Rockin’ Reels – Best Slots of the Past Year

Online slot games have always been a favourite among players over the years. From classic fruit machines to more advanced and innovative gamification slots that are interactive and require some strategic thinking during bonus rounds, 2024 has been a successful year for both online slots and the game developers behind them.

Best Slots of 2024

The beginning of 2024 saw an industry dominance of online slot games by over 80%, with three games in particular leading the upward trend. They were Push Gaming’s Retro Tapes, followed by two Pragmatic Play titles: Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza.

Pragmatic Play continued to have a stellar 2024, taking home two awards at the Casino Beats Game Developer Awards, which occurred on 23 May. Gates of Olympus won the Slot Legacy Title, and their MultiHold mechanic, found in games like Juicy Fruits MultiHold, won Mechanic of the Year.

However, although some game creators soared this year, others were not as lucky. Light & Wonder’s Huff n’ Puff Power 4 has quite a few reviews online, and unfortunately, none of them are very favourable. YouTuber Cowboy Slots dedicated an entire video to the game, stating really bad returns, tonnes of dead spins and an unfulfilling bonus as some of the reasons players shouldn’t waste their time on this video slot.

Now, with so many other options available for players, such as live dealer games, poker, and VR and AR games on the horizon, there may be some doubt as to whether slot games can withstand the newer, more immersive game types. Well, the figures speak for themselves. In Great Britain alone this year, the Gross Gambling Yield for online slots was £589 million, which is an 8% increase. Spins on slot games and active monthly accounts increased by 11%, proof that online slot machine players still enjoy the genre.

This is why online casinos like Pokerstars are discerning in our choice of slot titles and software providers. There may be over 1,000 slot games to choose from, but it might seem less overwhelming to discuss the top 8 that players should try first and then decide.

Starburst

The slot titles mentioned above may be popular in 2024, but Starburst is one that stands the test of time. Released in 2012, this NetEnt video slot is an easy-to-play 5-reel and 10-payline game. There is a feature that lets players win either way, so it’s actually a 20-pay line game. It is low volatility and has an RTP of 96.1%.

The theme and design are reminiscent of 1980s arcade games, with bright, bold colours and a simplistic layout. The audio plays into the space and star theme, which ties in perfectly with the graphics. Retro Wild symbols trigger the bonus features, which are re-spins. This slot game is for players who don’t like too many bells and whistles that may distract from the actual game, even though it’s undeniably a fun-looking video slot.

Retro Tapes

In keeping with the throwback theme, it is fitting to mention one of the leading slot games in 2024, created by Push Gaming in 2022. The game is played on a 9 x 6 grid and is known as a “cluster game.” This means that five or more icons form a cluster; it is considered a winning combination (depending on what symbols land where of course).

It is filled with special features such as Top Charts and Cluster Links, to name a few. Although a high volatility slot, players can choose between RTPs of 94.6, 95.47 and 96.47%, which is handy, as well as some free spins thrown in for good measure.

The sound is very much old-school mixed tape vibes, with a hint of nostalgia in the theme, design, and vibrant colours (what can be said? The 80s was a blast). The charm of the visuals, combined with the music, will transport players to the days of walkmans and spandex for sure.

Gonzo’s Quest

This 5-reel 20 payline avalanche-style video slot by NetEnt is one of the best slots of 2024 and has been popular since it came out in 2011, which is saying something. Its avalanche reels are what set it apart from most traditional slots, and it is still really fun to watch each symbol fall into place. The game has wilds and multipliers and a Free Fall feature that gets a player 10 free spins if they land three. Gonzo’s Quest has a normal jackpot and industry-standard RTP of 96% and is of medium-high variance.

In terms of audio and visuals, Gonzo’s Quest is based on the Mayan legend of the famed road to El Dorado, the city of Gold. Gonzalo Pizarro is the adventurer who is determined to find El Dorado (and all the treasures along the way). The 3D graphics are impressive, and the music is a call to adventure and players will enjoy this hero’s journey because of it.

Gates Of Olympus

Released in 2021, Gates of Olympus is a highly volatile slot with 20 paylines, a 5×6 grid, and similar features to other popular Pragmatic Play slot titles. This includes multipliers that go up to 500x a bet, wild symbols, and free spins triggered by scatter icons. An interesting element of this game is that players can benefit through a “scatter” mechanic, meaning symbols don’t need to line up for a win. The RTP is 96.5%.

Ancient Greece and the all-powerful god Olympus are the themes of this slot, and he comes with all the lightning bolts and thunderous sounds a player would expect. It’s not overdone, and the soundtrack could easily be from any superhero movie, which makes the gameplay all the more entertaining.

Jumanji

NetEnt is topping the charts with its innovative slot games and movie-themed titles, like this one. Fans will thoroughly enjoy this trip down memory lane, similar to that of the 1995 movie, although the slot was released much later in 2018. There are 5 reels and 36 paylines, with special features that can be found in most top slots. These include multipliers, scatters, wilds, and free spins. What is unique about Jumanji is the Board Game element, which can activate at any time to unlock more bonuses and more free spins. It has a 96.33% RTP and medium to low volatility.

The graphics are high-quality and will transport players into the movie, complete with jungle animals, lush green foliage, and even the characters. The board game is the main focus, which is also a big part of the movie. The soundtrack is particularly enchanting, having been composed by James Horner.

Fishin’ Frenzy

Reel Time Gaming made a play on words in a clever way when they introduced Fishin’ Frenzy to the gaming industry in 2014. With 10 paylines across 5 reels, players will find wilds, scatter symbols, and free spins. An innovative feature is the “Gamble” aspect, where players can double-or-nothing whatever is won. The RTP is 96.12%.

Under-the-sea themes are always visually appealing, vibrant, and filled with colourful marine animals. Fishin’ Frenzy is no different, except there are symbols of bait, fishing reels, and a human fisherman as well. The sounds are seagulls squawking and waves crashing, which makes for an immersive sea experience.

Tomb of Ra

Despite a 5×5 layout, this slot is far from standard. Icons may fall into the tomb or completely disappear, and the bonus features include mystical elements like the Amulet of the Sun, Gift of Gods, and the Blessing of Ra. These are names for wilds and other slot elements, but it is still an interesting take that makes the game all the more enjoyable. Tomb of RA has a 96.14% RTP and high volatility. It was developed by Reloaded Gaming in 2021.

Ancient Egypt is a popular game theme, and it’s easy to see why. Mysteries and potential treasures abound, not to mention the magic that surrounds the pyramids and the desert. Players get all this and more with the look and sound of this slot game, which is detailed but not too distracting from the gameplay.

Eye of Horus Megaways

No list would be complete without a Megaways slot, and Eye of Horus is the perfect one. Blueprint Gaming released this title in 2016, and the proof of its popularity is in the many sequels and spin-offs it has since spawned. There are 10 paylines and 5 reels across 3 rows. Horus Expanding Wilds and free spins triggered by scatters are just some of the bonus features, as well as something unique called a Symbol Upgrade. The slot has a high variance and an RTP of 96.31%.

Another ancient Egyptian theme, the Eye of Horus, symbolised protection, healing, and general well-being. The symbols are simplistic in design and feel a bit like a slot machine at a land-based casino. There is no music or soundtrack as such; rather just normal slot sounds, which players may prefer. Nevertheless, it is crisp and bright imagery against a sandy, desert-like background that is engaging and enjoyable to play.