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In all types of media, there is a shelf-life for products. You are probably not playing video games like Grand Theft Auto IV right now, as Grand Theft Auto V is readily available, and GTA VI will soon follow. But classic games will always have longevity, and that goes for casino games too. In fact, longevity is perhaps the most common trait of the casino industry. After all, games like roulette and poker have been around for centuries.
When it comes to online casinos, we are now talking about a sector that is almost 30 years old. In that time, 1000s of slots have hit the market. Below we pick out some of those games that remain hugely popular today, despite being at least a decade old. Most of these games are still available at major online casinos, and some of them can actually claim to be the most popular games on certain sites. But players come back time and time again to spin on these five classics:
Mermaids Millions (2008) – Microgaming
Microgaming is widely regarded as the games developer that created the first true online casino software back in the 1990s, so it’s fitting that it is top of this list. Microgaming has, of course, developed 100s of games, including the fabled Mega Moolah. But we wanted to highlight the gem that is the ever-popular Mermaids Millions online slot. A 14-year-old game is going to lack a bit in the graphics department, sure, but this is a classic that packs a punch to match any of the jackpot slots you’ll find in 2022.
Starburst (2012) – NetEnt
A slot that is as intertwined with NetEnt’s identity as Super Mario is with Nintendo. Starburst needs little introduction, as it has for a long time been ranked as the number one slot in the world. Indeed, you can see proof of its attraction as so many casinos offer Free Spins on the game as part of their welcome packages. What we like best about it is that it is a simple idea very well executed. As NetEnt does release sequels for many of its most popular games, many are wondering whether we will see a Starburst 2. While that remains the goal, there is a variant of the game called Starburst Extreme.
Cleopatra (2012) IGT
The thing about IGT is that the company had a lot of success with physical slot machines – head to Vegas and you’ll see row upon row of IGT machines. In light of that, many of its games play like the physical fruit machines of yesteryear. Its biggest success, both offline and online, has arguably been Cleopatra, an Egyptian-themed game with a killer Free Spins Bonus. There are many different versions and sequels of Cleopatra, including a MegaJackpots version, but the original still holds up, despite being very much “2D” when it comes to graphics.
Tomb Raider (2005) Microgaming
Off the top of our head, we can list branded slots available today based on Superman, The Sopranos, Top Cat, Rick & Morty, Deal or No Deal, Guns N’ Roses, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and just about every movie, TV show, celebrity or rock band you can imagine. But the very first branded slot? That was released by Microgaming 17 years ago. The graphics are surprisingly good for a game that’s almost twenty years old, and there are some neat bonus features in there too. Of course, Lara Croft is timeless, so you can be sure that people will be playing this in twenty years. Oh, and there are also two sequels: Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs and Tomb Raider: Secret of the Sword.
Great Blue (2009) Playtech
There is but one reason that players keep returning to Great Blue, an ocean-themed slot game from Playtech – volatility. It is perhaps the original high-variance game, meaning hits can be hard to come by but can pay better when they do. As such, Great Blue is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not the type of game you want to play when managing a bank roll, or trying to make wagering requirements for a casino bonus. But if players are looking a game that gives a moonshot chance of a big win, they naturally choose slots like Great Blue. In that sense, it remains a classic.
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