Top 10 Gambling Themed Video Games
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| Top 10 Gambling Themed Video Games |
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When broken down into their component parts, you'll find that they share a need for planning, time, and expertise. With the proliferation of casinos, a growing number of games have incorporated elements of gambling into their design.
This article will explore the idea of including gambling-related content in the widely-played video games and explain how doing so can change the experience for dedicated players.
1.The Witcher 3
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| Video Game - Witcher 3 |
CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3, also known as The Witcher: Wild Hunt, is an action role-playing game. Released in 2011, it is the last installment in The Witcher series. The video game franchise was inspired by a series of fantasy books by the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.
The game's fantasy setting draws inspiration from Slavic mythology. Geralt of Rivia, better known as "The Witcher," is the protagonist and a legendary hero who fights monsters. Multiple battles are fought, and the player gains experience with using weapons and magic. It's possible for them to learn more about the game's world by chatting with NPCs.
Gwent, a mini-gambling game, appears in The Witcher 3. A great way to kill time in between fights with monsters. Due to its popularity, many gamers purchased The Witcher 3 solely for the purpose of playing Gwent, a card game that combines elements of chance and strategy.
2.The Sims 3
The title marks the 3rd installment in The Sims game franchise, being released in 2009 by Electronic Arts. The Sims 3 is a life simulation game, allowing players to control the actions and dates of the characters created, while also designing their houses and neighborhoods.
At the time of its release, the game offered several versions available for macOS, Microsoft Windows, and smartphone devices. In 2010, the game became available for Nintendo players as well.
The game offers players the chance to gamble inside a premium content venue named Lucky Simoleon Casino, which helps them develop gambling skills. The higher their skill level grows the more winnings can be expected. Players can engage with the Hit’em Harder Blackjack Table at the casino, which is completed with cards and chips. You can choose the option of playing for money, or risk-free.
Players can also try their luck on the slot machine called Triple Riches O’Jackpot, which helps them develop their gambling skills as well. One can also install such a slot machine in the sims’ home and make extra cash when visitors play it.
3.Final Fantasy VIII
The 8th installment in the Final Fantasy saga is an RPG simulation video game released by Square for the PlayStation console. The game was released to the large public in 1999 and later became available for multiple devices, including Microsoft Windows and Xbox.
The game is set in an unnamed magical world that also incorporates science fiction elements, following a group of young mercenaries, that is led by the main character called Squall Leonhart. The group gets involved in a military conflict ignited by a sorcerer from the future who wishes to stop the time from passing.
The players see the world developing through the eyes of the main character, as he leads his teammates to victory, and develops romantic feelings for one of his comrades called Rinoa Heartilly.
The game features a minigame that includes gambling elements called Triple Triad. It is a card game that spans across a 3x3 pattern, players taking turns into competing against the AI. The winner of the game is the possessor of the higher value cards.
4.Red Dead Redemption
The action-packed game has been developed by Rockstar San Diego, and finally released by Rockstar Games. The title marks the second entry in the Red Dead series, and it was released in May 2010, offering multiple versions suitable for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Red Dead Redemption has quite a fascinating setting, following the fall of the American frontier in 1911. The main character featured in the game is called John Marston, a former criminal whose son and wife are kidnapped by the government forces for ransom for his service as a hired gun.
The gameplay follows the events unfolding from a third-person perspective. The player is allowed to roam freely in the featured open world. The setting is a fictionalized version of the Western World of the USA, and the Northside of Mexico. The main character can travel primarily on horseback or foot.
The gambling motif is omnipresent, as you have multiple chances to sit down for a few rounds of poker in between missions. You also have the chance to cheat your opponents and walk away with additional cash. Another game called Liar’s Dice also makes an appearance, which adds extra excitement to the gameplay, since it’s a game of luck.
5.Super Mario 64
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| Super Mario 64 |
Super Mario 64 is a classical video game released in 1996 for Nintendo 64. The game was developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and marked the first game of the Super Mario franchise that featured 3D gameplay, combined with the traditional Super Mario graphics.
The game storyline follows a conflict triggered by the appearance of Bowser – one of the main antagonists of the Super Mario series – who invades Princess Peach’s castle and hides its source of protection in many worlds under magical paintings. The main goal of the game is for Mario to collect enough Pocket Starts to get to his princess’ castle and rescue her.
The game includes a mini-game of video poker. Players have the chance to enter Luigi’s casino and play a round or two of five-card poker. The classical symbols of the poker cards have been replaced with icons resembling the evoked world, like mushrooms or flowers. The fun beyond the main gameplay adds excitement to this classical entry in the Super Mario universe.
The game has been a real success at the time of its release, winning numerous awards, including various “Game of the Year” honors from members in the gaming media. It was also featured in Nintendo’s own best-selling game selection.
6.Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is an action-packed RPG game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published in 2010 by Bethesda Softworks. Its release included multiple versions made to fit the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms.
