Whether you walk into a land-based casino or visit an online platform, slots are the most common type of game. They are the most played because they not only have easy-to-follow rules but because they offer diversified themes, easy mechanics, and massive prizes. Anyone can start playing and win in casino slots.
Out of the massive selection of slots, you will realize they are broadly categorized into classic or modern video slots.
Today, we are going to look at the two widespread groups and the advantages they offer. You can use this Ice Casino promo code to claim a bonus and try them at the casino.
The Two Types of Online Slots
The two categories of slots online are the classic 3-reel slots and the modern video slots. If you’ve been to the brick-and-mortar casinos, you are certainly familiar with the classic 3-reel slots. Modern video slots are also available, but they found their way to the floor much later.
The two groups of online slots can also be found online. After the first internet casino was founded in the late 1990s, some popular land-based slot machines were transferred online. Developers re-designed them while maintaining their features and made them playable on the internet.
How Do the Two Groups Compare?
At the time of writing this, there are more than 10,000 slots online. While they are broadly categorized into classic and video slots, they share the same mechanics. The rules of play remain the same and only differ slightly when you look at the themes, bonus features, bet limits, volatility, and the RTP.
Game Mechanics
Modern-day classic slots haven’t deviated much from the slot machines of the 80s. They still use the same simplistic themes, offering 1-5 paylines and having 3 reels. This is one of the identifiers of a classic slot machine. Some still offer the hold and nudge feature, which you will hardly see in modern video slots.
On the other hand, video slots have evolved over the years. In the early 2000s, they had 5 reels and several paylines, usually up to a maximum of 20. As technology has evolved, these slots too evolved.
Today, they are more sophisticated and complicated than ever. Not in the wrong way, though. Winnings no longer have to be formed on 20 paylines but offer you up to 117,649 paylines.
Themes
The theme can help you categorize the game as either classical or modern. Usually, classic slots have a simplistic theme. One that uses fruits, BAR, and 7 as its symbols. The upgraded classic slots use jokers and rudimentary images such as gems, stars, fire, and so on as their symbols.
Video slots, on the other hand, have been using advanced themes from the first day. They’ll use themes adapted from popular movie films, classic narratives, and anything you can think of. They use 3D graphics to develop these themes. Some, such as Gonzo’s Quest and Jack and The Beanstalk slots, use VR technology.
Bonus Features
The basic nature of classic slots extends to in-game bonus features. You’ll hardly find any bonus rounds in these games. Modern classic-themed slots tend to have a bonus or two, but that’s as far as it goes.
The same cannot be said for video slots. Many of them have multiple in-game bonus rounds. Not one, or two, but several. For example, if you look at a game such as Blue Print Gaming’s Ted, you’ll realize it has up to eleven (11) in-game bonus features.
Some common bonus features in video slots include expanding wilds, wild multipliers, cascading reels, win both ways, and many others. All these features work in sync to ensure you are awarded massively.
Bet Limits
Of course, with the basic nature of classic slots, the bet limits tend to be low. Many will have maximum limits below $100. For video slots, the limits are usually higher, sometimes surpassing the $1,000 mark.
Payouts
Payouts also vary. Classic slots tend to have lower payouts compared to video slot games. One of the reasons why these video slots have higher payouts is due to the in-game bonus rounds. Some of these video slots also have progressive jackpots that pay out millions.
Which of the Two Categories Is Best for You?
The truth of the matter, no answer fits all. This is why the 100+ software developers have developed more than 10,000 slot games. They are constantly releasing new games to cater to the increasing demand by casino players. Depending on your taste, budget, and style of play, you can always find something that suits you. Whether you are in the mood for the basic classic slot machine or want something more sophisticate