Classic Slots vs Video Slots: How Tradition and Technology Are Shaping the Modern Casino Experience

In an age when nostalgia is big, one of the most iconic symbols of the past is the humble fruit machine. With its flashing “come-hither” lights and simple reels with spinning cherries, melons and bells, it harks back to a simpler time.

But technology marches on and nowhere is this more evident than in the world of online casino gaming. So today we have video slots which can make the old style “one-armed bandit” seem as out-dated as a Model T Ford which, incidentally, was invented just a decade or so after the very first slot machine.

Today the expectations of the keen slots player are very different. They want to be entertained as well as financially rewarded for playing, but that’s not to say that there isn’t still a place for the traditional fruit machine, as we will hopefully see.

The classic slot

First, let’s take a look at the features of the classic slots game. Generally, they feature just three reels with up to five pay-lines. And, as already mentioned, the symbols are simple, consisting of different fruits, bells and sometimes lucky sevens.

You can still find many examples of these simple games in the online world and many players love them precisely for their lack of complexity.

The video alternative

Today’s video slots are a very different proposition indeed. With five or more reels and paylines that can run into the hundreds they can seem quite overwhelming at first. This complication is overcome by the many different themes and features that you’ll find. Some are based on popular movies or TV shows, others on myth and legend like the gold of the Incas or the treasures of ancient Egypt.

Many also have a distinct storytelling element making them closer to video games than traditional slots.

Game features

The classic slot is decidedly low on features with about the most complex being the nudge element that allows a player to move a reel, or reels, along a certain number of spaces in the hope of achieving a winning combination.

Video slots, on the other hand, have a wide range of features and elements that add to the excitement and unpredictability of playing them. These range from wilds which can stand in for any symbol, free spins that can be awarded at any point in the game, cascading reels, multipliers to increase winnings and even games within the game.

So although both classic online slots and their video alternative both rely on the random number generator to drive them, they offer very different experiences indeed.

Volatility compared

Another key difference between the two types of slots can be summed up by the word “volatility”. A high volatility game is one in which wins are less frequent but tend to be higher in value, a low volatility one offers more frequent but lower payouts.

Video slots tend towards covering a range of variance from high to low volatility with some even offering so-called progressive jackpots which can pay out life-changing sums. Traditional slots’ volatility tends to be in a far narrower range with a more regular pattern of payouts.

Volatility doesn’t simply affect levels of payout. It can also influence the ways in which people play by dictating session length. Players on low volatility machines receive more frequent payouts, encouraging them to keep on going. A high volatility machine is more like a lottery with a few shots to win, encouraging short, sharp sessions.

Horses for courses

As to who plays what kind of slot, it’s very much down to personal taste and preference. There’s no doubt that a classic slot is the more straightforward experience. But others positively relish the immersive themes and narrative-driven gameplay of video slots – along with the chance to win big.

Luckily there’s a huge choice out there, including many real money slots selected by Casino.us, a leading and highly trusted review platform. The site offers a huge amount of information about specific games including volatility ratings, special features and bonuses and even how well the slots work when played on mobile devices. This independent advice lets players make informed decisions about which are the slots games that suit them best.

Any casinos offering the slots in question have also been thoroughly vetted to ensure they are fully registered and committed to responsible gaming.

Looking to the future the list of best slots games is sure to evolve and change. But there is certain to be plenty of choice for every kind of player, whether harking back to the simpler time of classic slots or looking forward to the next exciting development in immersive and interactive slots gaming. The important element is knowing precisely which one suits you best.