Children get acquainted with super heroes from an early age through comic books and movies. The super hero brands then manifest through merchandise such as clothes and toys and the identification becomes stronger. Super hero themed online slot games are a logical extension of this branding process. Online casino software providers tie up with owners of the super hero brands to develop thematic slot games that will have additional value for the players.
Cryptologic was the first software provider to launch branded super hero online slot games. It tied up with Marvel Comics and produced over 15 slot machines with popular super heroes like Spiderman, the Hulk, Elektra and Captain America.The symbols on the reels of these slot machines depict the super heroes, their alter egos, the villains they battle, their favorite weapons and the sources of their super powers. Players who are fans of these superheroes and are familiar with their legends enjoy these slot games at a much higher level. Many of these branded super hero slot games feature bonus games that revolve around encounters with the villains. The Cryptologic Marvel super hero slot games are linked to a three tier progressive jackpot network. These jackpots run independently and can be hit randomly after any spin.
Cryptologic has developed another series of branded super hero online slot games based on DC Comics characters like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. This series was developed later and has more sophisticated graphics and animations. The Cryptologic super hero slot games introduced an innovative feature called Bonus Bet. This feature involves placing an extra wager for which the player has the chance to play a lucrative bonus game. The Bonus Bet enables all 50 paylines with one coin wagered per payline and adds 10 coins for the Bonus Bet. The total wager per spin therefore is equal to 60 coins. A special bonus game can be triggered only if the Bonus Bet has been activated. However, this is only an enabling condition. Three or more scatter symbols have to appear on the reels with the Bonus Bet activated in order to trigger the bonus game.This game offers fantastic payouts that compensate for the extra wager.
The software provider Playtech had an independent agreement with Marvel Movies to develop super hero online slot games. The symbols in these games are based on the movies and hence are more realistic. Otherwise the nature of the symbols is very much the same as in the Cryptologic Marvel super hero slots. Some of the titles in the Playtech series are Blade, Iron Man and Fantastic 4. The Playtech super hero slots are also networked to the same progressive jackpot. This is a four tier jackpot that can be won through a randomly triggered bonus game. Once this bonus game is triggered the player will definitely hit one of the four jackpots.
Microgaming is the leading software provider in the online casino industry, but it is the last to enter the branded super hero arena. As yet it has the single title The Dark Knight based on the Warner Brothers movie of the same name, which featured Batman. A sequel titled The Dark Knight Rises is expected to be released in 2013. The Dark Knight incorporates the Cinematic Spins feature that plays popular scenes from the movie while the reels spin. This slot game is networked to the popular Mega Moolah progressive jackpot.
