Find the Best Slot Themes for You 2024
Themes are one of the biggest contributions toward slot games’ enduring popularity at practically every casino site, and the best online slot themes are ones which entice the player with their originality and impress with their execution.
What Are Video Slots?
Video slots are multimedia versions of the iconic slot machines you’ll find at practically every casino out there. They derive their name from the slots they have for players to insert coins and retrieve winnings.
Much like those at brick-and-mortar casinos, video slots are operated by a random number generator (RNG), which ensures that the outcomes remain random and fair for players. Getting into the nitty gritty of how a slot’s RTP works or how slot paylines work can help you get better insight into this ever-popular type of casino game.
What Are Video Slot Themes?
Themes are to slots as flavours are to ice-cream. In other words, slot machine themes give you an idea of what topics, genres, or motifs to expect from a slot game’s design.
These themes can be varied, and among the most popular are those related to animals, ancient Egypt, sport, and gems. Next time you browse your favourite casino’s games list, keep an eye out and check how many of them include elements from these!
Slot themes add spice to these otherwise simple games, and help to create a storyline that makes spinning the reels vastly more interesting.
Are you in the mood to play some of the best real-money slots featuring your favourite slot theme? Then here’s the list of the top profitable slot sites to put on your radar!
Looking to play slots for fun? Many casinos give you the opportunity to play free demos, which include those for the top titles in each category of the best online slot themes.
While this means you won’t win any real money, there are still numerous benefits of free play casino games online.
The Top Slot Game Themes
The best slot themes are those that capture a mood, feeling, or setting. You know, those slots that immerse you in a different world where pigs own mansions, where El Dorado really exists (or Atlantis, for that matter!), and where you can spin and sing alongside your favourite singers.
Are you ready to discover a new theme? Take a look at are our favourites!
1. Adventure Slots
Strap on your trustiest pair of shoes and get ready to join the main protagonist of each game on the journey of a lifetime. The best Adventure slots are those that get the heart racing as you wait with bated breath to see how it all ends and where the reels will stop. Below is a little taste with our top three:
Game Provider – Blueprint Gaming
RTP – 96%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2018
Read our full The Goonies slot review!
Game Provider – Big Time Gaming
RTP – 96.65%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2021
Game Provider – Microgaming
RTP – 96.13%
Volatility – Low
Release Date – 2020
2. Animal Slots
From the king of the jungle to pampered pooches, the best Animal-themed slots exploit our love for all awesome and furry creatures – and we love them for it. So get ready to play online slots alongside the cute, magnificent, or fierce characters of the animal kingdom.
Game Provider – Pragmatic Play
RTP – 88.12%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2006
Game Provider – Pragmatic Play
RTP – 96.55%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2020
Game Provider – Relax Gaming
RTP – 96.19%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2022
3. Asian Slots
Invoke the ancient allure of symbols, coins, and medallions to bring good fortune to your game. Or perhaps you find references to powerful eastern empires from historic bygone eras more appealing! Although somewhat clichéd, the best online Asian slots are incredibly bright, incredibly pretty, and incredibly fun to play.
Game Provider – Bally Technologies
RTP – 96.06%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2019
Game Provider – Playtech
RTP – 95.97%
Volatility – Low
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – NetEnt
RTP – 96%
Volatility – Low Volatility
Release Date – 2015
4. Aztec Slots
The legendary Mesoamerican civilisation continues to inspire countless top Aztec-themed slots. Here, you can join archaeologists, conquistadors, native Aztecs, and ancient gods on many-a-treasure-hunt. So, will you be the one to find El Dorado? There’s only one way to find out.
Game Provider – NetEnt
RTP – 96%
Volatility – Medium – High
Release Date – 2011
Game Provider – Relax Gaming
RTP – 96.25%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2019
Game Provider – Play’n Go
RTP – 96.69%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2017
5. Branded Slots
Pop culture comes to life in the best branded slots, where you can spin the reels alongside legendary musician Jimi Hendrix, join Rick and Morty as they explore numerous universes, and even have a shot at a video slot bearing your favourite casino’s logo.
