Every video game and online casino games fan has their favorite titles, but it’s safe to say that there are a handful of standout games that played a significant role in transforming the gaming industry and setting the standards for all future titles to come.
Below, we take a look at just eight of these games that changed the world, many of which still have a special place in the hearts and collections of gamers to this day.
Megabucks
Most gambling enthusiasts and industry experts will agree that Megabucks is the best online casino slot game in history. Developed by IGT, this legendary title first broke onto the casino scene in 1986 and was best known for its significant progressive jackpot (which is where the jackpot increases every time someone sits down at the slot machine to play without walking away with a win) – a first of its kind at the time. It’s the slot machine game responsible for some of the gambling world’s biggest payouts, with the largest being $39.7 million paid to an anonymous player in Las Vegas in 2003.
Starburst
As far as the best online casino slots go, Starburst is almost always at the top of the list and has been ever since its release in 2012. Most experts believe that its popularity can be attributed in part to its stunning, vibrant graphics and animations, which were certainly considered quite outstanding in the early 2010s and is why the game continues to hold its own when compared to newer releases to this day. The classic arcade-style gameplay combined with modern features gives the game a nostalgic feel and the generous win potential solidifies it as a fan favorite. Starburst’s bonus features, such as Win Both Ways, where players can win when making matches across a line from left to right as well as from right to left, are also what keep players from around the globe coming back for more.
Gonzo’s Quest
Released in 2010 and with an RTP of 96%, Gonzo’s Quest stands out as one of the most iconic online games as it was the very first online slot game to feature cascading reels, a feature that refers to a slightly different way of presenting symbols in a slot game. With cascading reels, also known as tumbling reels and rolling reels, original falling symbols “explode” and disappear whenever a match is achieved. These exploding symbols are then replaced with new symbols, providing you with a chance to win that little bit extra before your next spin.
Gonzo’s Quest definitely brought about changes within the gambling world, with numerous developers following suit and creating slot games with similar features.
Mario Bros
Mario Bros is arguably one of the most popular video games of all time and definitely one of the most notorious from the 1980s. It was developed by Nintendo and followed the adventures of brothers Mario and Luigi, both plumbers with the goal of getting rid of creatures crawling out of the sewers while grabbing as many bonus coins as possible across a series of entertaining levels. The game was so popular that the characters of Mario and Luigi still pop up regularly in newly released game titles and global pop culture in general.
The Sims
The Sims franchise, designed by Maxis and published by EA Games, has dominated the realm of computer games for over two decades since the very first in its series, The Sims (also known as The Sims 1,) made its debut in 2000.
All games from the franchise revolve around life simulation where players can create their own Sims (custom-designed humans) and control how they live their lives – from their jobs and their relationships to building their homes and selecting their lifelong goals… for better or for worse!
The Sims currently ranks among the top 10 best-selling video game franchises in history, with an estimated lifetime sales of over $5 billion as of October 2019 and over 200 million units sold worldwide. Needless to say, The Sims is still going strong and remains a popular go-to among millennials who grew up playing the simulation game, as well as younger generations who are introduced to it by older, more experienced gamers (often their own parents!) Fans of the franchise are in luck, as the series currently includes four main releases, alongside a range of extensions, including The Sims Social, The Sims 4: Seasons, The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs and many more. Even more excitingly, the long-awaited Sims 5 has finally been confirmed! While there’s no official release date, millions of fans across the globe are sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for what’s said to be one of the coolest multiplayer video games ever made.
Pacman
Often deemed “the most important video game of all time,” it’s difficult to come across anyone who hasn’t played, or at least heard of, Pacman. A true “poster boy” for 1980s pop culture, Pacman – a small, hungry little creature whose mission is to gobble up as many dots as possible without getting caught out by a ghost – is responsible for influencing countless other games that came after its debut in North America in 1981. Some die-hard fans have even invested in classic Pacman arcade machines, which they proudly display in their homes and continue to play religiously despite the many other modern releases available.
Wii Sports
Some people believe that playing too many online games isn’t healthy as it prevents you from getting outdoors and, most importantly, getting enough exercise. Enter Wii Sports – a revolutionary video game with motion-sensing capabilities released in 2006 and designed to get gamers active and on their feet.
Using the intelligent Wii Remote, you’re actually able to physically take part in the sporting games on offer, including golf, tennis, boxing and more. The game paved the way for many more motion-sensing titles, as well as a much fitter generation of gamers!
Tetris
Tetris is another long-enduring game that emerged in the 1980s, making its way onto millions of players’ screens since. The game managed to sell tens of millions of copies within the first decade of its release and has become the most popular puzzle game of all time. Its first appearance was in 1984 on the Commodore 64 and IBM PC, after which it was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System and then later included as a pack-in game on the Nintendo Game Boy. Today, it can be played across a range of devices and has seen a number of spin-offs such as Wordtris, Hatris and Tetrisphere.
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