If you're on this site, then chances are you know how limited early DOS and Windows games could be. Lagging far behind their console cousins, desktop gamers might not have had the power, but they did have the choice. Illustrating this choice was a wide range of titles that were difficult to play or navigate on consoles, with casino games being standouts in this regard. Taking a look at some of our old hosted casino titles, we want to compare them to modern online offerings, to see how they stack up.
"MS-DOS installation diskettes" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by daanbrg
A Target to Set Our Sights On
For a reference point of what modern, real titles can accomplish, we're going to be looking at the Jackpot King prizes slot games. These titles like Top Cat Most Wanted and Rhino Rampage tie into the Jackpot King progressive jackpots, which are huge but not applicable to video games. More importantly, it's the graphics, functionality, and user-friendliness that we're going to use from these games as a point of comparison.
The Contenders
We're going to be looking at three titles from our archive, Slot, Bandit, and Micro Bucks II. Remember, each of these can be played online at our website if you want to try them for yourself, or you can check out a DOS emulator like DOSBox if you want to run them directly from your system.
Slot
Hitting shelves in 1983, Slot is a limited game, to say the least. This is such an old title that it eschews sprite graphics completely, instead of relying on ASCII to relate play. The slot is so simple that it can't even graphically relay symbols, with three columns of text showing which symbols land where. Accompanied by PC-Speaker sound, this is as much of a programming test as it is a real game. Press any button to 'spin', and that's as far as Slot goes.
Bandit
Released in 1986, Bandit is a perfect demonstration of what a big difference just three years could make in the classic gaming space. Bandit has color, it has simple pixelated graphics, and it has even more detailed music. Control is again limited to pushing single buttons, but compared to Slot, it's still a massive leap forward.
Micro Bucks II
Fast-forwarding to the year 1991, and Micro Bucks II is still, it needs to be said, an audio monstrosity. In terms of graphics and playability, however, it's another step forward. This title even lets you choose between five bet levels, giving the chance for bigger payouts and a $2,000 jackpot.
"The DOS Tangle Alternative" (CC BY 2.0) by Jeff.Dlouhy
A Minor Difference
Taking a look at a modern online slot, the evolution these games have experienced is less than subtle. With millions of colors, resolutions tens of times higher, and studio-quality music, contemporary games might as well be in different universes. Though it's easy to look back in horror, the progress of this genre is fascinating to look at. It's hard to tell at a glance, but Slot was setting new standards nearly 40 years ago, defining what would be possible in the online future.
If you're a fan of modern online casinos or retro games, we'd recommend checking these early titles out for a look. It only takes a couple of minutes, and it's a great way to avoid taking the modern market for granted.
