Top 10 Branded Slot Games of All Time – TV, Movie, Music & Comics
Table of Contents
In a rather cosmic turn of events that have taken place over the past two decades or so, the overall gaming industry has gone through a proper metamorphosis.
Once perceived as a slightly controversial category, gambling has grown to become a lifestyle and – with the unstoppable technical advances – now stands as one of the most lucrative branches of industry.
Engaged in a fiercely competitive business of casino game making, software manufacturers have long started taking steps out of their comfort zones to establish a reputation that follows them even beyond the gaming sector.
The biggest names in the industry today, such as NetEnt, Playtech or Microgaming have built their stature thanks to a unique phenomenon that has originally been connected to the land-based gaming vertical.
That phenomenon is called – Branded Slot Games.
As the name itself would suggest, Branded Slots are licensed casino games built around a universally popular subject. Whether it’s a game on a big blockbuster movie, a TV show, music or even a book, a Branded Slot involves a celebrity figure having its face plastered on the cover and included as a symbol you get to spin on the reels.
Global stars were initially reluctant to join this originally land-based trend but were rather quick to recognize the potential and follow suit with few brave ones that were the first to dive in.
Why Are Branded Slot Games so Popular?
Explaining Branded Slot Games and their increasing popularity is a no-brainer actually.
The propensity to latch onto something familiar, something a person can relate to is a trait rooted deep in the human nature and that’s exactly how Branded Slot titles help casinos enhance acquisition and player retention.
Branded and licensed slot games revolving around your favourite movie is certain to draw you closer to trying the slot, even if you are not that interested in gambling in the first place. Additionally, brand loyalty is a social phenomenon which online casino software developers have found the way to incorporate into this growing business.
The Branded Slot Games tend to have a significantly lower payout percentage compared to regular slot games but that does not stop the players from wagering on them – both online and offline.
Hollywood, as the biggest industry in the world, wasted no time in joining forces with this emerging gaming trend. Celebrities and their agencies are making millions off slot machines as a line of brands and popular entertainments figures with slot tributes get longer with each passing day.
A far cry from the one-armed bandits members of the old-school slot enthusiast grew up on, the modern-day video slot games are gamified versions of their predecessors which have a huge appeal on a wide online gaming audience.
And with their popularity growing with each passing day, the list of Branded Slot titles get longer and longer. Luckily, our expert team here at BestCasinos made sure to roll up the sleeves and prepare a list of top ten branded slot games you should definitely try out.
Ten Most Popular Branded Slot Games
Listing the best of the best than online slot gaming has to offer when it comes to fully licensed, branded games based on well-known motifs from the entertainment industry is not an easy task.
The list you are about to read through below has been compiled based on a number of different parameters that make a certain something – in this case a slot game – popular. It needs to be noted that popularity is a variable category and it shifts back and forth depending on the tides in the industry.
With every installment of a popular movie franchise a certain slot might experience a surge in popularity at a given time, so do take the below list with a pinch of salt. Much like the taste, popularity is not to be discussed or argued over. Still, there are indeed slot titles that defy the tide of time and remain some of the most sought-after games across the grid.
Jurassic Park
- Software: Microgaming
- Release Date: 2014
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 95.45%
- Volatility: Medium
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 243 ways to win
Based on the iconic flick produced by Steven Spielberg in 1993, the Jurassic Park slot game could not be a better representation of the movie. Microgaming has been extremely meticulous and detailed to create a wonderful game which is the first one to use Parallax Scrolling effects. This innovative piece of technology makes the entire game come to life thanks to its detailed graphics. You will be fully immersed in the jungle while numerous free spins feature brings animated environments from the film itself to blend you into the subject entirely. Not only does this Microgaming masterpiece look good, it also features an action-packed gameplay which benefits from features called T-Rex Alert Mode or the Free Spins mode, which will have its own mini-gameplays that bring you running wilds, split wilds, wild reels, mystery multipliers and wild multipliers.
Honourable Mention: Jurassic World Slot Game – an equally exciting 2017 installment of the popular franchise is based on the 2015 movie with the same name. It’s another 5 reel and 243 winning ways slot which brings you a chance to win incredible riches on the Isla Nublar.
Vikings
- Software: NetEnt
- Release Date: 2018
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.05%
- Volatility: Medium – High
- Reels: 5 to 7
- Paylines: 243
Vikings is perhaps the most popular branded video slot that has ever existed. Near the end of 2018 was when NetEnt truly started to stand out. This online slot is unlike anything else the market had at the moment. Firstly, it is a slot reincarnation of the amazing, globally acclaimed TV series of the same title. The Stockholm-listed casino software provider bought the rights and did justice to the TV show the way it did best. Thus Vikings online slot came to existence.
