Game Review: Vegas Jackpot (Commodore 64, Mastertronic)

The notable thing about Vegas Jackpot on the Commodore 64, and most likely making it the original release version that all other versions would have been based on, is that it is actually a re-release of the Mr Chip Software game Jackpot (also known as Jackpot 64 on the cassette) which was released in 1983.  Indeed, some copies of Vegas Jackpot have red stamped text on the inlay with “Acknowledgement to Mr Chip’s Jackpot” in a similar way that The Election Game had to acknowledge its previous release of Westminster.  As per other early Commodore 64 releases, the catalogue number starts with 1C instead of IC (as 2C was reserved for the Commodore 16 and Plus/4).

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

The game loads with a small title screen which indicated Shuttle Soft and Tout instead of Sout, which may have indicated it might have been attempted to be re-released elsewhere.  However, once the game loads, you get a SID chip rendition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which has to play before you can start the game in earnest.

You start with £100 and the aim is to get to £250 to effectively break the bank, or if you go down to £0, it is game over.  Each spin will cost £1 once you have inserted the coin for a credit, so you can see that the money may go down very quickly if you’re not as lucky with the spins on the machine.  The machine itself is well laid out on screen, with the middle section having the four reels of fruits and symbols, some with numbers next to them, along with how much cash and credits you have on the right side, together with the indicator of the win line in the middle.   The bottom of the screen shows the amounts you can win and gamble up or down to, to a maximum of the top prize of £100.  The top of the screen is for when your win line has numbers and counts those up.  A total of 7 means a random spin, and 8 to 12 means you can win a number of nudges (ranging from 4 to 16 nudges) and gamble those up or down, even to the top prize of £100.

Let’s Go for a Spin

The controls are all by keyboard and relatively simple.  F5 inserts coins as needed for credit, F7 spins the wheel.  F1 operates the gamble functions, and F3 will collect as needed.  Using keys 1 to 4 when hold is lit will effectively hold the reel for the next spin.  Although it would have been nice to have the options of joystick control, it does at least work well and means once you get used to them it’s straightforward to play along with.

When you spin the wheel, each reel spins around smoothly with some bright and colourful graphics depicting lemons, strawberries, apples, cherries, watermelons, blueberries, and also a square chip (with a CHIP logo for Mr Chip).  Getting at least two of those consecutively on the win line is an instant win, which can range from £3 to £100 – note that you can lose a gamble and go down to £1 in case you wondered. You can collect the win, or you can gamble with the prize going up or down, with flashing lights for each and hitting F1 at the right time.

If the win line does not have two consecutive fruits or objects, and the numbers at their sides total at least 7, you have the randomised spin at 7, or nudges you can gamble with F1. Nudges are automatic based on what the best prize would be, so usually getting 12 or 16 nudges means that you are going to score a considerable prize on the win line once those takes place.  At the end of each spin, you will occasionally get the option to hold, so you could hold the symbols and fruits with numbers to try and get to nudges, or fruits for the win line.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics are colourful and well presented, with the fruits and symbols easily identifiable.  The reels scroll well with a sense of them slowing down to get to the win line.  There are some good sound effects for the random spin, nudges, gamble noises, and a satisfying sound when you win money.  There are also three tunes: the mentioned Who Wants to Be a Millionaire when you start, Pop Goes the Weasel if you lose, and if you do manage to get to the £250, a tune for winning too, which adds nicely to the overall presentation here.

Final Thoughts

There may be some moral reasons why fruit machine games are not ideal to be played by the youngsters back in the day, and mileage will vary as to how much enjoyment you will get out of this game.  However, as a standalone fruit machine game it has the reels, the nudges, the holds and the option for a sizeable jackpot as well as some nice visuals and presentation which makes it all clear to play.  Definitely an early release which showed some promise for the range in future, and all within the comfort of not losing a single penny when playing.

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