ShareSlot machines have been around since the dawn of land-based casino establishments. Even today, you’ll find some of the vintage lever-pull slot machines on casino floors, resulting in some of the most affordable action around. Although old-school slots are ideal for novices, there’s also a sense of comfort and nostalgia that experienced slot players get from turning back the clock and playing vintage games.
That’s one of the main reasons why many classic online slots continue to stand out from the crowd in the libraries of online casino operators. With simplistic, unfussy game mechanics that offer genuine pick-up-and-play appeal, combined with relatable game themes, the five following old-school slots still have lasting playability in 2023.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra is one of the iconic slot games. Created by IGT for the land-based casino floors of Las Vegas, the ancient Egyptian-themed game still has an endearing feel, despite all the bells and whistles of next-generation slot titles. In fact, it’s still considered one of the four most popular titles at FanDuel. The FanDuel casino promo code is available in five states, giving nostalgic slot players a risk-free session in their first 24 hours of gameplay.
To maintain that Egyptian vibe, IGT’s immersive soundtrack transports you to the heart of the pyramids, with themed base game symbols like the Eye of Horus and ancient artefacts for company.
Buffalo
The brainchild of iGaming software developers Aristocrat, Buffalo has a real native American vibe that resonates particularly well with American slot players. Set within Frontierland, the key to this game is the free spins feature. Lock in at least three gold symbols to trigger up to 20 free spins when you land five on a payline. You’ll soon be shouting “Buffaloooooo” in no time whatsoever.
Although Aristocrat has developed two sequels of Buffalo in recent years – Buffalo Gold and Buffalo Stampede – there’s no doubt that the original still captures the hearts of online slot players everywhere.
Starburst
Starburst was developed by Swedish iGaming software studio NetEnt, long before its acquisition by live casino pioneers Evolution. In fact, Starburst was released back in 2012, which means it’s already celebrated a decade in the iGaming industry. Although some might argue that Starburst isn’t a “classic” slot per se, it’s very much a classic in iGaming terms. When you consider how much has changed with online slot technology in terms of audio, visuals and game mechanics, it’s a miracle that Starburst remains so relevant.
In fact, there’s very little bonus features on this stripped-back title, with the Starburst wild symbol and the free re-spin mechanic serving as the the only twists. The clear visuals, the adrenaline-fueled, cosmic soundtrack all play their part though.
Wheel of Fortune
Like Cleopatra, Wheel of Fortune is another slot game that’s transcended generations as well as gaming platforms. First launched in land-based casinos in 1990, inspired by the hit television gameshow, the original Wheel of Fortune game was replicated in online format by IGT around the time of the iGaming industry’s initial “boom”.
The bonus features all revolve around landing the iconic Wheel of Fortune logos on the same payline. This makes it easy to follow the action on the reels, as it’s all you need to look out for. IGT has rolled out a string of spin-off slot versions of Wheel of Fortune, including Triple Strike and Secret Spins, but the oldest one remains the best.
Megabucks
We haven’t included a single progressive jackpot slot in this article – until now. IGT is once again at the heart of the success of the enduring Megabucks slot game. Originally unveiled in Las Vegas way back in March of 1986, Megabucks became one of the most played progressive jackpot slots, across a network of 136+ land-based casinos in Nevada. Megabucks was originally designed to compete with the success of state-backed lottery games and its success in the last 37 years suggests the experiment was worthwhile.
The Megabucks online slot is still connected to progressive jackpots today, with the original three-reel slot still an option, alongside various five-reel alternatives.
