The Most Popular Slot Games: A Complete Guide
Slots are arguably the most popular games available at online casinos, but not all slots are created equally. For one reason or another, some slots have withstood the test of time and cemented themselves as all-time greats, while others have quickly become nonexistent shortly after release.
So, what makes one slot more engaging than another, and what are the most popular slot games?
Contents
- What Makes a Slot Popular?
- General Overview: Most Popular Slot Game Themes
- What Are the Most Popular Slot Machines?
- New Popular Slot Games: Slots Apps and Bitcoin Slots
- Top 10 Popular Online Slots With Best Payout Rates
- FAQs: Most Popular Slot Games
- Conclusion
- Slots Guide Chapters
What Makes a Slot Popular?
To understand what makes one slot more popular than another, it’s important to understand what players are looking for. The most popular slot games will need to incorporate a strong theme, backed up by good visual and audio elements, as well as smooth gameplay – nobody wants to play casino games that stutter and take a long time to load!
It’s also important for developers to include a good range of features. While some older, more traditional slots have retained popularity because of the name they made for themselves early on, newer, more modern online slots have to be different in order to stand out. Recently, a lot of popular slot machines have started to include a range of the following:
- Tumbling/cascading reels
- A Megaways mechanic
- Free spins rounds
- Multipliers
- Gamble features
- Jackpots
Still, there are so many slots available, there’s no guarantee that even feature-packed, aesthetically pleasing jackpot slots will leave a lasting impression on the industry. Games by big developers – Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, for example – typically dominate any list of popular slot machines, although it is always possible for smaller developers to launch a long-lasting slot game.
General Overview: Most Popular Slot Game Themes
A slot’s theme will always impact the slot’s overall popularity. There are a range of popular slot themes, some of which have maintained their popularity for a number of years.
Christmas Slots
Christmas-themed video slots are often rated very favorably amongst slot enthusiasts. Although it’s possible to find other holiday-themed slots, those centered around Christmas tend to do better than others.
Popular slots with a Christmas theme will usually play on the aspects that we’ve come to associate with the holiday like Christmas trees, snow, gifts and Santa hats.
Some of the most popular Christmas slots include:
- Big Bass Christmas Bash – Pragmatic Play and Reel Kingdom
- Book of Yuletide – Quickspin
- Sugar Rush Xmas – Pragmatic Play
Fruit Slots
Fans of traditional slots will often find themselves turning to slots with a fruity theme. Before digital slots were created, a lot of analog slots utilized fruit symbols, although plenty of the most popular slots have since implemented the fruity theme for its simplicity and easy recognizability.
There’s no rule about which symbols must be used in a fruit-themed slot, but most will use some variation of oranges, cherries, lemons and grapes, usually mixed with some classic lucky symbols such as sevens and bars. Some of the top fruit slots include:
- Fruit Shop – NetEnt
- Fruit Zen – BetSoft
- Sweet Bonanza – Pragmatic Play
Egyptian Slots
Ancient Egypt has consistently been one of the most popular slot themes, with developers taking advantage of the mystery surrounding the time period.
From pyramids to pharaohs and from gods to mummies, Ancient Egyptian slots are incredibly popular with history fans. These slots will usually include a range of symbols such as hieroglyphics, scarab beetles and famous historical figures.
Some of the most popular slots within this category include:
- Legacy of Dead – Play’n GO
- Cleopatra – IGT
- Eye of Horus – Reel Time Gaming
Viking Slots
For players looking to try some popular slot games, Viking-themed slots have a lot to offer. That being said, no two online slot games are the same. While some Viking slots focus on the theme of combat, others revolve around the mythological realm of Asgard, using Thor and Odin as key figures within the game.
Regardless, expect to see weaponry, Viking longboats, gods and animals throughout these games.
If you’re looking for a Viking slot, consider one of the following:
- Age of Asgard – Yggdrasil
- Thunderstruck – Microgaming
- Thor’s Lightning – Red Tiger
Irish Slots
As the name suggests, Irish slots are centered around a range of Irish stereotypes. From leprechauns to shamrocks, Irish-themed slots are famous for their upbeat soundtracks, bright, colorful visuals and unique bonus features.
Popular slot games will have a range of symbols such as four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, leprechauns and beer.
Some of the best Irish slots include:
- Rainbow Riches – Barcrest
- 9 Pots of Gold – Microgaming
- Rainbow Jackpots – Red Tiger
What Are the Most Popular Slot Machines?
