Slot game developers are working all the time to bring us new and improved games with exciting features. Thanks to continual technical innovations in the iGaming sector, the possibilities for these games continue to expand and be explored by creators.
Deluxe slots are one example of games that are taken to another level. While sequels to slot games are a little more common and entail a more dramatic revamp, deluxe slots offer subtler improvements to a particular slot game.
Of course, developers fiddling with games could adversely affect them and make them less enjoyable for players. So here we will explore a range of popular deluxe online slots and compare them to the classic slot machines they are based on to see what usually works best.
While slots preference ultimately comes down to personal opinion, we hope to expand your horizons to some new slot game possibilities. There are dozens of popular deluxe slot games available to play at Wizard Slots in 2021. New customers can reap the rewards at the same time by signing up and depositing £10 to get up to 500 free spins on deluxe slot games (Full Ts & Cs Apply).
Deluxe vs Classic Slot Machines
We clearly need to consider the differences when reviewing whether deluxe games are superior to classic video slot games. Deluxe games are made by the same developers as the original versions of each game, with certain tweaks and enhancements made. In addition to making upgrades, deluxe versions give developers the chance to essentially release a new game, build publicity, and increase their standing in the slot game arena.
So, what differences can we expect to see in deluxe games vs classic slot machines?
- Improved graphics and aesthetics
- Improved sound effects
- Tweaks to bonus features
- Changes to game mechanics
- Alterations to RTP and volatility
- Added jackpots
The big one for us here is graphics. The main priority for developers releasing deluxe versions tends to be enhancing the overall appearance and experience of the game, instead of overhauling the entire structure of the game. Indeed, most deluxe slots feature very similar bonus features to their original counterparts.
There will often be two or three years between original and deluxe release dates. For example, Pragmatic Play’s Great Rhino Deluxe slot was released in July 2020, a couple of years on from the original game’s release in April 2018.
This gap gives developers a chance to utilise new developments in video quality. Not only will they have the tools to improve slot game graphics, but users’ screen qualities will also have improved in the intervening period, whether this is via new laptops or smartphones. It is, therefore, logical to release deluxe versions on the basis of improved graphics and design, to increase the longevity of the game and increase customer satisfaction.
This thought is borne out in the Great Rhino slot. The deluxe version Pragmatic Play released in 2020 features Free Spins and Super Respin features like the original. But the graphics and sound effects are greatly improved, offering a more immersive and enjoyable experience for the player. The RTP remains the same in the newer version at 96.5%; other types of remakes take the form of Megaways titles.
Likewise, Skywind’s Joker’s Luck slot enjoyed a deluxe revamp in March 2021 but still features the one Cashpot bonus feature. In fairness, this game is specifically designed to have a classic fruit machine feel, so it is natural that the deluxe version does not deviate from the 3-reel, single payline structure.
Nevertheless, the improved graphics and sound quality give the deluxe version a much more premium feel that will be more significantly more enjoyable for most players. The deluxe version does drop the RTP rate slightly, 97.00% down from 97.61%, but the volatility remains just as high.
Best 9 Deluxe Slots to Play in 2021
We have mentioned a couple of deluxe slots which benefit from improved graphics and design. Below we have a selection of other popular deluxe slot games we highly recommend.
#1 777 Mega Deluxe
777 Mega Deluxe from Crazy Tooth Studio features 127 paylines and a 6,601x max win. It is a highly volatile slot with a standard RTP of 96.10%. The bonus features are centred around re-spins whereby winning symbols are spun again without costing you a penny, while multipliers are also included to up the ante. The format certainly feels deluxe as the 4 reels feature, you guessed it, 7 symbols at a time.
#2 Aztec Gems Deluxe
Pragmatic Play’s Aztec Gems deploys a 3x3 slot reel with 9 paylines. This is, therefore, another deluxe slot that retains the features of a classic fruit machine. Nevertheless, great bonus features are available here such as the Money Respin, Multipliers, Wheel of Fortune, and a series of different jackpots. What’s more, the graphics here are truly top-notch. The RTP is also solid, standing at 96.5%.
#3 Bar King Deluxe
Bar King Deluxe is developed by Leander Games and is a highly volatile game with a free spins bonus round. The 95% RTP is on the low side, but the 52,000x your stake jackpot is hugely enticing. It is a fairly simple game, so the deluxe version mostly serves to touch up text and images. It is indeed a swish looking design with a purple background and gold trim across the 5 reels.
#4 Break Away Deluxe
Microgaming’s Break Away Deluxe is an ice hockey-themed game with 18 to 88 paylines. Sports fans will love this upgraded 5-reel game featuring a multiplier-filled free spins feature. There is also a Smashing Wild feature where hockey heroes will turn the middle reels into sticky wilds. Break Away Deluxe is a medium volatility game with 96% RTP.
