offers deeper gameplay, Turbo Mines is the far better pick.
It feels modern, loads instantly, and doesn’t lock you out on mobile.
Gameplay options
Manual mode
This is a completely manual game. You pick the bet amount, select the field size, place your bet, and then choose one tile per row.
There is no “tap around freely” mechanic, no branching paths, and no dynamic field interactions. You progress row by row until you either hit a bomb or reach the end.
There is also no Repeat Bet button, no quick bet toggles, and no ability to save presets.
The entire gameplay loop relies on the top-right control menu.
Once you settle into it, the game becomes a rhythm: click a tile, watch the 3D animation, move to the next row. It is satisfying visually but not mechanically deep.
Auto mode
There is no auto mode.
No autobet, no round limits, no stop conditions, no hybrid play, no advanced strategy tools.
For players used to Stake, BC Originals, or Spribe, this makes Minesweeper XY feel extremely barebones.
Pros and cons
Pros
✅ Beautiful 3D visuals, best-in-class for Mines games
✅ Multiple unique field layouts
✅ Smooth animations and polished sound design
✅ Well-written rules section
Cons
❌ No automation tools at all
❌ No leaderboards or social features
❌ No mobile version
❌ Outdated interface despite strong visuals
Final words
Minesweeper XY by BGaming is one of the most visually ambitious Mines games on the market.
But the gameplay structure and interface feel strangely outdated.
The lack of automation, the absence of leaderboards, and the total lack of mobile gameplay become clear limitations after longer sessions.
If you value presentation above everything else, Minesweeper XY is worth trying. If you prefer depth, speed, or strategic flexibility, there are much better options elsewhere.
A beautiful but minimalistic take on Mines that shines in style but falls short in usability.