Despite the influx of new slot machines constantly entering the market, there are a number of slots that have clearly set themselves apart from their competitors. You’ll usually find these slots games on the homepage of a casino, or as part of a series (think Big Bass Bonanza, Bigger Bass Bonanza, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, and so on!).
So, which games make the list of popular slot machines?
Sweet Bonanza
Released by Pragmatic Play in 2019, Sweet Bonanza is one of the industry’s most popular slots. Utilizing a fruit- and sweet-theme, Sweet Bonanza is played on a 6x5 grid. It’s a medium-high volatility slot with a maximum potential win of 21,175x.
Visually pleasing graphics, smooth gameplay and the possibility of winning over 20,000x your stake are just some of the many reasons that Sweet Bonanza is one of the most popular slot machines in the world.
Gates of Olympus
Following the success of Sweet Bonanza, Pragmatic Play launched Gates of Olympus in 2021. Highly volatile, Gates of Olympus is an Ancient Greek-themed slot set on a 6x5 grid.
With a maximum win of 5,000x, multipliers in both the main game and bonus round, and a tumble feature, Gates of Olympus is one of Pragmatic Play’s most popular slot machine games, and for good reason.
Big Bass Bonanza
Big Bass Bonanza is a fishing-themed slot from Pragmatic Play, and is one that has very quickly cemented itself as one of the world’s most popular slot games. With medium-high volatility and set on a 5x3 grid, Big Bass Bonanza is a simple, cartoonish slot game that has quickly become an industry favorite.
The Big Bass Bonanza free spins round is one of the main reasons behind the ever-increasing popularity of this slot, with players able to retrigger the free spins round and earn a multiplier by collecting four wilds.
Starburst
Starburst has dominated the casino industry for years, and is arguably the number one slot machine. Despite its simplicity, and the fact that it was released in 2012, NetEnt’s Starburst is still one of the more popular slot machine games around.
Played on a 5x3 grid with ten paylines, Starburst is a low volatility slot machine that uses beautiful gems as symbols, alongside the number “7” and the Gold BAR.
Book of Dead
Play’n GO’s Book of Dead could probably give Starburst a run for its money as one of the world’s most well-known and popular slot games. Utilizing Rich Wilde, an adventurous character known for his brilliant escapades, Book of Dead is an Ancient Egypt-themed slot that was released in 2016.
Book of Dead has a maximum win of 5,000x your stake, smooth gameplay and a unique free spins feature, all of which helps it to stand out from its competitors.
New Popular Slot Games: Slots Apps and Bitcoin Slots
In the modern day, slots need to do more to stand out, which is why companies have started to create slot apps and crypto slots to stay ahead of the curve.
Slots Apps
In a world that is very mobile first, it’s important that players are able to enjoy popular slot machine games on their mobile devices. The most popular slots app will offer players a range of video slots to play, without sacrificing quality and the smooth gameplay that users have come to expect.
Bitcoin Slots
Cryptocurrencies continue to grow in popularity, so it’s hardly surprising that players are constantly looking for popular bitcoin slots to play. For a lot of players, being able to stake your favorite crypto on your favorite slots is really important.
Top 10 Popular Online Slots With Best Payout Rates
Return to player (RTP) rates/percentages are really important for casino players to understand. To put it simply, the RTP indicates the average returns that a player can expect to earn when playing a slot. Now, these percentages are not a guarantee, especially over shorter playing sessions, but they have been calculated based on averages taken from a huge number of simulated spins on each game.
