Game Show Slots
Game shows have been some of the most reliable programming for television networks almost since the medium began, and for good reason. These contests offer instant excitement, gaming elements that viewers at home can play along with, and they’re easy to follow. Plus, they come with the chance for players to win fabulous prizes or huge amounts of cash, creating a high stakes atmosphere.
You might have noticed that most of these factors are also exactly what make slot machines so popular among casino goers. There’s an obvious synergy between slots and game shows, and that has made these programs a popular theme for manufacturers to work with. This is especially true for those developers who have access to the properties of beloved television programs.
Let’s Spin That Reel
There’s no doubt about it: slot machines based on game shows are some of the most popular titles in the industry. These games are able to easily draw on the graphics and imagery of the programs they are based on, and often, bonus rounds can be listed right from the shows as well.
Perhaps the most famous of these titles is Wheel of Fortune. Like many of the licensed game show machines, Wheel of Fortune was developed by IGT (also known as International Game Technology), and has become one of the most successful land-based slots in the world. What is especially impressive is how simple the game is: in a world of five-reel video slots with groundbreaking graphics, this is a mechanical, three-reel game that isn’t heavy on the frills.
Of course, there’s still plenty here to evoke the show’s theme, even if you won’t see guest appearances from Pat Sajak and Vanna White. There’s a progressive jackpot that probably explains a great deal of the game’s popularity, but the biggest visual attraction is certainly the iconic wheel at the top of the machine. By hitting three “spin” symbols in a row, players can head into a bonus round in which they get to spin the wheel once, revealing an instant prize of up to 1,000 coins. It’s a very simple addition, but it has proven extraordinarily popular.
It’s a formula that has proven successful time and time again. Again, it has been IGT that has been the most successful at this, introducing games based on a host of other game show properties as well: titles like Jeopardy!, The Price is Right, and the $25,000 Pyramid have all been successful to various extents, solidifying IGT as the king of game show slots.
Online Versions Bring Games to Players at Home
Game show slot machines aren’t proven quite as revolutionary on the Internet as they did when they first appeared in brick-and-mortar resorts, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t found their place at online gambling sites as well. Many great games have been developed based on popular game shows, and more are being created every year. Once again, IGT has proven to be the leader in this arena, thanks to their vast library of television licenses. Here’s a look at a few of the most popular games using this theme:
Wheel of Fortune Triple Spin Extreme!: In this updated version of the land-based classic, you’ll be playing in an all-ways format that offers up to 720 potential winning combinations. It also offers a couple of different bonus rounds, including “mini wheels” and a triple spin feature that not only promises big rewards on each spin, but potentially a multiplier feature that can make your prizes even larger.
Jeopardy!: In this game, you’ll be matching Alex Trebek and members of the Clue Crew in order to win big prizes. But you’ll also be able to take advantage of the “Wild Rush” feature, which might turn any symbols below a wild into substitutes as well, opening the door to some board-spanning winning combinations. There is also a bonus round that earns you free spins that can come with up to a 12x multiplier.
The $100,000 Pyramid: Based on the classic game show that saw contestants pair up with celebrities in an effort to win prizes, this machine feature graphics that look like they came straight out of the heyday of this program (the early 1980s). As you would expect from this game, the grand prize is worth 100,000 coins, which you can get if you hit five of the highest-value symbol in a row. There’s also the Winner’s Circle Bonus, which will see you try to climb the famous pyramid to earn as many free spins and as big a multiplier as possible.
Wheel of Fortune Ultra 5 Reels: For a slightly different take on this classic show, the Ultra 5 Reels version offers a more traditional slot machine interface with some bonus features designed to provide the occasional surprise boost to your bankroll. All wilds in this game have the potential to become multipliers of up to 5x on your winnings, and a special scatter wheel feature will provide you with several chances to pick up instant wins.
