If you like slots, you might like these games too.
If you’re not much into traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and so on, and are more of a slots fan, you may like casino arcade games.
I say “may” and not “will” because I do consider myself a slots fan, but I don’t particularly like the arcade casino games genre overall. Of course, you might feel differently and share the opinion of other players who love these arcade-style gambling games.
Not familiar with the casino arcade category? I’ll explain what they are and the gist on how to play them. Finally, I’ll tell you which ones I like the most, but why this category of casino games is not typically my top choice for a fun time at the casino.
Online Casino Arcade Games – What Are They?
Arcade is the term used for certain types of betting games that operate differently from conventional slots, card games, tables, lottery and bingo.
Casino arcade games are straightforward digital games with no skill or strategy required. Some take inspiration from classic video games or simple social games, but regardless of the theme or layout, most work as follows:
- Choose your risk level
- Place your bet
- Start the game (which may include performing an action)
- Win instantly or lose, based on the game’s simple rules
Due to the instant win nature of many arcade betting games, they are also often referred to as “Instant-Win” games, with the two terms commonly used interchangeably.
Are arcade games the same as instant win games and vice versa?
Not exactly. Based on what I’ve learned about casino arcade games and instant win games, I think it’s far more accurate to say that arcade games can be considered instant win games, but not all instant win games are arcade games.
For instance, arcade titles like crash games and Rock, Paper, Scissors can be considered a type of instant win game due to a player winning or losing based on a single action. However, instant win games like scratch cards are lottery games while instant win games like Mega Wheel Live is a live game show – neither are arcade games.
Ultimately, arcade games typically draw inspiration from old school video games and simple heads-or-tales style social games. Meanwhile Instant-Win seems to be a broad term used to describe a wide range of game types, such as arcade, scratch cards, live money wheel game shows, video bingo, and keno.
Wait, what about casual casino games – what are those?
Both arcade and instant win games are also sometimes referred to as “casual games”. They’re called casual because game rounds are quick, and the games themselves lack complexity and often bonus features. Players don’t need skill, and they don’t need to dedicate much time or energy into playing, which often results in short game sessions.
The main draw for most players who enjoy arcade/instant win/casual games is the instant gratification feeling coupled with the chance to score a big win in a short time.
👩💻 Mia’s Note: “Instant Win” doesn’t mean you’ll win all the time or break even. All it means is that the game produces an immediate result. Like all casino games – online or offline – play casino arcade games, instant win games, and casual games responsibly and with caution.
Types of Casino Arcade Games (and my thoughts on each one)
There are two main types of casino arcade games:
- Crash
- Tap
Here’s a look at each type and my thoughts on my experiences with both.
Crash Games
If you follow Mia’s Gaming Journey, then you may remember that I’ve covered crash games before, when I shared my first time experience with Big Bass Crash.
With that said, crash games are a type of gambling entertainment where you bet on a multiplying curve. The objective is to cash out your bet before the game randomly comes to an end. The random and abrupt end to the game round is known as a “crash”, with many crash game theme’s including some sort of vehicle crashing – hence the name.
How to play crash games
Every crash game is based on these fundamental gameplay rules:
- Place your bet
- Start the game (or wait for the round to start if its live)
- Cashout your bet before the climbing multiplier crashes
If you cashout your bet before the crash, you’re paid out at the multiplier amount at the point you cashed out (even if the game round continues beyond this point). If the game ends before you cashout, you lose.
Crash game features
- Crash mechanic
- Multiplier
- Early cashout
- Multiple bets for one game round
- History/statistics from previous game rounds
- Live chat
While every crash game has the crash mechanic and multiplier, the other features listed may or may not be included depending on the game. Likewise, minimum and maximum bet sizes, RTP, and max win amount can also vary from game to game.
Examples of crash games
There is a wide variety of crash arcade game titles. The following is a list of some of the ones I’ve tried and/or are available where I play.
- Big Bass Crash (Pragmatic)
- Spaceman (Pragmatic)
- Golden Hook (Games Global)
- Gus’s Gold Minecart Mayhem (IGT)
- High Flyer (Pragmatic)
- Speed Crash (Hacksaw)
My thoughts on crash games
For me, crash games are the most interesting of all the casino arcade games I’ve played. Although I don’t need any skill to play and gameplay itself is quite dull, the not knowing when the multiplier might crash makes these games surprisingly thrilling.
That said, this thrill factor is a little too exciting for my comfort level. The instant gratification effect makes it easy to get caught up in making bet after bet. I felt a certain winning expectation with these games that I don’t typically have when playing slots, tables, and card games – and I didn’t like it.
On top of that, crash games are highly volatile and while wins can occur frequently, they’re not great. Most of the time I win far less than my bet (e.g., I wager $0.10 and get back $0.02) or just slightly more (e.g., I wager $0.10 and get back $0.15). By seeing these “wins” it can be easy to spend a lot of money on these games, with little to show for it (expect perhaps a depleted bankroll) by the end.
On top of that, I find with crash that the lack of bonus features, skill required, and each game round looking virtually identical to the next with no change in visuals or animations, makes for a monotonous experience.
Tap Games
As the name suggests, you simply need to tap/click the screen with these games to trigger an action. The action results in a win, a progression (if you can tap more than once per game round to uncover more squares, etc.), or a loss.
