Top 10 Most Popular Slots of All Time

Slots are arguably the most popular and most sought-after casino games you will find online or offline today. However, this was not always the case because today's slot games are not what they used to be when the first slot machines found their way to the floor of online casinos back in the 1900s. Back then, slot machines were limited to gambling halls and other venues, and players interested in playing would have to travel to the nearest possible location. Also, the options were limited, and the themes, graphics, designs, soundtrack, and features were not very impressive.

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However, all this changed starting with the inception of video slot machines. And ultimately, the extension into online gaming made it possible to have a wide range of varieties. Thanks to continued improvement in technological advances, we now have a massive selection of slot games to enjoy. And while there are thousands of slot games available at casinos, both online and in land-based casinos, only a handful have managed to attain worldwide fame. So, in this article, we will look at the top 10 most popular slots of all time. 

SlotProviderRelease YearReels x RowsPaylinesRTPVolatilityBet (€)Progressive
StarburstNetEnt20125 x 31096.09%Low0.10 - 100No
Mega MoolahMicrogaming20065 x 32588.12%Low - High0.25 - 6.25Yes
Book of DeadPlay'n Go20165 x 31096.21%High0.01 - 100No
MegabucksIGT19863x1/ 5x31/6088.6%Medium1 - 3Yes
Immortal RomanceMicrogaming20115 x 324396.86%High0.30 - 30No
Book of RaNovomatic20055 x 3992.13 - 95.18%High0.10 - 90No
Gonzo's QuestNetENt20115 x 32095.97%Mid - High0.20 - 20No
Fire JokerPlay'n Go20183 x 3596%Medium0.05 - 20No
BonanzaBig Time Gaming20166 x 7117, 64996%Medium - High0.20 - 20No
Wolf GoldPragmatic Play20175 x 3 25 96.01%Medium0.25 - 125No

1. Starburst

Topping our list of top 10 most popular slots of all time is the Starburst slot from NetENt. There is no denying that Starburst is a legendary slot that has dominated the iGaming industry for years, and even today, you can see the game in almost every online casino. This simple yet mesmerizing iconic game has an outer space theme with a rich soundtrack, dazzling designs, and shiny symbols that give players a cosmic and immersive feeling.

Starburst’s Layout and Features

When it comes to layout and features, there is nothing over the top on Starburst. Everything is simple and uncomplicated, which makes it a perfect game for all types of players. Starburst's gameplay takes place on a simple playing grid that contains 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 paylines. As for special features, the game has wilds, expanding wilds, and respins. Another impressive thing is that the slot pays both ways, which means that whether you land matching symbols across an active payline from the leftmost or rightmost reel, a payout is triggered.

2. Mega Moolah

Mega Moolah is a record-breaking progressive jackpot slot from Microgaming. Interestingly, back when the game came out in 2006, Microgaming released it to rival the biggest jackpot slots available at the time. And, surprisingly, it completely succeeded as Mega Moolah has become the first name that comes to mind when it comes to progressive jackpot slots. As for the game itself, Mega Moolah has a Safari Jungle theme featuring simple yet attractive sounds and visuals with many wild animals like elephants, lions, zebras, and others, acting as paying symbols.

Mega Moolah’s Layout and Features

Mega Moolah is set up on a playing grid that contains 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 fixed paylines. When it comes to special bonus features, Mega Moolah has a few exciting ones, including wilds, free spins, a bonus wheel, and of course, a progressive jackpot. And when it comes to progressive jackpots, there is almost none as big as Mega Moolah.

3. Book of Dead

Book of Dead, also known as Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, is an online slot game developed by Play’n Go. The game features the popular ancient Egyptian theme that has been the focus of many slot games for a while now. Accompanied with stunning visuals and vibrant music that perfectly suits its theme, Riche Wilde, the explorer, takes players on an adventure to find riches in ancient Egypt.

Book of Dead’s Layout and Features

The action takes place on a layout that contains 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 adjustable paylines. Landing three and, in some cases, two or more matching symbols will trigger a win in the game. As for special features, players will find wilds, scatters wins, and free spins features. The free spins feature even comes with expanding wild symbols that can create bigger wins. Another bonus feature that makes the Book of Dead slot more exciting is its gamble feature, which features a game that allows players to potentially double or quadruple their winnings.

4. Megabucks

Our list of top 10 slots of all time will undoubtedly be incomplete without mentioning the iconic Megabucks slot developed by IGT in 1986. Unlike the other slot games on our list, the Megabucks slot is a land-based slot machine available at only brick and mortar casinos. Despite being grounded to physical casinos, there is no doubt that this slot is one of the most popular slot games on a global scale. This popularity is because Megabucks is the first wide-area progressive jackpot machine in land-based casinos, capable of paying millions of euros in jackpot winnings.

Megabucks’ Layout and Features

Interestingly, there are two different versions of the Megabucks slot. One retains the original game's simple layout and features 3 reels with a single payline, while the other features a 5-reel format with 3 rows and 60 paylines. Unsurprisingly, the highlight of the Megabucks slot is the progressive jackpot. This jackpot is responsible for many of the biggest slots jackpots in recorded history. Sadly, aside from this progressive jackpot, there is no bonus feature to trigger on the reels of the Megabucks slots.