The game is a spin-off to the emblematic Fallout series, featuring several elements found in Fallout 2. Its setting features a post-apocalyptic open world that integrates Arizona, Nevada, and California. The storyline follows an alternate timeline where a global nuclear war took place in the year 2077. The war was caused by a major conflict between America and China over natural resources.
Probably one of the most enjoyable video games that feature gambling, the Fallout title allows players to navigate a war-ravaged Las Vegas and visit its several casinos. Keep in mind that some casino games may be rigged, so you should denounce any unfair machines. Theft attempts may also happen inside the casino lairs, so players must remain vigilant all the time.
Related: Top 10 Best Video Games of All Time
7.Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The greatly successful 2004 game release, has been developed by Rockstar North and later published by Rockstar Games. It is the fifth sequel of the Grand Theft Auto series. It was released in October 2004 exclusively for PlayStation 2. In 2005, a Microsoft Windows and Xbox version has been released. The latest version developed has been available for Mac OS X starting with November 2010.
The game has an engaging setting, featuring an open-world environment that players can navigate and interact with at their leisure. The main character is the former gangster CJ Johnson who comes back to his childhood home after the murder of his mother and rejoins his former gang to chase the corrupt police and villainous opposing criminals.
The main character’s journey carries him along with a fictional American state of San Andreas, which is heavily inspired by California and Nevada. One of the main cities that makes an appearance – Las Venturas – is a clear reference to the actual city of Las Vegas.
San Andreas features full-blown casinos that players can explore at their leisure, having the chance to join multiple table games. Players can engage in rounds of multiple gambling games, including Blackjack, Roulette, and Video Poker. Playing slot games are also available inside the casinos.
Widely acclaimed to be one of the greatest video games ever released, San Andreas has received raving reviews that praised its storyline, gameplay, and engaging music. It was the best-selling video game of 2004, registering over 27.5 million sold copies worldwide as of 2011. To this day, many critics consider it to be one of the best-selling titles of all time in the video games universe.
8.The Four King Casino & Slots
Providing superior graphics compared to most of the casino-themed video games, The Four Kings Casino & Slots is a social MMO that allows players to get immersed into a simulated casino experience.
The game was released on the 1st of June 2015, offering multiple versions for Xbox, Microsoft Windows, and PlayStation 4. It was developed by Digital Leisure Inc. and was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the gaming community, which made the game become an instant bestseller.
At the beginning of the game, players have the chance to create a 3D avatar that will represent them in the online world. As players gain more experience, they will be rewarded with more extravagant and opulent clothing. The game also provides several occasions for socializing with other players at the low-limit tables. There are also occasions of being invited to the exclusive VIP tables.
There is a large variety of choices in terms of game options. Players can choose to try their luck at Texas Hold’em Poker, Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, and even Video Poker. The game portrays a realistic world that is constantly evolving with the addition of new events and clothing items.
9.Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs is an action-centered video game released in 2014 by Ubisoft. Being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the game is the first installment in the Watch Dogs series. The raving success of Watch Dogs has inspired two sequels released in 2016 and 2020.
The game follows a third-person perspective, and the player can choose to navigate the world on foot or by car. The world portrayed is a fictionalized version of the Chicago area in the 2010s. The development for the game began in 2009, and it lasted over five years, including a team of over 1000 people.
The developers visited Chicago to gain a personal insight into the setting and gain an understanding of the regional language to offer the game a higher level of authenticity. The in-game control system was heavily based on SCADA.
The single-player gameplay follows the main character Aiden Pearce, and his quest for revenge against the killer of his niece. The world-building includes multiple hacking elements which were inspired by the works of the Anonymous group.
Players have the chance to enjoy a round or two of poker in the Table Games saloon. Each round of poker requires coins, but it is surely worth the price, as reviewers of the games especially applauded the engagement level the gambling mini-game provides. Moreover, since the winnings are quite frequent for players, one may gain more money than the ones spent over time.
10.Bioshock 2
Bioshock 2 is the second game from the Bioshock saga, and it was released worldwide for multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 and 4 on February 9, 2010. While the first title of the series mostly focused on libertarianism and Ayn Rand’s life philosophy, the sequel heavily follows collectivist ideas, based on the philosophy of Karl Marx.
The game is set in the fictional city called Rapture, an underwater city shielded from the outside world. The enigmatic city is the creation of the billionaire Andrew Ryan, who finished its construction in 1940. Ryan’s main aim was to create a city that could escape from the tyranny of governmental rules and religious restrictions.
Mutations start to take place inside the shielded city, the citizens modifying themselves using a substance called ADAM. Two species emerge from the mutation, called Little Sisters and Big Daddies, and start challenging each other in a civil war, which turns Rupture into a crumbling dystopian city.
The gambling theme is quite poignant in the main play. Gamers can play on slot machines by visiting the Mermaid Lounge in Siren Alley, as well as the Need to Know Theater situated on the High Street.
Conclusion
If you are a fan of gambling and want to engage in the world of video games as well, we wholeheartedly recommend you check out the titles included in our list. When designing our top list, we have strived to include only games that have received raving reactions from the gamers and have successfully incorporated the gambling theme inside the gameplay.
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