NextGen Gaming is one of the most exciting game providers, with famously high-paying and feature-packed slots. Find out more about the studio’s game offering and where you can play these awesome games on this page.
Top NextGen Gaming Slots & Casinos USA
US citizens are spoilt for choice when it comes to software providers. We have an incredible variety of slot games and live casino games from developers like Yggdrasil, IGT, and Big Time Gaming. One of the most prominent developers serving the US, however, is NextGen Gaming (now known as Light & Wonder).
NextGen slots are fun to play, have some of the best and most varied themes available, and contain unique game features like the Super Bet. In this guide, I take you on a tour of NextGen slots to show what they have to offer, and where you can legally enjoy them in the US!
Legal & Safe NextGen Casinos in the US
Unfortunately, online gambling is not legal in every US state. At the time of writing, US citizens in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware can legally access online casinos.
Luckily, NextGen has excellent coverage and licensing and their games are available to play in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. We expect the company to apply for gambling licenses in other states as laws change in the future. Compared to some other software developers like Yggdrasil, NextGen has a large catalog of games available in these states.
Additionally, you have a decent range of online casinos to choose from that support the best NextGen slots. These include BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, Borgata, and Caesars Online Casino. All of these platforms have some fantastic welcome offers, hundreds of options to play online slots, and other games like progressive jackpot slots and table games for you to enjoy.
NextGen Slots and Games Features
NextGen Gaming has a huge slot catalog of over 240 games spanning multiple decades. As a result, their games are incredibly varied as technologies have changed.
Some of their older titles like Merlin’s Magic Returns do look a little dated, but they have incredible charm, game features, and playability. What sets NextGen slot games apart is the themes and super bet feature. They offer both standard slots and progressive jackpots, plus some Megaways titles.
Amazing Themes
People want interesting slots with wild and wonderful themes – not the same old generic fruit machines. This is exactly what NextGen Gaming delivers. NextGen slots offer a brilliant variety of themes that draw from history, movies, TV, mythology, and different eras.
For example, there are casino games based on historical events like 300 Shields Extreme which is based on the Battle of Thermopylae. There are some superb historical slots too like Cleo’s Wish, Ramesses Riches, and Call of the Colosseum which pay homage to Egyptian and Roman eras. We put together a guide of the best slots with an ancient Egypt theme.
They do the movie themes quite well too! For example, you can play King Kong, James Dean, and The Mask. If you want interesting slots with fun and engaging themes, you will love NextGen gaming slots.
Super Bet Feature
Another epic recurring feature is the Super Bet. This appears on some of the best paying NextGen slots and gives you the chance to win more for an extra stake. If you activate this feature, you can effectively control the number of reels in play, and how many wild symbols are likely to appear – this is of course more expensive than a standard reel spin. You can check in detail this best payout slots guide for more information about payouts.
Bonus Buy
The bonus buy is not a slot feature for everyone, and it’s optional at most NextGen slots. With this, you pay a premium and automatically enter the bonus round. Typically, bonus buy slots cost 60 – 120x your bet. However, NextGen allows for configuration of the bonus round effects for additional cost.
7 Best NextGen Online Slots
I love fantasy slots or slot games that have epic themes from history or mythology. The best NextGen casinos feature plenty of games like this and I have selected seven of my favorite options just for you!
These are the best NextGen gaming slots and I am convinced that you will have hours of fun playing them, immersing yourself in the gameplay, and discovering the different symbols and bonus features!
300 Shields Extreme
- RTP: 95.29%
- Variance: High
- Paylines: 25
300 Shields Extreme is one of the most popular NextGen slots and many online casinos in the US feature this title. It is based on the epic story of the Spartan warriors and Leonidas and their fight against the overwhelming Persian Empire. Yes, it has similarities to the amazing film featuring Gerrard Butler too!
The graphics look fantastic, it has atmospheric music, and the gameplay is excellent too. Although it has a lower RTP rating at 95.29%, the variance is high so you have a greater chance of hitting bigger wins. This is helped by the scatter symbols, bet multipliers, and wild symbols.
I love the battle feature of this game. If you get 3 or more Spartan shields, you earn bonus spins. Furthermore, during this bonus game feature, any additional shields you get increase your bet multiplier up to a ridiculous 300x!
Rise of the Mountain King
- RTP: 96.31%
- Variance: High
- Paylines: 30
Continuing the amazing fantasy and mythology themes of NextGen mobile slots, we have the amazing Rise of the Mountain King! This online slot is based on the traditional folklore tale of the Mountain King and Peer Gynt from Scandinavian mythology. It features a different look from other free NextGen slots and has superb cartoon graphics and animations.
I like the slightly higher RTP of 96.31%, combined with high volatility, and 30 paylines. This means that you have plenty of opportunities to win and the maximum potential win is a whopping 50000x.
