With the video game scene exploding over the past twenty years or so, it’s inevitable that most things will either be made into or be included in a video game. From sports to sci-fi, there’s pretty much a genre for everyone. With more people than ever playing video games, it’s only natural that such things as casinos would be included in other games. Online casinos have boomed in popularity with players opting to play at one of the many casino sites found on Gambling.com due to the convenience and easy access playing online brings. Whilst the casino can be anything from a small slot game to a major part in story lines, they’re dotted around in multiple games.
In this article we’ll be taking a look into some of the best video games with mini casino games/easter eggs in them.
Grand Theft Auto 5- Starting strong with Grand Theft Auto 5, the casino in this game played a major part, with an update bridging the diamond casino heist to the game. This saw players having to map out and plan a full heist to steal money, paintings and jewellery kept in the underground safe under the casino. Go in quietly and stealthy or loud and fast, the choice was yours. Choose your entrance, disguises, weapons and getaway cars, along with the path you’ll take.
This gave the mission really good replayability as you could play it fifty times over and do it differently on each occasion. You could also play with up to three friends, allowing each player to have different roles each time.
The Casino also allowed players to go in and just play normal casino games, whether that be Blackjack, Poker or Roulette, the choice was yours. You could go in with your friends and all sit at a table playing all night virtually. You also had the chance once a day to spin a wheel, with various prizes available and the chance to win a special limited-edition car that was only obtainable via this spin.
The casino heist brought in a lot of attention when it was released and gave the game some much needed content, allowing friends to team up and do things their way.
This isn’t the first time a casino has been in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas featured a casino where you could also go and play your favourite games, however due to the time it was released, it’s much simpler and doesn’t have any additional features compared to Grand Theft Auto 5.
Red Dead Redemption- From the same makers as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption features casino and casino games. Set in the early 1900’s in the wild west, you’re taken through various locations and settings as you set out to bring a local gang to justice fighting off other members and gangs. Within the game you’re able to take part in casino games such as Poker and Blackjack to try and win some additional money.
Red Dead Redemption is known for having one of the best campaigns in gaming so if you’re a fan of the wild west but also fancy a little bit of Poker, this is definitely one for you to pick up.
Fallout New Vegas- Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Fallout New Vegas sees you wander and explore the world set after nuclear bombs were dropped on America, reducing a large part of it to rubble. In this inclusion of the Fallout series, the majority of the game takes part within the Las Vegas strip itself and lets you play some of your favourite casino games such as Blackjack and Poker, as the story sees you go into casinos to play. If you’ve played any Fallout games in the past, you know this one is a true classic, and the chance to play casino games is only a bonus!
New Super Mario Bros- A bit of a more lighthearted one on this list, New Super Mario Bros featured a casino style game mode, where you were able to play games such as Memory Match, Picture Poker and Luigi-Jack. As you can tell these are all twists on famous casino card games that are presented by a Luigi in a tuxedo. This just shows you can have a much more lighthearted view on casino games and they’re not just in serious games.
With how far gaming has come in recent times, it’s clear that there’s now a game for everyone. With the games on this list, the inclusion of a casino only improves the experience for the player and isn’t forced or shoehorned into the game, it adds a real immersive casino experience for the player. Especially in Grand Theft Auto 5, I had spent hours with friends just playing blackjack until the early hours of the morning and that’s what it’s all about. After reading about the above games, which one will you be trying first?
