Best fruit machines of all time
Introduction
Fruit slots are a bulwark of simplicity and instant excitement. With the advent of the first mechanical automata in the 1890s, they were constantly updated: electrical mechanics of the 1960s, video slots of the 1980s, HTML5 versions of the 21st century. Below is a selection of the ten most influential and popular games that have shaped the classic genre.
1. Liberty Bell (1895, Charles Fey)
Format: mechanical three-reel, 5 characters, one line.
Innovation: First commercially successful slot, gyroscopic lever, chewing gum or beer payout
Meaning: the founder of the genre, all the fruit symbols came from him.
2. Double Diamond (1989, IGT)
Format: electromechanical three-reel from one line, symbols BAR and "7."
Mechanics: the wild Double Diamond symbol doubles the win, increases the potential of the base game.
Why the best: simplicity was combined with a powerful wild multiplier, still in the top of ground clubs.
3. Triple Diamond (1996, IGT)
Format: similar to Double Diamond, but with a three-time wild symbol.
Feature: three Diamond simultaneously triple the payout; built-in progressive jackpot.
Historical role: Moving to higher volatility while maintaining the classics.
4. Sizzling Hot Deluxe (2009, Novomatic)
Format: video slot 5 × 3, 5 lines, fruit and "7."
Mechanics: auto and turbo modes, simple freespins without complex bonuses.
Popularity: Millions of players appreciate the instant gameplay and high return of standard characters.
5. Fruit Shop (2011, NetEnt)
Format: video slot 5 × 3, 15 lines.
Bonus: wild fruit frispins, "multiplier rain" - a series of free spins when fruit falls out.
Meaning: the first "fruit" game with a full bonus zone and Story mode.
6. BerryBurst (2014, NetEnt)
Format: video slot 5 × 3, cluster mechanics; symbols fall and disappear.
Mechanics: pay cascades, expanding wild symbol, continuous winnings for one spin.
Why it matters: Combining classic characters with new cluster logic.
7. Fruit Warp (2016, Thunderkick)
Format: no drums; 7 fruit on screen, selecting 1-3 for "back."
Mechanics: random "warps" (transformations), up to × 20 multiplier, unique UI.
Innovation: Breaks stereotypes while maintaining a fruity theme.
8. Ultimate Hot (2017, EGT)
Format: 3 reels, 5 lines, progressive jackpots.
Features: Four jackpot levels, three "7" characters trigger a bonus game to choose a drawer.
Role: Integration of progressive prize pools into the classic format.
9. Lucky 8 Line 100 (2018, Stakelogic)
Format: 3 reels, 8 paylines.
Mechanics: linear and cluster combinations, "Respin to Win" bonus, multipliers up to × 100.
Why it is worth noting: a hybrid of classics and modern features for more frequent payments.
10. Fire Joker (2019, Play’n GO)
Format: 3 × 3, 5 lines, fiery wild symbol.
Mechanics: Re-Spin of Fire - jerky repeat spins with symbol extensions.
Meaning: a return to three-drum classics with fiery visuals and dynamics.
Conclusion
Each of the listed slots contributed - be it the first lever mechanics or innovative cluster payments. Fruit machines remain relevant thanks to a combination of simple, clear basic structure and flexible adaptation to modern mechanics and interfaces. This makes them an eternal classic of the Australian market.