Be aware, though, that while this is by far one of the most popular slot themes, titles in this category tend to have a lower RTP.
Game Provider – Microgaming
RTP – 95%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2014
Game Provider – Play’n Go
RTP – 96.20%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2021
Game Provider – Blueprint Gaming
RTP – 95.99%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2020
6. Christmas Slots
Whether the holidays are around the corner or you’re just in the mood for some festive spirit, the best Christmas slots will certainly hit the right note. These jolly titles have wreathes as symbols and play merry tunes that would melt even Scrooge’s heart.
Game Provider – iSoftBet
RTP – 95.98%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2021
Game Provider – Yggdrasil
RTP – 96.75%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – Elk Studios
RTP – 96.4%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2016
7. Egyptian Slots
Game developers’ fascination with the land of the pharaohs knows no bounds, and we are here for every title that that spawns. The top Egypt slots hark back to the time of the Tutankhamun and Cleopatra, where magic was everywhere and booby traps were common.
Game Provider – Play’n Go
RTP – 96.21%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – IGT
RTP – 95.7%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2009
Game Provider – Pragmatic Play
RTP – 96.50%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2019
8. Fruit Machines
The iconic lemons, cherries, BARS, and 7s make a glorious comeback in some of the best fruit slots of our age. From traditional 3×3 games to ones with more complex mechanics, like Megaways™ and Megaclusters™ slots, there’s a fruit-themed title for every taste and occasion.
Game Provider – NetEnt
RTP – 98.90%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2014
Game Provider – Big Time Gaming
RTP – 96.25%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2021
Game Provider – Playson
RTP – 93.97%
Volatility – Low/Medium
Release Date – 2014
9. Irish Slots
Cheeky leprechauns, pots of gold, four-leafed clovers, and tonnes of rainbows: the legends of old serve as a springboard for the truly colourful worlds created for the top Irish slots. May Lady Luck smile upon you!
Game Provider – Barcrest
RTP – 95%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2009
Game Provider – 2 By 2 Gaming
RTP – 93.99%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2018
Game Provider – Blueprint Gaming
RTP – 96.42%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2018
10. Manga Slots
Japan’s iconic comics and graphic novels inspire the top manga slots, where princesses hail from the moon, bows have faces, and dragons lead to payouts. These games are a total must-play for anime and Japanese fans alike.
Game Provider – Play’n Go
RTP – 96.2%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2021
Game Provider – Playtech
RTP – 95.03%
Volatility – Low
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – Betsoft
RTP – 95.27%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2016
11. Movember Slots
Movember first made the news in 1999, but has since grown into a worldwide event. In fact, loads of people now grow a moustache each November to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer. Our Movember slots article puts together the top moustache-themed titles, and explains how some of the top casino sites mark the occasion.
Game Provider – Thunderkick
RTP – 97%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2017
Game Provider – Microgaming
RTP – 96.38%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2018
Game Provider – Yggdrasil
RTP – 96.2%
Volatility – Low/Medium
Release Date – 2020
12. Pirate Slots
Land ahoy – but is there treasure abound? The best pirate-themed slots have plenty of loot for the taking, but you’ll need to navigate the seven seas, avoid men with hooks for hands, and dodge vicious parrots to get to it!
Game Provider – NetEnt
RTP – 95.28%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2013
Game Provider – Red Tiger Gaming
RTP – 96%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2022
Game Provider – Leander Games
RTP – 95.01%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2019
13. Sports Slots
Football, rugby, horse racing, hockey: kick off your slot session with one of the most exciting sports slots and try your luck at winning the championship. Is it any wonder that this theme is becoming one of the most popular slot themes out there?
Game Provider – Stormcraft
RTP – 96.88%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2020
Game Provider – Playtech
RTP – 95.99%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – Microgaming
RTP – 96.42%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2011
14. TV Slots
Are you ready to sit in the hot seat? Or perhaps hang out with Family Guy’s Peter Griffin? Game shows and iconic TV series make up the bulk of the titles in the best TV slots, one of the best online slot themes for anyone into anything pop culture!
