Barcrest Slot Games
Barcrest is now owned by Scientific Games, which continues to use the iconic brand for both live and online slots. This company was once the single biggest slot games maker in the UK. During the 1970’s through to the 1990’s it was difficult to walk into a pub in the UK without finding slots and other gaming machines supplied by Barcrest.
Formed in Ashton Under Lyme back in 1968. Along the way they went from 3 reel slots (fruit machines) through to the early 5 reel video slot games. Many of the best known games like Rainbow Riches, Monty’s Millions and later Ooh Aah Dracula came from Barcrest. They were bought out by IGT in 1998. This company kept their brand name, and eventually made the more modern titles available to an online audience. The later sale to Scientific Games in 2011 again saw the name and development centre being kept.
Today Barcrest continue to develop new titles and have moved much of their focus to making their top games compatible with mobile devices.
Play Free Barcrest Slot Machines / Fruit Machines
Barcrest Technology
Barcrest games can be played via your browser window and do not require a download. This means that many more online casinos have been able to add their games – meaning new players are experiencing them for the first time. While these games do resize, the smallest screens may still have trouble displaying some of the titles. This is an area of focus as mobile slots gaming becomes the norm.
At the same time, touch screen games with interactive bonus rounds have replaced those with buttons in the pub setting. Big win games have also meant that these slots can be found in casinos too.
Most Popular Barcrest Slots
Barcrest has an amazing history of developing slots that went on to become huge hits. Some of these are ‘of their time’ and have since become old fashioned and disappeared. Others are still around today, and many have new versions with updated game-play and graphics.
The most popular game of all is Rainbow Riches. This slot is themed on the luck of the Irish (itself a popular theme) and managed to capture the imagination with a mix of on-reel and break out bonus features – along with solid game play. There has since been a sequel (which has one less bonus game) with updated graphics. Both are still solid, though they are starting to look a little retro compared to the amazing graphics in many of today’s titles.
Monty’s Millions was another huge hit, though again this is now starting to look a little on the retro slide. There is a free spins round with multipliers, and the chance to hit a big win at any moment on this ‘rich guy’ themed slot. What makes it enjoyable to play is the humour element – as well as the smooth and professional Barcrest game play.
There are many more, Captain Jackpots Cash Ahoy is a popular pirate themed game. Ooh Aah Dracula is more modern, and has become a huge hit both live and online already. The ‘Cashino’ game with a giant roulette based bonus reel was also a big hit in its day.
If there is one thing we can rely on from Barcrest, it is that they will come up with the goods with innovative new slots – whatever the advances in game-play and technology they need to include.
Features of Barcrest Slots
One quirk of Barcrest slots is that they stay quiet between spins. When you spin the reels you’ll often find striking sounds as well as visual effects –though at least you can leave them between spins without any annoying music continuing.
Most games have at least one break out bonus game. These range from simple pick-em games to more elaborate sequences which tie in with particular themes. Examples include a game where you collect treasure without waking up the king in ‘Merry Money’ (themed on Robin Hood), or the Asteroid field bonus game in Money Mad Martians.
The Money Mad Martians also introduced a new concept where entire reels swap places after a losing spin. This can turn a dead spin into a significant win, courtesy of little green men in their space ships beaming the reels around.
High Roller spins is another concept which Barcrest introduced. The idea is that you exchange a bigger spin amount for some enhanced features. An example includes Ooh Aah Dracula, where you’ll get an extra ‘Graveyard’ bonus after the free spins if you choose the high roller ($4+ per spin) option.
Barcrest Slots – Summary
This company has managed to keep up with the changing technology and fashions in slot gaming over the years very well. They have consistently produced iconic titles, which are hugely popular in their native UK as well as around the world. Even with recent changes of ownership, Barcrest continue to produce the goods. With technology changing at an ever faster pace, I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.