Online casinos offer heaps of slot games that come in all shapes and forms, boasting a great variety of themes that increase players’ engagement and ensure there is a little something for all styles and preferences. We at SlotsMove analyzed hundreds of online slots and grouped them by theme to help you easily find the best games for your liking. We singled out the most popular themes to create the listing below so that you have them all in one place.
Why Do Online Slot Themes Matter?
Most online slots are themed to a certain extent but some games come with more prominent storylines and concepts that make them stand out from the crowd. Themes enable game developers to market their creations to different niches of players and target them more effectively.
For instance, releases like NetEnt’s Motӧrhead and Leander Games’ Megadeth are more likely to appeal to fans of the two legendary bands, whereas an Egyptian-themed game like Valley of the Gods will notch up greater success among players, who are interested in ancient history and civilizations.
Additionally, themes add more context to the games and make them all the more exciting. This is achieved by incorporating different theme-related symbols on the reels, suitable background music, and bonus features that drive the storyline forward.
Popular Themes in Online Slots
With thousands of online slots out there, we at SlotsMove decided it would be helpful to single out the most popular slot themes so that readers are always a single click away from discovering their next favorite game. Our comprehensive list comprises ten popular slot themes and dozens of related releases crafted by industry-leading game developers. Ready? Let’s get started!
Ancient Egypt Theme
Common Symbols in Ancient Egypt Slots
Scarab beetles, hieroglyphs, pyramids, pharaoh scepters, obelisks, falcons, canopic jars, mummies, the Ankh, the Eye of Horus, Cleopatra, Tutankhamun, Bastet, Anubis, camels, lotus flowers
Steeped in mystery, Ancient Egypt has been sparking the imagination of online slot developers for years on end. The slots from this category are extremely abundant, so much so that it is next to impossible to say who started the trend. Players are attracted by their vivid depictions of the Ancient Egyptians’ rituals and culture and the promise of landing massive prizes in one fell swoop.
Fascinated with Ancient Egypt? Check out these popular slots.
- Cleopatra by IGT
- Book of Dead by Play’n GO
- Egyptian Fortunes by Pragmatic Play
- Valley of the Gods by Yggdrasil
- Book of Atem by Microgaming
Wealth and Luxury Theme
Common Symbols in Wealth and Luxury Slots
Diamonds, jewelry, yachts, cigars, expensive wristwatches, lavish mansions, private jets, buckets with champagne, limousines, stacks of money, ingots of gold, sports cars, perfume bottles
Luxury and wealth-themed slots resonate with a broad audience of reel spinners as they give them a taste of the high life most of us mere mortals would rarely experience. Their reels are bursting with sparkling and flashy symbols that awaken our aspirations for a better life of opulence and leisure. And who knows? Maybe the next spin of the reels will make these dreams come true.
Craving that glam life? Here are several luxury slots worth checking out.
- Mega Fortune by NetEnt
- The Finer Reels of Life by Microgaming
- Best Things in Life by iSoftBet
- Rags to Riches by Playtech
- Dazzling Diamonds by Novomatic
Ancient Rome Theme
Common Symbols in Ancient Rome Slots
Gladiators, laurels, chariots, helmets, shields, lyres, arrows, emperors, ancient deities, coliseums, goblets, lions, legions, statues, eagles, jewelry, grapes, cornu horns, amphoras
Slots from this popular category pay homage to the greatest and most powerful dominion known to man. They bring us closer to a bygone age when the Roman Empire was at its height, allowing us to relive its glory days and bag a handsome payout in the process. From sanguinary gladiator battles and chariot races to political conspiracies, there is no shortage of excitement in Roman-themed slots.
Experience the glory of the Ancient Roman Empire in these five popular slots:
- Rome: The Golden Age by NetEnt
- Gladiator: Road to Rome by Playtech
- Champions of Rome by Yggdrasil
- Game of Gladiators by Play’n GO
- Caesar’s Empire by RealTime Gaming
Adventure Theme
Common Symbols in Adventure Slots
Scrolls, temples, artifacts, tribal masks, pistols in holsters, torches, skulls, ropes, chests of gold, brave explorers, compasses, flint rocks, maps, relics, ancient books
Adventure slots comprise an extensive category of exciting games that transport players to exotic destinations and worlds long lost. They are usually accompanied by daring explorers, à la Indy Jones, who help them in their quests for hidden treasures, mythical cities, and lost artifacts. Such slots pull you into an alternate reality where anything is possible, including landing life-changing prizes.
