The classic Reel King slot series
There are many great slots out there, but few have had the impact of this classic. The Reel King slot has been such a success that it’s spawned four official sequels, and more than a few unofficial titles. So what is it that makes it such a popular slot game? And more broadly, what makes a classic? Let’s find out.
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What goes into making the Reel King slot a classic?
There are two descriptions of a classic slot, those that use older-style designs, which are usually easy to understand from the first spin, and those that are simply among the very best ever designed. For Reel King and its many spin offs, it’s both.
Classic gameplay with five reels and three rows makes it fun and easy to pick up and play. Later versions of the game, while mixing up the look of the slot, are smart enough not to mess with that formula, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. Besides, there are plenty of other games with these more complex designs.
Add to this a few bonus games and some well-thought out features and you have yourself a bonafide classic, in all senses of the word.
The history of Reel King
Reel King actually started out as a physical unit, which is to say it was a hugely popular slot machine that you could find in pubs and arcades. Its popularity became ubiquitous, if you saw flashing lights coming from the corner at your local pub, chances are it was a Reel King fruit machine.
So it was little wonder that a design that was this well-tested in the real world could translate so well to the virtual. It also meant that updates and new versions could be developed, all the while maintaining what was so great about the original.
Developing the Reel King mega slot
The hardest part for designers of games is finding a design that will capture people’s imagination. After all, these things are so subjective that you could tick every box for success and still end up with a stinker or a game that simply doesn't resonate.
Once you have found the formula, it also doesn’t guarantee that the franchise will grow from there. You don’t want to mess with what is a beloved property too much, but there’s no point in designing a new version that is nothing more than the original in a new skin.
Reel King, thankfully, didn’t suffer from either of these fates. Instead, it took a winning formula and cultivated some of the best sequels in video slot history.
The design of Reel King
Reel King doesn’t so much have a groundbreaking design for an online slot in the classic mould, rather it has its own unique feel. This can be hard to put your finger on, it could be the gameplay, the sound or even the rhythm of the game.
In truth, it’s a combination of all that and more that makes this series the juggernaut that it is. As with any game, what makes it interesting and fun is subjective, but the numbers don’t lie, Reel King is one of the great online slots.
The different types of Reel King
There are so many Reel King games to review and compare that this could be quite a long list. Some, while not being called Reel King, are highly influenced by it.
What we’ve listed here are our favourite Reel King games, those that are both official and of high-quality.
- Reel King
- Reel King Megaways
- Reel King Mega
- Reel King Free Spin Frenzy
- 4 Reel Kings
Reel King
The original and, in many people’s opinion, still the best. This is classic slot perfection, with a simple but highly-effective interface. Simplicity is, in fact, Reel King’s main selling point but, unlike many other classic slots, it doesn’t mean the gameplay lacks longevity.
So what sets Reel King apart from many of its competitors and unofficial clones? For us it’s a mixture of fast-paced action and basic quality. The action comes thick and fast, which draws you in instantly. The best way to play it is by getting into the rhythm of the game.
As for the quality, there’s no cheap mask like some old-style slots. As an old game, it doesn’t present the same cutting edge graphics that you get from some, but that simplicity is part of the charm of the classic slots.
Reel King’s RTP (return to player) is 94% and its features, while not overwhelming, are more interesting than many in its genre. Most notably, these include bonus games and a gamble option that keeps the energy high at all times. There is also a wild feature to get your teeth into.
A true classic that will go down as such in the history of slots.
Reel King Megaways
The Reel King Megaways slot is the classic design in all its glory, but with the Megaways engine to spice things up. This is a classic slot on steroids. Gone are the five by three reels, gone are the old-style designs, but what’s remarkable about this version is it still manages to keep its charm and simplicity.
Megaways is a very modern design that would enhance any game, but added to a classic, it has the potential of taking away from the very thing that made it special in the first place. That isn’t the case here.
The aesthetics feel very royal. It’s all flute and harpsichord, adding a truly unique feel to the game. It might remain a relatively simple game, but it’s lush and gorgeous with it.
The Reel King Megaway’s RTP is highly impressive at over 96% and it adds some really in-depth features to keep you on your toes. Cascading wins are always exciting to watch develop, while the bonus games and gamble features remain. Add to this scatters, wilds, free spins and multipliers and this is a classic slot with cutting edge features.
If you love Reel King, you owe it to yourself to try this stunner!
Reel King Mega
If the Megaways update is all a little too much, then why not try Reel King Mega? It takes all the things that made the original such a hit and just tweaks them slightly to enhance the experience.
The simple, pick up and play design remains much the same, but the graphics, sounds and gameplay have all received an upgrade, one that keeps the joy of the original intact.
The five reels and three rows are back, as are many of the symbols and pace of the game, but there is something perfect about the way the game allows for the charm of the original to shine through while feeling modern, giving the game the perfect balance.
Features are also similar to the original, with bonuses and wilds making up a large part of them. But it’s the three reel bonus game that is most noteworthy. It’s a lovely touch that only enhances gameplay, rather than imposing itself on the fun. Reel King Mega’s RTP is over 96%, which is impressive, as well.
In short, this is the perfect modern upgrade of a classic game.
Reel King Free Spin Frenzy
Reel King is known for getting the most out of its features. It’s a sign of its quality that rather than throw a dozen features at the game, the designers make sure that the features present work to enhance it.
So it makes sense that they would focus on one feature to build the already highly successful game around. Free Spin Frenzy does exactly what you think it should do, focuses on the free spin feature and expands it to become the central theme.
The game itself is very much the Reel King that we’ve come to love over the years. With simple gameplay and a fun and clean design, it could never be mistaken for anything else. But the Free Spin Frenzy element has managed to perfect a very specific and special feature to the point that it feels natural.
Other bonus games are also present, as are wilds and scatters, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the free spin bonus. Reel King Free Spin Frenzy’s RTP is just a touch under 95.5, which, while a little lower than some others in the series, is still very high. But, as is the case with everything Reel King related, the gameplay is why we’re here.
A truly wonderful “spin” on the classic design.
4 Reel Kings
If Reel King is great with one set of reels, think of what 4 Reel King can do with four reels. That’s a lot of reels, and I don’t just mean in the previous sentence. While it’s true that this is little more than a gimmick, it’s a fun one that adds greatly to the experience and we enjoyed it immensely.
It’s a little like buying multiple bingo cards, having you check each reel after each spin. This gives the fast-paced action of the original an extra edge, making it a little more chaotic, but never obnoxiously so or taking away from the charm that made the game so popular.
The harpsichord music kicks in during bonus rounds and features, the symbols are almost identical and the feel of the gameplay is very similar You could say it’s almost identical to the classics like Reel King and Reel King Mega, but it definitely adds more to the experience.
In features, it’s basically the same as the original, with bonus games and a gamble option, so in this sense it leans to Reel King more than any other from the series. It also has the same RTP, 94%, which suggests that they’ve simply expanded on that first classic design. But it’s a fun way to change the experience if you just fancy spicing things up a little.
4 Reel King is a fun little twist on a fun little slot.
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