If you have ever played online casino games from the comfort of your home, you are probably well acquainted with the leading software developer, Microgaming. The name evokes a number of positive associations in the minds of regular online casino players, having become synonymous with quality, innovation and diversity. Slot fans have Microgaming to thank for an extensive collection that spans over 600 titles, each of which is equally impressive in terms of graphics, animations, interface and gameplay.
When it comes to themes, Microgaming certainly caters to the needs of all slot fans, as there is a title to suit every player’s individual preferences and interests. Some titles are inspired by hugely popular blockbusters, while others boast colossal progressive jackpots. The unparalleled diversity of Microgaming’s slot catalogue can, however, overwhelm less experienced players.
However, when choosing a Microgaming slot to play for real money, it is advisable first to check its payout percentage, as some titles offer greater winning potential than others. Selecting your slot wisely will improve your chances of generating more substantial profits. In the following article, you can find a short list of suggestions for the highest-paying slots Microgaming has developed.
What Players Need to Know About Microgaming
Microgaming rightly claims the title of a frontrunner in the online gambling industry, and its popularity is entirely justified. The company was established in 1994 and is said to have launched the first ever online casino in history, known as The Gaming Club. Shortly after this launch, Microgaming decided to veer off in a slightly different direction and offer its bespoke software to other emerging online casino operators.
It was then that things really took off for the Isle of Man-based software developer. Over the past twenty years or so, Microgaming’s catalogue has expanded greatly. Today, it encompasses over 850 games, available across 450 legitimate online casinos. The company’s live-dealer, bingo, poker and sports-betting offerings are also highly regarded in the industry.
It is fair to say Microgaming paved the way for other emerging software developers by bringing about a number of innovations to the online casino world. Microgaming’s Cash Splash became the first online slot game to be linked to a progressive jackpot network.
The developer has remained true to its reputation as an innovator in the industry and introduced the first slot to feature as many as 100 paylines as well as the first slot title to boast 3D graphics and animations. A good portion of the slot collection is also available for mobile play and runs smoothly on Android, Windows and iOS-based devices.
The leading developer even made it into the Guinness World Records when, in 2015, the Mega Moolah slot paid out the biggest ever progressive jackpot in an online slot game to one lucky player. Despite the increased competition in recent years, Microgaming’s popularity among players remains as high as it has ever been.
Microgaming Slots with the Highest Payout Percentages
As Microgaming’s slot collection is indeed very diverse, less experienced players may wonder which titles offer them better odds of generating greater profits. We have compiled a short list of five slots, courtesy of the respected software developer, that offer the highest payout percentages. The games can be tested in Fun mode, so make sure you try each of the titles below to see which one best suits your individual preferences.
| Best Payout Microgaming Slots | |
|---|---|
| Slot | Return to Player |
| Hot Ink | 97.50% |
| Big Bad Wolf | 97.34% |
| Thunderstruck II | 97.00% |
| Immortal Romance | 96.86% |
| The Dark Knight Rises | 96.30% |
Hot Ink
Have you ever stepped into a tattoo parlour? If the answer is ‘No’, Microgaming provides you with the opportunity to do so by playing its tattoo-themed video slot, Hot Ink. The game ranks among the highest-paying Microgaming slots, with a payout percentage of 97.50%.
The game is played on five reels and offers a staggering number of ways to win, as it is based on the popular 1,024-ways-to-win format. Some of the symbols the game employs include horseshoes, flaming dice, winged hearts and the actual tattoo designs offered in the parlour.
Players who decide to give Hot Ink a try will benefit from an impressive range of special features. These include the Hot Ink wild symbol, the Yin Yang Koi Fish scatter symbol, which unlocks a round of 20 free spins with doubled payouts, as well as the tattoo bonus symbol that is the key to unlocking the bonus mini-game. In the bonus game, players are presented with three albums of arm, leg and back tattoo designs and must click on each of them. Three matching tattoo designs will result in 10 free spins with a 2x multiplier on winning combinations.
