With hundreds of slot machines launched on a daily basis, it is not an easy task to find the one you will play. In such an oversaturated market, it is not an easy task for software developers to make a game that will attract players either. Inspiration can be elusive, so instead of developing a completely new title, software developers decide to create sequels of the games that have proved successful. In this blog post, we bring you some of the most popular online slots and their spin-offs.
Starburst/Berryburst
When we say an iconic slot we mean Strarburst. The NetEnt 2013 title has earned an excellent reputation with slot enthusiasts for straightforward gameplay, exciting bonus features and top-notch design. Above all, this is a low volatility game that will provide you with frequent payouts. The slot uses 5 reels and 10 paylines across which you should match sevens, bars and jewels in different bright colours. The symbol you should keep an eye on is the multicoloured star acting as Wild. Appearing on the three central reels only, Wild expands whenever it hits the reels. It awards a respin during which it stays in its position.
Five years later, NetEnt comes up with Berryburst, the spin-off of their most successful title. The two games share the number of reels and expanding Wild that triggers respins. As for differences, Berryburst uses the Cluster Pays engine and is a typical fruit machine with juicy fruits populating the reels. Visually, the 2018 title is more appealing. Its Wild represented as the ice cube appears on all the reels to complete your winning combos while expanding and awarding respins. While it may strike you as more attractive due to improved features, Berryburst has not lived up to expectations and its predecessor is still the number one NetEnt title when it comes to popularity at online casinos. Play NetEnt slots at 888 Casino!
Mega Moolah/Mega Moolah Isis
Another blockbuster comes from the Microgaming creative kitchen. If we are to name a single progressive slot you should play at an online casino, it would be Mega Moolah. It is not a slot machine that will knock you off your feet for its looks or atmosphere, yet it offers a bunch of potentially lucrative bonus features and a progressive jackpot that can make you a millionaire in a single spin. It uses 5 reels, 25 paylines and Lion Wild that doubles your prizes. In addition, the game offers 15 free spins with all prizes tripled. Finally, Mega Moolah offers four progressive jackpots ticking away as you spin the reels. Spin the wheel of fortune hoping for the Mega jackpot to land!
Three years after Mega Moolah, in 2009, Microgaming releases Mega Moolah Isis. The developer’s most popular title gets a sequel in the form of an Egyptian-themed slot machine featuring Cleopatra, the eye of Horus and other familiar symbols. As for the structure, there is no difference between the two games. However, Mega Moolah Isis offers between 20 and 30 free spins with all payouts from them subject to a 6x multiplier. The Gamble feature is available providing you with a chance to increase your winnings. The highlight of the slot is the jackpot game where you can win one of four progressive jackpots including a mind-blowing Mega jackpot. Despite its medium to high volatility and a potentially lucrative free spins feature, Mega Moolah Isis is still less popular than the original game. Play Microgaming slots at Casino Palace!
Book of Dead/Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness
So far, Play’n Go has released three slot titles featuring intrepid adventurer Rich Wilde. The most popular among them is definitely the second installment Book of Dead released in 2016. Played at 5 reels and 10 paylines, Book of Dead takes you to Ancient Egypt. This is a high volatility slot where the Book symbol acts as both Wild and Scatter symbol. It can help you create winning combos or enter 10 free spins. Before free games start, one of the symbols is chosen at random as a special expanding symbol. Throughout the feature, it will pay as Scatter regardless of its position.
While the second title in the series definitely beats the first one, Aztec Idols, we are not sure that the same will happen with the third installment. Titled (Rich Wilde and the) Tome of Madness, the slot takes you on another adventure during which our explorer tries to decipher the secrets of the sinister Cult of Cthulhu. The slot uses a 5×5 grid with cascading reels. Every cascade charges the Portal that unlocks several bonus features by adding special Wilds to the reels. The slot may seem overwhelming at first due to a variety of Wild symbols including the one portraying the protagonist of the game that will double your payouts. There is a lot of going on in this high volatility slot with multiple special Wilds, free spins, mega symbols and other bonus features boosting your winning chances. Play Play’n Go slots at Mr Green!
Bonanza/Extra Chilli
In 2019, Big Time Gaming introduced their Megaways game engine with the Bonanza slot. It became one of the most played slot machines at online casinos thanks to the groundbreaking mechanics where between 2 and 7 symbols can appear on each of the 6 reels. Thanks to this, the game offers up to 117,649 ways to win. Set within a mine shaft, Bonanza also benefits from cascading reels granting additional chances of winning as long as you win. The game also benefits from Wilds and a free spins feature. During the feature, the exploding reels award a multiplier that increases after successive explosions by 1.
Titled Bonanza 2: Extra Chilli, the 2018 title by Big Time Gaming is also a high volatility game with loads of bonus features improving your odds on every spin. It uses the same Megaways engine with up to 117,649 ways to win. The sequel to the original title features a Mexican theme and boasts a colourful design. Just like in Bonanza, winning symbols are removed from the grid allowing new ones to drop in as new as new wins are created. The free spins feature offers an increasing multiplier and the gamble feature providing you with a chance to win extra free games. Being equipped with the Feature Drop, the game allows you to buy free spins any time you want. While Bonanza is one of the most popular slots at online casinos, its sequel comes pretty close to it. Play Big Time Gaming slots at VideoSlots!
