Racing themes have achieved resounding success in video gaming, with players able to experience some of the high-octane thrills of driving supercars and taking part in races on famous F1 tracks.
Driving at high speeds, with the risk of crashing into other vehicles and objects, is an exciting challenge. F1 drivers are celebrated around the world and live a glamorous lifestyle funded by their prowess on the track. Racing provides a freedom of gliding around a race track, gripping the steering wheel of powerful cars that most people could only dream of driving, let alone owning.
For all of these reasons, there is an added attraction to playing racing themed games, on top of the obvious competitive element of being the first to the finish line. Even Mario Bros., which originated as a platform game has joined the long list of games using racing themes with Mario Kart.
Grand Theft Auto V amassed 215 million sales (second only to Minecraft), while Mario Kart 8 sold over 77 million copies of the game. The appeal of racing has been so prominent in video gaming that providers of other forms of entertainment have explored the concept, including slot machines.
Which Slots Are Inspired By Racing?
You might not think that racing could easily be incorporated into the design of online slots, as they are very different types of activity. However, some popular slots have been inspired by racing, including:
Drive: Multiplier Mayhem - A game likely inspired by The Fast and the Furious, Drive: Multiplier Mayhem slot brings the fast-paced nature of racing into the gameplay. Features include Multiplier Wilds, which are displayed as speedometers and symbols include Nitro, with free spins being awarded under Nitro Boost round.
24 Hour Grand Prix - This slot game has more of a retro concept, and classic racing cars are used in the symbols, with Ferrari 330 P3 and Ford GT40 cars paying out higher prizes. It is a progressive jackpot game that is ideal for players with a passion for classic racing cars and the high-energy feel of competing in high-speed races.
Hotline - Another slot inspired by retro racing, this game incorporates neon graphics and luxury sports cars with a Miami location that plays into the Miami Vice storyline. Accompanied by 80s rock soundtrack and some exciting bonus features, Hotline is a great slot for anyone looking for some 80s nostalgia, adrenaline-pumping slot action.
Why Does The Racing Theme Enhance Slot Playing?
We’ve listed three of the most popular racing themed slots but you’ll find plenty more offering a range of different gaming experiences, including Nitro Circus, Turbo Max Power and Rally 4 Riches.
As new games are being developed, the racing theme has been used in innovative ways including in leaderboards and progression bars. Symbols like checkered flags signify winning or progressing through levels which gives players a sense of purpose further than the individual spins.
Fast-intensity gameplay adds to the thrill of playing slots, and for adrenaline-chasers, motor racing is a sport that involves risk and reward, so it mirrors the risk and reward in online slots. In motorsports, there are also unpredictable outcomes, for example, adverse weather can affect performance or another driver could crash into you which is out of your control. Playing slots has a similar type of unpredictability, as you are relying on luck for successes.
There are lots of other parallels too, such as spinning the reels, replicating pressing the accelerator and spinning the wheels. Racing slots also use lots of fun graphics and sounds to drive engagement, such as engines revving and cheering crowds when you win. Bonus rounds can be linked into the racing theme with quick spin speeds enhancing the feeling of racing to the finish line.
Progression bars can be displayed as racetracks or racing circuits to indicate how far you have progressed, adding motivation to complete the track or circuit.
To answer the original question; while racing themes are not the most common slot theme, it is still amongst the top categories because it appeals to a wide range of players. From sports car enthusiasts to F1 fans and casual racing video gamers, racing is a sport that is familiar to many. People who have played racing video games are drawn to this familiarity and the retro games are popular with older generations who want to reminisce about their younger years.
The intensity and pace of racing makes it a natural fit with the mechanics of slot playing, with so much scope for visuals and soundtracks to enhance the slot playing experience