Awaken your adventurous spirit with these top-rated slot games:
- Spirit of Adventure by Pragmatic Play
- Cat Wilde and the Lost Chapter by Play’n GO
- John Hunter and the Secrets of Da Vinci’s Treasure by Pragmatic Play
- Jungle Jim by Microgaming
- Treasure Skyland by Just For the Win
Sports Theme
Common Symbols in Sports Slots
Popular footballers, basketball players, jockeys, stadiums, cheering crowds, champion cups, trophies, medals, jerseys, trainers, banners, goal posts, gloves, referee whistles, tickets, floodlights, racetracks
Sports-themed slots are quickly gaining traction among reel spinners and leading software developers are more than happy to cater to popular demand. From global sports like basketball, soccer, and cricket to horse and greyhound racing, there are suitable options for all sports fans. Some releases, like those from Playtech’s Sporting Legends series, feature spectacular progressive jackpots, offering players the chance to scoop up six-figure prizes.
Are you a sports fan? Try out these exciting sports-themed slots.
- Break Away by Microgaming for hockey fans
- The Champions by Pragmatic Play for soccer fans
- Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven by Playtech for horse racing fans
- Basketball by Evoplay for fans of the hoops
- Wildhound Derby by Play’n GO for fans of greyhound races
Irish Themed Slots
Common Symbols in Irish-Themed Slots
Rainbows, pots of gold, leprechauns, horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, shamrocks, snakes, harps, trinity knots, red cap mushrooms, smoking pipes, mugs of ale, bottles of whisky
Nothing quite beats the good ol’ Irish theme – despite being extremely overused, it remains as popular as ever. Renowned software studios breathe new life into this otherwise tired theme with new and improved features that keep players engaged. The slots from this category are easy to spot as they are replete with traditional symbols like shamrocks, horseshoes, and leprechauns.
Find your good fortune in these Irish-themed slots:
- Pots of Riches by Blueprint Gaming
- Irish Love by 1X2 Gaming
- Finn and the Swirly Spin by NetEnt
- Rainbow Ryan by Yggdrasil
- Irish Charms by Pragmatic Play
Anime Theme
Common Symbols in Anime Slots
Ninja stars, swords, paper cranes, scantily clad female characters, stylized school girls, magic wands, lucky coins
Anime slots have their loyal following as they are not just pretty to look at but offer tons of great features that can keep players on the edge of their seats for hours on end. They borrow heavily from Japan’s traditional animation style, which is characterized by colorful, caricature-like graphics and action-filled storylines.
Here are more anime-themed slots that we consider highly engaging:
- Koi Princess by NetEnt
- Starlight Princess by Pragmatic Play
- Moon Princess: Christmas Kingdom by Play’n GO
- Fortune Girl by Microgaming
- Ninja Ways by Red Tiger Gaming
Asian Culture Theme
Common Symbols in Asian-Themed Slots
Lucky coins, dragons, sakura trees in bloom, koi fish, geishas, lanterns, wagasa parasols, pandas, lucky cat figurines, pagodas, monkeys, lotus flowers, fans, phoenix birds, yin and yang, cranes, koi fish ponds
The Orient is an endless source of inspiration for slot developers, not to mention the theme itself is quite diverse since the region encompasses several countries, each with distinct traditions and culture. Some Asian-themed slots are inspired by traditional Eastern architecture and martial arts like kung-fu, while others revolve around ancient dynasties, annual festivals, and mythical creatures.
Here are our top 5 picks for players fascinated by Eastern culture:
- Eastern Emeralds by Quickspin
- Caishen Gold by Pragmatic Play
- Asian Beauty by Microgaming
- Prosperity Ox by iSoftBet
- Asian Fantasy by Playtech
Festive Theme
Common Symbols in Festive Slots
Reindeer, snowmen, Christmas ornaments, decorated trees, bells, dwarves, elves, present boxes, Santa Claus, candles, gingerbread cookies, snowflakes, sleighs, Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, love knots, boxes of chocolates, love birds, hearts, roses, carved Halloween pumpkins
From Christmas, Easter, and Saint Patrick’s Day to Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day, leading software providers have got you covered with feature-rich releases that will immediately spark your festive spirit. And the best part of all is players can enjoy these holiday-themed games throughout the year whenever they feel like getting into a jolly mood.