Game Provider – Big Time Gaming
RTP – 96.24%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – IGT
RTP – 96.2%
Volatility – Low/Medium
Release Date – 2017
Game Provider – Blueprint Gaming
RTP – 96.55%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2020
15. Vegas Slots
Sin City takes many forms in the top Vegas-themed slots: sometimes it’s a city of crime, sometimes it’s a place where a frog is an Elvis impersonator, other times it’s merely a casino bursting with features. So which will you choose when you play slots online?
Game Provider – Big Time Gaming
RTP – 96.59%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2020
Game Provider – Microgaming
RTP – 95.77%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2016
Game Provider – BGaming
RTP – 96%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2020
16. Viking Slots
The Dark Age-seafarers are out to pillage and plunder, and they need your help to make their quest a successful one. Or, actually… would you rather hang out with their mighty gods as they control thunder and watch over Valhalla? Whatever mood you’re in, there’s bound to be a title in our best Viking slots article for you!
Game Provider – NetEnt
RTP – 96.05%
Volatility – Medium/High
Release Date – 2018
Game Provider – Yggdrasil/ReelPlay
RTP – 96.18%
Volatility – Very High
Release Date – 2021
Game Provider – Microgaming
RTP – 96.65%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2010
Read our full Thunderstruck II slot review.
17. Wild West Slots
Rowdy saloons and dusty landscapes define the Wild West online slot theme. Here, bandits and sheriffs have face-offs, and wagons make their way west in search of gold. All that’s left is stepping into John Wayne or Clint Eastwood’s boots and asking yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?' – Well, do ya, punk?
Game Provider – NetEnt
RTP – 96.08%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2009
Game Provider – Spinmatic
RTP – 95.18%
Volatility – Medium
Release Date – 2020
Game Provider – Pragmatic Play
RTP – 96.51%
Volatility – High
Release Date – 2020
Crazy Slot Themes to Also Check Out
When you start to play online slot games, you’ll notice that some titles fit very neatly into one slot game theme or another. Vikings Unleashed Megaways™, for example, which is one of the top Blueprint slots, is obviously Viking-themed. While the Rainbow Riches slot by Barcrest couldn’t be more Irish-themed if it tried.
You might also encounter less common (but still cool!) motifs such as with Wizard Themed Slots, which overlap with Fantasy Themed games, but offer their own distinct style!
Nevertheless, there are some titles that don’t really fit into one specific slot theme – and these tend to be the wackiest slots of all! But, of course, they also tend to be super fun. So here are our favourites – just in case you want to check them out.
1. Tiki Vikings
RTP: 96% | Volatility: Medium
Tiki Vikings is a collaborative effort by Microgaming and Just for the Win, and it’s a total clash of cultures. In this game, a group of Vikings head to a Tiki jungle where they camouflage themselves with flowers, bananas, and pineapples (or, at least, that’s what we assume they’re doing). It’s also constantly snowing, which is a bit random.
2. Leprechaun Goes To Hell
RTP: 96.54% | Volatility: Medium
A sexy she-devil called Evilene and an Irish leprechaun are the main characters in Play’n Go’s Leprechaun Goes To Hell. In fact, this is the whole theme of the game, where pots of gold can sit side-by-side pentagrams, and Celtic-looking numerals and letters land next to tridents.
Play at Video Slots3. Cyrus the Virus
RTP: 96.3% | Volatility: Medium/High
We don’t imagine there are many people out there who feel like taking a break from real life to play online slots about viruses… but then again, Yggdrasil have made this game so intriguing, it’s hard not to want to spin the reels. All you need to know before you begin playing Cyrus the Virus is that the symbols are five colourful viruses, and the Wild – which is also a virus – looks extra mean most of the time.
Play at Platin Casino4. Rudolph’s Revenge
RTP: 95% | Volatility: Medium.