5. Immortal Romance

Another slot from the stables of Microgaming that has achieved success across the globe is the Immortal Romance slot. Immortal Romance slot is a vampire-themed online slot game, which got immensely popular in the last couple of years. One of the reasons for this popularity is the game's exciting love story, which features four main characters Sarah, the heroine of the story, Amber, a descendant of Caribbean witches, and Michael and Troy, the undead vampires. In addition to this superb storyline, the game's 243 winning ways, 96.86% RTP, and a variety of bonus features add to the game's allure.

Immortal Romance’s Layout and Features

Immortal Romance is a video slot game with 5 reels, 3 rows, and a whopping 243 win ways. When it comes to special features and bonus games, this slot offers quite a few, including wilds and scatter wins. The wild desire feature can turn up to 5 reels wild. The chamber of spins also gives access to 4 free spins features, all of which have special functions.

6. Book of Ra

Book of Ra slot by Novomatic is another cult classic that is immensely popular with slot enthusiasts across the globe. Novomatic took the often overused Ancient Egypt theme and combined it with a dash of Indiana Jones-style to create this fun and entertaining slot game.

Book of Ra’s Layout and Features

The Book of Ra slot is as old-school as slots get, featuring the standard 5-reel x 3-row playing grid with 9 paylines. When it comes to bonus features, the game still retains a level of simplicity and offers only basic features, including wilds, scatter wins, and free spins. There is also a gamble option featuring your typical red or black double-or-nothing game.

7. Gonzo’s Quest

Another world's favorite slot of all time is Gonzo’s Quest by NetENt. The game brings you to join the adventures of Spanish explorer Gonzo as he searches for the lost golden city of El Dorado and its treasures. The game's exciting theme and story are accompanied by incredible graphics, smooth animations, and exciting features to give players an immersive and rewarding gaming experience.

Gonzo’s Quest’s Layout and Features

Gonzo’s Quest is set on a 5-reel x 3-row grid with 20 fixed paylines against a backdrop of an ancient Incan City. The main attraction of the slot is the avalanche reels feature, which allows for the creation of more winning combinations during a spin. You will also enjoy wilds, scatters, free spins, and avalanche multipliers.

8. Fire Joker

Another slot that has managed to attain global popularity is the Fire Joker slot by Play' n Go. The game is a simple online slot game and is a mix of classic gameplay and theme with modern designs and features.

Fire Joker’s Layout and Features

As a classic slot, Fire Joker keeps things simple with 3 reels, 3 rows, and 5 paylines. This means that you can only trigger a win when you land three matching symbols across an active payline. No more, no less. Although Fire Joker also keeps things simple for bonus features, you can look forward to a few exciting ones. You will find wilds, multipliers, re-spins, and a Wheel of Multiplier.

9. Bonanza

As the slot that started the megaways frenzy in the iGaming industry, Bonanza from Big Time Gaming earned its place on our list of top 10 most popular slots of all time. The unusual megaways mechanics that this slot introduced took the industry by storm, featuring hundreds to thousands of ways to win. As for the game itself, Bonanza features a mining theme accompanied by stunning visuals and a lively soundtrack.

Bonanza’s Layout and Features

As mentioned earlier, Bonanza features unusual mechanics, which makes it quite different from the payline system that most players are used to. The game's grid has 6 reels and 7 rows, which offers a whopping 117 649 ways to win. When it comes to bonus features in the game, players can look forward to cascading reels, free spins, unlimited win multipliers feature, and an interesting feature called the "Reactions feature."

10. Wolf Gold

Rounding up our list of the Top 10 popular slots of all times is the Wolf Gold slot from Pragmatic Play. Wolf Gold slot is a Native American-themed progressive jackpot slot focusing on the wolves and other animals found in the wilds. The game's visuals, soundtracks, and symbols go perfectly with the theme.

Wolf Gold’s Layout and Features

Wolf Gold is played using the standard 5 reel x 3-row set up with 25 fixed paylines running across the grid. When it comes to bonus features, the game has stacked wilds, giant symbols, free spins, respins, all of which increase the players' winning chances. The best yet is the game's three available jackpots, Mega, major, and Mini, all of which are capable of helping players to get super big wins.


Final Thoughts

This concludes our list of the top 10 most popular slots of all time. To sum up, these iconic slots on our list and a host of others carved the slot industry we see today. Each of them brought something new to the industry and paved the way for better innovations to come up. Keep an eye out for these slot games, if you’re a serious slot enthusiast.

Casino Expert
Dermot heathcote

Dermot Heathcote

Online Casino Specialist

Online casino expert of 9 years. Dermot provides quality and in-depth online casino reviews for Irish casino enthusiasts and the latest iGaming industry news. One of his best works, our New Online Casinos page, has helped many Irish players find the latest casinos to play at.

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