In the SNES version, the player can choose to play either a single-player or multiplayer game. The multiplayer mode is not included in the Game Boy version. In the single-player game, a computerized friend accompanies the player around various casinos. In the multiplayer game, poker cannot be played since everyone could see everyone else's cards. 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. The player is given $1,000. The player's goal is to win $10 million. If the player loses all the money, the game ends, and an image is shown of a man showing his empty pockets. The game features blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and slot machines. When the player wins $100,000, the Laurel Palace casino is unlocked. A total of five casinos are featured in the SNES version, while four are featured in the Game Boy version. Aside from gambling, the player will also have interactions with the traveling party, and with random casino patrons. The player can make or lose money, depending on the response given to these patrons. In one example, a patron may attempt to pickpocket the player's character by pretending to wipe a spot off the character's shirt. There are no random encounters in multiplayer mode. Several additional patron interaction situations exist in the Game Boy version. At the end of the SNES version, the player gets to type in what they plan to do with their winnings. At the end of the game, a couple drive up to a casino with the player's name on it. Also at the end of the SNES version, the game tells the player what they typed in came true.
Reception
Nintendo Power praised the SNES version for its realistic gambling games, its four-player mode, and its compatibility with the Super NES Mouse. However, Nintendo Power negatively wrote, "More variety in the games would have been nice." Nintendo Power praised the Game Boy version for "Easy controls" and a "Fun adventure element," but criticized it for featuring, "Only four games of chance." GamePros brief review of the Game Boy version commented, "Vegas Stakes is fun and offers a variety of games, including Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, and Slots. The graphics are crisp and clear, and the cheesy music fits in nicely." Scott Alan Marriott of AllGame rated the SNES version four stars out of five and wrote, "Vegas Stakes is an excellent example of how to do a casino game on the console format. Instead of merely aiming for the gambling crowd, the developers included several surrounding characters to inject some life into the game." However, Marriott also wrote, "The graphics aren't anything to shout about -- most screens are digitized still pictures. Cards might be hard for some players to read as they are a bit on the small side." Marriott also criticized the game's music and sound: "While each casino has its own theme song, it repeats endlessly and there's no way to turn it off. Make sure you have your thumb close to the remote control's mute button! Some voice clips would have been appreciated..."
