Slot machines and traditional video games are multi-billion dollar industries and the interplay between both gaming styles has grown in recent years. Several slots have recently featured video game themes, including Space Invaders, Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil.
That has gone in the other direction as well with video games regularly throwing casinos into some of these fictional worlds, complete with some slot machine play. Some of these can even play a key role in the gameplay.
Keep reading to learn more about slot machine play featured in traditional video games.
Dead Rising 2
This 2010 action-adventure game features protagonist and former motocross rider Chuck Greene dealing with a zombie attack. A casino resort and shopping complex in Nevada serve as the focal point for the action, so it’s only natural this includes some slot play.
The game features numerous slots, even with some names that sound like real games. Some of those include Barnyard Bonanza, Cash Diet, Burning Rubber, King Crown, and numerous others. The game designers went out of their way to make slots an important part of the action and the devices can be found throughout Chuck’s world. Here’s a look at him cashing in at a gargantuan game.
Grand Theft Auto
This game has been a hit with video gamers since debuting in 1997 with the game’s anti-hero attempting to rise through the ranks of the criminal world – complete with robberies, murders, traffic violations, and more. Some interesting names have even lent their voice to the game including Dennis Hopper, Samuel L. Jackson, James Woods, Debbie Harry, Axl Rose, and Peter Fonda.
Along with amazing 3-D animation, GTA5 also features the game’s hoodlum protagonist heading into the Diamond Casino with slot machines everywhere. Players with enough cash can spin the reels in hopes of winning a $2.5 million jackpot. The cash infusion allows players to then expand their criminal enterprise along the way, no doubt using that cash for nefarious purposes.
Fallout New Vegas
This game Fallout was originally released in 1997 and features players battling it out in a post-apocalyptic future world years after a nuclear war between the U.S. and China. The game’s protagonist is named the Vault Dweller, who searches through this wasteland to find a computer chip to repair his water supply system. That involves fighting it out with bad guys along the way.
A sequel named Fallout New Vegas was released in 2010 and has players navigating this crazy world in Las Vegas and in the surrounding desert. That includes checking out some casinos along the way. Fans of old-school Vegas will love stopping for some play on some vintage slot machines as seen below. It’s a fun twist on this cool-looking video game. The game even uses slot tokens and coins and if you win enough, the pit boss bars you from playing anymore. Taking that advice might be a good idea in this one.
Pokemon
This Japanese video game series has been a worldwide sensation since originally being released in 1996. While casinos were only recently made legal in the country, that didn’t stop game developers from incorporating slot play as a minigame available through Generation IV of the series.
The games vary a bit but players will find a set of three reels similar to a vintage slot. Some of the characters from the game serve as symbols on the reels and you’ll also find some sevens as well as cherries. The inclusion of slot play, even if for no real money, came with a bit of controversy in South Korea with some of the versions featuring the games getting banned.
(In South Korea) even the playful minigames inside Pokémon games have triggered the authorities,” PokemonDungeon.com notes. “With gambling illegal in Korea, the slot machines in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum had to go.
Tower Unite
This is a virtual world computer game that debuted in 2016 and takes place on an island resort theme park. Tower Unite allows players to interact with each other, play mini-games, and participate in other virtual activities. One of these virtual locations is a casino and players can spin some reels with some slot play.
Triple Diamonds is the standard game players will find at this gambling house and lining up three in a row rewards a jackpot – as long as you’re playing the maximum five credits per payline. There are two other games called Wheel of Money and Grand Quest. This game goes for realism and as the name implies, Wheel of Money includes a bonus wheel feature. If only those payouts weren’t virtual.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Saving this imaginary world from the threat of darkness is the general theme in this award-winning game that takes players on numerous challenges. Dragon Quest XI debuted in 2017 and features rich characterization and brilliant graphics. The quest is loaded with monsters, swordplay, magic, impressive landscapes, and more.
The game also throws in some slot play as well with the protagonist heading to a gambling house. Casinos are a staple in Dragon Quest games and have the look and feel of what one might expect at a real casino. There are a couple of slot styles to choose from and casino hostess is always available to tell you which games are paying off – always a helpful tip!
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Games featuring the Japanese mafia regularly include some form of gambling and this one from 2020 is a great example. In the game, a yakuza member named Ichiban Kasuga has served 18 years in prison after being betrayed by his former boss. He’s now looking to turn things around and is on a quest to become a hero. The game features many adventures and that includes some reel spinning.
Players can spin the reels on a slot machine that looks a bit more like a modern slot, complete with three reels at the bottom and a video scream at the top. Some even have flames streaming onto the screen. Hopefully, you’ll be on fire when spinning the reels as well.
