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Casino Deluxe 2

Last updated: January 11, 2026

Overview

Casino Deluxe 2 is a gambling simulation game released on October 22, 1996 for IBM PC, developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra On-Line1. The game invites players to experience the “intensity, allure and passion of authentic casino gambling” from the comfort of their homes, with its signature marketing tagline urging players to “beat the odds…to a pulp!“2. Serving as a sequel to Casino De Luxe (1995), the game expanded upon its predecessor’s foundation with enhanced 3D SVGA graphics and a comprehensive suite of eighteen casino games2.

The game was designed as a risk-free gambling experience, allowing players to enjoy the thrill of casino gaming without wagering real money3. A standout feature was the on-screen professional advice system, described as being “like having a casino expert right by your side,” which provided players with invaluable tips and strategies applicable even to real-world gambling scenarios2. The game also included a Gambling Academy feature with lessons and game histories to help players understand the rules and strategies of various casino games4.

Casino Deluxe 2 supported both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 platforms, and notably included internet play capabilities and a free laptop version on the CD-ROM5. The game was part of Sierra’s broader entertainment software lineup during the mid-1990s, appearing in The Game Catalogue 1996-19976.

Story Summary

Casino Deluxe 2 does not feature a traditional narrative structure, instead focusing on gambling simulation gameplay. Players begin their casino adventure with a virtual bankroll, tasked with building their fortune across various casino games3. The game presents a 3D casino environment where players can freely move between different gaming floors and tables9.

The casino setting is designed to evoke the atmosphere of authentic gaming establishments, complete with dealer voices and ambient casino sounds2. Players interact with virtual dealers who not only manage the games but also communicate directly with the player, offering advice when requested4. Text messages appear on screen providing tips and strategies that players can utilize both in the game and in real-life gambling situations4.

The game’s Gambling Academy serves as an educational component, offering tutorials and historical information about games like red dog poker and craps9. This feature positions Casino Deluxe 2 not merely as entertainment but as a learning tool for aspiring casino enthusiasts9.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Casino Deluxe 2 utilizes a player-friendly interface combining mouse and keyboard controls10. The game presents a first-person perspective in certain areas and a top-down view for table games, allowing players to observe the action from optimal vantage points2. Navigation through the casino is facilitated by an elevator system featuring ambient muzak in the lobby, with different games organized across multiple floors9.

The on-screen professional advice system is accessible at any time during gameplay, providing strategic guidance through text messages that appear when the player requests assistance4. This feature was marketed as a “secret weapon” that distinguished Casino Deluxe 2 from competing gambling simulations2.

Structure and Progression

The game offers eighteen distinct casino games organized into several categories11:

  • Slot Machines: Six themed machines including Lucky Sevens, Home Run, Space Race, Wild West, Famous Faces, and Cornucopia11
  • Video Poker: Four variants - 10’s or Better, Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Joker Poker11
  • Table Poker: 5 Card Draw, 5 Card Stud, and 7 Card Stud11
  • Table Games: Blackjack, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Red Dog, and Roulette12

Players are free to move between games and floors at will, with no linear progression required9. The goal is simply to accumulate winnings through skillful play and strategic decision-making.

Puzzles and Mechanics

As a gambling simulation, Casino Deluxe 2 focuses on authentic recreation of casino game mechanics rather than traditional puzzle-solving3. Each game faithfully replicates the rules and payout structures of its real-world counterpart2.

The game includes comprehensive tutorials through its Gambling Academy feature, which teaches players the fundamentals of each game type9. Betting mechanics allow players to manage their virtual bankroll across sessions, with the game tracking cash totals and providing warnings when funds run low13.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Casino Deluxe 2 appears to have received limited coverage in major gaming publications. The predecessor game, Casino De Luxe (1995), received mixed reviews that provide context for the series’ reception:

