Console games that contain free-roam worlds where you can explore vast swathes of land, whether based on fictional or non-fictional worlds, are huge business. Some of the world’s most prominent game designers have spent tens of millions of dollars and colossal levels of workforce to piece together these legendary games.
Still, some games can transcend gaming quality and offer mini-games that are sometimes better than the full titles their competition provides. Offering mini-games for free-roam worlds is a big part of what sets these types of games apart from the competition, and casino gaming is one type of mini-game that has started to see much more popularity over the last few years.
Innovation In Casino & Console Gaming
The casino industry is ever-changing and fast-moving, and offering casino mini-games within console games helps to advertise them organically and draw people in to see what they’re all about. Console games are another industry that doesn’t rest on their laurels, and with both enterprises constantly striving for perfection and innovation, it helps to cultivate a natural environment that puts creativity and ingenuity at the spine of their design.
Cryptocurrency is one innovation driving change in console gaming and the casino industry. Expect to see more of it over the coming years, ranging from play to earn cryptocurrency games to cryptocurrency casinos where you can use Bitcoin and other altcoins to place your wagers at a poker or roulette table. Online blackjack at Ignition shows how popular cryptocurrency casino gaming is beginning to get and why more people are deciding to use Bitcoin to play casino games instead of traditional payment methods.
Although cryptocurrency casino gaming is still in its beginning phase, many believe it has the potential to grow into a significant and successful part of the gambling industry.
#4 – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
For those who remember the global phenomenon of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, it was a game that cemented itself into the noughties pop culture. From a blistering soundtrack, an expansive roaming world, and a complete dimension above the previous installment, the highly revered and equally iconic Vice City, San Andreas, was the first of Rockstar’s landmark games to have a mini-casino game.
Although the recent remasters fell woefully beneath the lofty expectations that Rockstar have set for themselves over the last few decades, it didn’t detract from the memories and nostalgia of Las Venturas and the multitude of casino mini-games you could play on the island, ranging from blackjack to wheel of fortune and roulette.
#3 – Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
As one of Rockstar’s most outstanding achievements, Red Dead Redemption 2 is ranked among the greatest console games of all time. It is one of the many reasons why Rockstar commands such a bulletproof name within the game design industry and continues to make global news whenever they release information regarding their latest project.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is renowned for its attention to detail and colossal map size. Still, many people are drawn into the mini-games available within the phenomenally successful title, and playing blackjack, one of the old Western bars, against other punters is one of the many elements of the game that showed just how much planning went into the game to make it such a success story.
#2 – Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
Following a revision of initial critical reviews, Fallout: New Vegas is considered one of the top games of the early 2010s, and as the name would suggest, the setting is Sin City. As with most Fallout games, the dystopian setting is bleak, and despite the post-apocalyptic war that threatened humanity’s existence, it appears there’s still room to sit down and play blackjack. Multiple casinos are littered throughout the game, and although you’ll have to do some digging to find them, they have some of the best blackjack mini-games in any console game.
#1 – Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
There are no prizes for guessing GTA V at number one – not only is GTA V considered the jewel in the crown for Rockstar games, but it’s widely considered to be the best video game ever made. Despite being over a decade old, it still generates billions of dollars in profit every year for Rockstar, and the online casino gaming feature is by far the most impressive ever designed in the history of console gaming.
Not only do the blackjack games offer an experience that isn’t far off that of a VR or online casino, but you can also explore a whole host of other games available in the GTA V casino, such as roulette and slot machines. Given that GTA 6 is reported to be on the horizon, it’ll be fascinating to see how Rockstar can go one better than the casino in GTA V, given that it is head and shoulders above any other console blackjack mini-game.
