Pokemon-theme slot machines: history of a global phenomenon

Today, the player's luck is intertwined with strategy in choosing their “guide Pokémon”, transforming the simple spin of the reels into a dynamic and surprisingly tactical gaming experience.

If there's one thing the Japanese know how to do, it's create colourful and super fun characters that accompany many children through their carefree years. That's why it's no coincidence that the enormous success of Pokémon, which began in the 1990s, has influenced not only the video game industry, but also the online gaming industry.

Pokémon-themed slots, many of which are also the slots that pay the best, are among the most successful titles in recent years. Older players, however, will surely remember that it was once possible to play slots directly within the video game! In fact, in the early titles of the Pokémon saga, slot machines were a recurring and fascinating element of the Game Corner, virtual casinos located in various cities. In Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, the Game Corner in Celestia allowed players to spend coins to spin the reels, looking for winning combinations of symbols such as Pikachu, 7 and Poké Ball.

Each game cost one coin, and winning three identical symbols could yield up to 300 coins, which could be spent on rare prizes such as Porygon or the most powerful TMs. With Gold, Silver and Crystal, the formula was retained: in Goldenrod City and Cerulean City, players could still try their luck, while in Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, the Game Corner in Cyclamapoli introduced a variant with more dynamic reels and digital sounds typical of the Game Boy Advance.

In Diamond and Pearl, the Game Corner in Cinnabar Village represented the last real appearance of slot machines: players could choose between automatic or manual machines and bet up to three coins per spin. However, due to European gambling regulations, these were removed in the Western versions of Platinum and replaced with harmless mini-games, marking the end of an era of nostalgia and luck in the Pokémon world.

Slot machines inspired by worlds such as Pokémon, although not officially part of the video game series, represent an interesting fusion between pop culture themes and casino mechanics: titles such as Pocket Mon Go by Spadegaming and Slotomon Go by BGaming allow players not only to spin the reels but also to choose, during the betting or bonus phase, the “leader” monster or special symbol from which to expect the greatest benefits. In Pocket Mon Go, with a 5 × 3 layout and 243 active lines, the RTP is around 97% and the maximum win is approximately 2,000 times the bet.

In Slotomon Go, on the other hand, despite being a 5-reel/5-line version, there is a Wild/Scatter gem symbol that activates free spins and assigns a guide ‘Slotomon’ with a dedicated multiplier: thus, the initial choice of monster has a significant impact on the strategy of the session.

Through digital alteration, these modern slots reinterpret the Pokémon universe with enhanced animations, vibrant effects, and sound design that evoke the classic handheld games while appealing to a new online audience.

The strategic component emerges when the player evaluates which Pokémon-inspired “ally” to deploy: one specialised in symbol expansion, another with a high multiplier, rather than relying solely on the roll of the dice. Thus, Pokémon-themed slots become not only visually entertaining, but an experience that combines luck and tactical decision-making.