  • Computer Game Review awarded the original 85/100, with reviewers Frank Snyder, Ted Chapman, and Tasos Kaiafas contributing to the evaluation (September 1995)7
  • PC Gamer (US) gave 80% from reviewer Todd Vaughn (October 1995)7
  • Next Generation awarded 3 out of 5 stars, noting “if you’re into these games, this is the best one around” (November 1995)7
  • Joystick (French publication) scored the game 100/200 from reviewer Moulinex (November 1995)7
  • Génération 4 awarded 59% (November 1995)7
  • PC Joker gave 43% from reviewer Markus Ziegler (April 1996)7
  • PC Top Player scored 61/100 from reviewer Victor Sanchez (April 1996)7

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospectives on Casino Deluxe 2 are limited, though the game has found a niche audience among retro gaming enthusiasts. User reviews on preservation sites describe it as “a nice little game for players who enjoy gambling but don’t want to use real money”9. One reviewer proclaimed it “a must for anyone who wants a casino on their computer”9.

The game has been described as “a good game for gambling enthusiasts” that provides “fun to keep the family entertained”12. Its value as a risk-free gambling education tool continues to be appreciated by modern players discovering the title through abandonware channels3.

Aggregate Scores:

  • Metacritic: No critic or user reviews available14

Development

Origins

Casino Deluxe 2 was developed by Impressions Games, a studio founded by David Lester7. The original Casino De Luxe was conceived by Lester himself, establishing the gameplay template that the sequel would expand upon7. The game built upon Impressions’ experience with strategy and simulation titles, applying their design expertise to the gambling genre2.

The development came during a transitional period for Impressions Games, as the studio was sold to Sierra On-Line shortly after the release of the original Casino De Luxe7. This acquisition meant that domestic re-releases and international distribution of both games would be published under the Sierra brand7.

Production

Development focused on expanding the game count from the original while enhancing the visual presentation with 3D SVGA graphics and “movie quality music”2. The team implemented dealer voices to create a more immersive casino atmosphere2. Particular attention was paid to the advice system, ensuring that the strategic guidance provided would be genuinely useful for players learning casino games4.

The inclusion of internet play capabilities represented an ambitious feature for 1996, though this functionality has not survived into modern compatibility efforts11. A laptop version was also developed and included on the CD-ROM as a bonus feature5.

Development Credits:7

  • Concept/Design: David Lester (Impressions Games founder)

Technical Achievements

Casino Deluxe 2 showcased 3D SVGA graphics that were advanced for gambling simulations of the era2. The game featured ambient casino sounds, dealer voice acting, and atmospheric music to create an authentic gambling environment2. The first-person and top-down perspective switching allowed for varied viewing angles appropriate to different game types2.

Technical Specifications

CD-ROM Version:15

  • Colors: 256 colors9
  • Media: CD-ROM8
  • Hardware Requirements: VESA compatible display, Mouse15
  • File Size: Approximately 108-158 MB98
  • Control: Mouse, Keyboard10

Technical Issues

The initial release (version 1.0) contained several bugs that were addressed in patch 1.0113:

  • Dealer incorrectly saying “Coming Out” in Craps when not a coming out roll13
  • Incorrect dealer calls in Craps13
  • Blackjack allowing Split/Double Down without sufficient funds13
  • Red Dog allowing Raise without sufficient funds13
  • Video Poker graphical issues and payout problems13
  • Problems with cash totals over $40,00013

A critical note from Sierra Help Pages warned: “Version 1.0 saved games WILL NOT work with version 1.01 if you have experienced any of the money errors!”13

The 256-color limitation caused images to “wash out momentarily when switching between modes,” a minor visual artifact noted by users9. Modern compatibility issues have also been reported, with internet play functionality no longer supported11.

Version History

VersionDatePlatformNotes
1.01996-10-22Windows 3.1/95Initial release1
1.01UnknownWindows 3.1/95Patch fixing Craps, Blackjack, Red Dog, Video Poker bugs and chip problems over $40,00013

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • The game features an elevator with muzak playing in the casino lobby, adding atmospheric authenticity9
  • A free laptop version was included on the CD-ROM for portable play5
  • The game supported internet play in its original release, an ambitious feature for 19965
  • The UPC code for the product was 0206268373475
  • The EAN barcode number was 002062683734715

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Casino Deluxe 2 was marketed as part of Sierra’s entertainment software lineup and appeared in The Game Catalogue 1996-19976. While specific sales figures are not available, the game maintained enough commercial presence to warrant multiple retail releases and patches13. The game was distributed primarily in North America, with the Sierra brand handling international distribution7.

