Slot Machine Themes: Find Your Favorite With This Ultimate Guide

When you play online slots, there’s an abundance of themes to choose from. You’ll find slots based on anything from historical events and current politics to fluffy kittens and dazzling jewels. You’re also likely to find online slots inspired by your favorite movies, TV shows, artists, and other pop culture icons. 

Finding a slot that matches your preferred theme is easy, but the slot should also align with your favorite game mechanics. Before you choose one slot over another, you should consider the slot’s bonus features, RTP, volatility, jackpots, and more. The various types of slot machines are also important to consider so you can find your perfect slot. 

To help you find a slot that aligns with all your wishes, we at Slotjava have created this slot theme guide. We’ll look at some of the most popular slot storylines out there, along with the best games available for each specific slot theme. 

Themed Slots: Do All Slot Machines Have a Theme?

In reality, all slots have a theme, simply because all of them come with graphics and audio. The closest we come to a game not having a theme is when we find classic slots. These are usually simple 3-reel games where the slot machine symbols are fruits, bells, BARs, 7s, and possibly stars or crowns. However, even these are now known as having a theme, which will usually be Classic Slots or Fruit Machines. 

In some cases, the actual imagery of the graphics is not the only thing that determines a slot theme. The game mechanics can also be a big part of it. For example, if the slot is all about a special feature like expanding or sticky wilds, the wilds might be the dominating theme. Such themes exist in modern video slots, where the classic 3 reels and 5 paylines have been substituted for multiple reels and sometimes hundreds or even thousands of paylines. 

Why Do Different Slot Themes Appeal to Players?

Why some people prefer one theme over another is complex, and can be rooted in many different causes. It can be as simple as familiarity, as humans are mainly creatures of habit. Having played, for example, classic slots in the past might make you more prone to choose classics again the next time you choose a new slot. 

Or you might have had some luck on an Egyptian-themed slot in the past, which can subconsciously draw you back to slots with this style of graphics. Moreover, it can be as simple as the theme aligning with your hobbies, interests, or favorite animal. 

No matter the reasoning, the fact is that you simply find some themes more fun and enjoyable than others. And after all, that’s the important thing when you choose which slot you want to play. 

Colors and audio are also important factors since this will impact how attractive you find the game. As technology evolves, the graphics we find in online slots keep on improving, and new online slots are much more immersive than old-school games. 

However, although graphics get better and better, the mechanics of most slots remain the same. This is why the slot’s theme is one of the main decision factors players consider when choosing a game to play. And, this is also why game providers keep on releasing new themes and storylines month after month, although the game mechanics aren’t necessarily a new invention.

Classic Slot Machines

Classic slot machines are typically 3-reel slots with up to 5 paylines. These are the old-school slots that seem to be ever-popular among players. At online casinos, you can find both true classics that have been converted into online digital games, and newer interpretations made by online casino game developers.

Fruit

The fruit theme basically just describes the symbols that appear on the reels. Lemon, melon, plum, grape, and orange are some of the fruits we typically see. To play a fruit machine, try out the classic Jackpot 6000 or more modern versions like Juicy Fruits or Fruit Shop Megaways.

777

7s and BAR symbols are also classic slot machine themes, often in combination with fruits. You’ll often find multiple colors on the 7s and various numbers of BARs in one symbol. Try some 777 slots like Flaming Hot, Sizzling Hot Deluxe, or Wilds of Fortune.

Historical & Cultural Themed Slots

Historical and cultural themes are tied to a country or region and its ancient history. These slot themes are some of the most popular online slots, and you’ll find them at all online casinos. In fact, these themes are so popular that many casinos have made dedicated game categories just for their ancient history-themed slots.

Asian

Asian themes can be anything from Japanese Samurai to Chinese lanterns and dragons. Typically, game providers that make these games are great at also adding fitting audio from the Far East to the games. Try out 88 Fortunes, Sakura Fortune, Matsuri, or Floating Dragon for a taste of Asian-themed slots.

Egyptian

The Egyptian theme is one of the most frequently seen in online slots. You’ll find Cleopatra, scarabs, sphinxes, and Anubis spinning across the reels. Some slots with a theme from ancient Egypt include Book of Dead, Cleopatra, and Might of Ra.

Aztec

The ancient Aztecs are commonly found as a theme in slots, and most often in combination with gold amulets and stone carvings. You’ll find this theme featured in some of the most popular online slot machines, like Gonzo’s Quest, Aztec Bonanza, and Aztec Gold.

Irish

The luck of the Irish is a fitting theme for most slot games, so there’s no wonder it’s a popular one. Leprechauns, pots of gold, and shamrocks are the typical symbols in these games. Rainbow Riches, Lucky Leprechaun, and Irish Charms are some slots you might want to give a spin.

Animal & Wildlife Themed Slot Games

Animals are often found as the main theme in a slot machine, and these are themes that people love. Who doesn’t love seeing fluffy kittens and adorable puppies spinning across the reels? If you like animal-themed slots, you’ll have plenty of options. And no, it’s not all about cats and dogs.

