State-of-the-art contemporary slots with 3D graphics and advanced gameplay features are the dominant category of slots in any modern online casino, but even that can’t take the magic away from traditional slot machines from the good old days. They are still going strong, and every now and then a software provider will launch a classic retro-themed slot as an interesting reminder of where it all began. Retro is always fashionable – no matter how hard we strive towards the future, there are always times when looking back brings new, fresh experiences from a past perspective. Retro is simple, but always classy. That is why we’ve decided to bring some of the best online sots with traditional elements and gameplay to your attention.
Reel Rush Slot
Reel Rush is a video slot by the Swedish developer Net Entertainment with 5 reels and 5 rows of symbols. Its theme is a combination of a classic fruit and candy machine and an 8-bit computer games style. The look and the feel are very much traditional, and the reel configuration, on the other side, is unique, providing players with some unexpected wins. As for symbols, there are multi-colored candy and fruit images all around. With a gamey soundtrack, Reel Rush should appeal to all of you who are fans of old-school 8-bit games. Even though Reel Rush appears simple, the game is packed with special features and bonus rounds. Naturally, there are Wild symbols, but there are also 3,125 ways to win, Free Spins, Re-Spins, and more. It is safe to say that NetEnt gave us a brilliantly simplistic and undeniably addictive online retro slot. Reel Rush is the perfect slot for players who wish to get in touch with their childish, playful nature and enjoy some nostalgic reel spinning.
Starburst Slot
Released back in 2012, the Starburst slot from NetEnt became super famous by now. The game benefits from 3 rows of symbols and 5 reels, placed in front of a simple dark-universe background. What’s memorable about Starburst is the fact that the game borrows as much retro 80s disco style elements and old slot machine symbols as it implements futuristic design and modern graphics. So it’s a great choice for spinners who enjoy some ‘back to the future’ vibes. The symbols include gems of all shapes and colors with an addition of a golden BAR symbol and a red lucky seven. There are 10 paying lines to make use of, but the game allows ‘win both ways’, so essentially there are 20 winning lines. The special features are reduced to a single bonus round called the Starburst Wild feature, which is actually an Expanding Wilds feature where entire reels can get covered. There’s re-spins included somewhere in there as well, which amounts to a really gratifying slots experience. A lot of online casinos give away free spins bonuses on Starburst rather often, meaning you can try this awesome title even if you don’t have an enviable account balance.
Retro Reels Slot
This one comes from Microgaming’s workshop and features a classic 5×3 reels grid format. One glance upon the game’s interface and it’s crystal clear that Retro Reels offers a true vintage gaming experience. The interface copies the appearance of an old-school one-armed bandit, with the reels rolling down like they would on an actual brick and mortar machine. The classic attraction of Retro Reels is almost unprecedented in the online slots world, and many slot lovers testified that it really transports them back in time, mostly through traditional imagery like symbols of cherries, plums, bells, lemons, sevens, and BARs. Despite its innocent dated appearance, the game features strong and very modern bonus rounds, like Free Spins and Re-spins. Apart from 20 paying lines in the base game, these two will be in charge of boosting your winnings.
Twin Spin Slot
Another cool video slot game from NetEnt to qualify for our Best Retro Online Slots selection is Twin Spin. The retro design in this one is omnipresent, but the game structure tips on the modern side of the scale. Twin Spin is structured around 5 reels and 3 rows and makes use of the ‘243 Ways to Win’ gaming technology. Before we get on to addressing matters of bonus rounds and special gameplay features, first we have to try and describe the appearance of Twin Spin. All the symbols are traditional, and include diamonds, sevens, playing card symbols, cherries, bells and BARs. But they appear reimagined so as to fit a synth-rainbow-color design, and it all looks amazing overall. Now the game separates itself from the classic and joins the category of bonus-packed video slots with massive multiplier wins, random Wilds, and a unique Twin Reel feature where the symbols on the rows of at least two adjacent reels get cloned and synchronized, and potentially expand over other adjacent reels. Once again, Twin Spin makes an awesome representative of the retro current in modern slots mainstream ambience.
Diamond 7 Slot
Our previous suggestions have all had something to do with modernity, but Diamond 7 from Novomatic is retro through and through. What captivates the eye from the moment you load the game is its simplicity and straightforward slot machine feel. No backstories, no video intros, jus plan and simple reels with colorful, juicy fruits and classic symbols. The game has 5 reels, 3 row and 5 lines you can form winning on. The graphics are crisp and the symbols are slightly cartoonish, with strong, vibrating colors practically jumping out of the screen. Diamond 7 is old school all the way, and you can tell because there are no bonus rounds like free spins or Wild symbols and the like. There is a Gamble feature, something that not many modern slots contain, and it basically allows you to try and double or quadruple your money by drawing cards and guessing whether they are red or black. It’s a different kind of exciting than what we’re normally used to, and it really illustrates the spirit of traditional casino rooms.
