The casino industry is one that has seen some big changes over the past decade or so. Online alternatives to the traditional brick and mortar casinos have truly revolutionized casino gaming, bringing new ways to play, better accessibility and generous promos and bonuses. With the development of cryptocurrencies, such new casinos as bitcoin dice are also gaining more popularity.
However, when you look a little deeper, casinos are fundamentally not so different. Games like blackjack and roulette remain the most popular, and have been around for hundreds of years. You might think it is a different story with the slots, and sure, there are some new games that we could never have dreamt of a decade or two ago.
However, when you check out the most popular slot games, you’ll see many that were initially launched many years ago. These 10 classic slots can be played for free on mobile using bonus codes.
1. Starburst
Get the basics right, and you’ll be on to a winner. Starburst is a prime example of that principle in action. It’s jewels instead of fruits, but other than that, this game is as old school as a one armed bandit straight out of a 1980s arcade. Yet it consistently tops the charts as the most popular online slot game, and it’s a regular feature among the top free spin promotions.
2. Wheel of Fortune
The classic TV game show first hit our screens almost half a century ago. In the 1990s, IGT launched the slot game and it’s remained a consistent crowd pleaser for more than 20 years. While the original is still as popular as ever, it has also spawned more than 200 variations, including Triple Strike and Secret Spins. Clearly, the people at IGT know when they are on to a good thing!
3. Buffalo
With its retro theme and its classic Americana soundtrack, this is a game that transports you back to a bygone age. It’s been a feature of land-based casinos and arcades for well over a decade and is now a common sight in cyberspace, too. The uncomplicated gameplay and low variance make it a great choice for beginners and casual gamers.
4. Ace of Spades
Here’s a classic that will come as something of a shock to modern gamers accustomed to five reel slot games. The three-reel format transports you back to a simpler time, but looks can be deceptive. The eponymous symbol acts as a wild as well as a jackpot, meaning the game has hidden depths that are well worth exploring.
5. Megabucks
Another classic from IGT, Megabucks is the Granddaddy of all progressive jackpot games. It might not have the complexity of games like Mega Moolah, but no game in the history of slots has made more millionaires. That’s why people keep coming back to it, 16 years after it made its online debut.
6. Rainbow Riches
Ah, the luck of the Irish. With its unashamedly corny symbols of jaunty leprechauns and pots of gold, Barcrest’s most famous slot game has been part of the furniture in online casinos for the past 15 years. There’s something here for everyone, as the game maintains reasonably low volatility while having the potential to deliver some seriously impressive jackpots.
7. Reel King
In the days before the internet, the most common place to play slots was in your local pub or bar, especially in places like the UK, Australia and certain US states. Reel King brings to mind the fruit machines that were so commonplace in those days. However, the jackpot of 500x the wager far exceeds anything you could have won in your local!
8. Mega Joker
Here’s a slot game from NetEnt that looks, sounds and plays like a one armed bandit from years gone by. You’ll find all the classic symbols, like fruits and lucky sevens. However, behind the scenes, there are 21st century touches like wilds and a progressive jackpot that make this game as appealing to modern players as it is to the traditionalists.
9. Book of Dead
The adventurer Rich Wilde is to online slots what Mario is to platform games. Book of Dead was the game in which he made his debut more than a decade ago, and while there have been numerous updates and spin offs since, the original game is still second only to Starburst in terms of popularity. It’s one for the purists – volatility is on the high side, so you’ll need to exercise patience to reap the rewards.
10. Immortal Romance
Our final entry could raise eyebrows – surely this game is not so old school with its high RTP, its complex story arc and its multiple bonuses? Prepare for a shock, December will mark the 10th anniversary of its release. It came out when the Twilight Saga was at the height of its popularity, but Microgaming’s modern classic has definitely stood the test of time more effectively.
