Video game developers have looked to television as a source of inspiration for almost as long as video games have existed. Some have simply used TV shows as a place to find ideas for their content, such as Driver for the original PlayStation which was based on the epic car chases of 70s TV series.
Others have been created using the intellectual property from TV shows thanks to licensing agreements between the game developers and the show’s producers.
The practice of licensing games dates back to the 1980s. For example, in the UK, an adventure game titled Yes, Prime Minister was released for several home computers, based on the hit political sitcom that had 16 episodes aired on the BBC between 1986 and 1988.
Slots and TV
Using TV shows as inspiration for video games remains commonplace today, across all corners of the gaming industry. This is especially true in iGaming where there is a growing number of video slot games themed around television shows.
The drive to create slot games that feature the characters of popular dramas and sitcoms is part of a wider effort amongst online casinos to differentiate themselves from the rest of the market.
Many casinos also offer bonuses and other promotions to new players that can be used on progressive jackpot slots when they sign up and make a deposit. So many of these deals exist that sites like Oddschecker have been set up to help players navigate the ocean of offers to help find the ones that are best suited to them.
Once signed up to one of these casinos, here are some of the top slots you can expect to find that are inspired by TV shows.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire Megaways
There's no TV gameshow quite as big as Who Wants to be a Millionaire and there are few more popular slot formats than Megaways. So putting these two together was always going to be a massive hit for developer Big Time Gaming.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire Megaways combines the traditional slot mechanic on a 6x7 grid with the key features of the TV game show. This means you’ll be offered the options to Ask the Audience, Phone a Friend, or go 50-50, as well as enjoy the flagship Megaways feature of 117,649 different ways to win.
Narcos
Narcos is one of the most successful series ever released on Netflix, so it was only a matter of time before the show was turned into a slot game. This day came in 2019 when NetEnt released Narcos Video Slot, a high-volatility 5x3 game with 243 different paylines.
It features cartoon-esque recreations of Narcos characters and the backdrop of Medellin. Amongst its bonuses, you’ll find several features that are themed around elements of the show, including the Locked Up jackpot and the Drive-By feature that randomly triggers and turns high-paying symbols on your reels into Wilds.
Deal or No Deal Megaways
Deal or No Deal is another huge TV game show success story having had versions released in 83 different countries. This made it the perfect candidate for being turned into a slot game, which is exactly what happened at the hands of Blueprint Gaming in 2019.
This Megaways slot also features 177,649 ways to win as you take on the banker. In addition to the 6x7 reel, Deal or No Deal Megaways boasts several bonus modes that are based on the TV show. This includes the “What’s in your box?” game where multipliers and free spins are on offer.
Gordon Ramsay: Hell’s Kitchen Video Slot
One show you may not have expected to be turned into a slot game is Gordon Ramsay: Hell’s Kitchen. The celebrity chef is famous for his choice language, but you’re spared this in NetEnt’s 2021 title.
Instead, you’re served up a 5x3 reel that features many of Gordon’s signature dishes as its symbols. While Gordon may not pop up to insult you, the Ramsay’s Wilds feature does involve him launching various pieces of kitchen equipment at the reels that then turn into Wild symbols.
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