NetEnt’s Vikings is a fully branded number. This means that the actual faces of the actors are featured on the reels. You will see Lagertha, Ragnar Lothbrok, Loki and Björn Ironside all coming together for the battle.
In terms of technicalities, Vikings starts as a 5×3 reel grid game, only to expand as the match progresses. If you trigger the Raid Spins feature, the grid bulges into a 7-reel, 5-row hybrid with 78,125 ways to win. Besides the multiway feature, there are two other bonus games to revel in. These include the Hotspot Feature and the Shield Wall functionality. They both serve to help you get those symbols stacked or in a cluster. With a decent RTP of 96.05%, the maximum winning potential of Vikings by NetEnt amounts to 10,000x your initial bet.
Guns N’ Roses
- Software: NetEnt
- Release Date: 2016
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.98%
- Volatility: Medium
- Reels: 20
- Paylines: 20
Based on one of the world’s most popular rock bands ever, NetEnt’s Guns N’ Roses slot is a natural fit into this top list of the most popular branded slot games. In what’s a formidable tribute to these music icons you will find high-quality graphics and music from the band which will definitely make you jump up and down as you hit that spin button.
Randomly triggered bonus features in the base game and more special playing modes in the Encore Free Spins feature are certain to give you a playing experience of a lifetime. Just wait until you see a band member gets chosen to act a stacked Wild for every free spin you get. You’ll love it. This game truly is an epic title from NetEnt which is sure to be there up the lit for a very long time.
Honourable Mention: Jimi Hendrix, Motorhead – celebrating their 20th anniversary back in 2016, NetEnt pushed forward a scintillating Rocks Series with not one – or two – but THREE rocking slot titles all rock music lovers will enjoy.
Motley Crue
- Software: Play’n GO
- Release Date: 2022
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.20%
- Volatility: Medium
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 20
While we’re on the topic of legendary rock bands and online slots, we would be remiss not to mention this little gem. Released in 2022 by Play’n GO, the Motley Crue online slot is based on the likeness, work, and reputation of one of the most infamous bands to emerge from the vibrant LA scene of the 80s.
80s rock bands have a larger-than-life reputation for living on the wild side, and a large part of this rep is based on Motley Crue’s exploits. The band members (or perhaps their personas) are the personification of the rock star lifestyle – sex, drugs, and rock & roll.
The action will take you somewhere outside of a biker bar, or a similar establishment in the middle of a dubious part of town. You’ll first be greeted by the blasting sounds of some of the band’s greatest hits, so no false advertising here – this is an actual Motley Crue slot with actual Motley Crue music. It also comes with multiple exciting yet widely unpredictable features, which we feel is a perfect fit considering the theme.
Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs
- Software: Games Global
- Release Date: 2019
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.05%
- Volatility: High
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 243
Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs slot is the final part of Microgaming’s trilogy on the world’s coolest, most badass treasure hunter. Created with the assistance of the supreme independent slot designer Triple Edge Studios, it’s certainly one of the best-looking games here. Set among ancient temples and ruins, it also nails the whole look and feel of the original video games (and subsequent movies.)
Keeping in touch with its predecessors, the Temples and Tombs slot keeps the original 5-reel, 3-row framework, as seen in 2004’s Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider Secret of the Sword from 2008. However, Temples and Tombs revamps those ideas and packages them for the more discerning modern audience. In this case, this means Tumbling Reels were introduced as a constant stream of action and tasty volatility. It also takes inspiration from the newest 2018 release of Tom Raider starring Alicia Vikander as a worthy replacement for Angelina Jolie.
The best part about it, however, is the jackpots. Although they’re not progressive or particularly big, the game’s exciting bonus round allows you to stack several of them in a single spin!
Knight Rider
- Software: NetEnt
- Release Date: 2022
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.07%
- Volatility: High
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 26
Any fan of 80s cheesiness will immediately know the name, brand, and unbridled charm that is Knight Rider. Praised as one of David Hasselhoff’s more engaging roles, it’s celebrated as a campy but incredibly entertaining show about an undercover cop. The most memorable part of it, however, is definitely the futuristic car – the famous Knight Industries Two Thousand. It remains a beloved icon for every fan of muscle cars and 80s retro-futurism.
Moreover, the show’s visuals are praised as incredibly influential, shaping the idea of what the 80s looked and sounded like for decades to come. The synth soundtracks, pastel sunsets, and beachy visuals are parroted to this day because they just look and feel so good.
All of these visuals and cheezy themes were translated perfectly into NetEnt’s Knight Rider slot game from 2022. It rides quite a bit on the nostalgia wave, so we can’t say that the gameplay itself is particularly revolutionary. However, its RTP is solid, its features are tried and true, and the game is as fun as the show ever was. A must-play for fans of 80s action films.