Collections

Casino Deluxe 2 was released as a standalone product and has not been documented as part of any major compilation releases. The game exists within the Casino Deluxe series, following the original Casino De Luxe (1995)2.

Preservation

The game has been preserved through multiple Internet Archive uploads, maintained in the CD-ROM Software Library and Vintage Software Collection8. These preservation efforts have ensured the game remains accessible to researchers and retro gaming enthusiasts12.

  • The Game Catalogue 1996-1997: Featured Casino Deluxe 2 on page 126

Critical Perspective

Casino Deluxe 2 represents a solid entry in the mid-1990s gambling simulation genre, combining Sierra’s production values with Impressions Games’ design expertise. While the predecessor received mixed reviews ranging from 43% to 85%7, the series found its audience among players seeking risk-free casino entertainment.

The game’s emphasis on educational content through the Gambling Academy feature distinguished it from pure entertainment titles, positioning it as both a game and a learning tool9. The on-screen advice system was particularly innovative, providing genuine strategic value that could translate to real-world gambling knowledge4.

In the broader context of Sierra’s catalog, Casino Deluxe 2 exemplifies the company’s willingness to publish diverse entertainment software beyond their signature adventure games. The title served a specific niche audience effectively, though it never achieved the critical acclaim or cultural impact of Sierra’s flagship series3.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

  • Not currently available on major digital storefronts

Download / Preservation

Patches & Updates

Series Continuity

Casino Deluxe 2 is the direct sequel to Casino De Luxe, released in 1995 by Impressions Games7. The sequel expanded the game library from the original while introducing enhanced 3D SVGA graphics and additional features like internet play2. Following Impressions’ acquisition by Sierra On-Line, both games were distributed under the Sierra brand7.

The series established itself as a competent gambling simulation franchise, though no further sequels appear to have been released following Casino Deluxe 2.

References

Footnotes

  1. Sierra Chest – Casino Deluxe 2 – release date October 22, 1996, developer Impressions Games, IBM PC platform ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  2. MobyGames – Casino Deluxe 2 – marketing materials, features, game list, 3D SVGA graphics, developer Impressions, publisher Sierra On-Line ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15

  3. eBay Product Listing – 3D environment, 18 games, dealer advice feature, gambling simulation description ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  4. eBay Product Page – dealer communication, advice system, Gambling Academy feature ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  5. Amazon – Casino Deluxe 2 – Windows 3.1/95 platforms, internet play, laptop version, UPC 020626837347 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  6. Sierra Chest – Publications – Game Catalogue 1996-1997 listing ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  7. Wikipedia – Casino De Luxe – David Lester designer, Impressions development, Sierra acquisition, review scores from multiple publications ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17

  8. Internet Archive – Casino Deluxe 2 (Sierra 1996) – file size 158.4M, preservation metadata, CD-ROM Preservation Project upload ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  9. Old-Games.com – Casino Deluxe 2 – user review, 256 colors, elevator muzak, Gambling Academy description, floor layout ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14

  10. eBay – Control Elements – mouse and keyboard controls ↩ ↩2

  11. All Video Classic Games – complete 18-game list, internet play not supported note ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  12. Internet Archive – Casino Deluxe 2 – 1996 release, game features including Keno and Texas Hold’em, family entertainment description ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  13. Sierra Help Pages – Casino Deluxe Updates – version 1.01 patch notes, bug fixes, save game incompatibility warning ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12

  14. Metacritic – Casino Deluxe 2 – Sierra Entertainment publisher, no reviews available ↩

  15. UVList – Casino Deluxe 2 – Win3.1 platform, VESA/Mouse hardware, EAN 0020626837347, game types ↩ ↩2 ↩3

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