As one of the most popular slot games in the United Kingdom, Rainbow Riches has a strong appeal for players that enjoy the fast-paced nature of these Irish-themed slot games. The company that came up with the original idea for Rainbow slots was Barcrest, one of the UK’s most prolific games producers.
Founded in 1968, Barcrest has been at the forefront of the video gaming industry for decades, producing many of the most popular titles among fans of quiz games, bingo and a range of skill based arcade games. During the 1980s, they designed games that appeared all over the country and attracted a wide fan base, including many of the most-played slots.
The popularity of Rainbow Riches games is a testament to the skills Barcrest’s developers have honed over their years of experience producing some of the most popular games in the world. As one of the industry’s leading innovators, Barcrest has introduced some of the most popular elements seen in slots today, such as building additional mini-games as extra rounds and multi-line five reel slots offering a welcome change from the previous three reel versions.
In 2008, they hit upon the idea of slot games based on the ‘Luck of the Irish’, a theme that provided plenty of potential for using familiar imagery and a range of mythical and symbolic characters to include. The game feature rainbows, of course, alongside leprechauns, pots of gold, shamrocks, and an abundance of the colour green.
Rainbow Riches gameplay
When it was first developed as a traditional lost machine to be played in casinos, Rainbow Riches had two screens that allowed players to see the 5 x 3 reels in one and the Road to Riches special feature in the other. When activated, the game is similar to the wheel of fortune and gives players additional opportunities to bag themselves a prize.
The fast pace of the gameplay makes it appealing for the impatient players that like to cram in as much gaming as they can. The way the rewards were structured meant that they paid out more often than other slots and with prizes of up to £500, they certainly attracted a lot of interest.
The brightly coloured graphics and simple gameplay make it an ideal game for beginners who will be able to familiarise themselves with the various symbols and increase their chance of winning. If players get the chance to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they stand a chance of reaching the jackpot.
At its peak, Rainbow Riches was the most popular slot in the UK with cabinets installed in all the major casinos as well as in pubs and other venues all over the country. Part of this is because it is instantly recognisable from the iconic imagery and appealing graphics, making for a brand that players want to seek out wherever they are looking for fun.
The continuing appeal of Rainbow Riches
Although it was always a popular choice among gamers, it might have been hard to maintain the appeal of Rainbow Riches were it not for the advent of the internet. Gaming in the 1980s was a niche interest with a few hardcore fans seeking out opportunities to engage in video contests, but the ubiquity of the internet and advancing hardware such as smartphones are contributing to the fact that online gaming has become a hugely popular pastime.
Slots were among the first games to be available online as they were simple and easy to translate into an even more interactive format than their arcade and video versions. Innovative designers were able to come up with new ways to present traditional favourites and the idea of themed slots really took off.
While brick and mortar casinos are limited by the amount of space they have, online casinos can host as many games as they want, including almost any theme any players can imagine. Rainbow Riches games stand out among the others and have maintained their place as one of the nation’s favourites.
How many Rainbow Riches games are there?
The earliest version of Rainbow Riches was released in 2008, but it was so popular that fans were eager for more games along the same theme and there have been a number of different versions over the years. Each one is unique, but with the recurring themes, players can find enjoy all the Rainbow Riches fun in whatever format they prefer, including:
- Pick and Mix
- Free Spins Version
- Drops of Gold
- Rainbow Riches Slingo
- Home Sweet Home
- Megaways Version
- Leprechaun’s Gold
Because technology Is evolving so quickly, each version of the game incorporates the latest in gaming trends and the most cutting-edge technology available. With the ability to create hyper-realistic graphics and studio-quality soundtracks, games are an increasingly immersive experience and fans have come to expect high standards.
Now that players can enjoy Rainbow Riches games on the go, they are increasingly playing Rainbow Riches games on mobile devices. Designers have created app versions to allow those playing on their lunch break or daily commute to get the best gaming experience they can on a small screen.
With so much competition in the world of online gaming, Rainbow Riches is engaging enough to have a host of long-term fans, but it’s also worked well to keep attracting new players that appreciate a really great game.
