Best Slot Introductions Ever Made
Gonzo’s Quest – NetEnt
Few slots have an intro as iconic and famous as Gonzo’s Quest.
NetEnt introduced the world to the loveable Spanish conquistador back in 2011, and over a decade later, that opening sequence with Gonzo leaping off a ship into the jungle in search of El Dorado still holds up over a decade later.
It’s fun, charming, and immediately tells you everything you need to know about the character and what lies ahead. Gonzo’s Quest and NetEnt set the bar for narrative-driven slot intros, and a lot of games have been chasing it ever since.
Who needs Indiana Jones when you’ve got a pocket-sized Spanish explorer instead?
Tombstone RIP – Nolimit City
Over the years, Nolimit City have built a reputation for online slots that they don’t do anything by halves, and Tombstone RIP’s intro is a perfect example of why.
As you load up Tombstone RIP, you’ll be greeted by a multiple choice question as the scene is set right outside a creepy old cemetery. Get it right, and it’s smooth sailing straight into the game, but get it wrong, and you’ll be booted off.
These opening screens could can range from warning you about how “dangerous” Tombstone RIP is to saying “Tombstone will kill you like a dog.” Answering the latter with “I eat dog food” gets you into the game, just FYI.
It may not be a properly cinematic intro, but it’s good fun, showing you how unforgiving (and insane) Tombstone RIP can be while adding an interactive element before joining the gallows.
Mortal Bromance – Shady Lady
Okay so this game isn’t actually out yet, but it absolutely still counts. Another game studio that’s not afraid to test the limits of what’s possible is Shady Lady.
Mortal Bromance follows the same vein (ha) of Tombstone RIP, in that it’s more of a text screen rather than a cinematic intro, but it still makes us laugh out loud. ICYMI, Mortal Bromance features three veeeery recognisable public figures with towels to cover up their bits, as they duke it out to be the biggest bro of them all.
But the funniest part is the short disclaimer intro that pops up as Shady Lady (ironically) try to cover their butts with legal jargon. There’s all the usual stuff, including “Any resemblance to real persons is coincidental,”allowing players to draw their own conclusions. But what follows is the line: “No butts were hurt in the spanking of this game.”
It’s just the perfect example of Shady Ladys’ approach to their game development – zero effs given.
Pirots 4 – ELK Studios
Fans of ELK Studios are likely already familiar with the Feathered Foursome (or the Fearful Four – whatever you want to call these parrot pirates) in their iconic Pirots series.
As the final instalment, Pirots 4 had a lot to live up to, as the series that created the CollectR mechanic.
For starters, Pirots 4 offers an interactive element that allows players to choose from three different “games:” Lost in Space, Frozen Fury, and Inferno. Each one has its own vibe and tells a unique story, like Inferno tugging at the heart strings in regards to the series’ long-running villain, Charlie.
These swashbuckling birds make us laugh out loud anyway with their antics, and the introductions for each Pirots 4 evolution felt like its own Pixar movie short and sets the scene well for the gameplay to follow.
Potion of Madness – Play’n GO
Switching things up a bit, there’s Potion of Madness from Play’n GO, based on the timeless tale of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
This game takes a retro comic-book-style approach to their slot intro, setting the scene with a scientist’s experiment gone wrong in his lab of chaos.
It all feels very reminiscent of the Hulk, except instead of gamma radiation, the scientist ingests a dodgy-looking potion and transforms into a hideous monster – as you do.
The intro ends with him waking up the next next day, completely normal, with newspaper reports documenting a terrifying monster attack before the actual gameplay begins.
It’s a fun slot that leans into being equal parts science-y and equal parts superhero – or villain – encouraging players to embrace their wild side.
San Quentin 2 Death Row – Nolimit City
In the movie-making industry, sequels normally fall victim to the “second movie” curse, but San Quentin 2 Death Row breaks this idea, regarded by many as one of the best NLC titles to date.
Before you load up the slot and get reunited with characters like Beefy Dick, Loco Luis, Heinrich 3rd, Biker Bill, and Crazy Joe, a short intro loads up – blink and you miss it – with a van showing an ad for Attorney Payne N. Suffering – we love a good bit of word play.
What makes this intro so interesting is the phone number at the bottom.
When San Quentin 2 first came out, it was real-life serviced number that players could call and a hear a voicemail message from Mr. Payne himself.
Final Thoughts
A great slot intro won’t save a bad game – but it can absolutely elevate a good one.
The titles on this list understood the assignment in that first impressions really do matter – especially with slots. Each one of these games brought something new to the table during those crucial opening seconds: storytelling, humour, and even a Disney-esque movie masterpiece.
These are the games that stick in the minds of players long after they’ve released, offering something more interesting than just their mechanics or bold theme
If any of these games caught your eye, head over to our slot reviews for our team’s full thoughts on these games – and plenty more!
Think we’ve missed a slot with an intro that deserves a spot on this list? Drop it in the comments below, we’d love to hear your picks! And if you want to see what all the fuss is about before committing, check out our free slot demos to try before you buy.
