There was a time, not too long ago, when the number of unique slots you could play online could be counted on one hand.
Things are very different these days with hundreds of new slot machines being released every single month. But even with this explosion in availability, there’s still a relatively small pool of games that most people have access to.
That’s because, just like land based casinos, most online casinos take the easy route and only offer slots from a single provider. This might mean that a site has hundreds of different titles but they all play the same and offer little variation from one another.
If you want to get away from this sameness, you need to know where to find the best unique slots.
Where to Find the Best Unique Slots
Unique slots refers to games you can’t find at the average online casino. Nowadays, most sites have the same or similar slots on their platforms. Thus, making it harder to find high quality, original creations.
Best Online Casino Sites in Texas for 2023 [Updated]Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean these slots are bad. In fact, many of them are developed by smaller companies who have been acquired by industry giants such as NetEnt and Microgaming.
For example, , which was purchased in 2016, is responsible for some of the best slots on both sites and land based casinos. Including , one of the best steampunk themed games on the market.
The problem is that, once a company gets bought out, their catalog becomes more accessible. Which is great if you like everything in one place, but ruins the whole “unique” thing we’re going for here.
There are, however, a handful of providers who fly under the radar. Either because they don’t have the marketing budget of their competitors or they specialize in markets where English is not the primary language, these companies get overlooked far too often.
Here are five providers who always deliver one of a kind gaming experiences and some of the best places to find their work.
NexGen Gaming
NexGen has been around since the 90s and, while they haven’t been snapped up by one of the big boys yet, their slots can be found at a variety of top shelf casinos.
What makes NexGen different is their refusal to jump on every new bandwagon that comes down the pike. While other developers were pumping jackpot-centric players with hold and nudge features, NexGen stayed true to the original format of slots as individual reel spinners. Sure, they added their own wrinkles like stacked wilds and free spin features, but each game stood on its own without trying to be something it wasn't.
real money online casino united statesWhen NexGen does decide to stretch creatively, good things happen. Games like , Eagle’s Wings, and Silent Run are excellent examples of how to enhance the slot playing experience without taking anything away.
Where to play:
- (Up to $10,000 welcome bonus)
- (Wager $1, get $32 with your first deposit)
- (100% up to $1,000)
- (500% up to $7,777)
- (Get 50 free spins with your first deposit)
Leander Games
Leander Games has been around since 2008 and is one of the few providers who cater almost exclusively to the iGaming market. While most developers have land based roots, Leander has used the internet as its canvas and created some fantastic works.
CAesars PA Promos We Wish Existed - #6 Involves PuppiesUnlike others on this list, Leander doesn’t really have a “style.” What I mean by that is their portfolio is all over the map. One minute they’re knocking out solid remakes of classic hits like Zombie Hunters, Avatars, and Hearts Desire. The next they’re putting out artsy numbers like well Dixie Nashville or the surreal Alien Dawn.
What ties everything together is a dedication to quality and a willingness to think outside the box. When’s the last time you saw a slot machine with a roulette wheel as one of the bonus features? That’s what I thought. Check out Vin Vegas, the rock and roll driving instructor simulator, for an idea of what Leander is truly capable of.
Where to play:
- (available on all Leander games)
- (access to the entire Leander library)
- (Offers Leander games as secondary provider)
- (Alternate welcome bonus lets you choose cash or free spson a Leander slot)
- (Leander is part of a deep slot selection)
Thunderkick
Speaking of quality over quantity, no one does it better than Thunderkick.
This Swedish developer currently boasts only 24 games in their catalog. Yet, each one looks like a AAA console title and plays as well as anything on the market.
Part of this has to do with the fact Thunderkick releases one to two slots per year. They aren’t in a rush to flood the market and would rather put out a flawless product than a serviceable one.
The other ingredient in their success is a commitment to doing everything just right. Every animation, sound effect, and win amount has been meticulously placed so that the end result feels like a work of art.
Even their website copy is poetic. Here’s how they describe their slot Birdium:
“A flock of feathery fun has landed with an orb of magnetic probabilities in this avian anomaly. Seek the birdie bonanza in the mystical skies above for a brilliantly charged thrill.”
Okay, maybe that’s not quite Shakespeare. But it’s a lot better than “helpful” casino review sites that refer to every slot as “fun to play.”
