Slot Theme Types Slot Themes

The oldest theme, using symbols like cherries, lemons, oranges, watermelons, bells, 7s and BAR. In the UK, slot machines themselves are called “fruit machines.” Many use a simple 3-reel or 5-reel structure, but games that put a fruit theme on a modern tumble structure, like Pragmatic Play‘s Sweet Bonanza, are popular too.

A theme that creates a Las Vegas casino mood with symbols like red 7s, flames, stars and bells. Many of these are simple games with base game wins only and no bonus.

Features symbols like pharaohs, Cleopatra, pyramids, scarabs and ankhs. Most “Book of” games have an Egyptian theme (Novomatic‘s Book of Ra).

A single book symbol acts as both a wild and a scatter, and a special symbol chosen at the start of free spins expands across the whole reel. Many of these are high volatility games.

Gods and monsters such as Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Medusa appear. Many games feature lightning that drops multipliers. Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus is the best-known example.

A theme featuring Thor, Odin, Loki and Viking warriors. Microgaming’s Thunderstruck series is the best-known example.

Features symbols like pyramid temples, golden masks and jaguars. Many stories follow a conquistador searching for a city of gold, like NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest.

Features lucky symbols such as dragons, phoenixes, koi, the god of wealth, gold coins and red envelopes. Many games emphasize the number 8 (prosperity). PG Soft, Spadegaming and CQ9 make many of them, and offline, Aristocrat‘s Dragon Link is well known.

Uses elements such as samurai, ninja, geisha, maneki-neko (the waving cat) and cherry blossoms.

Pirate captains, treasure chests, maps and parrots appear. A trail bonus that follows a treasure map is often included.

In the typical structure, fish symbols carry cash values, and during free spins a fisherman (wild) collects the fish values when he appears. Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass series did a lot to grow this genre (Money Collection). It is a different genre from arcade-style fishing games where you shoot fish.

Uses symbols like candy, jelly, lollipops and cake. It is often paired with tumble and cluster structures.

Uses elements such as zombies, vampires, evil spirits and serial killers. Some providers, like Nolimit City, pair edgy themes with high volatility.

Slots built by buying the rights to real brands such as movies, TV shows, bands and board games. Because of the license cost, some say the RTP is sometimes set slightly lower than in regular games.