Often, we label slots as classics because they are old or nostalgic. In the world of slot games, familiarity and slot themes sell because people like to play with games that they know.
This is why fruit slots are often regarded as classics, partly because they have been around since 1891 and partly because they’ve been reinvented.
Even in our slot game collection, there are many fruit-themed games, which play on the original theme of the physical machines.
But what actually makes a slot a classic? Is it its age? Is it nostalgia? Or something else? Join in as we debate exactly that!
Simple Mechanics
One of the defining characteristics of slots is simple mechanics. There are no XMechanics or fancy multipliers in classic slots. Traditional old slot machines had the three-reel structure, so you may be able to call any slot a classic if it has that old structure.
Additionally, these slots would have one payline. There were no expanding paylines or large numbers of paylines for your wins. Just simple symbols and one payline, which would determine your win.
However, you can argue that modern slots are classics if they have similar mechanics. Not all modern slots have millions of paylines and reels. Free Reelin’ Joker by Play’N Go has one payline and is adorned with classic fruit symbols, which could put it in the classic category.
What makes slots like that fall under the classic label is their simplicity. Classic slots were simple with easy-to-understand features and symbols. It was more about the execution rather than the complexity of the game.
Slot Value
Another important way to define a slot is through the slot’s value. Its volatility level and RTP percentage provide this information.
You can argue that classic slot machines are low in volatility because they feature smaller but frequent wins. On fruit machines, you’d rarely see huge wins, unless there was a jackpot or a mechanic in the machine that made it that type.
However, newer games tend to have a high level of volatility because the gameplay style players want has changed. Many want adrenaline-inducing games with big wins and elaborate features.
Often, you can look at a slot’s volatility to see if it has a classic structure. The RTP of old slot machines was more balanced, and old fruit machines had lower RTPs. Nowadays, low RTP slots are seen as bad because players’ experiences are prioritised.
Although a low RTP slot nowadays may be an indicator of a classic-style slot.
Themes And Characters
Another angle in the debate over what makes a slot “classic” lies in its characters and world-building. Some of the most recognisable games owe their legacy not just to their gameplay, but to the personalities that define them.
Game providers developing ongoing slot series, like Play’n Go’s Rich Wilde series, create characters that become so popular that players actively anticipate sequels. These figures bring consistency to a game world, turning standalone titles into franchises with devoted fans.
For many players, these characters evoke a sense of nostalgia. They remember the first time they spun the reels with Rich Wilde or with other characters. Revisiting those games feels like reconnecting with an old favourite.
Cultural Impact
Although we have briefly touched on nostalgia, we haven’t touched on the cultural impact slots can have.
The cultural impact of a slot can be defined by players’ earliest experiences on the reels, such as their first big wins, first bonus wins, or first experience playing a game they liked.
The difficult part is that this could be on any game, old or new, so it is difficult to define a slot’s cultural impact on a person unless they’ve played for a long time.
But nostalgia feeds directly into how we define a classic. When a slot’s character or theme triggers memories of earlier play sessions, or a specific time in slot history, it earns a special place in player culture. In that sense, familiar faces don’t just decorate the reels; they help define what makes a slot truly timeless.
Furthermore, a slot’s cultural impact on the slot community can support the argument that a game is a classic, as players keep returning to it.
However, can the cultural impact of a slot define its status as a classic? That remains to be answered.
Even if you ask a group of people their favourite classic slot, you will get very different answers. You may be able to say the recurring and popular answers show that one slot is considered a classic, but the term is subjective.
The Debate
Truthfully, there is no single way to define a slot as a classic. Some players argue that it is the mechanics that matter, especially when a game mimics the structure of the original fruit machines. Others believe that themes, longevity, and memorable characters are what make a slot stand out, even if it is relatively new.
For many, however, the deciding factor is the emotional connection a player has to a game. Nostalgia plays a powerful role; a slot can feel like a classic simply because it reminds someone of the first time they played it or a particular moment in their life. In that sense, any game from childhood, no matter how simple, could be considered a classic because of the memories it holds.
Ultimately, the term classic is relative, and its meaning varies depending on who you ask. Personally, I would argue that the true classic slot machines are those from the very beginning, the pioneers like the original fruit machines and Money Honey. These are the slots that set the foundation for everything that followed.
