Best NetEnt Slots
When it comes to developers, there are a few instantly recognisable brands such as IGT, Barcrest and Yggdrasil Gaming. However, even amongst those titans of the industry, one name stands out from the rest; Net Entertainment. The developer is known for making the crème de la crème of slots, with top-of-the-range graphics, boatloads of engaging bonuses, and even some officially licensed games from some of the biggest entertainment franchises out there. We host plenty of NetEnt slots, so we've compiled the best of them here in our NetEnt slots special.
1. Narcos
We start with a game that perfectly illustrates NetEnt’s greatest strengths; Narcos. Based on the hit Netflix show of the same name, this slot follows the exploits of the notorious Pablo Escobar in his battle against DEA agent Murphy and the Columbian authorities. Now, some officially licensed games only carry the property’s logo or title and don’t take full advantage of the potential. There is none of that in Narcos. Here, the whole cast is rendered in symbol form, the backdrop and bonuses visually reference scenes from the show, and NetEnt even managed to get one of the actors to promote the game! The developer has utilised all the tools at its disposal, and the result is a wonderful slot game.
While the theme and visuals are spot on, we know that the gameplay is the real point of interest. We’re happy to report that this element is just as good, with a raft of bonuses that can prove a real boon for the fortunate. The first of these is the Drive-By feature. This is a randomly triggered bonus that will see a gang of armed criminals appear and shoot at the reels, turning any high-value symbols hit into wilds. Speaking of wilds, any DEA badges you land will convert into Walking Wilds, which means they will move along the board one row for each subsequent spin after they have landed.
Outside of those minor features, you get two main ones; the Locked-Up bonus and a free spins round. The former will trigger once you’ve landed the game’s scatter at least three times on the reels, for which you will receive a coin prize. After that, a new reel set will be introduced, with only the scatter symbol and a new Golden Briefcase icon in play. You’ll get three spins to land as many of the latter as possible, with multipliers, instant wins and more up for grabs. Landing the other scatter symbol three times will trigger this feature, with ten free spins and the Drive-By feature active. The icing on the cake is that any Walking Wilds landed will extend the round until they are gone.
2. Hotline
No, you’re not seeing double, Hotline is a completely different slot to Narcos. Well, not entirely, it’s more like the unlicensed spin-off, but there is a lot of differences that help this game stand up in its own right. Let’s start with the similarities though; they are both based on the conflict between law enforcement and criminals, both have great bonuses, and both feature a visual design that wouldn’t look amiss in a Grand Theft Auto game. The cell-shaded style is meant to capture that arcade aesthetic and it does so wonderfully, it’s just a bonus that this fits with the vibrant setting of Miami.
Hotline isn’t just the name of this slot, it’s also one of the main mechanics in the game. Before you start to play, you will be given the opportunity to choose one of the rows to serve as a ‘Hotline’. When this is active, any wilds that land will expand to cover the whole reel, which will then freeze in place before a re-spin is initiated. With the Hotline bonus bet, you can place a higher wager to activate the other rows, which could lead to even better wins. Outside of the hotlines, there is also a free spins round that is triggered by landing the scatter symbol on the first, third, and fifth reels. You will receive seven spins, plus any expanded wilds landed will freeze in place and remain for rest of your spins. If you’re really lucky, you could fill the entire reels with expanded wilds.
3. Vikings
Another licensed game, another TV show, though this time we’re a ways away from the busy streets of Medellin. Vikings is, unsurprisingly, all about Vikings! The series focuses on Ragnar, one of the most famous of the feared Norse warriors, and other members of the kingship, as they try to navigate an ever-changing world. They’ve managed to capture the essence of the show quite well too, with a cinematic introduction featuring the characters and a fully animated background of a snow-covered landscape. The symbols are represented by familiar faces to fans of the franchise and NetEnt has aced the execution of the theme.
We know the burning question on your mind though, what about the bonuses? Well, there is no need to fret in this regard, as the developer has hit the nail on the head once again. There are three to speak of, the first of which is the Shield Wall. Here, a randomly triggered bonus will turn several symbols into a matching one, thus making a new win. After that, there is the Hotspot bonus, which will activate if a Viking symbol lands stacked on reel three. Any other high-value symbols in play will then turn into the triggering icon before a new calculation is made. The final feature is a free games mode, labelled ‘Raid Spins’ and is triggered when the scatter lands three times anywhere on the reels. A new reel set with seven paylines and 78,125 paylines, plus the Hotspot active on the fourth and fifth reel, as well as the third. With this in place, you could win up to 10,000x your stake, so the features can be quite generous indeed.
4. Butterfly Staxx
After three slots primarily concerned with war, warriors, and other destructive things, let’s take it down a notch with a very different game from NetEnt’s library. Butterfly Staxx is, basically, the thematic antithesis of all the other titles we’ve mentioned here. Instead of gangsters and Vikings, this slot focuses on the colourful world of butterflies. The symbols are comprised of a yellow butterfly and a mix of flowers, each a different shade. The backdrop is a cartoonish landscape, with fauna, mountains, and a gentle sunset visible. The animations are top-notch too, with explosions of colour and great light effects employed each time you land a win. In short, it’s a bright, bold display that is a joy to look at.
So, the visuals are good, but what about those all-important features? It’s another tick in the box for NetEnt, as they have included not one, but two bonus rounds, a re-spin round, and a free spins mode. The former is triggered when a whole column is filled with the butterfly symbol. You will then be given as many re-spins as you need to clear all the remaining butterflies, plus any that land in the future. The free spins are unlocked by landing the scatter three, four or five times, for which you will receive five, six, or seven free spins respectively. Additionally, new cocoon symbols will be added into play, which could turn into butterflies and trigger the re-spin bonus as a result.
Play them at Kerching
All the games we’ve mentioned today can be found and played right here at Kerching. If you’re a newbie, make sure to check out our latest welcome offer, which includes spins on great games like Cleopatra and Wishwood.
Gamble Responsibly
We want you to have the best time you can when playing on Kerching, but that can only happen if you’re practising responsible gambling. Always gamble responsibly and please, when the fun stops, stop. Visit BeGambleAware for free advice. Or you can get in touch with our support team at [email protected].