#5 Cheeky Fruits 6 Deluxe
Cheeky Fruits 6 is a 6-reel slot game from Gluck Games. Cheeky Fruits features a new Jackpot feature that offers a potential win of 5,000x your stake. Thanks to its range of fruit symbols, the design lends itself to classic slot machines of years gone by. However, the 6 reels are immediately striking and offer a different dynamic, including the 3x3 Mega Symbol which can help you land bigger wins. Perhaps the main drawback of this game is the low RTP of 95%.
#6 Dwarven Gold Deluxe
Pragmatic Play’s Dwarven Gold Deluxe is a 5-reel, 25 payline game with a solid RTP of 96.18%. We are pleased to see updated graphics on this one as our beer-loving dwarves are designed in such excellent detail. Vine-wrapped royal symbols accompany our fairy-tale friends on the reels where you land yourselves free spins packed with 2 extra wild symbols during the bonus round.
#7 Eastern Gold Deluxe
Eastern Gold Deluxe features an exciting amalgamation of Asian culture with emperors, Koi carp fish and golden dragons all featuring in this 6-reel slot from Gamevy. In addition, there is a meter that unlocks the Jackpot Feature once filled where you could land the 5000x max win.
Look out for the golden dragons as these can trigger between 10 and 25 free spins when you land up to four of them on one spin. Again, the RTP of this game is a bit of a setback at 95%, but you are unlikely to notice this until you have played this slot for a very long time. The medium variance should also not be too noticeable here.
#8 Mystery Spin Deluxe Megaways
Here we have the exciting treat of a deluxe game meeting a Megaways game. Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic is a popular format borrowed by developers to spice up their slot games. Combined with the improved graphics of the Deluxe iteration, this title from Blueprint Gaming is an exciting prospect.
The Megaways mechanic ensures there are 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win. Fans of fruit symbols will feel right at home with Mystery Spin Megaways Deluxe, although the reels are set upon a futuristic background that takes the fruit machine to new heights. The medium to high variance means you could be waiting a while for a win, but they tend to be larger when they come.
#9 White Wizard Deluxe
The developers of White Wizard Deluxe are Australian Aristocrat Leisure, could this game put them on the map in the UK? The mystical wizard theme is certainly an entrancing one, as are the free spins you could land when you hit three or more scatter symbols. The medium volatility in this 5-reel game ensures it is a good option for both new and experienced players. Despite the Deluxe design, White Wizard Deluxe retains something of a retro feel, which we are fans of.
If you like the sound of these deluxe slot games, you’re in luck as they are all available to play right here at Wizard Slots. Don’t forget you can kick things off with our popular Welcome Offer; join now and deposit £10 to claim (Full Ts & Cs Apply).
Deluxe Casino Bonuses
If you are interested in focusing more on playing deluxe slot games, you may be interested in utilising free casino bonuses for these games. Free casino bonuses aimed strictly at deluxe slots are not too common, so instead you will want to aim for bonuses which are broad in nature.
While welcome bonuses tend to be limited to one or two games, there are lots of other free spins promotions which are less restrictive in terms of games.
Here at Wizard Slots our customers regularly enjoy picking up extra free spins to play slots. Weekly Happy Hours and Free Spins of the Month are great opportunities to try new games without the risk (Full Ts & Cs Apply). These promotions include selected games that change all the time to ensure players are able to try many different titles, including deluxe games.
Can I play deluxe slots on my mobile?
Any online casino which supports mobile gameplay is likely to include deluxe slots as part of their offering. Deluxe slots are in fact the highest priority when it comes to being mobile-friendly as they tend to be cutting edge, modern games with top of the range graphics.
Many of our customers prefer to download our iOS and Android mobile app to enjoy hundreds of slot games at the touch of a button. With all our slot games optimised for mobile play, our customers are able to enjoy deluxe slots in the highest possible definition.
With the screen resolution of smartphones improving all the time, deluxe slots are super handy in combining classic slot games with modern graphics. Playing deluxe slots on your mobile is therefore a match made in heaven, wherever you choose to spin the reels.
Last Notes
Overall, deluxe slots are useful in reinvigorating classic games and increasing their longevity. While sequels are mostly thematically linked and deploy different bonus features, deluxe slots are ideal for smaller touch ups and additions.
If one of your favourite games is lagging behind new titles aesthetically, it can be hugely exciting to see that a deluxe version is on its way. What’s more, you do sometimes get larger jackpots added to the game which could add some extra excitement.
All in all, deluxe versions give developers a chance to fix anything that may have gone awry in the original game, while also giving players the opportunity to enjoy their favourite slots all over again.
If these exciting deluxe slots sound good to you, sign up with Wizard Slots today to check out our exciting range of deluxe slot games, available to play across multiple devices via your browser or our dedicated mobile app.
Any Free Spins/Welcome Bonuses References are subject to the following: NEW PLAYERS ONLY, MIN DEPOSIT £10, MAX BONUS EQUAL TO LIFETIME DEPOSITS (UP TO £250), 65X WAGERING REQUIREMENTS AND FULL T&CS APPLY.
All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Win, etc.) mentioned about these slot games are subject to change at any time.
