The OP has a list of suggestions, so you don't have to read the entire thread.
I also wouldn't want mini games, I would want flying the ship itself to be the mechanism. A mechanism which I think would help engage explorers with the object they are exploring is a surface scan which scans the surface of the side of the planet you're on. Maybe mapping data to map the layout of the planet. Where is dry land, how do the poles differ from the equatorial stuff. Where are the pockets with water. If you use that scanner the way you would use it now, you could only ever get 50% of the data, since you're only scanning one side. Make it time consuming but rewarding.
And if you go as far as to go so close to the object you're dropping out of hyperspace, make that the detailed scanner. Your distance to the planet will be a factor in determining the detail.
This just to give an idea on what kind of evolved mechanism I would like. I'm sure the above idea has more holes in it than a golf course.