NetEnt is a massive game developer which has been producing some of the top slot games on the market since they were founded in 1996. The Swedish development team is well known across the industry for producing a variety of games, including slots and even getting involved with the live casino industry, developing even the likes of live casino roulette. With plenty of awards to back up their impact on the industry, let’s take a look at some of the top slot games from NetEnt.
Starburst
Released in 2013, Starburst is one of the most iconic and recognisable slot games on the market, even over a decade later. The timeless design, mechanics and bonus features are what make this slot game such a popular choice for players worldwide. The design itself features a spacey theme with a dark background, lit up by a planet in the bottom left of the screen. The transparent playtable immerses the gameplay into the design, with symbols aligning with the theme and featuring brightly coloured gems to represent values.
The mechanics are relatively simple, another reason why Starburst is so popular on the market. The playtable takes a 5×3 format, which is popular in both older and modern slot games, hosting 10 individual paylines. The grid format and simplistic payline structure lead to the game being a popular choice, as well as being elevated by a simple bonus feature. The Wild symbol can land on reels 1, 2 and 3, and will expand across the full reel when it lands. It can also trigger a respin and assist in landing combinations for any symbols on the playtable.
Gonzo’s Quest
Following the character of Gonzo on an adventure in South America, the Gonzo’s Quest slot game features the character dominantly in the design and cover art. Also released in 2013, this slot game features a detailed rainforest design. The background is an animated nature scene with an ancient aesthetic. The playtable doesn’t have a definitive border or design, with the symbols taking up each section of it in a dark, rocky design. The Gonzo character stands to the left of the playtable and reacts to the gameplay, adding a unique visual experience to this slot game.
The mechanics of Gonzo’s Quest follow the popular formula that Starburst follows, with a 5×3 playtable and an additional 5 paylines, making 15 individual paylines available. The simplistic mechanics are what stand out to players, as these are often preferred over modern dynamic slot game mechanics. Bonus symbols are also available in this slot, with a typical Wild, substituting for all symbols in a combination, as well as a Free Fall symbol that unlocks 10 Free Falls. With cascading reels also available in this slot game, Gonzo’s Quest mechanics are simplistic, with some areas that elevate the gameplay above others on the market. This is what makes it such a popular choice for players.
Twin Spin
Also released in 2013, Twin Spin is one of NetEnt’s top slot games on the market, but features a different style and gameplay in comparison to the previous 2 mentioned on the list. This slot game takes on a simplistic structure, combining retro and modernised designs. The playscreen here features a blue and purple background, a classic colour combination that creates a bright and bold atmosphere. The background is relatively simple, with beams of light creating a focus point on the centralised playtable. The black background and contrast of bright animated symbols make a visually pleasing aesthetic, a big factor as to why slot games do well on the market. The symbols themselves are iconic, with fruit symbols adopted from the retro fruit machines, further complementing the simple design, bridging the gap between vintage and modern gameplay.
The mechanics also follow the simplistic pattern of the background, with, again, a 5×3 playtable that features an alternative combination mechanic to the previously mentioned one on the list. Combinations are made from left to right, with the same symbol landing anywhere on the adjacent reel, with a minimum of 3 symbols unlocking the combination. These are more modern mechanics, alongside the bonus feature of the Twin Reels slot. What makes this game stand out from other NetEnt slots is the combination of classic, recognisable designs and mechanics, with modern-day bonus features, creating an interesting gaming experience like no other.
Final Thoughts…
NetEnt is a huge figure in not just the slot game industry, but across all elements of an online casino. Their ability to manufacture interesting slots with incredible designs and unique themes is a typical feature of NetEnt games, with plenty more to come in the future. There are so many more popular slot games from NetEnt that we could have included in this list, with a range of different mechanics and visuals that separate them from other developers in the industry.
