Hollywood Hustler

Hollywood Hustler is a card game, specifically a poker game, released at the end of the 16-bit era (1994 on Atari ST and 1995 on Amiga). Developed by Design Star Consultants and published by Desert Star Software, it stands out for its underground atmosphere and its use of technology that was cutting-edge at the time.

The game puts you in the shoes of a man who has lost everything: his job, his girlfriend, and even his car, which has been impounded. Alone on the streets of Hollywood, you have nothing left to lose. Your only chance to rebuild your fortune is to plunge into the world of underground gambling and face the city's most formidable players: Joe, Chuck, and the legendary Montana Slim.

It's a poker simulation (primarily Five-Card Draw) where managing your money and your ability to bluff are essential.

For its time, the game emphasized the use of digitized graphics (based on real photos) and sampled sounds (voices and sound effects), giving it a more mature and realistic feel than classic pixel art card games.

The tone is reminiscent of a 90s film noir or urban thriller, with opponents whose digitized portraits react to your actions.