Slot games are some of the most popular and in-demand casino games on the market. Although their popularity seems to have increased over the last couple of years, these games have always been a classic and iconic casino staple.
Casinos would not look complete without at least one slot machine in their gaming space. These world-renowned gaming machines have now become inseparable from casino venues themselves.
When online casinos began to appear, some gamers and gaming companies wrongly assumed that slot machines would not survive. Fortunately, game developers were able to create virtual slot machines and exciting online slot games.
This article will list some of this year’s most popular slot games, why players will enjoy them as well as how they can experience these games for themselves.
But before exploring this year’s top slot games, it’s worth discussing the history of such casino games.
The origins of slot games
Two machines, both released at the end of the 19th century, are believed to be the pioneers of modern-day slot machines. These machines are the ‘One-Armed Bandit’ and the ‘Liberty Bell’.
The ‘One-Armed Bandit’ was invented by two men called Sittman and Pitt. The machine loosely mixed poker and an early slot machine mechanism.
The ‘One-Armed Bandit’ was made up of 50 cards that the machine’s reels would spin before revealing a series of cards to the player.
The reels would spin after the player inserted a coin and pulled a lever, which is a similar mechanism to modern-day slot machines.
A few years after the release of this slot machine came the release of the ‘Liberty Bell’ machine. Invented by Charles August Fey, this device became the first known slot machine with an automatic payout.
Like the ‘One-Armed Bandit’, the ‘Liberty Bell’ had reels that would spin and symbols that would appear on these reels once they stopped.
More machines followed but the real changes in the development of slot machines arrived at the end of the 20th century.
The first video slot machines began to appear around then which completely changed the industry and the way gamers played.
Nowadays, video and online slot machines have completely replaced 18th and 19th century slot machines. That being said, collectors and gaming fans interested in these older gaming devices can still see them in some museums or buy one from a private collector.
For example, those interested in seeing the original ‘Liberty Bell’ slot machine, and who are based in the USA, can look at the SFO Museum’s latest exhibitions. From 2016 to 2017, the original machine was on display in their museum.
For those who are planning a trip to the UK, or who currently reside there, a visit to the Abbey House Museum could be a nice option. Not only can visitors see original ‘penny slot machines’, but they can also play on one or more of these machines and buy a replica.
Popular slot games to play in 2023
Here are two of the most popular slot games of 2023.
Bonanza Megaways
Megaways slots are some of the most, if not the most, popular types of slots on the market.
Megaways slots offer many more ways to win than a regular type of slot game. This is due to their innovative reel mechanism.
The Megaways slots have a high number of paylines that vary from one round to the next. Because of the big number of paylines available, a player’s odds of winning are higher than with most types of slot machines.
This makes Megaways slots more exciting and fun for players.
For example, in the Bonanza Megaways online slot game, there are up to 117,649 paylines available to players.
This incredible amount of paylines is one of the main reasons behind the game’s success and popularity.
The game also has:
- a high RTP of 96%
- entertaining symbols such as dynamite and gold scatter symbols that bring some action and visual effects to the game
- and exciting free spin bonuses
Starbust
Starbust is another popular 2023 game that will entertain with its flashy colors, gemstone symbols and rainbow bursts.
Players will have the opportunity to try their luck over the machine’s five reels, three rows and ten paylines. A particular fun feature is the Starbust’s Wild Feature which offers 3 respins to the lucky player.
At a good RTP of 96%, your chances of winning back some of your initial deposit will be pretty high.
You can start playing Starbust with as little as $0.01 or as high as $100, depending on your budget.
Final thoughts
Other popular slot games that deserve an honorable mention include Book of Dead, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways and Big Bass Bonanza, among many others.
There are plenty of other slot games to try out if the ones mentioned here are not quite to your taste. The gaming market is full of games just waiting for you to try them out.