Casino gaming is becoming one of the most popular forms of online mobile gaming, so it is perhaps not surprising that there is a significant amount of crossover between online casinos and traditional video games.
It isn’t just the allure of a potentially lucrative casino bonus that has brought about this crossover, however. There is something about the cultural significance of the casino itself which makes it such a popular setting for various media forms. To explore this further, click here for additional insights into picking the best online casino for you.
Think of how many classic movies have been set in casinos. There’s Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond; the heist comedy franchise Ocean’s Eleven; and the Scorsese epic Casino, to name but a few. The television series Las Vegas was a slick comedy-drama set in a fictional casino-hotel and followed the lives of the employees. It ran for five seasons in the early-to-mid 2000s.
Numerous video games have also drawn on the unique setting of the online casino. So for those who love both video games and online casino gaming, here’s a rundown of some of the best casino-inspired video games.
Fallout New Vegas
By far one of the most unique re-workings of the casino setting to come out in recent years is Fallout New Vegas. This is the follow-up to the 2008 smash-hit roleplaying game which sold millions of copies and earned numerous critical accolades.
Fallout New Vegas was released in 2010, and although it didn’t necessarily have quite the same impact as its predecessor, Fallout 3, it was nevertheless an incredibly popular installment in this long-running series.
As the name suggests, Fallout New Vegas is set in a post-apocalyptic reimagining of Las Vegas. Here, the glitz, glamour, and bright lights of Las Vegas are a long-distant memory, with the dilapidated shells of former casinos providing the setting for this game.
Some of the casinos portrayed include the Sierra Madre, Ultra-Luxe, and the aptly named Atomic Wrangler Casino—all of which feature a range of in-game casino games that your character can indulge in.
The team behind Fallout New Vegas did an excellent job of reimagining the familiar environs of Las Vegas for a post-apocalypse scenario. Additionally, all of the in-game casino games are well designed and provide a nice break from the more tense action of the main quest, all of which makes Fallout New Vegas by far one of the best casino-inspired games.
Final Fantasy VII
Perhaps few video games are revered by classic video game fans as much as Final Fantasy VII.
One of the aspects of the game which is frequently forgotten about by the hardcore fans, however, is the Gold Saucer amusement park and casino. And although you would be forgiven for forgetting about this part of the game, given how good the Final Fantasy VII storyline is, we think it is well worth remembering.
The Gold Saucer features amusement games, arcade games, attractions, and a unique selection of alternate-reality casino games. Some of these reimagined casino classics draw their influences from the Final Fantasy universe, such as ‘chocobo’ racing and other battle-style gambling games.
Grand Theft Auto Online
By far the most impressively constructed video game casino is the Diamond Casino & Resort found in the incredibly popular Grand Theft Auto Online.
The fact that the Rockstar team managed to produce one of the most realistic in-game casinos is no real surprise, given that the Grand Theft Auto series has always sought to provide a hyper-realistic gaming experience. The casino even has its own independent website, as if it were a real-world operation.
At the Diamond Casino & Resort, you can find all of the high-octane fun you would find in a real-life or online casino. There are high-stakes games, big bets, high rollers, and numerous other kinds of debauchery—which is exactly what we have come to expect from the Grand Theft Auto series.
In terms of the games on offer, you can play slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, lucky wheel games, and various other well designed mini-games. To indulge in these games, you will need to ensure you have sufficient funds, which you can acquire by any means necessary!
What we most appreciated about the Diamond Casino & Resort in Grand Theft Auto Online was how well designed the in-game mechanics were. The Rockstar developers are known for the various mini-games they have included in the Grand Theft Auto series over the years, and Grand Theft Auto Online does not disappoint. We highly recommend checking it out.