Bonus games are definitely the most entertaining part of any slot – they’re fun, fast-paced, break up the otherwise rather monotonous gameplay (I mean, I love slots as much as the next guy, but let’s be honest here, they can get pretty boring when you’ve played for a while) and, most importantly, can bring players some really awesome winnings at no extra cost! I’m a huge lover of bonus games, to the point where I generally try to avoid slots that don’t have some kind of bonus round unless they have some other fantastic redeeming quality (like the jackpot of “Mega Moolah”). As a result, I’ve made my way through quite a few slots in my time, and played many a bonus game in order to try them all and see how they hold up. Today we’re going to be celebrating this often unappreciated aspect of slot gambling by bringing to the forefront the best bonus games (that I know).

3. King Kong

While there was generally very little doubt in my mind about which slots would take the #2 and #1 spot, the #3 one was contested as hell! There are just so many fantastic slots with many great games, but I think that one of the most creative one is “King Kong”, which offers two very distinct bonuses – a Skull Island bonus (Kong’s home) and an Empire State bonus (the place where he dies… Spoilers for a movie that’s over 80 years old). The Skull Island bonus is fairly typical, presenting you with a map of the island and allowing you to select points on it that are home to various creatures. Getting a match of 3 gives you a bonus, unless you manage to find Kong in which case getting him just once nets you the biggest bonus. But it’s the Empire State bonus that intrigued me the most, since it actually requires some timing and reflexes instead of just sheer luck. I mean, sure, it’s something that literally a monkey could do (no pun intended), but it’s still very creative!

2. Spider-Man

Playtech’s “Spider-Man” is one of those slots with a TON of bonus games, and most of them are actually really, really great! The theme of the slot isn’t just Spider-Man – it’s his battle with the Green Goblin, and as such most bonus games are based around the concept of rivalries. For example, when you’re playing the free spins bonus, the game will constantly switch between Spider-Man and Green Goblin depending on who’s winning the fight at that particular moment, and if it’s Spider-Man the free spins counter won’t go down. There’s also a game where you, playing as the webhead, swing around the city in pursuit of the Goblin, which is animated entirely in CG and looks pretty great, for a slot! But my absolute favorite is the bonus round that’s essentially a fighting game, complete with combos and special moves. It’s great stuff! If the new Spider-Man movie is as good as those games, we’re gonna be just fine!

1. Aliens

There’s no doubt about it – “Aliens” has, by far, the best bonus game I’ve ever seen in a slot. When asked the question “What do you want from a slot bonus game”, many players will answer with “More interactivity”. Hell, that’s why they’re currently trying to legalize arcade-style games in slots! But “Aliens” proves them all wrong by providing the most tense and enjoyable experience out of all of them with absolutely zero interactivity. You play as a space marine going through a hallway and having to find ammunition in order to fight off the aliens. If you run out, the game is over and you’re dead. If you do manage to make your way through the hall, you get to fight the alien queen for the jackpot. The bonus game is intense, brilliantly animated and extremely fun despite the fact that there’s absolutely no interactivity involved. It’s a staple of just how a bigger budget can be used to enhance the slot experience!