Vegas Stakes

Infobox VG| title = Vegas Stakes


developer = HAL Laboratory
publisher = Nintendo
designer =
engine =
released = Super NES
Vgrelease|North America|NA|1993
Game Boy
Vgrelease|North America|NA|1995
Virtual Console (Wii)

Vgrelease|Europe|EU|August 31 2007cite web|title=Today's Euro/Aussie VC updates|date=2007-08-31|url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=24080]
genre = Party
modes = Single player, multi-player
ratings =
platforms = Super NES, Game Boy, Virtual Console
media = 8-megabit cartridge
requirements =
input = SNES controller, SNES Mouse

"Vegas Stakes" is a video game developed by HAL Laboratory and originally released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo. It was also released for the Game Boy in 1995, and on the Wii Virtual Console in Europe on August 31, 2007 and in North America on November 26, 2007. The Game Boy version is compatible with the Super Game Boy, and features borders which use artwork from the SNES version. It is the sequel to the NES game "Vegas Dream".

The game sees the player go to Las Vegas to gamble and try to win $10 million at different casinos. The game features the player gambling in Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, and Slots.

Overview

The player can choose to play either a single-player or multi-player game. In the single-player game a computerized friend accompanies the player around the various casinos. In the multi-player game, poker cannot be played since everyone could see everyone else's cards. There are no random encounters in multi-player mode. The multi-player mode is not included in the Game Boy version.

At the beginning of the single-player game a car is seen driving to Las Vegas. The various "friends" of the player are introduced as Cliff, Maria, Isabelle and Richard. All are eager to begin gambling. The "friends" are not present in the Game Boy version.

One of the biggest draws of "Vegas Stakes" is the situations the player must deal with aside from the gaming tables. Essentially, players will have interactions with their traveling party and casino patrons. Some are innocent; for example, one of your friends is going to the sports book and asks if you want to place a wager. However, some can have significant positive or negative consequences. Random patrons will approach you and depending on your choices, you may wind up making (or losing) a lot of money. These include:

*A patron bumps into you as they pass by. You suspect that may be a pickpocket, and check your wallet. It may have been stolen.
*A patron tells you they have a sick daughter and they need to take her to the hospital. This has two potential outcomes. Either the patron is a con artist and they will take your money and walk away, or they will have been sincere and will return several minutes later to thank you and present you a reward.
*A patron will offer to sell you a lottery ticket since he/she is leaving for the night. If you choose to purchase it, the casino will announce the winning numbers several minutes later. If your numbers match, you win a cash prize.
*A patron tells you he/she is down on his luck and asks to borrow some money to make one final bet on the roulette tables. If you choose to help out and the patron wins, they will return and give you a reward for helping them. If they lose, they will return and inform you but you will receive no reward.
*A patron says that he/she has blown all their money, including their return fare home, and offers to sell you a watch for $200. If you choose to buy it, another patron may come along and offer to buy it for $1,000.
*A patron will try to sell you a diamond. He/she suggests a price, and you counteroffer, until you either agree to a deal or the patron walks away. If you buy it, another patron will come along, and either buy the diamond for a huge profit, or laugh at you for purchasing a fake.

There are several more random patron interaction situations in the Game Boy version, including the ability to wager on boxing matches or horse races.

Casinos

*The Hideaway - This casino is fairly run down and has the lowest maximum bets in the game.
*Golden Paradise - Based on the Golden Nugget Las Vegas - An average casino and the first casino of the game.
*Buffalo Head - A western themed casino. Slightly higher betting limits than the Golden Paradise. Omitted from the Game Boy version.
*2020 - This casino is futuristic with the highest betting maximum until the Laurel Palace is unlocked.
*Laurel Palace - Based on Caesars Palace - The Laurel Palace is unlocked once the player wins $100,000. This casino has no betting maximum. The player moves from the Golden Paradise to a complimentary room here. If the player falls below $100,000 they are kicked out and must unlock the casino again by winning $1 million.

Ending

Good ending

If the player wins more than $10 million a large "Congratulations" comes on screen, and whichever friend the player is with asks what the player will now do with his winnings. The player is then able to input his dreams, and the friend confirms that it is an excellent dream. The credits then roll. At the end of the credits, the screen prints out "You will" followed by the dream you typed prior to the credits.

Bad endings

In the Japanese version, the letters in the word "GAME OVER" keep spinning in a clockwise formation. However, the North American (English) version shows a man in his jeans standing near the famous Las Vegas sign. The Mode 7 effects of the Japanese "game over" screen could not be used in the North American version due to memory constraints.

References

External links

*Virtual Console web page ( [http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/3jjThOcs-ZbJJ2xyGHs3uh3tYIaAQ-S5 North American] )
*moby game|id=/game/vegas-stakes|name="Vegas Stakes"
*GameFAQs|id=588828|name="Vegas Stakes"