All of us lucky enough to be living in Florida know what a dream it is to reside in the Sunshine State. It’s the location of some of the most stunning sandy beaches in the world, and is filled with natural beauty that’s a haven for outdoor activity, like these 5 amazing bike trails. We then get to drink the freshest tasting juice, from all the amazingly picturesque orange groves, whilst also being home to a whole range of thrilling theme parks, including Mickey Mouse’s cherished residence, and on top of all that, we get to bathe in all that glorious weather that gifts the state its apt nickname.
It’s no wonder then, that the region is a popular setting for all kinds of culture, including video games. For the masses of individuals who aren’t fortunate enough to get to wake up every day here, they can instead visit in a virtual setting, and for us Sunshine State inhabitants, we get to see how faithful a recreation it truly is.
We’ve chosen a few of the top examples then, of video games that truly have that Florida flavour.
Tony Hawk’s Underground
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skateboarder franchise is one of the most beloved in the entire history of gaming, and in the fifth instalment of the series, there’s a level based on our very own Tampa. This is because Tampa is renowned as one of the cities that is most welcoming to skateboarders, due to its incredibly famous skate park, which is rather suitably named the Skatepark of Tampa. It annually hosts the Tampa Am, and Tampa Pro competitions, which are opportunities for amateur and professional skateboarders to make themselves household names in the industry.
This is faithfully recreated in Tony Hawk’s Underground, which was developed by Neversoft, and first hit a number of consoles, including; the PS2, the GameCube, and the original Xbox, back in 2003. Not only can you skate in the competitions in the park, but you also get to roll around a miniaturized version of downtown Tampa. Why don’t you try and see if you can see any of your favourite landmarks from the city as you cruise around busting tricks?
Hotline
Not only does this virtual slot machine transport you to the Miami beachside, but it also transports you back in time to the fluorescent flashiness of the 1980’s. Hotline is developed by NetEnt, who are one of the most revered makers of thrilling online gambling games, and they’ve really pulled out all the stops to coat this game with that Miami Vice vibe, which comes complete with lurid Lamborghinis, and white suits with their sleeves rolled up, a plenty.
The game is a 3-by-5 slot, featuring a massive 30 win lines, and comes packed with imagery that will remind you of the best 80’s action movies, all whilst flooded with a beautifully neon-tinged Miami sunset. There’s also expanding wilds, intense re-spins, and the ability to win free spins, as well as a massive winning jackpot, and it’s all soundtracked by epically 80’s soft-rock.
If you want to play this Miami rollercoaster, then it’s available all over the world thanks to online casino sites. For instance, for people in the Middle East, they can head over to Arabian Betting, to be presented with the top online casinos in Saudi Arabia. Their visitors will be shown the most trusted online casinos in the country, by excellent experts who know their stuff, and they’ll also be provided with insight into how to safely and legally gamble in Saudi Arabia. Plus, there’s the opportunity for players to get their hands on generous deals, such as big cash bonuses.
Battlefield Hardline
The last two entries have focussed on the urban parts of the state, but this choice showcases the rural surroundings perfectly. Battlefield Hardline is an impressive entry in the first-person shooter series that’s published by Electronic Arts, and was released onto a wide-range of consoles in 2015. Whilst the single player was slightly ropey, the game received massive praise for its multi-player, with the maps being adored for their detail.
One of these intricate maps is called Everglades, and yup, you guessed it, is based on the wetlands that make up the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It’s fantastic fun battling against a bunch of strangers whilst dipping through the marshes, just make sure to watch out for both the alligators and crocodiles.