Comparing new games to last year's hits

Comparing new games to last year's hits: What's changed in 2025 slots

1) Why it's important to compare new games to last year's hits

The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and each year brings new mechanics, themes and bonus features. It's important for Australian players to keep track of how slots change to understand which novelties are noteworthy and which might be similar to last year's hits, but with slight improvements. Here are a few reasons why it's worth making the comparison:
  • Innovation and trends: New slots often borrow popular features from last year's games, but with some improvements or changes.
  • Graphics and mechanic updates: Slot designers often improve the graphics and interface to make games more attractive on mobile devices and PCs.
  • Rating and popularity: Sometimes new slots can offer the same mechanics as old hits, but with new features added, making them worthy of attention.

In this article, we compare the new 2025 releases with last year's hits to understand what has changed and what games are worth trying.

2) Comparing popular 2025 slots to 2024 hits

2. 1. "Sweet Bonanza Xtreme" (Pragmatic Play) vs "Sweet Bonanza" (Pragmatic Play)

RTP: 96. 51% (Sweet Bonanza Xtreme) vs 96. 48% (Sweet Bonanza)

Volatility: High (in both slots)

Features:
  • Sweet Bonanza Xtreme will offer multipliers that increase with each spin, as well as improved high-stakes bonuses.
  • Sweet Bonanza became popular for its simplicity and vibrant theme with tropical fruit and free spins.

What has changed:
  • The Sweet Bonanza Xtreme has improved multipliers and opportunities for big wins. At the same time, the slot retained the familiar theme and mechanics for the players that made the original so successful.

How it helps players: Sweet Bonanza Xtreme offers new odds for higher winnings and a more dynamic game, making it more attractive to those who like high risks.

2. 2. "Gonzo’s Quest Megaways" (NetEnt) vs "Gonzo’s Quest" (NetEnt)

RTP: 96. 50% (Gonzo’s Quest Megaways) vs 95. 97% (Gonzo’s Quest)

Volatility: Medium (Gonzo’s Quest) vs High (Gonzo’s Quest Megaways)

Features:
  • Gonzo's Quest Megaways adds Megaways mechanics, increasing the number of possible ways to win to 117,649. In addition, bonus multipliers and free spins have been added.
  • Gonzo's Quest offers cascading reels with free spins and increasing multipliers.

What has changed:
  • Gonzo's Quest Megaways greatly increases the opportunities for winning with Megaways mechanics, as well as making the game more dynamic and unstable. The new version of the game retains the classic atmosphere with Caucasian archaeologists, but with new features.

How it helps punters: For classic Gonzo lovers, the new version with Megaways and higher volatility will bring more unpredictability and opportunities for big wins.

2. 3. "Vikings Unleashed Megaways" (Pragmatic Play) vs "Vikings Go Berzerk" (Yggdrasil Gaming)

RTP: 96. 50% (Vikings Unleashed Megaways) vs 96. 10% (Vikings Go Berzerk)

Volatility: High (in both slots)

Features:
  • Vikings Unleashed Megaways uses Megaways mechanics, offering up to 117,649 ways to win, as well as free spins and multipliers.
  • Vikings Go Berzerk has a fairly simple mechanics with fixed winnings and multipliers that increase as the game progresses.

What has changed:
  • Vikings Unleashed Megaways significantly increases the number of ways to win, adding opportunities for large payouts. Unlike Vikings Go Berzerk, the new slot is more dynamic and diverse in terms of gameplay.

How it helps players: For Viking and high-risk lovers, Vikings Unleashed Megaways offers more variability and winning opportunities.

2. 4. "Book of Shadows" (Play’n GO) vs "Book of Dead" (Play’n GO)

RTP: 96. 50% (Book of Shadows) vs 96. 21% (Book of Dead)

Volatility: High (in both slots)

Features:
  • Book of Shadows has Expanding Symbols and enhanced bonus features that increase multipliers.
  • Book of Dead also includes Expanding Symbols, but with less opportunity to win bonus rounds.

What has changed:
  • Book of Shadows improves on the old concept with the addition of multipliers and free spins, making the slot more dynamic and winning. Unlike Book of Dead, the new version is more unpredictable in terms of winnings.

How it helps players: The new version has brought great opportunities for winnings, which makes it more attractive for those looking for increased chances of success.

3) What to consider when comparing new and old slots

1. Mechanics: New slots often offer Megaways mechanics, Cascading Reels and other new features that increase the ways to win.
2. Graphics and animation: Many new items offer improved graphics and visuals that make the game more atmospheric.
3. Volatility and RTP: It's always important to check volatility and RTP to choose a slot that matches your style of play and expectations.

4) Advantages and disadvantages of new slots compared to past hits

Advantages:
  • Innovative mechanics such as Megaways and multipliers.
  • High graphics and improved visualization.
  • More bonus features and winning opportunities.

Disadvantages:
  • High volatility can lead to more risk.
  • Sometimes new games fall short of expectations compared to past hits.

5) Conclusion

The 2025 slots brought many innovative mechanics and improvements over past hits. Slots like Gonzo's Quest Megaways and Vikings Unleashed Megaways offer more winning opportunities, while improved features in Sweet Bonanza Xtreme and Book of Shadows make for a more immersive game. Despite the new possibilities, it is important to take into account that many new items retain the traditions of past hits, which makes them accessible and attractive to old fans.