Online slots are the one product in the casino that change most regularly; most commonly through the addition of new bonus features. Bonus features can add excitement and increase your chances of winning. Other ways that slot games can change include changes to the theme, the payout structure, and the volatility of the game.

Casinos often change slot games to keep players interested and to attract new players. They may also change slot games to comply with new regulations or to respond to changes in the market.

What’s interesting about slots is that the most popular games tend to be older games and even those that would be considered retro in the traditional video game industry. Let’s take a look at some of the best online slots today:

1. Starburst (NetEnt) – Starburst whisks you away to a mesmerizing galaxy of sparkling jewels and cosmic wonders. With 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 paylines, this game is all about the expanding Starburst Wilds. These colorful wilds can appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, and when they do, they expand to cover the entire reel and trigger a re-spin. The excitement soars as you watch the stars align for the potential of astronomical wins!
2. Book of Dead (Play’n GO) – The Book of Dead takes you on a thrilling journey with the intrepid adventurer Rich Wilde into the heart of ancient Egypt. This 5-reel, 10-payline video slot is packed with ancient artifacts, hidden tombs, and fascinating bonus features. Land three or more Book symbols to trigger the Free Spins feature, where a random symbol is chosen to expand across the reels, potentially leading to massive payouts. The Book symbol also serves as both a Wild and Scatter, amplifying the excitement and suspense.
3. Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt) – Join the charismatic conquistador Gonzo as he searches for the fabled lost city of gold, El Dorado, in this 5-reel, 20-payline slot game. Gonzo’s Quest features the innovative Avalanche mechanic, where winning symbols crumble away and are replaced by new ones, allowing for consecutive wins and increasing multipliers up to 5x in the base game and 15x during Free Fall mode. Uncover the hidden treasures and experience the thrill of exploring uncharted territories.
4. Mega Moolah (Microgaming) – Set out on a wild African safari with Mega Moolah, a progressive jackpot slot known for its life-changing payouts. This 5-reel, 25-payline game features four jackpots – Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega – and a randomly triggered bonus game that gives you the chance to win big. With its colorful animal symbols, engaging gameplay, and the ever-enticing Mega Jackpot, Mega Moolah offers the ultimate thrill for jackpot hunters.
5. Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt) – Return to the Wild West with this action-packed 5-reel, 9-payline sequel to the popular Dead or Alive slot. Featuring notorious outlaws and a trio of high-stakes free spins modes, Dead or Alive 2 lets you choose your volatility level and ride into town guns blazing. Sticky wilds, increasing multipliers, and the potential for huge payouts make every spin feel like a showdown at high noon.
6. Thunderstruck II (Microgaming) – Delve into the world of Norse mythology with Thunderstruck II, a 5-reel slot offering 243 ways to win. This epic game features stunning graphics and powerful characters like Thor, Odin, and Loki. The Great Hall of Spins bonus round lets you unlock four different free spins modes, each offering unique features such as rolling reels, multipliers, and wild transformations, making every visit to Asgard a legendary experience.
7. Bonanza (Big Time Gaming) – Strike gold in Bonanza, a 6-reel slot game that uses the Megaways mechanic to offer up to 117,649 ways to win. Set in a picturesque mining landscape, this game features cascading reels, where winning symbols are replaced with new ones, allowing for consecutive wins. Land four or more gold bar scatters to trigger the free spins round, where the excitement builds with an unlimited win multiplier that increases with each cascade, leading to potentially explosive payouts.
8. Reactoonz (Play’n GO) – Dive into a quirky, cartoonish universe inhabited by lively alien creatures called Reactoonz. This unconventional 7×7 grid-based slot game relies on forming clusters of five or more matching symbols to win. The cascading symbols mechanic and multiple bonus features, such as Gargantoon Wilds, Quantum Leap, and Instability, make for an unpredictable and exhilarating gaming experience. Watch as these cute, otherworldly characters interact, combine, and unleash their powers in a cosmic dance of wins.
9. Immortal Romance (Microgaming) – Get swept up in the dark, enigmatic world of Immortal Romance, a 5-reel, 243-ways-to-win slot game centered around a captivating vampire love story. The game offers rich, atmospheric graphics and a haunting soundtrack that sets the mood for mystery and intrigue. With four main characters and a Chamber of Spins bonus round, you can unlock multiple free spins modes, each with its own story and unique features like rolling reels, multipliers, and wild transformations. Immortal Romance will keep you enthralled with every spin.
10. Jammin’ Jars (Push Gaming) – Put on your dancing shoes and groove to the beat of Jammin’ Jars, an 8×8 grid-based slot game with a funky fruit theme. With cascading symbols and cluster pays, the game is all about creating winning combinations with colorful fruits and dazzling disco lights. The Jam Jar symbols act as sticky wilds and multipliers, adding a layer of excitement to every spin. Trigger the free spins round, and watch as the multipliers increase with each winning cluster, turning the dance floor into a vibrant celebration of wins.

When choosing a real-money slot game, it is important to consider the following factors:

• RTP: The RTP is the percentage of money that a slot game pays back to players over time. A higher RTP means that you are more likely to win money.
• Bonus features: Bonus features can add excitement and increase your chances of winning. Look for slots with free spins, multipliers, and other bonus features.
• Theme: Some players prefer to play slots with themes that they enjoy. Choose a slot with a theme that you find interesting or appealing.
• Volatility: Volatility refers to the risk level of a slot game. A high-volatility slot game is more likely to pay out big wins, but you are also more likely to lose money. A low-volatility slot game is less likely to pay out big wins, but you are also less likely to lose money.

Image ©2013 Novtilus from Deviant Art.