NextGen Gaming Review
By Dirk Smit, Last Modified Apr 12, 2024
Verdict
Nextgen has always been one of my favorites. They were one of my first choices to choose to create the Casinomeister slot – which is still a really cool game even after being online for ten years. But besides this, they get some pretty good reviews in our forum. It’s a shame that they have not tackled the video poker realm.
NextGen Gaming Review
Nextgen Gaming was founded in 1999 and has produced a remarkable number of games since they have more than 300 Slots, most of which are widespread throughout online casinos. You can find them on any of the significant operator’s sites, facing the bulk of various European and Asian customers.
Players from the U.S. and the U.K. also have access to their many games: at the time of writing, close to 1,500 operators are offering their games, and while the software provider’s team wasn’t that big in the beginning, they’ve since grown exponentially. Today, they are also part of the SG Digital group (previously NYX Interactive), so resources are plenty regarding staff and finances.
Why the company seems to focus on slots is apparent: it’s what most players want – at least according to their on-site info. But of course, they do need to make them properly, or they wouldn’t be as successful, which they have been doing for nearly two decades.
The one thing that stands out, and probably is the main reason for their large distribution (right from the start), is that they make all their games ‘Platform Independent‘. They may well have been the first to achieve this. Knowing their way around in various high-tech ‘back-end’ environments makes for one of their strong points, which has been utilized in their production of said games and explains their achievements in consultation. These two combined have made the company pave its way toward success.
In this NextGen Gaming review, we will look at precisely what the game developer has to offer. Whether you’re looking for the best NextGen Gaming casinos, want to know more about their slot games, or want to learn about their history – their past with the NYX Gaming Group, for example – we’ve got you covered.
NextGen Gaming List Of Casinos
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NextGen Gaming Casinos: The Software Platform
NextGen Gaming slots have a distinct aesthetic that differentiates them from other game developers. While some might describe the look and feel as somewhat old-school, the graphics are generally top-notch. The games are built in HTML5, making them accessible on desktops and mobile devices. The user interface is fairly standardized across all their games, featuring essential details like account balance, total bet, and win amount at the bottom of the screen.
Players have the flexibility to adjust the number of active lines and can also use the “Max” button for spinning at the highest bet size. One unique aspect of NextGen Gaming slots is their detailed paytable, accessible via the “info” button on the left-hand side of the screen.
While the gameplay experience is generally smooth, some players might notice that the reels spin at a slower pace, and there’s a slight lag between hitting the spin button and the actual spinning of the reels. Despite these minor quirks, the betting interface is slick and user-friendly. All NextGen Gaming slots allow you to (generally) adjust the number of coins per line, and their slot games tend to have a wide variety of betting options.
NextGen Gaming Slots
As stated above, their software catalog consists purely of slots. If you played any NextGen games from the NextGen Gaming casino list on this page, you’d notice they mostly have a recognizable ‘look and feel.’ They also made several stand out from the rest and have proven to be very popular amongst most players.
Titles like 300 Shields, Medusa, and Medusa II have a following and have provided many winning screenshots in the forums.
Another title that cannot be anything other than popular is our very ‘own’ Casinomeister Slot (which comes in both a 20 and 30-line version), and there are many more examples of games that most of us know.
Below, we will show you some of the most popular NextGen Gaming slots. Most of these NextGen games can be played on any of the online casinos listed on this page – and they’re all mobile optimized, so you can enjoy the action from your mobile devices, too.
Foxin’ Wins: Available at All NextGen Gaming Casinos
Regarding NextGen Gaming software and the top slots games from the software provider, Foxin’ Wins is arguably one of their top branded slots. It’s garnered a massive following over the years. This 5-reel, 25-payline slot offers a medium volatility level and a decent RTP of 95.6%.
The game recently underwent a significant upgrade and is available on the Scientific Games platform. It’s licensed in several jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), so players worldwide can immerse themselves in the luxurious world of Mr. Fox, who is on a mission to catch a leprechaun.
The game has features, including free spins and bonus rounds, adding to the excitement and winning potential. The Foxin’ Wins series has expanded to include several sequels, each offering a unique twist to the original gameplay.
Jackpot Jester: Hit NextGen Gaming Slot
Jackpot Jester is a classic slot game initially developed using Adobe Flash. Thankfully, like most of the software provider’s innovative slots, it was ported over to HTML5 – which means you can now enjoy the action on any device without downloading any software.
