Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Casino offers a quartet of card-based amusements that will appeal to players who appreciate classic table games with a digital twist. The first two games are Blackjack variants: Game One lets one or two players go head-to-head against the house with the ability to split pairs, while Game Two expands the table to up to four players but removes the splitting option. In both cases, the computer always acts as dealer, and you place your bets by rotating the controller to adjust your wager and pressing the button to lock it in.

What sets each Blackjack variant apart is the pair of difficulty switches on the console. The left switch determines how often the deck is shuffled—either after 34 cards have been dealt (A) or after every hand (B). The right switch controls how conservative the dealer’s strategy is, varying the threshold for standing on a soft or hard 17. These options let you tailor the challenge, whether you’re a cautious player learning the ropes or a high-roller looking for a stiffer test of your card-counting skills.

Game Three turns to Five-Card Stud Poker for up to four participants. The ante and betting rounds happen before the first card and after each subsequent deal, mirroring traditional stud poker timing. Controls are identical to the Blackjack games, so rotating the controller selects your bet amount and pressing the button commits it. Betting and folding feel intuitive despite the limited control scheme, and the face-up/face-down switch settings let you choose whether you want to peek at hidden cards or play with full transparency.

Finally, Game Four is Poker Solitaire, a single-player puzzle challenge. You place cards on a 5×5 grid—five rows, five columns, and two diagonals—trying to form the best poker hands at each position. The scoring system rewards everything from high-value royal flushes (500 points) down to simple pairs (10 points), with a maximum theoretical score of 3,340 points. This mode stands out as a brain-teaser rather than a head-to-head gamble, offering a welcome shift of pace when you want something more cerebral.

Across all four modes, the control scheme remains consistent: turn the controller to highlight chips or grid spots, press the button to confirm your selection, and watch the automated dealing unfold. While the simplicity can feel limiting compared to modern touchscreen or motion-controlled card tables, it’s remarkably effective for the era. Each game loads quickly, runs smoothly, and captures the familiar rhythms of casino play without unnecessary frills.

Graphics

Visually, Casino adopts a utilitarian aesthetic typical of early console titles. Card faces are rendered in clear, high-contrast pixels, making suits and values easily distinguishable even on smaller CRT screens. The table felt and chip designs lean on simple solid colors, but they serve their purpose by keeping the focus on gameplay rather than flashy visuals.

The ambient backdrop is minimal—often just a plain felt surface or a single colored background—so you’re never distracted from the action at the card table. While there are no sweeping 3D animations or elaborate dealer portraits, subtle touches like the quick flip of a card and the shuffling cutscene provide enough motion to make each deal feel dynamic.

Device limitations mean there’s no animated crowd or dealer commentary, but the sparse presentation actually enhances the straightforward casino vibe. Menus are clean and readable, and the chip-selection interface provides immediate visual feedback as you spin through different bet denominations. For purists who want a no-nonsense gambling simulator, the graphics are more than adequate.

Story

Casino doesn’t attempt to weave an elaborate narrative around its card games. Instead, it drops you straight into the action, much like walking into a real casino. There’s no overarching plot or character arcs—just you, the cards, and the dealer.

This absence of story could be viewed as a benefit for players who prefer to focus on strategy rather than cutscenes. The game’s silent “setting” leaves room for personal imagination: you could picture yourself in a smoky back-room poker den, a glitzy Vegas showroom, or a quiet digital lounge. The lack of narrative restraint gives the gameplay room to shine.

If you’re looking for a card title with branching storylines, character development, or in-depth world-building, Casino won’t satisfy that craving. However, for fans of pure, unembellished card play, the stripped-down presentation is refreshing. The game trusts you to bring your own sense of drama to each hand.

Overall Experience

Casino delivers a compact but varied assortment of card games that hold up well as a digital representation of table-game classics. The two styles of Blackjack cater to both casual players and those who want more strategic depth via splitting and adjustable dealer behavior. Five-Card Stud Poker offers familiar betting rounds, and Poker Solitaire adds a single-player puzzle twist that broadens the package.

The game’s strength lies in its focus on pure mechanics. Difficulty switches let you fine-tune game flow, and the consistent control scheme keeps everything accessible. While it lacks the polish and production values of modern casino titles, Casino’s straightforward design means there’s virtually no learning curve once you understand how to rotate and press the controller to place bets and cards.

Replay value is driven by the adjustable difficulty, the inherent randomness of the decks, and the personal challenge of chasing high scores in Poker Solitaire. Whether you’re looking to practice your Blackjack strategy, bluff your way through stud poker, or tackle a grid-based card puzzle, this title provides enough variety to justify multiple sessions.

Ultimately, Casino is best suited to players who appreciate old-school simplicity and strategic card play over cinematic presentation. If you value quick load times, no-frills controls, and a pure focus on hand rankings and betting tactics, this collection will deliver plenty of entertainment for its straightforward price point.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10