A perspective on popular retro-games dedicated to casinos

Everyone's definition of "retro" is different. When someone thinks of their favorite casino games, the iconic fruit-themed Vegas slot machines of the 1960s come to mind, while others remember the Las Vegas Cool Hand game for the GameBoy from the late 1990s.

Casino Kid

If you grew up on the NES in the late 1980s and early 90s, you may have been the envy of all your friends. While Casino Kid may not have been as popular as other NES games of the time, it was popular enough to have a sequel.

In the American version of the game, the action takes place in a city - Lost Wages (similar to Las Vegas). The goal of the game is to make money and defeat the evil casino king. Popular games include blackjack and poker.

The Japanese version of Casino Kid was more akin to a Vegas game. For many children and teens, Casino Kid was an introduction to casino gaming.

High Stakes Gambling

If you had a GameBoy console in the early 1990s, you may have played High Stakes Gambling. The action takes place during the Great Depression, and you, as a player, are trying to siphon money from the wealthy mob.

Players could play blackjack, poker, slot machines, and face off against crooked gangsters like Al Cologne (a reference to Al Capone).

Golden Nugget 64

Golden Nugget 64 was released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 and was the only casino-style game for the Nintendo. Similar to modern online games, players start with a certain amount of money and can choose multiple play options. Golden Nugget 64 included Texas Hold'em, craps, mini-baccarat, and various slot machines. Unlike modern online games, Golden Nugget 64 did not offer free spins no deposit, and other nice bonuses. You only had to play on a budget.

Hot Slots and Peek-A-Boo Poker

In the early 1990s, Nintendo released several "adults only" games that featured naked women and casino games. Hot Slots and Peek-A-Boo Poker were difficult to obtain, as their sales were limited at major chain stores, and the content could lead to negative thoughts about gambling.

These games may seem rather modest against the backdrop of modern technology, but they were in high demand at the time.

Games of our time

Modern games are available in real-time. The graphics are realistic and you will never feel the need to enter a land-based casino again. With the large number of games available, it can be difficult to determine which ones are safe and of high quality.