Ever since the dawn of man, two things have dominated its interest: Casino games and Anime. That’s not true of course but it is interesting to see these two meld into something satisfying.

Gambling, in a healthy way, is a very fun side activity, unless if it’s causing harm which is why some lawmakers are pushing for social casino games ban here. It lets you feel the rush of high-risk high-reward situations and the dopamine flooding your brain when winning can’t be outdone by most things. Anime, on the other hand, is a big part of modern culture and a lot of people consume it. Ever since it has been shipped outside of Japan, the speed at which the international community accepted it was outstanding. Thanks to its unique art style and quality storytelling, it has found a place in many hearts. After all, there are countless anime franchises that have become worldwide phenomena with millions of fans.

Today we will present to you five titles in no particular order that have these two aspects - anime and gambling - and discuss why they could be turned into video games.

Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor AKA Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji

Nobuyuki Fukumoto wrote this manga back in 1996 and was adapted into an anime. It is about a down on his luck guy named Kaiji Itou who is forced to join an underground gambling ring on a cruise ship. It is a story of someone who wants to be better but has to go through hell to succeed.

The title could work as a darker version of a collection of minigames perfect for a gathering of friends that wish to burn time.

Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler

A gambling manga turned into a hit animated series from the mind of Homura Kawamoto. It is set in the fictional Hyakkaou Private Academy, a school where the measure of success is a student’s gambling skills. The anime showcases an exciting blend of tactics in gambling while delivering a rather eccentric yet likable cast of characters.

The story is a treat from beginning to end because of the psychological maneuvering and character interactions. It will work as a collection of casino games where you can go against or play together with known characters from the series.

Legendary Gambler Tetsuya AKA The Legends of Gambler: Tetsuya

A manga written by Fūmei Sai and illustrated by Yasushi Hoshino, and later animated for tv, follows the story of Tetsuya who wishes to surpass his master in Mahjong. The mind games presented in various situations are so riveting it makes of compelling entertainment.

Now this one is a no-brainer, a simple mahjong match against notable characters from the title will work as a minimum. I’m pretty sure game developers can think of other features to implement as well.

Saki

Another mahjong story which is an anime exclusive, tells the story of Saki Miyanaga who is a girl who had a negative experience of the game growing up. Her’s is a journey that changes her perspective and gaining friends of similar interests. Each episode is oozing with mind games and satisfying mahjong trickery.

For this title, a puzzle solver type seems to be most appropriate, a classic match mode could also be included, and it would all have an anime theme.

Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami ni Maiorita Tensai AKA Akagi AKA Akagi: The Genius Who Descended into Darkness

This is an anime about Shigeru Akagi, a young man who goes against Yakuza members through gambling. He overcomes hurdles in his life by playing and outsmarting opponents. Throughout the story, he is recognized as a talented gambler and with skill secures a comfortable life for himself.

Another mahjong-themed one but to make it unique you can be put in the shoes of the main character and play through a compelling well-written campaign. Getting into this title through a different platform can let you have a more immersive experience.

So those are five gambling-themed anime that can be turned into video games. They may all seem similar types of content but what makes each unique are the settings and the characters of their respective series. Looking at all of them through a different lens can be a thrilling time and provide hours of entertainment.