Video slots are an absolute favourite among online casino players. These games have managed to remain relevant over the years, adapting to new technologies and constantly re-inventing themselves with new themes, mechanics and features. They offer an unparalleled gaming experience with different slots catering for all gambling tastes. Providers are constantly releasing new and exciting video slots, but there are a few noteworthy titles that have managed to withstand the test of time. They’ve remained popular among players, years after their original release and here we’ll be taking a closer look at the top five slots on the net.
Starburst
This timeless classic was developed by NetEnt, one of the leading giants of the online casino world. It took on a colourful, sci-fi theme, complete with stunning visuals, outer space backdrops and dazzling gemstone symbols. All the action in Starburst takes place across five reels with 10 paylines delivering all your potential payouts. It’s a simple enough concept, which doubles down on a couple of special features which could lead to substantial wins.
Perhaps the most innovative mechanic that came through the Starburst video slot is its Starburst wild feature. Sure, the slot didn’t introduce wilds to the game, but it built on their potential, creating a new system that other slots would try to emulate for years to come. Wilds in Starburst land on reels two, three or four, and whenever they do, they expand to cover the entire reel. They also trigger a respin and if another wild symbol should land during the respin, this will also expand and activate another respin. The loop goes on and on until there are no more new wilds on the reels. It can lead to some of the slot’s most significant wins, especially when several wild reels pop up simultaneously.
Starburst appeals to a more casual crowd of players, with a low to medium level of volatility that allows for moderate payouts. It makes it suitable for both new and experienced players, Its RTP sits just above 96%, which gives you a fair chance of scoring wins over a set number of spins.
Mega Moolah
Considered to be the world’s most famous progressive jackpot, Mega Moolah is developed by Microgaming, having originally launched back in 2006. It remains one of the most rewarding games ever released, having made countless millionaires since its release and attracting loads of players with its massive jackpot prizes and vibrant African safari theme.
The key factor that sets Mega Moolah apart from other video slots, is its four-tiered progressive jackpot system which includes a Mini, Minor, Major and Mega prize. Of all four, the Mega jackpot is the biggest, reaching staggering amounts and rewarding regular prizes worth billions of Indian Rupees. The biggest contributor here is the fact that Mega Moolah is a progressive jackpot, with prizes pooled in from all online casinos offering games within the Mega Moolah jackpot network. This builds much bigger prize pools at incredibly fast rates.
While the progressive jackpot is of course the highlight of the game, Mega Moolah also comes with a free spins bonus that triples the value of your wins. This is activated whenever you land three or more scatter symbols, adding another layer of excitement to keep you engaged while you chase the bigger jackpot prizes.
With a game like Mega Moolah, volatility is clocked at a high setting, which could deter some casual players. But the slot’s captivating gameplay and huge jackpot prizes attract players from all around the world, with the game cementing itself as an undisputed video slot classic.
Gonzo's Quest
NetEnt has delivered its fair share of memorable video slots over the years, but few slot mascots are as instantly recognisable as Gonzo. The character premiered in Gonzo’s Quest, another masterpiece from the acclaimed provider, where you join the conquistador on his adventure to discover the lost city of El Dorado and the treasures hidden within.
It originally launched back in 2011 and was an incredibly innovative slot at the time, introducing cascading reels, where winning symbols explode and are replaced by new ones, potentially leading to consecutive wins triggered from a single spin. With each successful cascade, your win multiplier increases, capping 5x on the base game and 15x during the free-fall bonus rounds.
The goal is to get to the free fall bonus, which you trigger with three or more scatter symbols or rather golden free fall symbols. You get 10 free spins and can add even more bonus rounds to your tally with additional scatter symbols. It’s the best way to boost your winnings and a maxed out win multiplier could get you some of the game’s biggest prizes.
With its detailed theme, amazing graphics and innovative mechanics, Gonzo’s Quest managed to elevate video slots back when it first came out and built a strong following among players that remains strong.
Book of Dead
Inspired by Egyptian mythology (and a particularly popular fortune-hunter with a fear of snakes), Play’n GO’s Book of Dead was released back in 2016 and became an instant classic. It’s a visually striking video slot, following the exploits of dashing explorer Rich Wilde, as he searches for the mysterious Book of Dead deep in the ancient tombs of the Valley of Kings.
One of the most defining characteristics of the game is that the wild and scatter symbols are combined into one, stepping in for all other pay symbols while also triggering the free spins bonus. Landing three or more Book of Dead symbols anywhere on the reels gives you 10 free spins. At the start of the bonus rounds, a special expanding symbol is picked. Whenever it lands, it covers the entirety of its respective reel and this can lead to the slot’s biggest wins.
Another important mechanic is the gamble feature, where you can potentially double or even quadruple your winnings by guessing the colour or suit of a randomly drawn card. It’s a pretty risky feature, but if you’re willing to take the plunge, you could end up boosting your rewards significantly and bagging huge prizes.
Book of Dead remains one of the most popular video slots ever made and has spawned all kinds of sequels and spin-offs from Play’n GO. It’s become a staple in the online casino world, with an engaging theme, fantastic gameplay mechanics and the potential to score incredible wins.
Bonanza Megaways
Megaways has become one of our favourite video slot systems and it all started back in 2016, when Big Time Gaming introduced the revolutionary feature with Bonanza Megaways. The Megaways system does away with traditional paylines, creating a dynamic reel setup, where the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin. Most Megaways games, including Bonanza Megaways, cap a stunning 117,649 ways to win, but follow-up games pushed that number even further.
The online slot takes on a mining theme with excellent graphics, a lively soundtrack and satisfying animations that draw you into the action as you dig away in hopes of precious gemstones and gold. You get a cascading reel feature too, where winning symbols explode and new ones cascade down the reels to take their place. It would become a staple feature in many future Megaways games.
You also get a free spins bonus, which you’ll need to activate through four scatter symbols that spell out the word gold, anywhere on the board’s reels. You get 12 initial free spins and landing additional scatter symbols awards you with even more bonus rounds. The biggest change during the free spins bonus is that the win multiplier increases with each cascade, significantly boosting all your potential wins.
The first foray into Megaways combined dynamic reels with fun gameplay, innovative mechanics and some serious win potential. It’s why Bonanza Megaways remains one of the best online slots you can play and is still one of the most popular Megaways titles.
The Best Slots That Withstood the Test of Time
An online casino game review gives you a deeper insight into everything an online slot has to offer, and our guide walks you through some of the best online slots ever released. They have varied themes, excellent features and the potential for incredible payouts, so they can suit all kinds of different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re looking for cascading reels, progressive jackpots or dynamic Megaways reels, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. So, take your pick and dive deep into some of the best online casino slots ever made.
