Is There a Need for Unusual Online Slots?
What’s the main theme that springs to your mind when you think about online slots? I guess it’s probably ancient Egypt, gemstones, or the fruits of old-school Vegas games. These are also the prominent themes that many software developers run with nowadays. After all, they’re popular, engaging, and successful. But to me, the market seems to be quite saturated with these types of games.
This has over the years seen me hunting down the more strangely themed online slots. Sometimes these have popped up while I’ve been reviewing a game provider or online casino. Other times I've found myself typing into Google: “Are there any slots featuring leprechauns that go to hell?”.
There are many weird and wonderful games out there, believe me. All of this got me thinking about the most obscure titles that I’ve had the pleasure of playing. It also made me wonder if there’s a place for these games in the industry, and what the future might hold.
To Trump or Not to Trump?
Donald Trump is always making the headlines and even more so at the moment. I’m not going to get into the pros and cons of the man himself but he has inspired some cheeky online slots. Some of these games also poke fun at Obama, Putin, and even Kim Jong Un.
My firm favorites have to be the collection of games by the software developer Fugaso. Trump It, Trump It Deluxe, and Trump It Deluxe Epicways are well worth a look at in my opinion. Even if you aren’t interested in politics, they are hilarious and pretty odd at the same time. I've yet to come across any other online slots that revolve around politicians like these do.
Rocket Men by Red Tiger can also join the league of Trump slots. With a game based on ‘Nuclear Spins’, featuring reels with Kim Jong-Un, burgers, Trump tower, and warheads. This game is a slapstick take on the nuclear threat to the US from North Korea and the pint-sized dictator. Obscure, yes, entertaining - 100%.
Yetis and Curry
I tried my best to put this article into some order but these slots are too strange to fit in anywhere. I’ve also given up trying to understand the reasoning behind the themes of these two games. I wonder what was happening in the offices of High 5 Games when Betti the Yetti landed on the brainstorming whiteboard?
Now, I was born in the Midlands of the UK which is famous for plenty of things including the fantastic Derby County Football Club. I’m sorry I had to mention that here somewhere. But this area is also famous for cheese, cake, and curry. And believe it or not there are a few slots that revolve around the spicy cuisine. Microgaming has incorporated an Indian restaurant into the retro-style Cash ‘n’ Curry slot. I really did think that I'd seen it all when it comes to strange games but this takes the biscuit, or poppadom. Fancy a Rogan Dosh, Belt Buster, Chicken Ticker, or a Bhaji Bonus? These tasty treats are all waiting for you in this extraordinary slot.
Vive la France
I moved to France a few years ago from Malta. I absolutely love this country, its history, language and culture. But has the French way of life been epitomized in online slots? Of course it has.
I’ll deal with the bicorn wearing fiery emperor first. Napoleon might not spring to mind when you think about an online slot. Nevertheless he features in a lot of them. The strangest one for me has to be NextGen’s Napoleon Boney Parts. This popular game provider has depicted France's military leader as a skeleton who has returned from the dead to wreak havoc.
I also have to mention the Napoleon & Josephine slot by Relax Gaming. Boney and his first wife have been given a Hollywood makeover in this one. The Versailles Gold online slot is a tad controversial so close to Napoleon. It features the last French royal family and a Catholic cardinal thrown in for good measure.
Hacksaw Gaming is one of my favorite providers and the release of the Le Bandit online slot had me chuckling into my morning croissant. A French raccoon on the hunt through the streets of Paris, with a baguette under his arm and cheese on his mind. What’s not to like?
Tongue in Cheek or a Step Too Far?
Games featuring Trump and takeaway curry are all well and good but what about the online slots that go too far? We've all got our own inbuilt ‘shock-o-meters’ but I generally find games depicting WW2 are a bit too much for me. The first time I read about the Remember Gulag slot, I wasn’t shocked to find that Nolimit City was behind it. The name of the developer says it all and whilst I’m usually a fan of their games, a slot depicting Soviet labor camps? Not for me, thanks.
But is this because this period of history isn’t that far back in time? When you look at the likes of The French Reelvolution by Section8. A game featuring ‘Guillotine reels’ where the heads of nobility and Napoleon are chopped off in a bonus round. Is this any less shocking? Just because it didn't happen less than 100 years ago, it still happened.
Unusual Online Slots: What’s Next?
I think the future is bright for those less than generic online slots. The weird and wonderful aspects of gambling will always appeal to some. Whilst they’ll get the rest of us at least talking about them. The standard Vegas-inspired fruity slots certainly never feature in conversations with my gambling pals. But games revolving around mechanical chickens who lay eggs for bonuses and lucky lobsters will always be more memorable.
I also think that we may see some regulation introduced when it comes to the more controversial themes. Some topics may become taboo and unusable for the stricter gambling regulators such as the UKGC.
Ultimately the industry is powered by players who are all different though. And where some of us might like shiny jewels some may prefer to spin reels filled with virus cells.
Do you have any favorite bizarre online slots and would you admit to playing them? Until next time, mates!
This article delivers the thoughts and opinions of the author, and it doesn't represent the stance of GoodLuckMate.
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