Over the last few decades, some pokies machines managed to stand the test of time. While the flashy games of today blow the first games out of the water, some managed to survive. Their heyday may be over, but they are far from irrelevant. These iconic names are still enjoyed by millions of players around the world. On top of managing to keep hooking punters, they paved the way for the games that are enjoyed today.
By evolving into classics, these pokies themes have cemented themselves into gambling history. In a world where fads come and go, longevity is the best thing a game can garner. The most popular pokies games overachieved this. Their legacy lives on to this day, which makes them impossible for any respectable punter to ignore. For this reason, we compiled a list of the most popular pokies games of all time. They pioneered pokies as we know it, so prepare to be introduced to releases that rocked the industry! You can play these pokies games even at online casinos.
Most Popular Pokies Games of All-Time
Pokies Theme #1: Double Diamond
Back when three-reel mechanical machines were the norm, one game dominated the industry. IGT solidified their place as industry titans with the release of Double Diamond. Over the years, it has successfully made the transition into five-reel video and online formats. Defying its competitors, this game is still enjoyed by millions of punters around the world.
What made this game such a hit is the fact that it’s so simple. Instead of trying to blow users away with something complicated, IGT stuck to the basics. They created a game with an elegant look where the diamond symbols serve as multipliers. Each double diamond doubles the winnings of the spin, while one bar and two double diamonds pay four times more. If a punter manages to get the elusive three double diamonds, they just hit the jackpot. This surprisingly simple combination became a winning formula. Double Diamonds’ legacy lives on to this day in every major casino.
Pokies Theme #2: Blazing 7s
Back in the 1970s, Bally created the most iconic pokies game of all time. Blazing 7s took the industry by storm, and its triple 7 design is still automatically associated with pokies. What made this game so unique was the fact that it had the first quick-hit progressive. By giving modest yet frequent jackpots, Bally was able to reel in punters at an alarming rate. The game also featured progressive jackpots that start at $1,000 for $1 machines. This proved to be a winning combination, and the game is still revered to this day.
Pokies Theme #3: Wheel of Fortune
While Blazing 7’s may be the most iconic pokies game, its popularity pales in comparison with Wheel of Fortune. For two decades, this game took the industry by storm. To this day, it’s IGT’s most popular release.
By piggy-backing off the TV show’s popularity, Wheel of Fortune managed to take the casino industry by storm. Punters went wild for the familiar reels and chants that they enjoyed watching with their family. This game tapped into everyone’s childhood, which is something no other game achieved. It connected with people around the world and remains the most popular pokies game ever created.
Pokies Theme #4: Cleopatra Gold
The original Cleopatra pokies machine is one of the most famous pokies games of all time. This modern update (although it’s a few years old now) adds sharper graphics and a golden spin feature.
It has the same Ancient Egyptian themed Cleopatra icons and style that many Aussie players know and love – but adds some massive extra prizes into the mix. The pokies game offers a variety of bonuses including nudging symbols, stacked wilds, re-spins, multipliers and free-spins. It’s top prize is worth 5,250 x. Landing three or more matching symbols on the same payline will provide you with prizes on this slot. The most generous symbols in the game are the wilds, which payout 1750x your stake for five-of-a-kind combinations.
Pokies Theme #5: Cleopatra Diamond Spins
Diamond Spins is the even more souped-up version of the classic Cleopatra pokies game.
It offers three diamond jackpots, on top of all the Ancient Egyptian themed action frequent visitors of real-life pokies machines in Aus will be familiar with.
These are:
- Minor: $350
- Major: $1350
- Grand: $25,000
You can also bag a 10,000x your stake payout if you get very lucky and land all Cleopatra Gold Wilds.
The game offers a free bonus of a 3x multiplier along with up to 180 free spins. In order to find the winning combinations on Cleopatra, you need to uncover three or more matching symbols on a payline. It is better for your winning chances to enable as many paylines at any one time, as only active paylines can pay prizes.
The amount you win will depend on how much you decided to wager. Cleopatra is a low-volatility game, so small prizes appear fairly regularly and add to a bigger total in a short space of time.
Pokies Theme #6: Maya Gold
Mayan temples, statues, coins and gods and goddesses fill the reels here. Alongside all that, you get two different bonus rounds and free spins feature.
Hit the Grey Mask bonus symbol, to trigger your chance to hit another in the next 4 spins – do so and your prize gets multiplied. You can chain these together for a big win. It comes with Mini Slots Bonus and Memory Bonus features where you can win cash prizes. It’s all about the Free Spins Bonus feature where you can win up to 1,000 free spins with a 2x multiplier.
Pull five of those in a chain, then fill the reels with the Mayan statue symbol and you just might get up 10,000x your win. Mayan treasure indeed!
Pokies Theme #7: The Price is Right
This is a perfect licence for Aussie players who remember this classic gameshow, which was one of our longest running TV shows.
This feature-packed popular pokies games has no less than four different bonus games! They are:
- Plinko Pick Em Prizes
- Cliff Hangers Feature
- Big Wheel Bonus Feature
- Punch a Bunch Bonus
Because this game is so different from other slot machine games, you may find that it takes you a little while to get used to the way it works, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll find that it’s very simple to master. Before you know it, you’ll be collecting symbols like a pro and lining up those feature Bonus games.
The maximum prize, although very rare, is 25,000x your stake – which can be won in the Cliff Hangers feature. The Big Wheel Bonus also offers out 1000x or more prizes for a few lucky players!
