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NetEnt

NetEnt Software Provider Review

Evolution-owned heavy hitters who’ve smashed it with timeless slots like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. One of the OGs.

NetEnt is one of the world’s most famous and popular online casino games developers, pitching in with more than 200 titles since launching in 1996. Among them, you’ll almost certainly have heard of Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest, which remain among the most-played online slots even years after their initial release.

Take a closer look into NetEnt games and find out which titles have the best RTP, why the company seems to have slowed down in recent years, and what the best and worst parts of NetEnt slots are.

Number of games:

200+

Slots

Yes

Table games:

Yes

Live casino games:

Yes

Casinos with NetEnt Games

NetEnt Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Triple-A titles like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest
  • Exceptional sound and graphics in slots
  • Highly trusted in the casino industry
  • Consistently add innovative features

Cons

  • Now part of Evolution Gaming following 2020 sale
  • Gameplay too simple for some players

There are only a handful of online casino software providers with proper A-list, premium games, and NetEnt is one of them. Among its biggest slots are Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Dead or Alive 2, and Blood Suckers. These are the games you see the moment you visit the best online crypto casinos. Prime real estate.

And there’s a reason for this. These games are way above average in terms of graphics, details, and sound effects. They’re notably more polished and professional. If you’re as sad as us, you’ll find yourself listening to the intergalactic Starburst soundtrack as background music when you’re not even playing.

That said, Starburst isn’t the most advanced slot, especially considering how popular it is. Quite a few NetEnt titles have straightforward gameplay, which some of you will see as a pro and others will see as a con.

NetEnt has introduced some cool new concepts, like Cluster Pays, which can be found in titles such as Aloha! Cluster Pays. It always seems weird when there’s an explanation mark mid-title, but the slot itself is solid.

This innovation has slowed down a notch or two since 2020, when NetEnt was sold to Evolution Gaming. They still do their own thing, but we feel they’re not quite as on it as they used to be when it comes to trying new stuff.

NetEnt vs Other Software Providers

NetEnt is one of the biggest and best crypto casino software providers around, but there are plenty of viable alternatives. Here’s how NetEnt compares to other games providers:

NetEnt vs Microgaming

For a long time, these were the two giants of online casino slots. Sadly, things have changed, with NetEnt being bought by Evolution Gaming and Microgaming becoming a part of Games Global. Nonetheless, these two cats have produced many of the most well-known slots of all time.

The Microgaming slots library is much bigger than NetEnt’s, with 500+ games to NetEnt’s 200+. Chief among them is Mega Moolah. Truth be told, it’s a pretty basic slot with average graphics, but the jackpots are out of this world. It’s dished out seven-figure jackpots (or more) year after year, sometimes dropping every few months.

NetEnt vs Nolimit City

If NetEnt creates Hollywood blockbusters, Nolimit City is a specialist in crowdfunded passion projects: gritty, adventurous, and bloody good.

Nolimit City slots are only suitable if you’re not easily offended. We don’t just mean a bit of swearing, but some real 18+ material about prisons and sex dungeons. Yes, you heard us. But they’re not just novelty games, as Nolimit City slots have excellent, detailed storylines and often come with high-quality video cutaways when you hit a big win.

Top 3 Best Games by NetEnt

About half a dozen NetEnt games stand above the rest in terms of quality and popularity. We’ve mentioned some of these already in our NetEnt software provider review, but let’s dig into the top three NetEnt slots in a little more detail.

Starburst

Polished jewels in outer space, mesmerising music, and really simplistic gameplay has led to this becoming probably the best-known NetEnt slot in the world.

The jackpot isn’t even that big at 500x, but players come back consistently. You’ll also receive a lot of free spins which can only be used on Starburst specifically, especially when they’re bundled in as part of a welcome bonus.

Gonzo’s Quest

The real charm of Gonzo’s Quest is in its lovingly crafted reel symbols, showcasing masks and monsters which give the game a kind of Tomb Raider meets The Lord of the Rings vibe, if you can imagine such a crossover.

