Super Nintendo Entertainment System Vegas Stakes (USA)
4Vegas Stakes (known in Japan as Las Vegas Dream for the Super Famicom) is a gambling 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 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 with $1000. Using that $1000, the player must try to win $10 million at different casinos. The game features the player gambling in Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, and Slots.
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 Raymond. 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.
Your friend will find a wallet and ask if you want to keep it or turn it in to hotel security. If you turn it in, the owner may offer you a large reward.
There are several more random patron interaction situations in the Game Boy version, including the ability to wager on boxing matches or horse races.
The Hideaway - Probably based on the Gold Spike Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas - This casino is fairly run down and has the lowest maximum bets in the game.
Golden Paradise - Based in part on the Golden Nugget and the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas - An average casino and the first casino of the game.
Buffalo Head - Based on the former Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino with an interior similar to Binion's - 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. Many of the details are similar to the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Luxor Las Vegas, both of which were under construction when Vegas Stakes was being developed.
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.
The game ends when the player wins ten million dollars or loses all their money.