Fishing

Fish has become a popular animal in slots, mainly because of fishing. After all, what most players look to do is haul in those big wins. Try out some fish and fishing slots like Big Bass Bonanza, Razor Shark, and Crabbin’ for Cash. 

Pigs

Pigs are considered to be a symbol of wealth, and this is why we save money in piggy banks. In online slots, the connection between money and pigs is not lost, and you can find this theme in multiple slot games. Flying Pigs, Big Bad Wolf, and Piggy Riches are some of the slots we can recommend.

Panda

Everyone loves a fluffy, lazy panda bear, so it’s no wonder we frequently see new online slots featuring this cuddly-looking bamboo-eating animal. Give Fortune Panda, Untamed Giant Panda, or Panda Time a spin.  

Holiday Slots

Game providers love releasing new slot machines which are themed just for the season we’re in. Some create completely new games, while others simply make a new version of the graphics in an already popular game. At many online casinos, you’ll find dedicated game categories only featuring slots for the season or Holiday we’re in.

Christmas

Christmas slots are always plentiful, and some focus on Santa and gifts, while other slots have more of a winter wonderland theme. Try out slots like Sweet Bonanza Xmas, Fat Santa, or Secrets of Christmas.

Halloween

Halloween is the time for spooky and creepy slots, and this Holiday is always a busy one in terms of game releases. Some of the best slots we’ve come across in this category are Blood Suckers, Nightmare Family, and Halloween Horrors.

Easter

Fluffy bunnies and colorful eggs always put us in the right Easter spirits, and these are games that simply make you happy. Some of the cutest games we’ve come across with this theme include Easter Spin, Bonus Bunnies, and Lucky Easter.

Adventure Slots

In adventure-themes slots, you’ll often join an adventurer on his or her quest for some hidden treasure. And, what could be a more fitting theme for playing slots? After all, you know the treasures are there, somewhere, you just need to get to them. Join forces with pirates, space invaders, and wizards to find your treasure.

Space

Outer space, aliens, stars, and planets are popular themes. Stars, and particularly shooting stars, can be seen in many online slots, but space adventures are also frequently featured. Check out some of these game titles: Space Race, Space Cows to the Moo’n, and Space Miners.

Pirates

If there is a treasure out there, and you want it, you should just take it — that is the pirate way and of course this appeals to slot players looking to grab big wins. To play some great pirate-themed slots, try out Pirates Charm, Treasure Island, and Blackbeard.

Fantasy

Fantasy is a popular genre no matter what kind of content you’re looking for. Books, movies, TV series, and of course, online slots all have a plethora of fantasy-themed options. Play some spins on Trolls Bridge, Troll Hunters 2, or Era of Dragons.

Pop Culture Slots

Many game providers are offering branded slots, which are slot machines with a theme taken from a movie, TV series, or an artist of some sort. Pop and rock bands are frequently featured, and so are comic book heroes. Pop culture slots are often some of the most immersive ones, combining well-known graphics with an easily recognizable soundtrack.

Movie Themed

If you like movies, then there’s a good chance you’ll find a slot inspired by some of your favorite titles. Both old and new movies have been reborn as slot machines, and some of them are Jurassic World, Rocky, and Titanic.

TV Series

TV series themes are always popular, as you can watch your favorite shows and then see the cast coming to life again while playing slots. Some of our recommended, both TV series and online slots, are Narcos, Peaky Blinders, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Music

The best part about branded slots that feature a music artist or band is that you’ll get a great soundtrack. Not only is the artist featured, but also the music that made them oh-so popular. Some of the best music-themed slots (in our opinion) are Guns N’ Roses, Michael Jackson, and Twisted Sisters.

Sports

Few things make people as passionate and worked-up as watching their favorite sports, so there’s no wonder the world of sports has also found its way into slot machines. You’ll find any number of sports-themed slots, and some of our preferred ones are Football Glory, Let’s Get Ready to Rumble, and Basketball Star.

Game Show Slots

If you like watching TV game shows, then you’ll most likely also enjoy game show-themed slot machines. There are several out there, and we can recommend Big Wheel, Deal or No Deal Rapid Rounds, and Late Night Win.

Start Playing Your Favorite Themed Slots Today!

Playing your favorite themed slots couldn’t be easier, and you can get started right now. The only thing you need to do is this: 

• Step 1: Look through the selection of slot themes right here at Slotjava. Find the ones that appeal to you, and click ‘Play Now’ to play for free in demo mode.

• Step 2: Give the slot some spins, to assess both the theme and the game mechanics. Don’t forget to check our slot review to find out what the slot’s RTP and volatility are.
• Step 3: If the game you chose wasn’t quite what you wanted, start again and find a new free slot to test out. There are no limitations as to how long you can play or how many games you can try for free.
• Step 4: When you’ve found some slots you like, go and check out our in-depth casino reviews. Find an online casino that appeals to you, and sign up to claim your casino bonus.