Online gaming has become vastly more sophisticated over the years. This has led to the rising prominence of game download platforms, a growing preference among many for PC activity and gaming laptops, and ultimately more appreciation of pure quality in high-end gaming experiences. While mainstream games like those that can be played on major consoles are still dominant however, they don’t tell the whole story.
Online gaming is also about variety, and that increasingly means consideration for digital casinos as well. Once seen as cheap, fringe imitations of live casinos, today’s casino sites have become far more impressive. This is primarily because the slot genre in particular has taken off. Innovative and creative developers have built better graphics, more interesting themes, and more exciting gameplay into online slots, effectively turning them into vibrant games in a whole different class than their predecessors.
For those who aren’t as familiar with this gaming category, we thought we’d point out some of the individual games that represent the evolution of slots over time and their quality today.
- Gonzo’s Quest
Gonzo’s Quest was released by NetEnt way back in 2014. But it’s worth mentioning here because to many it signaled the beginning of what we might call the modern slot era. Gonzo’s Quest begins with a cinematic introduction presenting the theme of a cartoon explorer landing in Peru during the Age of Exploration. From there, the vague concept of seeking gold rolls nicely into a playful but beautifully rendered slot arcade.
- Furious 4
Furious 4 is one of several games we could have chosen from Age Of The Gods, which is a whole series of slots developed by Playtech. Together, they build on the concept of Gonzo’s Quest, which is to say they present an era of history or myth in fun, adventurous, and eye-catching fashion. We’re highlighting Furious 4 because it’s the game that began to expand this series beyond games focused on individual Olympian figures and settings. This one revolves around a handful of Ancient Greek gods.
- The Matrix
The Matrix slot reel simply demonstrates the fact that there are a lot of modern slot games that are based on films and TV shows as well. It uses visuals from the original film to craft a game much more engaging than the average slot. Additionally, this particular game demonstrates the general potential of pop culture-based content in online gaming! As you’re likely aware at this point, the trailer to a fourth Matrix movie was recently released — and, according to TheHollywood Reporter, saw more than one million views within the first hour. Matrix content is about to be hotter than it’s been in 15 years, which shows the value of online slots including titles like this one.
- Street Fighter II
Similar to film and TV content, video games have also been adapted into the online slot world — and never more successfully than with Street Fighter II. This game is basically an exact online replica of the beloved fighting game that happens to have a slot reel plugged into it. In various ways your activity on the slots affects fights between legendary Street Fighter characters, ultimately making for one of the most interesting and enjoyable games available at online casinos.
- Starburst
Our past few examples have demonstrated how themes and licensed content have come to impact (and improve) online slots. Starburst, however, speaks to how fundamental quality has also improved. There isn’t a lot going on in this game from a thematic standpoint. But its sharp visuals, bright colors, excellent sound effects, and smooth-as-silk gameplay combine to form an experience that a lot of gamers gravitate to. This reel has very little in the way of surface-level material to intrigue players. Once you give it a shot though, you’ll realize how engaging slot machine action can be.
- Hot Gems Xtreme
Hot Gems Xtreme is actually one of the newer games on our list. It’s also exclusive to Gala Bingo, which means it doesn’t yet have the exposure of some of the other titles. We like it as an example here though because it almost represents an evolution of the Starburst concept. Like Starburst, this game thrives on its audio and visual elements, and on the almost inexplicable satisfaction of the gameplay. However, it injects a little bit more of a theme, ultimately cultivating the sense that the player is deep in an old-timey mine searching for valuable gems. The game shows that even light thematic content coupled with excellent design goes a long way in slots.
- WellWellWell Buckets O’Gold
Well Well Well Buckets O’Gold from CR Games is basically another example along the lines of Hot Gems Xtreme. It has the effects and smooth gameplay that the best modern slots are increasingly known for, but also builds in a straightforward theme — in this case, one of searching for gold in a well. It’s simple, but surprisingly engaging.
- Rich Wilde AndThe Amulet OfThe Dead
Rich Wild is an incredibly important name in the slot genre. That’s because he’s an original, Gonzo-esque creation who’s developed a whole persona over the course of several games. These games, designed by Play’n GO, basically present Wilde as an Indiana Jones-like hero who by this point has established a career’s worth of adventures through several slot titles. Rich Wilde And The Amulet Of The Dead is just one of several games we could have picked from this series, but it’s a beautiful and highly entertaining slot.
- Lara Croft Temples And Tombs
While Rich Wilde represents an original creation in the casino space, online slots have also made room for Lara Croft — aka the “Tomb Raider” of video game and film lore. This actually shouldn’t be a surprise to avid gamers. Croft has lasted for decades in gaming, and has appeared in both mobile games and a rebooted console series in recent years. Earlier this year, a write-up on IGN seemed to confirm that there’s more console activity in the works as well. Given all of this activity it makes perfect sense that online casinos would get involved at one point or another, and with this excellent title they’ve done just that. This game perfectly captures the Tomb Raider vibe within the quality of a modern slot.
- Game Of Thrones
Finally there’s the Game Of Thrones slot. It’s a game that beautifully captures the adventurous quality and familiar characters and settings of the hit HBO drama. We’re highlighting it here, however, as an example of today’s casino sites being able to tap into popular content in real time. We’ve covered the adaptation of known games and established films. In this case though, slot developers were able to make an excellent game out of what was — not so long ago — the most poplar show on TV.