Big Bad Wolf
Most players have probably read the story of the Big Bad Wolf and the three little pigs, and the Big Bad Wolf slot is based on this tale. The game has an RTP of 97.34% and showcases amazing 3D graphics that are truly a feast for the eyes, while the great sound effects further add to the entertainment value of this already impressive online video slot. Big Bad Wolf features five reels and offers players a total of 25 paylines.
Some of the symbols players are likely to encounter while enjoying this slot include the three little pigs themselves, as well as various high cards that serve as the lowest-paying symbols. The wolf symbol is a scatter. Land three of these on the reels and you will be awarded 10 free spins with a 3x multiplier on your winnings.
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Whenever players land a winning combination, the Pigs Turn Wild feature is unlocked, and every consecutive win turns one of the three pigs into a wild symbol. There is also a regular wild symbol in the game, represented by the beehive icon. Five beehive symbols will earn you the hefty prize of 1,000 coins. The Swooping Reels feature also deserves a mention. When players achieve a winning combination, the winning symbols disappear from the reels and are replaced by new symbols that fall from above, while any new wins are added to the winnings already generated from the initial combination.
Players who manage to land at least three moon symbols on the reels will unlock the Blowing Down the House feature and will be rewarded with two additional free spins. If you collect six moon symbols, you receive two more free spins with a 2x multiplier on the wins.
Thunderstruck II
Thunderstruck II is the sequel to one of the most successful slot titles in Microgaming’s extensive collection. Inspired by Norse mythology, the five-reel game employs the popular 243-ways-to-win format and uses the mighty Thor, his father Odin, the mischievous Loki and a beautiful Valkyrie as symbols. This set of Norse deities guards a range of lucrative features and generous bonus rounds in the Great Hall of Spins, which records your progress so that you can benefit from previously unlocked features. The game offers huge winning potential, as players lucky enough can collect a top prize of 2.4 million coins.
Thor’s hammer plays the role of a scatter symbol – if you collect at least three hammer symbols, you are granted entry to the aforementioned Great Hall of Spins. The Thunderstruck II symbol acts as a wild, substituting for all other symbols with the exception of the hammer scatter symbol. The wild also doubles your winnings whenever it completes a winning combination.
Immortal Romance
Microgaming’s Immortal Romance slot is inspired by the vampire stories and films that have gained increased popularity in recent years. Similar to Thunderstruck II, Immortal Romance employs five reels and offers players a total of 243 ways to win. Symbols that can help players form winning combinations include a witch, a beautiful young lady, two vampires, a castle and a glass of wine with an open book next to it.
The Immortal Romance symbol is the wild in this game. As such, it substitutes for all other symbols except for the scatter and doubles players’ returns on winning combinations. A golden door-knocker with a lion’s head acts as the scatter symbol. If you are lucky enough to get three or more of these, you will be granted entry to the Chamber of Spins, where a round of free spins awaits you. The Wild Desire feature is of special interest, as it can be activated randomly at any time and carries huge winning potential because it can turn all five reels into wilds. The RTP of Immortal Romance stands at 96.86%.
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises is a game every slot fan is familiar with. Based on the hugely popular blockbuster of the same name, it was the first ever online slot to be optimised for the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch. This enticing five-reel video slot also offers 243 ways to win and uses characters from the popular film as symbols. Therefore, players are likely to encounter Batman, Commissioner Gordon, Catwoman and Sergeant John Blake, as well as villains like Talia al Ghul and Batman’s nemesis Bane.
The Dark Knight Rises is packed with great features designed to make players’ gaming sessions more rewarding and, of course, entertaining. For instance, the Batman logo acts as a wild symbol, while the scatter is represented by a ticking bomb. Players are rewarded with rounds of free spins each time they succeed in landing three scatters on the reels.
The game is indeed a feast for the senses, and one simply cannot help but admit Microgaming truly outdid itself with this branded slot. Each time a winning combination lands on the reels, the characters come to life thanks to the fantastic animations. The original Hans Zimmer score used in the film is featured in the online slot as well. Whenever players hit five identical character icons, they hear the voices of the actual actors who took part in the film. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, The Dark Knight Rises carries high winning potential with an RTP of 96.30%.
