Variety is the spice of life, and when it comes to online slots, there’s plenty of it! With thousands of slot games to choose from, it can be difficult to select just one to play. However, this is where slot themes come into play and can often be the deciding factor.

But what are themed slots? Most slot enthusiasts prefer a certain genre, and slot themes are essentially the genre of a slot game. Take an everyday example such as music. Just as music can be produced in various genres such as blues, rock, punk, classical or pop, slots can also be developed in multiple genres such as Wild West, fishing and pirates.

Slot themes are an important factor when deciding which games to play from the many thousands out there. Our guide will explore the purpose of themed slots in addition to discussing some of the more popular themes.

Fishing Slots

Fishing slot themes always prove popular with slot enthusiasts – whether this is due to the calming effect of the deep blue sea or the astonishing array of beautifully coloured fish, who knows? One thing is for certain, though: players can’t seem to get enough, and developers are happy to produce more of the same kind.

Players can anticipate thematic symbols such as fishermen, fishing rods, floats, fish, sharks, crabs and backdrops of the ocean bed, coral reefs or slot grids poised just below the surface. The thrill of the catch is usually evident, with wilds, scatters, multipliers and free spins adding to the gameplay on offer.

Irish-themed slots

Irish slot themes have managed to carve a pretty big niche in the world of online gaming. They come with oodles of charm and the promise of good fortune. From classic five-reel games to feature-rich Megaways titles, these creative slots appeal to a wide audience from across the world. Typical backdrops include the lush, rolling hills of the Emerald Isle, rainbows and cheeky leprechauns.

On the reels, players can expect to find thematic symbols such as horseshoes, shamrocks, jugs of beer, leprechaun pipes, pots of gold and Irish harps. The slot action will usually be accompanied by the sound of a toe-tapping flute or lively Irish band.

Egyptian-themed slots

Slots set in ancient Egypt are a real fan favourite, with casinos typically hosting several different titles with this theme. Players can travel back in time to ancient Egypt and discover hidden treasures within unopened tombs. Typical scenes will show tombs, pyramids and palm trees, with common symbols featuring Egyptian gods, scarabs, relics, gold, ancient books and intrepid explorers.

Although many Egyptian slot games are set in times gone by, the mechanics and gameplay of these slots are not. You will find expanding symbols, multipliers, free spins and more.

Players cannot seem to get enough of the fearless Nordic warriors or powerful and mighty gods, hence the copious amounts of Viking-themed slots. These slot themes attract a wide audience and feature spills from the battles of heroes such as Odin and Thor, and Bifrost, the burning rainbow bridge that connects Midgard (Earth) and Asgard (the realm of the gods).

Visuals for Viking-themed slots tend to be fairly dramatic. Typical symbols include Nordic ships, gods, shields, helmets, weaponry and gold. Viking slot themes tend to be feature-rich with special symbols and multiple bonus rounds. Prime examples of these games include Play’n GO’s

Animal-themed slots

As you can imagine, animal-themed slots are plentiful and extremely popular. Every software developer will have a diverse mix of animal slots to offer with cartoon-style characters or fierce and imposing beasts. Animal slot themes provide a lot of versatility for background visuals and sound effects, whether it’s cute and cuddly cartoon mayhem or ferocious species.

The animal kingdom is well represented in the slots world, and you can expect to find a whole menagerie of animal slot themes at every licensed casino.

There are thousands of slots to choose from with this theme, but here are some top recommendations

Pirate-themed slots

If swashbuckling on the high seas is more your style, then there are plenty of pirate-themed slots to keep you ‘oohing and aarghing’! From legendary pirates and treasure hunts to ships and parrots, this slot themehas it all. Common symbols include treasure maps, crew members, Jolly Roger flags, telescopes, parrots and treasure chests filled with coins and jewels.

You can expect to find free spins, win multipliers, symbol upgrades and hearty bonus rounds in any of our following recommendations:

Wild West-themed slots

Whether it’s the adventure of capturing the bad guys or blowing up mines with dynamite, we just seem to love a Western, and Wild West-themed slots are particularly popular with players. Developers have supplied a diverse mix of slots encapsulating this theme, featuring gunslinging cowboys, bustling saloons in gritty frontier towns, train robberies or dusty desert canyons.

Visually, you can expect dusty dirt tracks, saloons, railroads, canyons, deserted towns, sheriffs, outlaws, cowboys, cattle, horses, coyotes, lizards, animal skulls and more. The slot action will more than likely be accompanied by a traditional Western soundtrack, and the features will include wilds, scatters, free spins, multipliers and bonus rounds

Chinese-themed slots

Slot players have always held a deep fascination for Chinese-themed slots, and software providers are more than happy to deliver more of the same. Chinese slot themes dominate the world of slots and bring with them bold and striking visuals, typically red and gold in colour.

Chinese-themed slots will undoubtedly centre on good fortune, gold coins and lanterns, and will possibly feature a dragon or two. These will be accompanied by a soothing, traditional Asian soundtrack.

Fruit-themed slots

Fruity slot themes are the golden nuggets of the online slot world. The fruit theme dates back to the first ever slot machine, and these slots can still pull in the players to this day. Admittedly, some of the older titles may not have as much visionary sparkle as their modern-day peers, but nevertheless, they still attract plenty of attention.

Fruit-themed slots come in all shapes and sizes from classic three reels to fast-paced Megaways engines. The backgrounds may be minimal in the older titles, but newer releases will typically feature tropical island drinks and sun-drenched beaches.