Although a game having a high RTP doesn’t mean that somebody can win a certain amount of money, popular slots will likely have a higher RTP. Some slots with the best payout rates include:
| Slot | RTP | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ugga Bugga | 99.07% | Ugga Bugga is a slot produced by Playtech. Set on a unique grid of ten 3x1 reels, Ugga Bugga boasts one of the highest payout rates in the industry. |
| Book of 99 | 99% | Relax Gaming’s Book of 99 slot sees players battling amongst the gods. With a free spins bonus round, a 5,000x maximum win potential and an incredibly high RTP, Book of 99 is one of the most popular slots amongst players searching for high payout rates. |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.6% | As the name suggests, 1429 Uncharted Seas is a slot that sees players exploring the ocean depths. Released by Thunderkick in 2016, 1429 Uncharted Seas features expanding wilds, a free spins bonus round and 25 paylines. |
| Marching Legions | 98.12% | Marching Legions is one of Relax Gaming’s more popular slot games, which is hardly surprising considering its RTP! A Roman-styled game offering respins, a nudge feature and a unique free spins round, Marching Legions is a great option for players searching for a high payout slot. |
| Blood Suckers | 98% | Fans of vampires will love Blood Suckers by NetEnt! Released in 2013, Blood Suckers is set on a 5x3 grid and offers a maximum win potential of over 1,000x, as well as a very good RTP. |
| Money Cart | 98% | Money Cart is not only one of the biggest names in the Relax Gaming catalog, it’s also one of the most popular slot machines in the world. Players can join a band of outlaws in a game that combines a good storyline with a range of great features. |
| Money Cart 2 | 98% | Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Relax Gaming’s Money Cart 2 improves on the original Money Cart title, without sacrificing its payout percentage. Following the original crew, Money Cart 2 allows players to enjoy bonus reels, respins and character combos! |
| Jokerizer | 98% | Utilizing a classic 5x3 grid, Jokerizer is a high volatility slot by Yggdrasil. Explore the carnival and try to find the elusive mystery win in the “Jokerizer mode”. Featuring fruit symbols and scatters, Jokerizer is one of Yggdrasil Gaming’s most popular slots. |
| Starmania | 97.87% | Developed by one of the industry’s lesser-known developers, Starmania was launched by Light & Wonder in 2017. With a very similar theme to Starburst, one of the industry’s most successful and popular slot machine games, Starmania combines simple gameplay with a bold soundtrack and high potential payout rate. |
| White Rabbit Megaways | 97.77% | Big Time Gaming’s White Rabbit Megaways slot is a bold take on the Alice in Wonderland theme. As well as utilizing BGT’s famous Megaways mechanic, White Rabbit Megaways also offers a unique “Feature Drop” system, which reduces the set price of the feature every time a player lands a “BTG” coin. With a range of other features available, this bonus buy slot also offers up to 248,832 ways to win. |
Please note, RTP rates can vary depending on your location or the casino that you’re playing at.
FAQs: Most Popular Slot Games
What is the Most Played Slot Game?
Starburst is the most played, most popular slot game in the world. Having been released over a decade ago, NetEnt’s slot is by far the most played slot to have ever been released.
What Slot Game is Most Likely to Win?
There is no slot that can guarantee wins, but slots with a higher payout percentage are often amongst the most popular slots. With this in mind, the slot with the highest RTP is Ugga Bugga by Playtech.
Which Slot Game Pays Real Cash?
All of the most popular slot machines will pay real cash, unless you’re playing a free-to-play/demo version. Make sure you’re playing at a reputable casino and that you’ve deposited real-money to know whether or not you can win real cash.
What is the Oldest Slots Theme?
The oldest slots theme is actually still one of the most popular slots themes. The traditional theme utilizes a range of symbols, including diamonds, spades, hearts and a Liberty Bell, amongst others. These themes typically mimic those that you’d find on analog slots, which were around before the era of digital gaming.
What Slots Theme is Best?
There is no “best” slots theme, although some popular slot themes include Irish, Ancient Egyptian and Christmas. You can usually search for a particular theme at an online casino, so find one that suits you and explore some of the different titles within that theme.
Conclusion
When looking for popular slot games, there is a huge range to choose from. Thankfully, there are a variety of slot themes and types available, which means that players don’t just have to settle for the first one that they find. Take a look at our list of popular slot machines, or simply visit the homepage of any casino to find the most popular games in the industry.
Other Slots Guide Chapters
- Chapter 1: How To Play Slot Machines
- Chapter 2: Slot Machine Symbols and Values: a comprehensive guide
- Chapter 3: Slot Machine Strategy: How to Win at Slots
- Chapter 4: What Type of Slots Exist
- Chapter 5: What RTP and Volatility mean in Slots
- Chapter 6: The Most Popular Slot Games: a Complete Guide
- Chapter 7: What is a Progressive Slot Machine, and how to Win on Them?
- Chapter 8: What are Video Slots and How to Play Them?
- Chapter 9: What Slot Machines Pay the Best?
- Chapter 10: Free Slots with Bonus and Free Spins
- Chapter 11: Free Slots to win Real Money: No deposit required
- Chapter 12: Slots Apps that Pay Real Money
- Chapter 13: What is Video Poker?