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The Most Popular Slot Themes of 2024

Blink for a moment, and you could easily miss a dozen new casino game releases. The industry moves fast! Plus, developers are constantly thinking of new and clever ways to make their games all the more exciting than the last. The first thing you will likely notice about a new slot game is its theme. This is what ties all of the graphics, audio, and game mechanics together into one seamless presentation. We all have our favorite and what we consider to be the best slot machine themes. While more niche ideas can offer something fresh, some themes will always be classics. Here we will be looking at some of the most popular slot themes of 2024. Many of these have remained popular for years, if not decades, and are still going strong to this day. So, scroll down to learn about the top slot themes in 2022 and the years ahead you can try at top-rated online casinos.

Licensed Slot Games

The past decade has given us some of the best TV series ever broadcasted. Let's not forget the revival of many beloved movie franchises. Incorporating these licensed properties into slot games is the perfect blend of two different forms of entertainment. Hence, these titles occupy the first place on our list of top slot machine themes. There have been tons of licensed slot games in the past. Game of Thrones, Narcos, Jurassic Park, and Jumanji, to give a few examples. This year saw Microgaming launch Terminator 2 Remastered. This is an updated version of a previous release. The benefit of these games is that they are fully authorized to incorporate art and music directly from the property that is being licensed. That's why Microgaming is able to have pictures of Arnie and the actual Terminator robot in their Terminator 2 game. Audio is also a big part of slot games, lending itself beautifully to bands and licensed music. But, we have decided to separate these games into their own category, as there are so many great examples.

Musical Slots

We can't be the only ones who plug in their own music when a slot game's audio just isn't vibing. Some slot games deserve your audio attention, though. Especially when they are licensed to provide classics from the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Guns N' Roses. This year saw the release of House of Doom 2: The Crypt. This is in collaboration with the Swedish metal band Candlemass. We are not sure what it is about rock and roll and metal genres that seem to be so popular with slots over other genres of music. We are not complaining, though! Sabaton and Ozzy Osbourne's riffs do a great job of getting the adrenaline pumping when those reels start spinning.

Jimi Hendrix video slot by NetEnt

Fruit Slots

If you're wondering what are the top 10 most popular slot machines online, the answer would undoubtedly include a fruit-themed pokie. After all, is there a more classic online slot theme? We don't think so! Our first recommendation is the Hot Chilli slot by Pragmatic Play. It boasts an RTP of 96.52%, exciting multipliers, and comes with medium-high volatility. Another fantastic choice by the same developer is the Extra Juicy Slot. It comes with a 96.52% RTP, a progressive multiplier, and a 60,000x bet limit. Lastly, if you're looking for something different, Fruitoids by Yggdrasil could be the slot for you. This slot features a 5x3 grid with 25 paylines and an RTP of 96.70%.

Alien and Space Slots

Every child dreams of being an astronaut at some point. Thanks to the magic of online gambling, you can now make that dream come true while enjoying some casino action in the process. After all, who wouldn't want to make real money gambling while exploring outer space? If you want a classic online slot experience, Space Invaders by Playtech's the way to go. Alternatively, if you're after an action-packed adventure in outer space, make sure to check out the legendary Star Guardians by Evoplay.

Mystical Themes

We grant you that this is quite a broad theme. Yet, it was simply too close a call to decide between Egyptian, Norse, Greek, East Asian and other beloved mythologies. After all, mysticism has been one of the most popular slot themes in the history of iGaming. There are still plenty of new releases steeped in classic mythology. Just to name a few examples of recently released mythologically inspired slot games, there are; Temujin Treasures by Pragmatic Play, The Green Knight by Play'n GO, and Aureus by Crazy Tooth Studio. We would be remiss to also mention some classics that weren't released this year. After all, they are still prime examples of how mythology has remained a mainstay of slot game themes. Book of Dead and Hall of Gods have both been on the market for years among the best slot machines to play and are still enjoyed by countless people worldwide.

Horror Slots

If you're a horror film enthusiast that's looking for some iGaming action, we've got you covered too! Lucky for you, there are plenty of online slots that feature vampire, zombie, and all-around darker themes. For instance, there's the Halloween slot, obviously based on the 1978 horror film by John Carpenter. The title features an atmospheric backdrop and wandering reels that are guaranteed to give you the creeps. If you're in the mood for some vampire slaying, Microgaming's Immortal Romance is one of the most popular themed slot machines.

Adventure Slots

Adventure is one of the most popular slot machine themes in Vegas and everywhere else, really. Such pokies are present in every developer's portfolio, so you won't be limited in options. Whether it features a gold mine, a jungle, or a dark forest, these slots are packed with awesome audiovisuals that guarantee the iGaming adventure of a lifetime. Gonzo's Quest by NetEnt is one of the most popular slot machines online, and it transports players directly to ancient Columbia. If you're in the mood to explore a fantasy land, however, Treasure Skyland could be the choice for you. Alternatively, if you want to pair up with an adventure hero on multiple slots, check out Play'n Go's menu. Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness and Cat Wilde and the Doom of Dead are just a few titles that are definitely worth your attention.  

Irish Slots

Legend has it that the way to guarantee your luck when online gambling is by playing an Irish slot machine. Moreover, if you play these slots on St. Patrick's Day, you might double your luck! Now, there are thousands upon thousands of titles that feature this theme out there. Yet, one we can't help but mention is the legendary Rainbow Riches slot by Barcrest. This 5x3 classic slot has 20 paylines, an RTP of 95%, and bets that cap at 25x your wager.

Western Themes

Exploring the frontier, prospecting for gold and hunting or helping outlaws. These have all been classic concepts of slot games for years. The Wild West is, excuse the pun, a goldmine of grand tales and epic showdowns that casino game developers have found interesting ways to adopt into enticing bonus rounds and other mechanics. Hence, our list of popular slot themes wouldn't be complete without it. Dead or Alive II and High Noon are both good examples of popular Western slot games that still have high player counts years after release. In fact, they remain among the best slot machines to play in a casino in 2022. This year saw the release of Desperate Dawgs by Reflex Gaming. The game adds a canine spin on the classic Western showdown. There are no doubt plenty more future releases filled with cowboys, saloons and shootouts just around the corner. Until then, there are plenty of already-released titles that fit the bill.

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Nerijus Grenda
Nerijus Grenda
Last Update: 13 Mar 2023
Nerijus Grenda is a prolific contributor to the GoodLuckMate site. With a deep understanding of the online casino industry, gained from his own experience as an avid player, he offers valuable insights on what sets the best casinos apart from the rest. As a writer, Nerijus shares his expertise through expert analysis and thoughtful commentary on various topics related to online gambling, including casino reviews, game guides and industry trends.
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