Eric Brown, leading DevRel at Base, just dropped a detailed breakdown of the recent Mini App Week winners in a video that's buzzing in the crypto community. Quoting the Base Build announcement, he highlights how builders turned up with 55 entries, but only two snagged the top spots in this quest focused on crafting top-tier mini apps while dodging common pitfalls. If you're into meme tokens or onchain tech, this is a goldmine of practical advice.

The Base Builder Quest 9 wrapped up with over $20,000 in prizes, equivalent to 5 ETH, distributed to standout creators. The challenge? Build mini apps on Base that exemplify best practices. From seamless user experiences to clever monetization, the winners set a high bar. Eric's video walkthrough (view the original tweet here) demos the apps in action, making it easy to see why they won.

Meet the Winners: Scratch and Strome

First up is Scratch, a fun scratch-card style game that brings lottery vibes to the blockchain. Users buy digital scratch cards, reveal prizes by "scratching" them off, and can win tokens or other rewards. It's got leaderboards for top players and referrals, encouraging viral growth. Think of it as a gamified way to engage users, perfect for meme coin communities looking to boost participation.

Then there's Strome, which feels tailor-made for the meme token scene. This app lets users launch their own ERC-20 tokens with built-in staking and superfluid streaming features. It includes crowdfund options, profile management, and even review processes for withdrawals. Strome streamlines token creation and management, making it simpler for creators to spin up meme coins with liquidity and staking rewards baked in.

What These Apps Nailed

Both winners excelled in user onboarding and interface design. Scratch offers a smooth, bug-free experience – from purchasing cards to checking wins and sharing successes. Its referral system cleverly incentivizes sharing, which could supercharge meme token adoption. Strome stands out with its intuitive token launch flow: name your token, attach an image, set staking parameters, and go. The app handles fees, balances, and even top staker leaderboards, all while integrating seamlessly with Base's wallet features.

Eric points out how they avoided common mini app traps, like clunky navigation or slow load times. Instead, they focused on quick interactions, which is crucial in the fast-paced world of meme trading where users expect instant gratification.

Room for Improvement

No app is perfect, and Eric offers constructive feedback. For Scratch, enhancing analytics could help track user engagement better, perhaps integrating onchain data for real-time insights. Strome might benefit from more robust error handling during token launches or clearer explanations of fees to build trust. Both could amp up mobile optimization further, ensuring every tap feels responsive.

These tweaks aren't deal-breakers but highlight how even winners can level up, especially in a space like meme tokens where transparency and speed can make or break a project.

General Guidance for Mini App Builders

Eric's video wraps with tips applicable to any onchain builder. Key takeaways include prioritizing mobile-first design since most crypto users are on phones. Use Base's tools for efficient gas fees and fast transactions. Incorporate social features like shares and leaderboards to foster community – a must for meme coins aiming for viral hype.

He also stresses testing for edge cases, like network congestion, and gathering user feedback early. For meme token devs, this means building in fun elements that encourage holding or staking, turning one-time buyers into loyal holders.

In the meme token world, tools like Strome could democratize launches, letting anyone create the next big viral coin without heavy coding. Scratch shows how gamification can keep communities engaged, potentially extending the lifecycle of hype-driven tokens.

If you're building on Base or eyeing meme opportunities, check out Eric's full video for the demos. It's a reminder that great mini apps aren't just functional – they're engaging, user-friendly, and primed for growth in the Web3 ecosystem. What's your take on these winners? Drop a comment or share your own mini app ideas.