Fancy some festive slots? Try these games on for size:
- A Christmas Carol by Betsoft
- A Tale of Elves by Microgaming
- Lucky Easter by Red Tiger Gaming
- Easter Surprise by Playtech
- Valentine’s Fortune by Spinomenal
Aztec Theme
Common Symbols in Aztec Slots
Totems, temples, jaguars, eagles, priests and priestesses, feathered serpents, Aztec masks, elaborate pieces of headdress, torches, macaws, toucans, spear-throwers, altars
The long-lost Aztec civilization lives on through the creations of popular software studios like Pragmatic Play, Quickspin, and BigTime Gaming, to mention a few. The Aztecs’ impressive temple pyramids and rich culture provide the perfect setting for some quality reel-spinning action. Throw their elaborate ceremonies and rituals into the mix and you will easily understand why the Aztecs have captured the imagination of slot fans and game designers alike.
Here are five of our favorite Aztec-themed slots:
- Montezuma by WMS
- John Hunter and the Aztec Treasure by Pragmatic Play
- Temple Quest by BigTime Gaming
- Mega Masks by Relax Gaming
- Azticons: Chaos Clusters by Quickspin
Branded Online Slots
Branded online slots are a special breed of games themed after blockbuster movies, popular TV shows, celebrities, and musicians. The slots from this category hold an obvious appeal for players because they feature familiar and instantly recognizable visuals and sounds borrowed from the original content they are based on. On top of that, branded slots are brimming with highly interactive features that make the entire gaming experience all the more entertaining.
• Microgaming Pioneered the Genre
Branded slots first appeared in landbased casinos where they proved hugely popular with the crowds. Microgaming, arguably the biggest game developer on the planet, brought them to the libraries of online casinos in 2004 with the release of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, a slot that remains massively successful to this day. Rival software providers soon followed suit and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Here are the three main types of branded slots you will commonly find at online casinos:
- Branded slots based on music borrow their themes from the careers of legendary pop or hard rock musicians and bands that have left their mark on history. Some releases were inspired by successful trash metal bands like Megadeth or rock and roll icons like Richie Valens.
- TV-inspired branded slots comprise a smaller but consistently growing category of games that harness the popularity of hit television series like Vikings, Game of Thrones, and Battlestar Galactica. Some of them borrow heavily from game show franchises like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
- Movie-themed slots are hugely popular among the members of the reels spinning community and it is easy to see why. Their reels are populated by characters from major box office hits and spin to the sounds of the blockbusters’ original soundtracks.
| Popular Branded Slots by Leading Software Providers | |
|---|---|
| NetEnt |
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| Microgaming |
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| Playtech |
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| Play’n GO |
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| Blueprint Gaming |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Online Slot Themes
What other themes do online slots use?
We wouldn’t exaggerate if we say there are literally hundreds of themes and sub-themes in online slots, so much so that many online casinos offer advanced filters that allow players to browse their slot collections based on theme. Other popular themes you will encounter while spinning the reels are steampunk, horror, mythology, fortune telling, and nature.
What are the best themed slots to play?
The best themed slots to play are those with the highest return percentages as they offer the best winning odds and will cost you less money over time. Browse our comprehensive review library or check out our Best Paying Online Slots section to find the titles that offer the highest theoretical return.
How can I test the most popular themed slots without spending any money?
This is beyond simple. All you have to do is load the demo versions of the games where you can play with free credits. You can find the demo versions on the official websites of the game developers or at some of our recommended online casinos.
Are there any online slots themed after popular video games?
Of course there are. If you are into this type of games, feel free to try releases like Lara Croft Temple of Tombs, Street Fighter II, Snake, and Tetri Mania Deluxe.
Are themed slots fair?
All online slots released by accredited software suppliers run on random number generators that are subjected to regular audits for fairness. The audits are performed by third-party testing agencies to prevent conflict of interest.