The thrilling Slingo game mechanic that merges features from traditional bingo with slot gameplay is fast becoming one of the most popular game genres out there. The mix of chance and strategy-based play alongside original bonus features in a number of titles makes Slingo play great for new and experienced gamers. Join us as we investigate the inner mechanics of Slingo play and discover why so many gamers are now looking to complete Slingos in play!
The following guide is great for online casino game players looking to try out a different genre of games or anyone curious about the inner workings of this mechanic. We will explain how this mechanic came to be and mention some specific titles that stand out amongst the fast-growing library of Slingo games!
The History of Slingo Games Mechanic
The Slingo game mechanic dates back to 1994 when New Jersey-based software developer Sal Falciglia first developed the concept. The first Slingo game, Slingo Classic, was released in 1995 thanks to Falciglia’s real estate developer friend, Dave Lyons’ business knowledge and contacts.
Slingo was one of the first innovative game genres to merge features and mechanics from already-established games. From the original Slingo Classic release with AOL, this game mechanic expanded to offer many Slingo variants and licensed the game to allow play on various gaming platforms. Slingo continues to evolve over the years, with many different games using this mechanic and featuring a variation of genres released through the years.
In 2013, RealNetworks purchased the Slingo mechanic for $15.6 million, though they sold it 2 years later to Gaming Realms, a London-based game developer. As the game mechanic became more popular in the UK, the Slingo Originals brand was created along with a range of game titles to much acclaim!
The Slingo Game Mechanics Explained
The premise of Slingo play takes features of both online slot and bingo game mechanics that result in a simple and fun gameplay experience. The base gameplay involves spinning a row of 5 reels situated beneath a 5×5 playgrid filled with random numbers between 1 and 75. The base game involves a fixed number of spins per stake (usually 10), in which the player will hope to land as many matching numbers as possible. In order to climb the prize ladder in most titles, numbers will need to be removed from the grid in lines of 5 vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, also known as Slingos!
Alongside a random selection of numbers that can land on the 5 reels from each game spin, there are some classic slot game symbols that can land during play. The classic wild symbol feature is included in many Slingo titles, allowing players to mark any number from the reel above where the wild symbol lands or the entire grid if a super wild lands. Slingo games can also include power-up symbols like free spins and multipliers in play or the annoying blocker symbols that land to waste space and include no feature.
The mechanics behind Slingo play are very similar to slot games in that a random number generator (RNG) is used to determine much of play. This device provides a constant string of numbers that, when the reels stop spinning, are used to determine the numbers or symbols that are shown in play. This ensures the fairness of Slingo gameplay by producing randomly selected numbers on the playgrid and reels in each game.
Examples of Slingo Games
With the huge selection of Slingo games available, it could be quite difficult for newcomers to this game mechanic to find a good game to start their Slingo experience. Whether you’re looking to dip your toe in the Slingo experience or for recommendations of new games to try, here are some highly-rated Slingo games.
Book of Slingo
Based on the hugely popular ‘Book of’ slot game series, this release takes the slot/bingo mechanics back to ancient Egypt. The Book of Slingo game includes great visual features, presenting play in front of the great pyramids as a sandstorm rages on, shaking palm trees on either side of the grid.
Along with cash values displayed on the prize ladder, the top 4 prizes offer free spin bonus rounds of classic slot gameplay. These bonus rounds offer 10 free spins with a special expanding symbol that increases in value the further up the prize ladder it is placed.
Slingo Fire & Ice
Released in 2022, the Slingo Fire & Ice game offers innovative Slingo play with 2 separate 5×5 play grids filled by randomly selected numbers. The single reel of 5 rows between these grids can land numbers that match the Fire grid, the Ice grid, or both with cash value and multiplier prizes available in play.
Alongside the usual number and bonus symbols appearing in play, there are lucrative jackpot symbols in Slingo Fire & Ice. The red or blue crystal symbols landing in play can reward their respective jackpot prizes in Slingo Fire & Ice.
Slingo Reveal
One of the first releases of Slingo Originals, the Slingo Reveal game, came out in 2017 and took a much more back-to-basics approach to play features and design. Instead of a prize ladder showing what can be won from making up to 12 Slingos, this game displays the prizes from 3 matching symbols.
The end of each payline in Slingo Reveal shows a ‘?’ when play begins; these are rolled to reveal a random symbol when the Slingo line is completed. Slingo Reveal rewards cash prizes for landing 3 cherries, oranges, watermelons, grapes, 7s, BARs, or diamonds in a single game.
Slingo Game Mechanics Summary
The slot/bingo crossover in mechanics is proving more popular now than ever before, with a growing selection of great titles using this genre of games available. Hopefully, you are now more aware of the mechanics included in these titles and ready to try out gameplay for real.
