collectathons

Collectathons are video games centered on gathering large numbers of items scattered throughout game worlds.

The term emerged in the late 1990s with 3D platformers like *Banjo-Kazooie* and *Donkey Kong 64*, where players collected coins, notes, jiggies, and other objects to unlock new areas.

The label often carries mild criticism—implying gameplay padded with busywork rather than meaningful challenges: I loved the exploration but it turned into a collectathon by the end.