This Reel Time Gaming slot may be set during the festive season, but it’s anything but jolly. Instead, there are bombs and missiles threatening to end civilisation, and the famous red-nosed reindeer has had enough of the other reindeers laughing at him and calling him names. So…he’s frozen some elves in giant ice cubes, and he’s even holding Santa hostage…
This one’s a bit tough to find at legal and licensed casinos, but you can find a free-play version of it quite easily.
5. Tombstone RIP
RTP: 96.08% | Volatility: Very High
The Wild West has always been characterised by bandits and guns, but it’s honestly never looked bleaker than it does in this game by Nolimit City. Here, the symbols include an axe chopping off someone’s hand and a hanged bandit for a Wild. Meanwhile, some bonus features actually work against you because life just isn’t fair, apparently!
Play at Casumo CasinoThe Best Slot Developers for Online Slot Themes
Slot themes have been taken up by practically all of the best casino software providers. Indeed, releasing games with a great mechanic and a killer slot game theme can truly help cement a developer’s name in the industry.
Just think of NetEnt games, for example. These Swedish providers have given us Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, and Dead or Alive, which are unarguably the most iconic gem, Aztec, Wild West games, respectively.
In fact, there are some developers that do so well from one particular slot theme that they release a whole series: Yggdrasil slots have given us five Viking Go titles, while Reel Time Gaming have given us at least four Fishin’ Frenzy titles.
In other words, there are great slots by great developers for every theme under the sun, and that is what makes it so much fun to explore them!
While many slots may tickle your fancy, they’re not all worth spending your money on. That’s why we recommend checking out casino slot reviews so you can find out more about the game before you play it!
Why Play Themed Video Slots?
If you’re looking for a casino game with very few rules and that’s easy to play, then you can’t go wrong with one of the best real money slots. But how should you narrow down your choice from the thousands of different games available?
In fact, modern games with the best slot themes take this to the next levels, with their great storylines extending to the symbols, bonuses, and soundtracks tying into their theme of choice.
The question for us isn’t why you should play themed video slots, but why you wouldn’t! They’re fantastic games that offer tonnes of fun, mirror your interests, and give you the opportunity to win some cash along the way!
Always Play Responsibly
Slot game themes are there to make video slots more enticing and fun: without them, online slots would be rather dull. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t make us forget that video slots are a type of gambling game.
That’s why it’s important to always play responsibly – especially when playing for real money, which can lead to losses as well as winnings.
So here are some general tips to keep you safe when you play online slot games:
- Only join a legal and licensed casino.
- Always read the terms & conditions of every bonus.
- Set a budget before you play and always stick to it.
- Never play more money than you can afford to lose.
- Monitor how often you play and how long you do so for.
- Don’t be ashamed of seeking help.
Final Word on Online Casino Slot Themes
Slot themes are one of the most wonderful innovations to have hit the world of video slots. Thanks to them, there’s a title for every taste, every mood, every season, and every occasion. They are indeed incredibly fun and they’re well worth checking out!
Slot Themes FAQs
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Slot themes are basically the topic a particular slot title covers. A Viking slot, for instance, will be themed as such, with warriors or gods inspired by Dark Age, Nordic people. There are plenty of slot themes, of course, and each of them opens a door into a great world full of possibilities.
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That’s a hard question to answer because it depends on a lot of factors. For our money, however, two of the most popular slots are NetEnt’s Starburst slot and Play’n Go’s Book of Dead slot.
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This is quite subjective as all slot themes are popular with their target audiences. Even so, we’d have to say that Ancient Egypt, the Aztecs, and Adventure slots remain among the most popular.
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Of course! All casino sites will carry at least one title in each of the popular slot themes mentioned above. These can be played for real money and therefore give you the chance to win real money, too.
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Totally! You can play slots for free at most online casinos – and that includes themed slots. Of course, if you don’t stake any real money, you won’t receive any real winnings.
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Yes! In fact some of the games we mentioned above can be played at the top free spins casinos. Moreover, you can also use credit from your online casino welcome bonus or your casino reload bonus to play themed slots.