Lynx Casino

Lynx Casino hit the Atari Lynx in 1992, bringing a handful of table and electronic games to the handheld. It was developed by Brian A. Rice Inc., a studio that focused on casino-style simulations. The cartridge was released in both the USA and Europe, giving Lynx owners on both sides of the Atlantic a chance to try their luck on the go. This is a straightforward gambling simulator, not a role-playing game or an arcade action title, despite the Lynx's reputation for shooters and platformers. The player can choose from five different games: blackjack, craps, roulette, slot machines, and video poker. In blackjack you try to beat the dealer without going over twenty-one. Craps involves betting on dice outcomes, roulette has you picking numbers or colors on a spinning wheel. Slot machines are pure luck with spinning reels, and video poker is essentially draw poker against a machine. The interface uses the Lynx's directional pad and buttons to place bets, draw cards, or spin the wheel. There is no overarching story or progression; you simply play each game with a virtual bankroll. As a casino game on a handheld from the early 1990s, Lynx Casino delivers a solid selection of gambling sims in one package. It is not flashy or deep, but it fills a niche on the Lynx library for players who want something slower paced. Compared to later portable casino collections, this one feels basic, but it is perfectly functional and does exactly what it advertises. If you enjoy the genre or want a change of pace from action games on the Lynx, this is worth a quick spin.