To boost your potential winning combos, this NextGen gaming slot has a King’s Re-Spin feature. If you get three or more wilds on a basic spin, this triggers a re-spin and gives you more opportunities to win! The scatter symbols in this game also contribute to your bet multiplier value up to a maximum of 100x.
Medusa 2
- RTP: 95.18%
- Variance: High
- Paylines: 243
Medusa is the legendary Gorgon from Greek Mythology who can turn people to stone with a single glance. This beautiful but terrible character returns again in Medusa 2 which is an updated and improved sequel to the popular NextGen casino slots original.
The game looks fantastic and the slot reels are surrounded by a decaying and ancient temple frame. The symbols all relate to the Gorgon including her famous bow and arrow, and unfortunate victims turned to stone! With an RTP of 95.18%, this game is below average, but it has high variance and 243 paylines which add some spice to the gameplay.
If you get three or more scatter symbols, you trigger 10 bonus games. During the bonus games, the reels can randomly lock together and display the same symbols to give you some potential awesome winning combinations. There are several NextGen gaming casinos that support this title including DraftKings Online Casino and FanDuel Online Casino.
Gorilla Go Wild
- RTP: 96.51%
- Variance: High
- Paylines: 25
If you want a more laid-back and fun gaming experience, you will enjoy the bright and cartoony design of Gorilla Go Wild. This is an older NextGen gaming slot but it is bursting with charm and character. This online slot takes you into the jungle to meet different wild animals like gorillas, lemurs, and monkeys.
It has an above-average RTP of 96.51% and high variance, and you can play it at BetMGM online casino including a demo version. I love the jungle music that plays as you spin the reels and there are various sound effects from the animals too.
Furthermore, the main character is Gary the gorilla, and the more you play, the more features you unlock. This includes Gorillionaire Win Spins, Stay Wild, Mega-Rilla Multiplier, and More Wilds. These offer bonuses such as bet multipliers, random wild placements during spins, and re-spins.
Foxin Wins
- RTP: 95.60%
- Variance: Medium
- Paylines: 25
Foxin Wins is a NextGen Gaming classic and I couldn’t miss this off my list! It is widely available at US online casinos including BetMGM, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, and FanDuel. Mr. Fox is the main character in this NextGen slot and he is living a lavish lifestyle in his manor house!
The game has vivid cartoon graphics and the sound effects and music sound like something out of the Looney Toons. As you play, you are attempting to win riches from Mr. Fox and the different symbols represent his wealth such as wads of notes, his mansion, and piles of gold coins.
Although it has an average RTP of 95.60%, you can expect a decent amount of higher-paying wins due to the medium variance. Moreover, during any main game spin, you can be awarded a random bonus. This can be something like Fox Funds (250 coins x your line bet), or Leprechaun Shakedown (if you catch the Leprechaun you can get 1250 coins x your line bet).
This such a popular NextGen slot that the company has released over five sequels, including dedicated scratch games.
Merlins Magic Respins
- RTP: 95.01%
- Variance: Medium
- Paylines: 50
Merlin’s Magic is a retro slot from NextGen Gaming but I love the charm it has and it still stands up as a fantastic game. Merlin is of course the legendary sorcerer from the tales of King Arthur and he was renowned for his magical powers! In this game, you step into Merlin’s magical workshop and get to look at his spells, potions, and books!
The game has a medium variance and an average RTP of 95.01%. I like the simple controls and the fact that the different paylines are highlighted on the outside of the reel frames too. There is also a Super Bet feature where you can pay an additional wager amount – during these spins, you get more wilds and respins than usual.
The standard game has a bonus games bonus round which is triggered when you get three scatter symbols. During the bonus spins, Merlin will randomly zap wild symbols onto the reels for you to increase your chances of winning!
Medusa Megaways
- RTP: 97.63%
- Variance: High
- Paylines: 117,649
Megaways online casino games are incredibly popular due to the special mechanic that can drastically increase the number of ways you can win. Medusa Megaways is one such game and is a spinoff from the previously mentioned Medusa and Medusa 2 slots from NextGen Gaming.
This NextGen casino game has a potentially unbelievable 117,649 ways to win and a relatively high RTP of 97.63 which makes it a popular choice at NextGen slot sites like BetMGM, DraftKings, and Golden Nugget. I like the non-standard reel layout too. It has standard reels of 6×3, but the individual columns can be split into more symbols. Furthermore, there is a special top reel that crowns Medusa’s temple.
As you play, there is ominous music and occasionally immense cracks of lightning – the first time these went off I wasn’t expecting it and nearly jumped out of my seat! The game also has some fun features like scatter symbols, wilds, and cascading reels.
