Page 14 - October 2005 • Southern California Gaming Guide

by Maya Winkler
Every fall this magazine covers the annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, and reports back to you on new slots that you will see in the casinos in the following year. is year, I got to walk miles of exhibit oor, viewing and playing the new games and talking to the
manufacturers about the fantastic new slots. (Yes, someone has to do it!) Each year, the show gets bigger, I’m told, and the products are more creative and exciting. is year’s show was amazing.
Just when I thought all the fun retro TV shows were now slot machines, and all my favorite blockbuster movies had spin-o slots, those clever slot machine designers have come up with a new and stunning variety of games. ere were a few exciting trends at the show — particularly
a considerable number of multi-level progressives—and mystery bonusing has remained a slot maker favorite. Here are a just a few of the new slots I think will be big hits. Many will be the popular penny games, and some multi-denominational. Higher maximum credit bets usually mean the slot is intended as a one-cent or nickel game. Look for these thrilling slots in your favorite casino within the next six to twelve months or so.
I nternational Game Technology (IGT) had a breathtaking number of fantastic slots, including a few new versions of its wildly famous Wheel of
Fortune® (including the huge Super SpinTM version we previewed last year), a new penny MegaBucks®, plus new versions of Star Wars®, Elvis® and I Dream of Jeannie® games. e following IGT slots caught my eye and sustained my attention when I played them.
The ApprenticeTM
A super-charged multiple progressive video slot, The Apprenticeis,ofcourse,basedonDonaldTrump’spopular
reality show where contestants connive their way to the top. In the fun “Boardroom Bonus,” players get to choose a contestant from the rst season TV show (perhaps the infamous Omarosa) to be red! If the contestant’s image reveals a bonus amount, “ e Donald” gives his pursed- lip scowl and snarls “You’re
red!” Players can go through candidates, racking up bonus amounts, until they reveal a symbol that they are red, ending the bonus round! e further a player gets without getting red, the higher the level of progressive jackpot!
Back to the FutureTM
is is one of my favorites for the sheer fun and magic of actor Christopher Lloyd’s
(as Doc Brown) voice-overs.
Based on the three blockbuster
movies from the Eighties, the slot features the hit soundtrack, streaming video clips from the lms and “Flux Free Spins.” e slot’s topper is an eye-catching replica of the clock tower from the lms.
Wheel of Fortune Super SpinTM
While this amazing slot was featured in our
G2E slot report last year, it’s important and
dramatic enough to talk about again this
year. We told you in December 2004 that
Super Spin would be in casinos in about a year,andthat’saboutright,asitshouldbein
Southern California Casinos within the next six months. is new version of the wildly popular “Wheel” game seats nine players around a giant horizontal wheel. Each player has his own video screen. Whenever a player hits the bonus round, the “Wheel” spins in the center of the
circular bank of nine slots, and the player receives the bonus that lands in front of his or her video screen! If multiple players reach the bonus round at about the same
time, they can opt to wait their turn or can choose to get in on another player’s spin.
is super-sized slot will be the centerpiece of a casino oor, and I predict players will have to line up to
play! e experience of playing Super Spin is
so di erent and so much fun, as you look down on the huge wheel as it spins. And all players get in on the bonus action! Video images of Pat and Vanna beam from the big overhead display screen, as well as the player’s screen. You won’t
want to miss this new “Wheel” experience—ifyoucangetaseat.
Soul TrainTM
A fantastic and fun multi-level
mystery progressive video slot, Soul Train has 50-line, 500-credit themed
games like Catch Another WaveTM, Mystical SwordsTM, and Unicorn 2TM. All Soul Train games o er individual bonuses plus an additional Soul Train bonus that will pay one of nine possible progressives. When the Soul Train bonus is initiated,
longtime host of the famous dance TV show, Don Cornelius, appears in a 3-D video. Similar to Fort KnoxTM, mystery progressives are fun and exciting play, and thrilling Soul Train will keep you on track!
World Poker Tour® Video Slots
One of the most famous poker television series, the World Poker Tour, is now an exciting MegaJackpots® video slot! Featuring all the sights and sounds of poker tournament play, the 5-reel, 30-payline, 200-credit slot also includes a 10-credit side-bet. With great video clips of the popular poker TV show’s players and hosts, this slot is sure to engross not only casino players familiar with poker, but anyone who loves the thrill of slot play.
Page 14 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
October 2005