Best Reel King Slots and Where to Play Them (2026)

What is Reel King?

Reel King is one of the most recognisable names in classic fruit machine slots, originally finding its popularity i land-based casinos and arcades before making the jump online through Novomatic and its Greentube division.

The Reel King series dates back to 2012 with the original Reel King, a 5×3 slot with 20 paylines from Novomatic, with a randomly-activated bonus feature.

The whole premise of Reel King is simple: bring the charm of classic fruit machines to online play for a dose of nostalgia, aimed at both traditionalists and experienced slot enthusiasts.

Over the years, many developers have followed suit and put their own spin on the Reel King formula.

One of the biggest examples is Reel King Megaways from Inspired Entertainment, released in 2020, which builds on the original concept with the Megaways engine and other added extras like multipliers, cascades, and free spins to make it feel more modern.

How the Reel King Feature Works

While most bonus rounds in slots require three or more Scatters to activate, the Reel King feature can trigger randomly on any spin – even a dead one!

When the Reel King feature activates, all five reels suddenly turn bright yellow with a ‘ding’, and up to five Reel King characters appear. Each character runs its own mini game and pays between 5x and 500x of your total bet, depending on the symbols that land alongside it.

Three or more of coloured sevens trigger free spins, which can retrigger without limit. The feature only ends on a spin that produces no win.

Outside of this, there’s a few other mechanics worth knowing about in the original Reel King slot:

• Jester’s Hat Wild: Substitutes for other regular symbols to form winning combinations.
• Gamble Feature: After a win, players can choose to risk their winnings on a gamble ladder for the chance to double them.
• Fortune Bet: An optional ante bet setting that increases the total stake to 1.5x the bet in exchange for more frequent bonus triggers.

Best Reel King Slots

The Reel King series has evolved massively over the years, and here at Fruity Slots, we’ve explored several versions of this familiar franchise, with each game offering a different take on the classic fruit machine experience.

Here are the best Reel King slots worth trying in 2026, based on our years of experience testing Reel King games in pubs and online.

• Reel King (Novomatic): the original 5×3, 20-payline game with a 94% RTP, medium volatility and a 500x max win.
• Reel King Mega (Red Tiger Gaming): a low-volatility take with 2×2 Super Symbols and a King’s Crown Bonus, on 20 fixed paylines with stakes from 0.20.
• Reel King Megaways (Inspired): a 6×4 grid with up to 117,649 ways to win, medium-high volatility and stakes from 0.20 to 20.00.
• Santa King Megaways (Inspired): A Christmas-themed edition from December 2020, with up to 117,649 ways to win
• Reel King Big Money (Inspired): A more modern interpretation featuring reel modifiers, a Big Money Bonus, a multiplier trail and the Royal Spin feature.
• Reel King Potty: King Pot (Novomatic/Greentube): A jackpot-focused variation where red reels activate the Reel King Potty bonus for a shot at one of four progressive jackpots.

RTPs and Maths of Reel King Slots

With Reel King slots, you’ll find that the maths differs quite a lot between releases.

While the original Novomatic game has a modest 94% RTP, some of its more modern successors offer high RTPs exceeding 96%.

Here’s what the RTPs look like across a select few games in the Reel King slots series. Of course, a high RTP doesn’t always mean big wins – that’s where volatility comes into play – more on that below.

Reel King

Novomatic

Game RTP

94.00%

Our RTP

94.00%

Reel King Mega

Red Tiger

Game RTP

96.17%

Our RTP

96.17%

Reel King Megaways

Inspired

Game RTP

96.23%

Our RTP

96.23%

Reel Spooky King Megaways

Inspired

Game RTP

95.56%

Our RTP

95.56%

Reel King Mega’s low volatility generally means smaller, more frequent payouts, while Reel King Megaways’ medium-high volatility suggests greater fluctuations between wins. The original Reel King sits somewhere in the middle.

Remember, RTP and volatility describe long-term mathematical behaviour – neither guarantees what will happen during an individual session.

Reel King Slots FAQs

• Who makes Reel King?

  The original Reel King was released online by Novomatic in 2012. Reel King Megaways was made by Inspired in 2020, and is arguably one of the most popular games in the series.
• Who makes Reel King slots?

  The original Reel King is associated with Novomatic and Greentube, while other developers have put their own stamp on the format. This includes Red Tiger’s Reel King Mega, Inspired’s Reel Kingdom Megaways, and Gaming Realms’ Slingo Reel King.
• What is the RTP of Reel King?

  The RTP of Reel King slots varies between titles. The original Reel King has an RTP of 94%. Reel King Mega pays 96.17%, Reel King Megaways 96.23%, and Slingo Reel King 95%, with different RTP configurations available, depending on the casino. You can typically check this information in the game’s informational panel.
• Is there a Reel King Megaways slot?

  Yes. Inspired’s Reel King Megaways runs on a 6×4 grid with up to 117,649 ways to win, an Extra Reel above the middle four reels where the wilds appear, medium-high volatility and stakes from 0.20 to 20.00. Its RTP is 96.23%.
• What is the max win on Reel King?

  The original Reel King has a maximum win of 500x your stake.
• Can I play Reel King slots for free?

  Yes! Some Reel King slots are available in demo mode, allowing you to explore their features without risking real money. We have several Reel King demos available right here on Fruity Slots, including the original Reel King.
• How does the Reel King bonus trigger?

  At random. In the original game, all five reels can turn bright yellow and up to five Reel King characters appear, each paying 5x to 500x your total bet depending on the symbols alongside. The optional Fortune Bet, at 1.5x your stake, raises how often the bonus triggers.
• Are there Reel King jackpot slots?

  Yes! Some versions introduce jackpot mechanics alongside the traditional Reel King gameplay. For example, Reel King Potty: King Pot Edition features a progressive jackpot bonus, offering a different experience from the original game’s fixed prizes.
• Is Reel King available to play in the UK?

  Availability varies between casinos and between games in the family. The Where to Play Reel King Slots section further up this page lists casinos where the games appear.

Final Thoughts on Reel King Slots

Reel King proves that sometimes, simple slots worth the best. There’s something so charming about its old-school fruit machine roots and retro vibes, with its accessible gameplay and randomly-triggered bonus.

While the original Reel King will always be a nostalgic favourite, the franchise has kept with the times and evolved considerably, with over a dozen different variants from numerous slot providers. This versatility and willingness to adapt means there’s bound to be a Reel King slot to suit different playing styles and preferences.

No matter what Reel King slot you’re looking for, you can explore our expert slot reviews or try the games yourself through our free slot demos without spending a penny.

As with any slot game, remember to play within your means and never chase your losses – you can find worldwide information/resources on our Responsible Gambling page.