This game features three reels and five paylines, offering a simple yet engaging gaming experience. The primary appeal of this game is the SuperGame mode, where you can enjoy an impressive RTP of 99.9% with a minimum bet of $0.20. In this SuperGame mode, you’ll enjoy stacked wilds, increasing your chances of landing a winning combination.
The game’s design is reminiscent of classic Vegas-style slots, with symbols like cherries, lemons, and sevens gracing the reels. Despite its simplicity, Jackpot Jester offers a thrilling gaming experience, especially for players who appreciate the charm of traditional slot machines. The game’s low volatility suits newcomers, offering frequent small wins that keep the gameplay exciting.
Gorilla Go Wild
Step into the vibrant jungle with Gorilla Go Wild, a slot game that offers an immersive and fun gaming experience. This five-reel slot game starts with an RTP of 92%, which can escalate to a much more generous 97.04% as you progress through the game and collect shells. The game is centered around Gary the Gorilla, who guides players through various jungle areas, each offering unique rewards and features.
You can look forward to randomly triggered bonus features that offer cash prizes and introduce new gameplay elements, including increasing multipliers, sticky wilds, and guaranteed wilds. The game’s dynamic RTP and feature-rich gameplay make it a hit among players, although we should point out that when you begin playing the slot machine, the RTP is pretty bad; you’ll need the wild symbols and free spins to trigger to hit significant wins.
300 Shields: One Of The Most Iconic Casino Games Ever Made
Head to almost any online casino, and you’ll find 300 Shields almost always at the top of the NextGen games list. It’s one of their most iconic slots and is famed for its high variance nature and bonus round where multipliers of up to 300X can apply to wins you form. In fact, almost all NextGen Gaming games have struggled to compete with the popularity of 300 Shields; it’s one of those casino games that’s attracted somewhat of a cult following around it.
This five-reel, 25-payline slot offers high volatility and volatility; it’s not unusual for the free spins bonus to pay virtually nothing. However, there’s a reason for the high variance math model, and during the free spins, you can win up to 17,773X on any one spin! This is made possible by reaching the 300X multiplier level, achieved by collecting shield symbols and progressing through the different levels.
Many online casinos that offer NextGen Gaming games have chosen to incorporate 300 Shields into their welcome bonus or ongoing promotions. This is great news if you want to play NextGen games as you can, sometimes, get rewarded at your favorite online casinos simply for doing so!
Shangri La
Shangri-La is a mythical utopian valley hidden somewhere in the towering Himalayan mountains. First described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon, Shangri-La is an earthly paradise where people live exceedingly long and peaceful lives without worries or cares. Led by lamas, the inhabitants of this remote valley have managed to pick up wisdom and serenity through spiritual enlightenment – and they’ve also made their debut in one of NextGen’s most popular slots games – Shangri La.
From the moment you load up the slot, you’ll embark on a mystical journey to the hidden paradise of Shangri La. This is one of the NextGen games that used to be available at almost all NextGen Gaming casino sites, but that’s not a little harder to find today. This five-reel slot features 15 fixed paylines and allows you to win up to 3,000X your stake.
The game caters to a wide range of players, with betting options ranging from $0.20 to $40 per spin, and there’s a decent RTP of 96.63%. Shangri La is rich in features, including wilds, scatters, and a unique bonus game, all of which can contribute to some pretty impressive wins.
Mesuda II
In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monstrous woman with snakes for hair whose gaze could turn onlookers to stone. She was initially a beautiful mortal who was transformed into a gorgon as punishment by Athena. With her venomous snakes writhing on her head and hideous visage, Medusa lurked in the darkness, symbolizing horror and repulsion. While we’ve seen other slots developers build Medusa-inspired games, none are as well known or popular as Medusa II from NextGen Gaming.
This five-reel slot doesn’t use paylines. Instead, it works around a 243-ways-to-win mechanic. The game features an impressive RTP of 97.07%, and you can look forward to stacked wilds, an exciting free spins bonus round – and there’s even a Megaways version of the game that was released a few years ago.
Whether you’re a fan of Greek mythology or simply enjoy slots with high win potential, Medusa II is one you don’t want to miss – and you’ll find it at virtually any online casino offering NextGen Gaming online slots.
Witch Pickings
Witch Pickings is a magical slot game that brings a world of witches and spells to your screen. This 5-reel slot was released in 2016 and offers medium-to-high volatility, so there’s a good balance between big and frequent wins. The game features an impressive RTP of 96.8%, which is common in NextGen Gaming’s instant-play games.