If you’re tired of the assembly line feel of some gaming providers, kick back with Thunderkick for a change.
Where to play:
- (Access to full lineup of Thunderkick slots)
- (Great choice for esoteric software providers)
- (Regular bonus offers geared towards Thunderkick slots)
- (Good welcome bonus provides plenty of risk for a chance at winning Birdium jackpot)
- (Large selection of Thunderkick slots plus three free spins on all games)
West Systems
You may not have heard of West Systems but there’s a very good chance you’ve played one of their games.
That’s because this Slovakian developer likes to license their creations to other providers. You’ll find some of their best slots, like Spartan Gorge, Dragons of The North, and Fire And Ice, at multiple casinos under different software brands.
Most of the West System catalog focuses on epic historical or fantasy themes. Lots of sword rattling, horn blowing, and fire breathing action. If that sounds up your alley, then you’ll definitely want to give these a try.
Of course, West Systems hasn’t had the same level of success as some of the other developers on this list. So, you will run into the odd hiccup from time to time.
I’m looking at you, Stone Age. With its terrible animation, laughably bad caveman voices, and boring play, this should be considered one of the greatest slot machine fails of all time. Fortunately, there are more than enough winners in their catalog to make up for it.
Slots you can find at multiple casinos:
- (Available at Betixon white label sites)
- (Can be found at multiple Softswiss white label casinos)
Fantasy Software
We’ve covered some pretty obscure gaming providers so far and Fantasy is right up there with the rest of them.
While this Bulgarian developer has managed to get a few of their slots out there – Highway Kings, Monster Trucks, and Battle Tanks among them – most people have never heard of them. That might change soon as they’ve got a steady stream of upcoming releases scheduled for 2018 and beyond.
These transportation themed slots are actually quite good. Fantasy uses lots of real world footage interspersed with traditional reel symbols to create a unique atmosphere. Watching 18 wheelers go about their business while you hit the autoplay button is strangely relaxing.
The only drawback here is that these slots are extremely volatile. You may go through long stretches of small wins before hitting the mother lode. Make sure you have enough in your account to ride out the dry spells. Or, put another way, make sure your WiFi signal is strong so you can step away and let the max bets fly for a bit.
Where to play:
- (Home to several Fantasy titles including Highway Kings and Monster Trucks)
- (Battle Tanks is in the arsenal here.)
- (Highway Kings is revved up and ready to go.)
- (Check under the bonnet for Highway King.)
- (Fantasy’s hottest title is waiting for you in the pits)
Why Play Unique Slots?
So, what’s the big deal? Who cares if these slots are available elsewhere or not?
Eh, it’s really not a big deal. At least, not from a practical standpoint. All of the “big name” developers put out quality products and there are tons of jackpots just waiting to be won.
Personal growth and self actualization are different stories, though.
If you’ve been gambling online for any length of time, you’ll eventually run into the “same old shit” problem. Everything starts to look and feel the same. No matter where you go or what you play, the excitement just isn’t there anymore.
This happens in life outside the casino, too. That’s why successful people read widely, seek out diverse experiences, and meet new people from all walks of life. By exposing themselves to novel situations, they keep their brains active and engaged. Otherwise, they’d get bored and lose their edge.
The “same old shit” problem also has a technical term: heuristics. Basically, our brains are wired to seek out familiar situations because they’re easier to process than unfamiliar ones. This hardwiring worked great back when we were hunter gatherers because we tended to do the same things (gathering plants, hunting small game) over and over again.
In the modern world, however, this tendency to stick with what we know can stunt our personal and professional growth. That’s why it’s important to force ourselves out of our comfort zones every now and then. Doing so strengthens our neural pathways and keeps us sharp. It can also be a lot of fun.
Trying unique slots is just one way to apply this principle to your online gambling routine. Sure, it’s not going to rewire your brain or turn you into a quantum computing whiz kid. But it will give you a fresh perspective on a genre that is, admittedly, starting to show its age.
Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he's a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects.
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But it is Kevin's range that we find most impressive. Whether he's writing about an Oscar-winning performance or the latest video game trilogy to hit cinemas, you can be certain that he brings the same level of insight and excitement to every single article.