Slot machines have come a long way since the very first model, the three-reel 1894 Liberty Bell. These days, in-person and online games have rich themes and unique graphics that make them enjoyable to play and a treat to look at. And there are thousands of slots to check out on the newest sites available to players.
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From classic themes featuring colorful food items to immersive adventures in far-away lands, modern slots offer exceptional gameplay and top-notch audiovisual components. Let’s look at some of the most popular themes used in modern casino slots today.
Ancient Egypt
The intrigue and history of Ancient Egypt have long held the public’s attention. Unsurprisingly, Ancient Egyptian themes are prevalent across various media formats, from movies exploring pyramids and mummies’ tombs to videogames and iGaming slots based on the legends of this ancient civilization.
One world-famous slot game that takes place in this setting is Cleopatra by IGT—voiced by the beautiful queen herself and replete with recognizable Egyptian symbols of sphinxes, crooks, and more.
Interested players can also check out Novomatic’s Book of Ra, which will take you on a treasure-hunting spree under the watchful eye of the sun god, or one of the most popular titles in the Rich Wilde adventure series by Play’n Go, called the Book of Dead.
Fruit Machines
We’d be remiss not to mention the classic fruit machine in an article on the most popular slot themes of all time!
Fruit machines first hit the market in 1907 and were among the earliest themed slots to grace the casino floor. In this case, the design was rooted in reality: The only prize these machines could legally offer at the time was fruit-flavored gum.
Since then, the humble fruit-themed slot has become a time-honored iconic, with modern offerings taking the quality of gameplay to new levels. Among the best new fruit-themed games are titles like Berryburst MAX by NetEnt, Fruitoids by Yggdrasil, and Imperial Fruits: 100 Lines by Playson.
Adventure and Exploration
Adventure-themed slots are some of our favorites—and gaming manufacturers do not disappoint.
From exploring outer space to crumbling ancient ruins or taking players on a good old treasure hunt, today’s exploration-themed slots are packed with high-end graphics, immersive soundtracks, and unique interactive bonus rounds that transport players far from home.
The best games in this genre include Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt, Microgaming’s Treasure Skyland, Rich Wilde and the Tomb of Madness by Play’n Go, and Avalon II by Microgaming.
Mythology
Global mythologies are widely featured in pop culture and across media formats. It makes perfect sense that slots, as the most played casino game, also offer a range of fantastic mythology-inspired titles.
Among the most popular of these are Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play), Rise of Atlantis II (Blueprint Gaming), Artemis vs. Medusa (Quickspin), and Zeus Lightning Power Reels (Red Tiger Gaming). Each of these excellent slots takes players on a treasure-hunting adventure facing mythological beings that can make or break the bank.
Fantasy
The beauty of fantasy-themed slots is that the imagination knows no bounds—which has led to the creation of some truly unusual and engaging games. Developers have hit new highs in soundtrack and graphic design, bringing to life immersive stories of spell-casting wizards, fire-breathing dragons, and werewolf-hunting vampires—to name a few.
Leading games in this slot genre include Red Tiger Games’s Lucky Wizard, Microgaming’s Forbidden Throne, 9 Masks of Fire, and the iconic Immortal Romance, and Playtech’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Movie and TV Adaption
Casino-goers can now enjoy some truly fun slots based on blockbuster movies and binge-worthy TV shows. Since these games are usually made under license, they’ll feature your favorite actors and characters, including instantly recognizable imagery, soundtracks, and voiceovers.
Some of the best slots based on movies include classics like The Godfather (WMS), Jurassic Park (Microgaming), Avatar (IGT), The Lord of the Rings (Aristocrat), and Star Wars (IGT).
From the TV-themed category, fans will love slots like Game of Thrones (Microgaming), Family Guy (IGT), Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (Big Time Gaming), and Survivor (Big Time Gaming).
Music
Music-based games have become an unexpected but incredibly popular slot theme in casinos and online. Inspired by iconic bands and chart-topping solo artists, these games are distinguished by their fantastic soundtracks and high-quality gameplay.
NetEnt, the forerunner in releasing slots based on music, has expanded its catalog to include a series of games under the NetEnt Rocks umbrella. Some of the best music-themed slots released by the developer include Guns n’ Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne, and a unique tribute to the 1970s titled Disco Spins. Other notable titles include Rock N’ Lock and Esqueleto Mariachi by Red Tiger Games.
Conclusion
Since iGaming hit the runway, developers have been pushing to create ever more exciting slot games. There’s no better way to pull in players than giving them what they love, whether it be a classic throwback to spinning fruit, an ear-tingling battle of the bands, or a romp through a fantasy world.
With more avenues to play slots than ever, we anticipate an ongoing improvement in quality and creativity among developers’ offerings—whether you’re looking for another option in your favorite genre or want to try something new altogether.