When slot machines were born over a hundred years ago their mechanical reels were decked out with a variety of 7s, bells and fruit (hence the nickname ‘fruit machines’), but a lot has changed since then.
For starters those physical slot machines have evolved into virtual i.e. online slot games and the symbols on their reels are only as limited as one’s imagination.
This is because there are literally thousands of slots with a wide variety of themes to choose from, many inspired by Hollywood films, comic books, TV shows, fairy tales, books, musicians, bands, nursery rhymes and other sources.
Theme-related online slot games have become exponentially more popular over the last couple of years which has allowed online casinos to heavily monetize them.
So if you’re a nerd with a penchant for themed online slots you’re in for a reel treat (pun intended) because in this article we showcase a handful of top themed slot games.
Superman The Movie slot
When Superman The Movie was released in 1978 it was a smash hit all over the world, and spawned a series of sequels (some good and some not so good). Staying very true to the original film, online casino software giant Playtech released this video slot.
Source: Shutterstock.com
The best superman ever? We think so.
This 5 reel, 4 row and 100 payline slot has symbols depicting characters from the film. They include Superman, his alter ego Clark Kent, reporter Lois Lane and super villain Lex Luther, plus a Kryptonite pendant, the Superman logo and the Daily Star logo.
The game features actual clips from the film when you get big wins. Game features include the Wild (Superman logo), the Crystal Bonus (land 3 to trigger the bonus game) and the Missile Free Games (land 3 or more to activate 9 or more free spins).
Superman also has Scatters and Multipliers and four Progressive Jackpots – the Mini, Minor, Major and Grand which can line your pocket very nicely. This slot accepts bets from 60c up to $80 a spin to suit all budgets, so all we can say is ‘super man!’
Jack and the Beanstalk slot
If you’re a fan of HD, 3D quality graphics you’ll love Jack and the Beanstalk video slot from Swedish software vendor NetEnt. Based on the children’s fairy tale, this 5 reel, 3 row and 20 payline game features all of the characters from the story.
These include Jack, his nemeses the purple double-headed giant, an axe, a treasure chest, a watering can and a trusty goat, the game logo and a golden key. Collectively these have the power to cross your palms with loads of lovely winnings.
For instance, land 3 or more treasure chests (the Scatter) to activate 10 free spins. Get 3 or more during your free spins to trigger 5 more. Land a game logo (the Walking Wild) and the wild will move one reel to the left with a free re-spin every time.
Land the key on reel 5 to unlock more wilds including the Money Bags, Golden Hens and Golden Harps. With a bet size from 1c up to $200 a spin, play to your budget. And with a maximum payout of 600,000 credits, this slot is worth every bean.
Guns n Roses slot
Another top offering from NetEnt is Guns n Roses slot, a 5 reel, 3 row and 20 payline musical extravaganza based on the popular American rock band from the 80s of the same name. If you’re a fan of the band, you’ll love its musical soundtrack.
Some of the band’s biggest hits (Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, Paradise City, November Rain and Chinese Democracy) accompany actual footage of the band, along with symbols of band members Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan.
This slot has high-paying features like the game logo which as the Wild / Expanding Wild substitutes for all symbols except Bonuses. These include the Bonus Wheel which can yield Encore Free Spins, the Crowd-Pleaser Bonus Game or cash winnings.
Watch out for the Appetite for Destruction Wild in the shape of a cross that can send your winnings skyward. This game accepts bets from 2c a spin up to $200 so whether you’re on a tight budget or you’re the highest of high-rollers, play to win.
Dracula slot
In Dracula slot from NetEnt, the bloodsucker made famous by Bram Stoker graces its 5 reels, 3 rows and 40 paylines complete with top quality graphics and sounds. Symbols include the chief vampire, his lady friend, an old lady and a pair of villains.
Game play is enhanced by animations such as an echo of bats that randomly fly across the reels turning random symbols into the same symbol to help form winning combos, and Dracula himself, who frighteningly lurches forward from time to time.
Despite its brooding soundtrack designed to darken the mood, Dracula is a fun slot with many winning features. These include its bat feature highlighted above, as well as the W symbol which as the video slot’s Wild symbol substitutes for most others.
A stacked Dracula on reel 2 + his stacked Lady on reel 4 triggers 10 free spins. Stacked Dracula with his Lady symbol on reel 3 during free spins earns two more. The game’s bet size ranges from 20c to $200 and its maximum payout is 80,000 credits.
Is That it
In our book all of the slots mentioned above rate 10 out of 10 on the ‘Nerd Scale.’ But there are many more we could’ve showcased including Beowulf, Ali Baba, Pinocchio’s Fortune, Ritchie Valens La Bamba, Iron Man and Andy Capp to name a few.
