Our Top Slot Games of 2020
The numbers are estimates but according to at least one industry source, there are roughly 3600 casinos in the world and based upon an average of around 250 slot machines per casino, that means that at any one time there are roughly 900,000 slot machines at any one time, whether at traditional brick and mortar casinos or online casinos. And while the figures are rough, it is estimated that there are roughly 15,0000 different casino games out there, with roughly 300 to 500 new games coming into existence each year. Quite naturally, not all slot machines are equally popular. While with 15,000 games there are games to suit everyone, year in and year out there are some perennial favourites. So this article concentrates on the top slot games of 2020. Keep in mind that this is opinion only, so the games are in no particular order.
1. Cleopatra
Cleopatra is a slot machine created by popular gaming manufacturer IGT and has been in existence for several years now. The game centers on a trip through the Nile. Cleopatra is considered a high volatility slot machine which means that there are fewer overall payouts, but they tend to be larger. According to IGT, the average Return to Player is 95.7 percent, which gives the game better overall odds than playing roulette. Cleopatra has 5 reels and 20 pay lines. Some reviewers think if Cleopatra is an “old school game,” as the most exciting thing that happens is you kick off a bonus and get 15 free spins. However, the payoffs are high, with the top prize being able to collect 10,000 coins for getting 5 Cleopatras on a line. Cleopatra is proof that gee-whiz graphics and features do not necessarily sell a slot, as it is one of the most popular slots in a casino.
2. Starburst
A very old standard and still a casino favourite is Starburst, produced by NetEnt in 2012. Starburst is so popular is Starburst that many casinos offer free spins on a Starburst machine ad part of their welcoming bonus. Starburst offers only up to 3 respins as well as some wild symbols but it is never the less one of the most popular slots ever. Most industry insiders say the popularity of the game is due to the fact that it imitates the free games CandyCrush and Bejeweled, and it’s hard not to notice the similarity. The game itself is a 5 reel, 10 pay line machine, which owning to its both ways capability stretches the game to 20 ways to win. The top prize in Starburst is 50,000 coins which is obtained by betting all 10 lines and getting 5 Bars to show up. While it’s possible (though unlikely), Starburst tends to be a low volatility game which means your money will tend to stretch out further playing starburst, The Return to Player rate overall is 96.1 percent which is above average.
3. Gonzo’s Quest
Gono’s Quest follows the exploits of famed explorer Gonzo Pissarro. Created by NetEnt in 2010, Gonzo’s Quest became an instant hit when it came out because of its tremendous graphic features. Gonzo’s Quest features both 3D animation and avalanche reels, features that have been copied ever since. Gono’s quest is a medium volatility game that returns an average of 96 percent to players. Just keep in mind that RTP is a large average, so one player can get a return of 75 percent, while another player ca get significantly more. The maximum payout is 225,0000 coins, so while not a progressive machine, Gonzo’s Quest has a whoppingly large payout which is balanced by medium volatility. Gonzo’s Quest is a 5 reel, 20 pay line slot machine. The description of the fabulous graphics does not do the game justice. At the very least try Gonzo’s Quest in demo mode to see what all the excitement is about.
4. Mega Moolah
It seems logical that at least one progressive slot would land on our list of top slots, and we chose Mega Moolah and for our list, we chose Microgaming’s Mega Moolah. A progressive slot, for those new to slot machines, is a single type of slot machine connected in an electronic circuit to the same type of machine throughout the casino and to many different casinos. With every click of the mouse to activate the machine, the jackpot goes up a little bit at a time. Supposedly the highest jackpot on Mega Moohla was around $18 million dollars but every year it seems that there are a number of instant millionaires created by the mahine. There are actually 4 jackpots that can be won playing Mega Moolah, a mini, a minor, and a major jackpot, but even the mini win never falls below $1 million dollars. Mega Moolah is a 5 reel, 3 row African Safari game, and with the basic game you can win up to 15,000 coins. The Jackpot reels are triggered separately from the basic machine payoff, so even if you are losing your shirt on the basic machine, you still have a chance at becoming an instant millionair. Mega Moolah is a high risk, low reward game, and your chance of winning is under 50 percent. Never the less, who doesn’t want to be a millionaire, so it’s worth a dozen spins or so.
5. Desert Treasure
Desert Treasure is a 5 reel, 20 pay line slot created by Playtech. Desert Treasure has a desert theme/Arabian nights type of atmosphere. What we love about Desert Treasure is that it is a fairly low volatility game meaning that you can play on a budget or a long time. Sure, the maximum win is only 8,000 coins, but you have more than a reasonable chance of coming out ahead playing Desert Treasure.