How to play tap games
Regardless of the theme of the tap arcade game you play, basic gameplay functions as follows:
- Select your bet size
- Tap the button to complete an action
- The immediate outcome is a win or loss
Tap game features
- Multipliers
- Progression
- Early cashout
- Multiple bets per round
- Risk level options
- History/statistics from previous game rounds
While most tap games have statistics you can view, some have more features than others.
For instance, in Rock, Paper, Scissors, you only have the option to choose either rock, paper, or scissors for any given game round. Once you play, there’s only one result. However, in Mines, you can increase the risk level by changing the number of mines present in the grid. You also have the option to either cashout when you uncover a coin in the grid or you can choose to uncover another box (progression). Choosing to progress in the same game round gives you a shot at increasing your win amount or losing it all by uncovering a mine.
Also, as is the case with crash games, the max win amount, minimum and maximum bet sizes, and RTP in tap games, vary from game to game.
Examples of tap games
There’s a wide selection of tap-based arcade games. Here’s a list of some of the titles I’ve seen or played.
- Plinko Dare2Win (Hacksaw)
- Mines (Games Global)
- Rock, Paper, Scissors (Games Global)
- Wild Scoops Tap N Cash (Games Global)
- Whack the Bell Tap N Cash (Games Global)
- Flipping Fortunes (Games Global)
My thoughts on tap games
For me, I feel about tap games the same way I do about playing scratch cards – they’re mind numbingly boring.
Using the tap game Mines as an example, this game is inspired by the logic puzzle video game Minesweeper. While it’s pretty much identical to Minesweeper in looks and objective, Mines lacks the one feature that for me is what defines Minesweeper and makes it interesting and worth playing – the logic puzzle element. In Minesweeper, you don’t only uncover spaces and mines, there are numbers behind some of those spaces that indicate the proximity of a mine.
I understand why they removed this feature in the gambling version because the game needs to be random (the logic factor would give the player an edge). However, without it, it’s just randomly tapping boxes. And, yeah, each box you uncover that doesn’t have a mine is cash you can collect. Still, to me, tap games feel like a less rewarding and less exciting slot mini game. 🤷♀️
Also, just like crash games, when you do win with tap games, it’s not typically anything to get excited about, because you either lose or win slightly more or less than your initial bet.
Of course, “you win some, you lose some” can be said about any online casino game. I just personally happen to find arcade games sneakier than others due to the instant gratification factor. That, and I get more enjoyment out of playing online slots and would rather take my chances with them.
How to Find Casino Arcade Games
If you’re interested in trying arcade games for yourself, here’s how.
1. The first step is to find a licensed and reputable online casino that offers these games. If you’re not sure how to do that, I’ve explained in detail how to makes sure where you play is licensed, here.
2. Once you’ve found a legit brand, the next step is to search for arcade titles on the site. There are a couple of ways you can do this:
- Browse the casino’s game categories (remember to look for terms including Arcade, Instant-Win, and Casual)
- Use the casino’s search tool to look for the name of the arcade game you want to play
3. If the casino has what you want, sign up, by completing the registration process. If you’ve never done that before and you live in Ontario, check out what you’ll need and what to expect, here.
4. Make your first deposit and consider claiming the new player welcome offer if the casino has one. Just remember to read the bonus terms and conditions before you claim it so you know exactly what you’re getting, how to get it, the rules, and when it expires.
5. Choose the arcade title you want to play, have a look at the game rules, select your bet size (and risk level, if applicable), and play.
👩💻 Mia’s Note: I recommend playing a game demo first if possible. It’s the best way to get a feel for the game (and to decide if you even like it) without risking your actual money. Many online casinos offer free play options, and even if they don’t there are other sites that do (e.g., check casino game review sites, the game provider’s official site, conduct an online search, etc.). In case you find it helpful – and you live in Ontario – while I was researching online casino arcade games, I discovered that the OLG site has a decent list of arcade games and free demos are available with no sign up necessary.
Online Casino Arcade Games Pros and Cons
Here’s a basic breakdown of what’s good about them and what’s not so great.
Arcade Game Pros
- Easy to play
- No complex rules or skill required
- Short game rounds
- Many themes based on popular old school video games
- Outcome is immediate
Arcade Game Cons
- No bonus rounds
- Basic graphics
- Monotonous gameplay
- Encourages instant gratification feeling
- High Risk
Mia’s Thoughts on Casino Arcade Games – Should You Play them?
Don’t let my lack of love for casino arcade games sway you.
If you’ve never played them before – you should give them a try to see for yourself if they are something you enjoy playing.
Remember, even if you don’t want to spend real money on them at first, most of them can be demoed free, giving you a good idea of what they’re like and how they operate.
Beyond learning how the games worked, playing the demos was how I determined each game’s overall fun factor and whether I felt it was worth spending on. Obviously, most of them did not live up to my expectations. 🤣
The bottom line for me is that while I do like some instant win games, most notably live money wheel game shows, the remainder of the titles that fall into the instant win games/arcade games/casual games genre(s) are just okay. Of what I would define as actual arcade games I’ve tried, crash games are the ones that I personally think offer the biggest thrill factor. Still, I wouldn’t choose them over slots or blackjack.
If you have played arcade games before, what are your thoughts on them? Do you find them fun? If so, what are your favourites?
Until next time, good luck, and have fun.
Mia 👩💻
*This post does not have affiliate links.
**All links and images in this post are for informational purposes only.
***All opinions are my own. If you choose to gamble, please be safe and play responsibly.
