There have been certain forms of entertainment that have been popular on game systems from the beginning. One of these is gambling, where much of the excitement of the casino is recreated without the threat of losing any real money. In the casino and videogames as well, card games like blackjack and the various forms of poker usually top the list of favorites.
Las Vegas Poker & Blackjack (Mattel © 1978) on the Intellivision is definitely what you call old, but you would never know it when playing. It remains to this day one of the most fun and full featured games of its kind on any system.
The program handles up to two players at once and contains four different card games: Blackjack, 5-card stud, 7-card stud, and 5-card draw. All of these provide every feature you can think of, save Blackjack, which, while allowing you to double-down, does not let you split a hand when you are dealt pairs. This is not always allowed anyway, so this might not be considered a major fault.
The game centers around an animated dealer who is surprisingly personable and suitably shifty-eyed. While he plays only a decent game, he's still fun to have around because of the various faces he makes. An interesting one is when he gets angry at the players for "calling" too much or not betting enough in a given hand. The graphics are pleasant and suitable, with everything easily identifiable - though the coloring is a bit on the yellow side - and the sound effects are adequate.
You have a choice of any game at the end of every hand and your money gets carried over to each game. There is even a dealer's choice (random) button on the keypad if you can't decide which to play next.
The inclusion of a 5-card draw game is an unusual one, since most programmers on these early systems shied away from it (probably due to difficulty in incorporating certain features). This is done quite well, even though I wish you were able to take back your discards in case you made a mistake. Once you toss it, it's gone forever; in real life, this option is unnecessary, but here I feel it's needed.
If you like cards, this is a must have. It's lots of fun, visually appealing, and has plenty of game choice to hold your interest; including the often excluded 5-card draw. Highly Recommended -- * * * * 1/2 (4 1/2 out of 5 stars)
The only Colecovision casino game, Ken Uston Blackjack/Poker (Coleco © 1982), is just as solid as the Intellivision game, though not as varied. You are offered only two types of games to play, blackjack and 5-card stud, but it plays them to the hilt.
Up to four can play, but it's difficult to keep your cards hidden from even just one extra player. There is still a lot of multi-player fun to be had though.
Once play begins you are stuck with what game you chose--there's no carrying your winnings over from poker or blackjack. It's treated as if they're stand-alone games, right down to resetting the system when wanting to play the other.
In blackjack, which does include hand splitting on pairs, gameplay progresses pretty much as you would expect. Extra features include hints from Ken Uston, pretty much boiling down to telling you when to split, double-down, take a hit, or stand. These are generally easy enough for anyone to figure out on their own, but this gives the game some much needed personality and can act as a decent tutor.
5-card stud also plays just like you think it would, but unlike the Intellivision version there is no 'drop' button programmed for the controller. Instead, the dealer asks you - DROP? - just before every bet. Needless to say, this gets quite annoying and shortens the poker game's play life a lot.
The overall graphics are solid, if unextraordinary, and the sounds are quite good, if annoying at times. The animated dealer is well done, but slightly stiff looking (this "stiffness'" is usually what you get in real life), even though he bursts forth with a smile or half-frown when appropriate.
If you don't mind the fact that it only contains the two games, you'll be pleased that it plays them well and comes fully featured. The four player option is welcome, if clumsy, and the graphics and sound are good. It's not without its problems though, and you might do better with another game on a different system. Good -- * * * 1/2 (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)
Intellivison Las Vegas Poker & Blackjack
Advantages - Four different games to choose from, including 5-card draw. It's also fun to play for many reasons and would be welcome on any early system. An Intellivision classic. (And hey, those guys wearing leisure suits on the box are reason enough to buy it. Can you say Larry?)
Disadvantages - It's a little too yellow graphics-wise, but this in no way interferes with gameplay. Also, blackjack should include hand splitting and the discard option in 5-card draw shouldn't be so final (though it is in real life).
Overall - Highly Recommended -- * * * * 1/2 (4 1/2 out of 5 stars)
Colecovision Ken Uston Blackjack/Poker
Advantages - Up to four players at once and plays its games well. The graphics are solid.
Disadvantages - Only has two games. The poker game is in need of a 'drop' button, instead of the dealer asking you (annoyingly) prior to every bet. The sound, while good, becomes repetitive.
Overall - Good -- * * * 1/2 (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)
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' * Poor
' ** Fair
' *** Good
' **** Excellent
' ***** A must have
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