How Pop Culture Influences Casino Game Themes

We can all easily see how pop culture influences popular slot machines like The Goonies, Jimi Hendrix, and Game of Thrones. But did you know that it’s not just these big-name brands that influence casino games?

Pretty much every casino game on the market borrows themes, songs, and graphics from pop culture. And it happens so often that you might not even realize why you love a game so much.

Let’s look at how pop culture influences casino game themes – from the design to the marketing and game features.

Pop-Culture-Inspired Casino Game Themes

Here are a few of our favorite pop-culture-inspired casino game themes. The most popular themes that are ripped right out of the zeitgeist include music-themed slots, movie-themed slots, and TV-themed slots.

Yet, you’ll find that there isn’t an area of the online casino world that isn’t touched by pop culture these days.

Music-Themed Slot Games

Music-themed slots are some of the most popular games available right now. You’ll find that plenty of your favorite bands provide the themes and soundtracks to some of the hottest slot games.

Here are a few of the most popular music-themed slots:

Jimi Hendrix: Developed by NetEnt with a 96.9% RTP and low volatility, this slot game rocks and rolls to the backdrop of some of Jimi Hendrix’s most popular songs.

Motorhead: Also developed by NetEnt, this slot machine features a 96.98% RTP and low volatility. The game is made to look like you’re at a Motorhead concert, and you can even turn on Rock Mode to increase the volume on the soundtrack.

Guns N’ Roses: This popular slot game was also developed by NetEnt and features a 96.98% RTP and medium-low volatility. Special features include Appetite for Destruction Wilds, Encore Free Spins, and Crowd Pleaser Bonuses.

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop slot game was designed by Bally Technologies and features a 96.01% RTP. Featured songs include “Smooth Criminal” and “Beat It”.

Elvis: Of course, you can’t talk about Music and Vegas without mentioning Elvis. Elvis the King Lives was developed by WMS Gaming and features a 96.09% RTP.

Movie-Themed Slot Games

So many movies have been transformed into slot games that we can’t mention all of them here. Yet, some of the best movies-turned-slots include:

• The Goonies

• The Godfather

• Gladiator

• Grease

• Anchorman

• Ghostbusters

TV-Themed Slot Games

Again, there are simply too many TV-themed slot games to mention them all here. Yet, you’ll find that many of your favorite TV shows are now your favorite slot games.

First off, plenty of TV game shows have been turned into slot games.

Mythology-Themed Slot Games

Mythology has had a comeback in pop culture lately. From Marvel movies to Game of Thrones, we all need a little escapism sometimes.

While a lot of slot game developers don’t have the rights to create Marvel-themed games, it doesn’t mean they can’t still use the character of Thor.

You’ll find Greek mythology-themed slots, Egyptian mythology-themed slots, Norse mythology-themed slots, and more at both sweepstakes casinos and real-money casinos.

Some of the most popular mythology-themed slot games include:

• Gates of Olympus

• Zeus Vs Hades

• Cleopatra

• Divine Fortune

• Medusa Megaways

• Asgardian Stones

Fantasy-Themed Slot Games

In the past few years, we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of fantasy-themed games. You’ll find princess-themed games, leprechaun-themed games, and even anime-themed games at online casinos.

Even though many of these games aren’t directly related to their commercial counterparts, we can definitely see how derivative these games are when we look at the games and their inspiration side by side.

Starlight Princess Pachi, Koi Princess, Mirror Mirror, the Red Queen, and Queenie are all examples of fantasy-themed slot games that were inspired by famous fantasy tales.

Candy-Themed Slot Games

Candy-themed slots are also insanely popular right now. And while these games aren’t Candy Land themed per se, you can definitely see some comparisons in the design of the board game and the design of these slot games.

It’s pretty clear that a lot of casino game developers are targeting Gen X and Millennials with the designs of these games, as they’re pretty derivative of the popular Candy Land board game.

Just a few candy-themed slot games include:

• Sugar Rush

• Sweet Kingdom

• Sweet Bonanza

Holiday-Themed Slot Games

It seems like everyone is into holidays now more than ever before. We all need a break from the insanity of the world, and holiday movies, TV shows, and (of course) slot games offer that release.

There are plenty of American holidays represented in casino game theming, including St. Patrick’s Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

There are even holiday-themed games that partner with big movie franchises, like the Halloween series.

Some of the most popular holiday-themed slots include:

• Big Bass Christmas Bash

• Starlight Christmas

• Christmas Carol Megaways

• Sweet Bonanza® Xmas

• Infective Wild

• Irish Charms

Live Game Shows

Game shows like Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, and the Price Is Right all have a place in our hearts. Since contestants compete in game shows to win money, it’s no wonder that game shows have made their way into the foray of online gambling.

In addition to game show-themed slot games like Wheel of Fortune, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Deal or No Deal, live game shows have also become very popular.

These live game shows transform the excitement of simply watching game shows at home. Instead, you can participate and try to win prizes along with other contestants

Just a few popular live game shows include Adventures Beyond Wonderland and Spin A Win.

Retro-Themed Casino Games

There are also plenty of retro-themed casino games that remind us of bygone eras. These include the Great Pigsby (a take on the famous Great Gatsby novel) and Wizard Of Oz Emerald City (based on the famous L. Frank Baum novel).

A lot of video games have made the natural transition into slot games, too. Just a few video game-themed slot machines include:

• Lara Croft Tomb Raider

• Street Fighter

• Call of Duty

• Space Invaders

• Tomb Raider

• Resident Evil