Highest RTP Slot Games by NextGen
To get the best gaming experience and enjoy NextGen casino slots to their max potential, you must consider the game RTP. RTP and volatility (or variance) are the most important factors concerning how much you can potentially win, and the frequency at which you will win.
RTP represents the Return to Player percentage. To put it simply, the higher the percentage (closer to 100%), the more you are likely to win. The online gaming industry has an accepted average of 95-96% RTP for video slots.
To put this into simple terms, if you spent $1000 on the NextGen Gaming slot Medusa Megaways (RTP – 97.63%), over time, you would be expected to win back $976.30, or make a $23.70 loss. This loss is known as the house edge.
RTP percentages are based on averages, and what you can expect to win back over a prolonged playing period. If you only play Nexten mobile slots for a few pins, the RTP could vary wildly. For example, you could play two spins and win nothing which would make the RTP 0%. Alternatively, you could play two spins and win the jackpot which would put your RTP far above 1000%!
Below, I have hand-picked ten top NextGen slots that have high RTPs. Most of these are available for US players and can enhance your online gaming experience with a greater chance of winning!
🎰Slot | 📅Release | 💯RTP | 📈Variance | 🤠Theme | ℹ Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackpot Jester 50k | 2014 | 99.90% | Medium | Retro | This retro 3-reel slot game is hard to find today due to its ridiculous RTP of 99.90%! |
Starmania | 2015 | 97.87% | Low-Med | Space | Retro space theme with brightly colored gems and stars and superb reel animations. |
Wolfpack Pays | 2016 | 97.76% | Medium | Wild Animals | This fun slot has various wild animals like wolves and eagles together with some cool bonus features. |
Medusa Megaways | 2019 | 97.63% | High | Ancient Greece | Step into Medusa’s lair and try to conquer the Gorgon in this epic Megaways version of the NextGen classic. |
Amazon Idols Million Maker | 2019 | 97.52% | High | Amazon Jungle | Dare you travel into the deepest depths of the Amazon jungle? This epic adventure slot has cool graphics and a progressive jackpot prize. |
Wild Play SuperBet | 2017 | 97.46% | High | Fruit Machine | This game uses retro symbols from fruit machines like melons, diamonds, and the lucky number 7. |
Medusa 2 Jackpot | 2014 | 97.40% | High | Ancient Greece | This is a superb follow up to the popular original game and features updated mechanics and graphics. |
Golden | 2017 | 97.20% | High | Farming | This charming game takes you onto a golden farm where you meet critters like the rooster and chicken! |
Spin Sorceress Dice | 2017 | 97.14% | High | Fantasy | NextGen takes you into an epic fantasy world with plenty of potential to win via the 243 paylines. |
Monster Wins | 2016 | 97.12% | Medium-High | Monsters | In this game you will see that monsters aren’t so scary, but they can give you big wins with free spins, scatter symbols, and bonus games! |
NextGen Online Slots & Real Money Bonuses
You should now have a brilliant idea of the best NextGen slots and the types of games they have to offer. If you are a fantasy fan, you will love their casino games!
With a list of games in mind, you can now consider where to play them! We recommend a host of legal online casinos that US citizens can play at and enjoy NextGen slots. However, to get the most out of your money, it’s important to consider the promotions these online casinos offer.
Most mobile casinos and desktop casinos have a welcome offer that new customers can benefit from. Two prominent examples include the matched deposit bonus and the no deposit bonus.
For example, Golden Nugget Online Casino gives new customers a 100% matched deposit bonus on their first deposit of up to $1,000. You also get 200 bonus spins to use on 88 Fortunes (this isn’t a NextGen game, but it’s still fun!).
Alternatively, BetMGM gives newly registered users 25$ in no deposit funds to start playing with immediately! You can use this to play NextGen slots like Medusa II and Foxin Wins. With any promotion, make sure that you read the terms and conditions fully and look for things like wagering requirements and expiry periods.
Most US online casinos also allow you to try games before you spend real money. This is in the form of demo versions of the titles. You can play NextGen games for free without spending a dime to see which ones you like the most!
NextGen Company Information & Background
NextGen Gaming is a long-standing company in the online gambling world and has been operating in some capacity since 1999. Originally, Tony McAuslan founded the company in Australia. Eventually, they expanded into Europe and the UK and were acquired in 2011 by the NYX Gaming Group or NYX Interactive.
During this period of new ownership, the company developed and they created some of the best NextGen games. Also, the business won numerous awards including the RNG Casino Supplier of the Year in 2013, the eGaming Review B2B Award, and the EGR Awards Special Achievement Award in 2014.
Currently, the company is owned by Scientific Games which is branded Light & Wonder. NextGen has licenses to supply games in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. They have decent coverage in the USA and are one of the more popular software providers here.
To date, NextGen has developed over 240 games, mainly covering slots. A few scratchies and table games are also branded under their name.