In recent years, videogames and popular television series have proved fertile grounds for the development of video slots. It’s not difficult to understand why really as evidenced in television and movies. For example, Hollywood seems more willing to back a proven money-maker like Marvel Studios then take a chance on a totally original idea. It all comes down to going with what you know.
For a slot provider, predicting what will be a hit and miss is hard enough. This is particularly true on an unbranded slot with little to no track record.
A branded slot offers a certain degree of comfort that the subject matter will appeal to a broad audience. Remaining faithful to the video game or television series is a safer bet.
Of course, we’re not suggesting that unbranded slots cannot be runaway successes. One has only to look at Mega Moolah from Microgaming or Book of Dead from Play’n GO to see this.
Still, there is no denying that slots based on our favourite video games, films and television shows are appealing. So we thought we’d talk about five of our favourite found at the best online casinos like the ones at FortunaOnlineCasinos.
Street Fighter II – The World Warrior
The first Street Fighter video game was released in 1987 at an arcade in Japan. It turned out to be a mega success as the arcade game was exported around the world. It’s not surprising then that in 1992, Osaka-based Capcom released the 16-bit sequel Street Fighter II.
The success propelled the franchise into the upper-echelon of gaming. Aside from becoming a bestseller, it blazed the trail for the head-to-head fighting genre.
Not surprising then that in 2024, Capcom and NetEnt joined forces to create a video slot. The well-recognised franchise became much anticipated. Using gamification, fighting sequences straight out of the arcade were worked into the slot with all the familiar characters: Ken, Ryu, Chun-Li, Dhalsim, E. Honda, Blanka, Zangief and Guile.
Choose an avatar and inflict damaging blows on your opponents to reduce the health to 0. Even if you lose, you win with a bonus game where you get to smash a car. If you win, take on the ‘Boss’ characters in free spins for the chance to level up for more fantastic prizes.
The 16-bit graphics and voice-overs borrowed from the arcade is the cherry on the cake. The slot’s success can be credited to the look, sound and feel capturing the arcade version.
Vikings
The historical drama Vikings was created in 2013 as a television series by Michael Hirst for the Canadian ‘History’ channel. It follows the Norse hero Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking farmer who would become king. He led successful raids against the English and French, becoming a scourge. In 2018, developer NetEnt adapted the popular television series into a video slot.
The slot uses a potent soundtrack, crisp artwork and animation in its inspired design. Two images, each of Ragnar Lothbrok and wife Lagertha (one of which is expanding) are the high-paying symbols.
The game incorporates a popular 243 bet ways mechanic and scatter pays symbol. The ‘Hotspot Feature’ transforms all Viking symbols into the same expanded Viking that lands in the highlighted reel. The ‘Shield Wall Feature’ is a cluster of mystery symbols (resembling shields) which transform into an identical symbol. ‘Raid Spins’ increases the Bet Ways to 78,125 and awards 7 free spins using the ‘Hotspot Feature’.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama that was adapted into a television series spanning 8 years. It was an adaptation of writer George R. R. Martin’s fantasy novel series ‘Song of Ice and Fire’. Millions of people fell in love with the collective characters and story arcs revolving around the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
In 2024, Microgaming adapted the popular television series into a slot (15 paylines & 243 ways to win). It borrows the iconic theme song from the TV series. The high-paying symbols are Westeros family crests: House Stark, House Baratheon, House Targaryen and House Lannister.
Embedded amongst the features is the scatter wins symbol (Iron Throne) and stacked wilds that can appear in the main game. When free spins are triggered, players can choose a House, each offering a unique number of free spins, stacked house symbols and win multiplier value.
Lara Croft
Lara Croft Temples and Tombs is based on the hit 1996 PC/Sega/ PlayStation game from Eidos Interactive, spawning sequels and Hollywood movies. The plot follows the adventures of the heroine Lara Croft. She’s graced with pedigree, intelligence, beauty, and courage, making her stand out among video gamers.
In 2004, Microgaming created a branded slot called Lara Croft Tomb Raider, followed by Tomb Raider Secret of the Sword in 2008. It wasn’t until 2019 that Microgaming released the third instalment Lara Croft Temples and Tombs, in search of ancient Egyptian treasure. The 243 ways to win slot includes a voice-over from Lara and symbols of her in action poses. The Egyptian-themed soundtrack sounds mysterious, helping to build anticipation.
The slot comes with wilds, rolling reels with multiplier trails, free spins and a jackpot feature with the chance to unlock the Minor, Major or Grand Jackpot.
Terminator 2
In 1984, the Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was released. He would play a cyborg (T-800) sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor. Her son John would become the resistance leader against the AI Skynet – responsible for instigating a nuclear Armageddon killing billions. The success guaranteed the eventual release of Terminator 2 in 2001.
In 2014, Microgaming released Terminator 2 starring photo images of the T-800 (Schwarzenegger), John Connor, Sarah Connor and the T-1000. The soundtrack uses the theme song from the movies for nostalgic effect.
The 243 ways to win slot features include wilds and scatter pay symbols. Trigger 10 free spins with 1,024 ways to win. Here, the T-1000 symbol can morph into any other. The T-800 Vision Mode feature rewards cash.
