It features 16 gambling games, and a story mode that includes a character portrayed by actor Adam West.

[9] Golden Nugget features a mystery-themed story mode in which the player takes the role of poker player Steven Killsbourg, whose ex-girlfriend, scientist Dr. Shelly Harkness, has used chaos theory to create the Chaos Chip, a microchip capable of advanced problem-solving.

[5][6][4] When the chip is stolen, Killsbourg must play through three poker tournaments to find the culprit, with help from Hugh Swain (portrayed by Adam West).

[5][16] IGN stated that despite the "semi-bland graphics," Golden Nugget "actually makes you feel like you're in a real casino".

[17] Fort Worth Star-Telegram stated that Golden Nugget would appeal more to veteran gamblers, calling the individual gambling games "complicated and confusing as well as challenging.

"[24] Aaron Curtiss of the Los Angeles Times also considered the game complicated, and called its mystery aspect "goofy".

[15] GamePro called the gambling "authentic but inherently boring", and concluded "the mystery mode is a good idea, and West's cheesy performance alone makes the game worth renting.

She criticized the story mode, but stated that West "gives a reasonable performance as Swain – even with the worst script imaginable.

Shawn Smith said it was interesting and that Adam West was the best aspect of the game, but Crispin Boyer and Dan Hsu called it silly and dull, while Sushi-X felt it detracted from the experience because the plot essentially has nothing to do with gambling, and derided West's performance as "incessant whining".