Casino-themed levels in video games have challenged and captivated players for decades, blending the classic style of traditional casino halls into the levels and effectively making them obstacles to overcome.
They often feature vibrant aesthetics and mechanics that you would usually see in casino-like settings, as well as a sense of high stakes being involved, and sometimes a contrast to them.
But let’s do a chronological dive and explore some notable casino-inspired levels across various titles, from the early 16-bit days to more modern titles.
1. Casino Night Zone - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992)
The oldest and most iconic casino level on this list and in gaming history is Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Casino Night Zone.The level introduced the player to a world filled with slot machines, pinball bumpers, and neon lights. The stage integrated elements of chance quite ingeniously, with the player able to win rings while navigating a vibrant environment that felt alive and throbbing with energy.
This level also serves as a reminder of when the themes, even in games aimed at children, were not censored, which comes off as shocking when compared to today’s content safety standards and ratings.
2. Casino Palace - F-Zero GX (2003)
A bit of a thematic leap, since the rest of the games involve a story that’s connected to the casino theme, The Casino Palace course in F-Zero GX offers a fast-paced racing action instead.Less flashy than some of the other tracks, its intricate design and complex layout provide a thrilling race that captures the unpredictability of gambling. It requires drivers to make sharp turns without decelerating, which is not unlike the rush of racing and gambling.
These are, of course, all examples of virtual worlds that are there for exploration; however, those who prefer more of a concrete form of casino entertainment should look no further than best Canadian online casino, with unique starting bonuses for the newly registered.
3. Calypso Casino - Rainbow Six Vegas (2006)
In Rainbow Six Vegas, gamers are placed in the Calypso Casino, where they must go through a tense hostage standoff, a break from the cheery and upbeat theme usually associated with such places.With Rainbow Six being a tactical shooter of its time, this level focuses on tactical gameplay, dropping the players into a deeply realized environment that perfectly captures the spirit of tense rescue operations.
The fact that the casino setting was matched with such intense action made this a memorable experience in the game, and it illustrated how casinos can be used as exciting settings for strategic firefighting.
4. Rapture's Slot Machines - Bioshock (2007)
Another example of a stark contrast between a glorious past and a wrecked present can be seen throughout the Bioshock series, but in the first Bioshock this is very much evident in the Pharo’s Fortune Casino level.The choice here is not as wide as in the previous title on the list, since the players can try their hand at a slot machine that can potentially award them with in-game currency as well as an achievement for collectors.
These slot machines are more environmental storytelling, reinforcing the choice and consequence theme, diverging from traditional action gameplay and giving the player a short break from the combat.
5. The Strip - Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
Fallout: New Vegas features The Strip, a vast area filled with casinos and neon signs reminding of the flashy past of Las Vegas prior to the apocalypse, but also serving as a show of opulence in the current post-apocalyptic state, still partially keeping the spirit of the city.Players are permitted to explore various locations like the Lucky 38 and Gamorrah, which offer a variety of unique quests and interactions in the form of characters and table and casino games. The setting is a melting pot of player choice, blending RPG-style elements with gambling and high-stakes choice temptations.
6. Inkwell Hell - Cuphead (2017)
In Cuphead, players travel across Inkwell Hell, leading up to a final confrontation at the Devil's Casino.This last overworld offers gorgeously animated fights against a wide range of bosses, all set against a classic cartoon-style setting full of gambling themes. With the players battling to get back their souls, each fight is a gamble.
7. Hollis' Hot Streak - Psychonauts 2 (2021)
A continuation of the original 2005 title, Psychonauts 2 includes Hollis' Hot Streak, a level that represents a character's inner life in a casino environment.The player works through rigged games representing Hollis' issues, blending platforming and narrative maturity. Playful architecture and imaginative gameplay mechanics distinguish this level, showcasing how casino mechanics can be employed to convey involved character growth.
Casino-themed levels have carved out their niche area within video games, offering an exciting blend of risk and reward and engaging level design, sometimes even story points, for gamers.
With both classics, as seen in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and modern interpretations like Psychonauts 2, these levels show how gaming can capture the essence of casinos without compromising on engaging gameplay mechanics, drawing from the style alone.