The 95.97% RTP is pretty decent, with a 41% hit frequency and max payout of 2,200x your bet. This is really one for those of you who appreciate gamer-level graphics and immersion.

Dead or Alive 2

The Wild West is an overused theme in online slots, but it’s overused precisely because of games like Dead or Alive 2, which absolutely nails the genre.

Like many NetEnt favourites, the max win is nothing crazy at 1,600x, and once again it’s the graphics, audio and simple gameplay which tick the boxes for NetEnt fans. The RTP is high as well, at 96.8%.

NetEnt Game Types

  • Slots
  • Progressive Jackpots
  • Table Games
  • Live Casino Games

NetEnt has it all, from slots to automated table games and live casino options. Well, sort of.

After NetEnt was purchased by Evolution Gaming, their once-popular live games have gradually been swallowed up by Evolution.

In case you’re not aware, Evolution Gaming are absolute beasts in the live casino game arena, so having the two join up seems like a dream scenario. But we can understand why some people found it annoying. Sometimes, it’s nice to have totally separate providers competing against one another, rather than working together. Different results.

There are more than 200 games in total, most of which are slots. But you’ll also find table games like roulette, blackjack, craps and more.

Is NetEnt Legit?

NetEnt is as legit a software provider as you’ll find. It was established in 1996, has made some of the biggest slots of all time, and has since been acquired by the equally legitimate Evolution Gaming. It has no weak points in the legitimacy department.

NetEnt games are fully licensed to be played under the UKGC, MGA and other extremely tough regulating bodies. All of its RNG processes are tested by the likes of eCOGRA and Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).

It’s so legit, in fact, that you’ll notice it’s hard to find NetEnt games in certain US states and other countries. If you’re playing on some niche offshore casino, they probably won’t be packing NetEnt slots.

NetEnt Software Provider: Moonshot Slots Verdict

NetEnt really is one of those software providers you can’t ignore. I always enjoy checking out a crypto casino with originality, and I must admit that sometimes I get tired of seeing the same slots front and centre. But, to be fair, there’s a reason NetEnt slots grab that prized slot time and time again.

Players love NetEnt. There’s a hell of a lot of dross out there. Sometimes, I can’t believe how low-effort some slot games are, when all you need are a few basic ingredients to make a really playable game. By contrast, every NetEnt slot is high-quality. You can see the difference proper funding makes when it comes to audio and visuals in titles like Twin Spin or Jackhammer.

The only legitimate reason to dismiss NetEnt slots (apart from not liking them, of course) is that other providers now offer more layered and complex gameplay options. But that’s not for everyone.

It’s also worth noting that NetEnt was purchased by Evolution Gaming in 2020 in a deal worth over £1.5 billion. NetEnt games are largely still produced and branded by NetEnt rather than Evolution, but some would argue innovation has decreased since the takeover.

NetEnt is an awesome starting point if you’re still learning how to play online slot games, or if you want a trusted game you know will deliver.

FAQs

What’s the best NetEnt game?

Starburst is the best NetEnt game in terms of popularity, and is often the first game you’ll see when you join a crypto casino. Gonzo’s Quest trumps it in terms of a bigger jackpot and more advanced graphics.

Does NetEnt have high RTPs?

Yes, NetEnt slots average around 96% RTP, which is a touch above average compared to other online crypto slots providers. Mega Joker is a welcome exception, with an RTP of up to 99%, which is incredible.

Who owns NetEnt?

NetEnt is currently owned by the Evolution Group, after being acquired in a deal worth more than £1.5 million towards the end of 2020. NetEnt studios continue to develop games under the NetEnt name, but as part of Evolution’s wider portfolio.

Is NetEnt related to NetBet?

Nope, the similar names are just a coincidence. NetEnt is a casino games provider with more than 200 online slots and table games, while NetBet is an online betting site that popped up in 2001 (15 years after NetEnt). NetBet does offer NetEnt games, though.

What are NetEnt games like?

Relatively simple, with modest jackpots and a focus on high-quality graphics and music. NetEnt has proven that you don’t need a seven-figure prize or quirky gimmicks to bring players back – just solid games.