Game of Thrones™ Power Stacks™
- Software: Games Global
- Release Date: 2021
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.20%
- Volatility: High
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 40
Few IPs in the 21st century can boast the kind of cultural impact that Game of Thrones can. You probably don’t need us to tell you how big the show was (and still is.) It took the genre of medieval Epic Fantasy, typically reserved for niche audiences, and turned it into a pop culture phenomenon unlike any other. Although the latter seasons remain controversial at best, the adventures, dramas, and conflicts of Westeros hold a special place in our collective consciousness.
Well, it was only a matter of time before someone turned the powerful brand into a slot game. Several attempts were made over the years thanks to Microgaming (which later became Games Global), with mixed to positive results. However, the Power Stacks game from 2021 stands out in several ways.
Most importantly, the game has a lot to offer above and beyond the branding. It didn’t just take a generic slot machine and slap on a GoT logo. Instead, it actually innovates and introduces unique features, such as the titular Powert Stacks. This feature means that symbols can appear in tall stacks, greatly bolstering the current spin and your winnings.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. You can find out more about Game of Thrones™ Power Stacks™ in our review of the game. The high score we gave it should fully explain why it found itself on this list.
Sabaton
- Software: Play’n GO
- Release Date: 2019
- Type: video slot
- RTP: 96.50%
- Volatility: High
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 10
Sabaton is the first-ever branded slot from Play’n GO. It took them long enough, knowing that the Swedish company was established in 2004. Nevertheless, it seems like it was worth the wait. Moreover, the award-winning slot provider soon followed it with another branded title – Demon.
This Play’n GO branded number is all about the same-titled legendary power metal band from Sweden. As the developer was founded in Sweden, the trademark game came as no surprise. Who would do the music group justice better? No one, if you ask us.
Concerning special functionalities, Sabaton has a great deal to offer. The simple 5×3 reel grid with 10 paylines is about the sole plain thing about this machine. This is a highly volatile game, which means you’ll have to time your time till you hit that jackpot. Namely, it totals 5,000 your initial stake!
Furthermore, 2 or 3 adjacent reels become linked randomly. This allows flexibility and great anticipation that will keep you on the edge of your seat. What’s more, 1 or 2 reels can become fully stacked with wilds. Finally, mega symbols take centre stage during the Free Spins round. All members on the band are – needless to say – dominant on the playing columns.
Honourable Mention: We’d like to take a moment to give the new Play’n GO stamped release the nod. Demon comes with the identical reel grid and RTP accompanied by 30 paylines. All the features were transformed to fit the theme. So instead of free spins, you’ll enjoy Hell Spins.
Wonder Woman
- Software: Playtech
- Release Date: 2019
- Type: video slot, progressive jackpot slot
- RTP: 95.34%
- Volatility: High
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 30
Superhero titles never get old. There are armies of hero slots to choose from, including both DC and Marvel. The 2019 Wonder Woman edition by Playtech deserves a special spot in our slot directory for multiple reasons.
The first one of them must be the most remarkable – the progressive jackpot. In the sea of heroic machines, this feminist comeback dictates where the game will go from now on. We’ll use the bottom-up approach. The jackpot comes at random, so do your part and keep spinning for as long as you can afford it. Randomly land 2, 3, 4 or 5 special tile symbols for one of the four exclusive jackpots!
However, the thrill and quality of Wonder Woman are not contained within the progressive only. Four bonus games are on offer, too. They are Wonder Woman Respins, The Cheetah Feature, Fire Wild Feature, and the Free Games. The latter of them further branches out to cover three different kinds of free games. Simply put, any kind of winning combination on the 30 fixed paylines will pay off.
Honourable Mentions: Batman from NextGen Gaming is a stunning machine that used to be featured on this list. It has, however, been surpassed by a bunch if slightly more advanced names. Additionally, we’d like to praise another Playtech classic, Green Lantern, as well as NextGen’s Justice League.
PINTEREST
LATEST POST
Evolution’s First Ever Live Casino Studio in Czech Republic Goes Live
· October 11, 2024
Evolution to Deliver Content to Atlantic Canada via Atlantic Lottery Deal
· October 04, 2024
How Can You Use AI for Gambling On the Internet?
· September 30, 2024
Quickspin Launches Epic Fish Adventure Slot
· September 27, 2024
EXCLUSIVE SIGNUP BONUSES
BestCasinos team consists of online casino experts dedicated to spreading their knowledge and experience to a wider audience, all in effort to help even the most inexperienced players gain their footing in this exciting industry.