Once you begin playing, you can look forward to free spins, multipliers, and a gamble feature. It’s especially fun to play around Halloween, although it’s suitable for players at any time of year!
NextGen Gaming’s Unique Features
When it comes to NextGen Gaming, it’s not just about their games. They do a lot of work behind the scenes, whether with online casino sites to tie their games into a welcome bonus, free spins promotions, or building NextGen Gaming software that online casinos can use.
Below, we will look at some unique features that make each slot game from them a unique experience. Whether you’re a fan of branded slots that bring your favorite movies to life or you’re intrigued by the Megaways engine developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), NextGen Gaming has something for everyone.
Branded Slots
NextGen Gaming knows how to tap into pop culture, offering branded slots that resonate with fans of movies, actors, and even Playboy bunnies. Take “The Mask,” a slot based on the iconic film starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. This 5-reel, 20-payline slot isn’t one of the world’s top jackpot slots, it’s not always offered at our recommended online casinos, and it may not have the most innovative features – but like many of the games you’ll find on the once-NYX Gaming Group-powered slots platform, it’s one that attracted attention from day one.
Complete with clips from the actual movie and four randomly activated wild features in the base game, there’s a surprisingly good amount of action, too. This is just one example of the branded slots from NextGen Gaming. They’re always working hard to ensure the subsequent NextGen Gaming slot appeals to as many players as possible!
SuperBet Feature
The SuperBet feature is another innovation from NextGen Gaming that you can find in some of their top slots. In games like “Foxin’ Twins,” you start with wilds appearing only on the first reel. However, by increasing your bet size (i.e., toggling the SuperBet), you can enhance the reels so that wilds are guaranteed to land on all five reels!
The level you choose to play at is entirely up to you, but more wilds means bigger win potential – at a higher cost. For instance, opting for the SuperBet feature in Foxin’ Twins can lead to multipliers of up to 20X – and with this mode active, it’s possible to hit wins worth up to 20,000X!
Megaways Slots
Innovator Big Time Gaming created the Megaways engine and first utilized it in their slot game Bonanza in 2016. This groundbreaking mechanic provides an adjustable number of symbol positions on each reel for every spin. This means there can be up to 117,649-ways-to-win active on each spin! Coupled with cascading wins and increasing multipliers, Megaways provides an exciting variable gameplay experience.
After licensing Megaways to other providers, BTG saw its popularity explode – and NextGen Gaming, known for liking to be at the forefront of the iGaming market, decided to acquire a Megaways license in 2021. This allowed NextGen to release Megaways versions of popular slots like Medusa II – and they became instant hits, largely thanks to their insane win potential.
Partnerships With Other Online Gaming Companies & Casinos
NextGen Gaming has had a fascinating journey in the online gambling industry, marked by strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Initially, the company was acquired by NYX Interactive in 2006, which later became a part of SG Gaming. One of the key strategies that helped NextGen Gaming establish its presence was distributing its games through NYX Interactive’s Open Gaming System (OBS).
This platform served as a global hub featuring over 2,000 games, enabling operators to integrate a wide range of popular video slots with a single integration. Various awards have also recognized the company’s commitment to developing high-quality video slots. In 2013, they won the “RNG Casino Supplier of the Year” at the eGaming Review awards.
They won the “Social Gaming Supplier Of the Year” year earlier at the same event. In 2014, in collaboration with NYX Interactive, they received the EGR’s B2B award for “Special Achievement,” so they’re a name to be trusted.
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NextGen Gaming Slot Games: Pros and Cons
On the plus side, NextGen slots provide smooth gameplay and high-quality graphics across desktop and mobile. Their bonus features add an engaging element of skill and interactivity. NextGen also offers branded slots, which every game developer can’t do.
However, a couple of criticisms crop up about the game developer. Firstly, their games are a bit clunky; they’re not as modern and easy to use as other software providers. Secondly, many of their slots rely heavily on bonus features at the expense of base gameplay. The volatility of their games tends to be high, resulting in infrequent payouts.
While this is good news for many players – those wanting mega wins – it can alienate less experienced punters or those looking for a more laid-back gaming experience. Still, on the whole, their games are excellent and well-received in the online gambling world.
Company Information
Pros
Nice selection of Live casino games
No monthly withdrawal limits
Cons
No UK players
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