3 Wild Symbols That Totally Changed the Game

The Wilds That Changed It All

When you think about slot machines, wild symbols are probably one of the first things that spring to mind. 

They're not a new invention — these symbols have been around for decades, helping thousands of players every day land winning lines. 

But, like Pokémon, wilds have evolved over the years, going from just a bit of side action to the stars of the show. Many popular providers now include them in their slot offerings.

These days, a wild isn't there to just sit pretty and fill in the blanks. They can have a range of functions; expanding, sticking, nudging, multiplying — you name it, wilds (probably) do it!

Let's take a look at the three wild symbols that have really changed the game for slots as we know them today. 

1. Expanding Wilds

Kicking things off, we have expanding wilds. This is probably one of the most well-known wild mechanics, featuring in popular slots like Book of Dead and Starburst Galaxy. 

The slot that really popularised this mechanic, though, was Novomatic's Book of Ra Deluxe. In this title, when free spins are triggered, a symbol is chosen at random. If it lands anywhere, it expands to cover the entire reel. 

Instead of just being a helper symbol, wilds became the centerpiece of the game, capable of filling entire reels and potentially creating huge wins.

This unpredictability is what made Book of Ra such a cult classic, and why so many other “Book of” slots followed in its footsteps. 

Expanding wilds proved that wilds could be so much more than just shiny substitutions, and didn't need to be overcomplicated to be a blockbuster. 

Starburst Galaxy Galaxy Star Feature

2. Sticky Wilds

Next up is sticky wilds. These are exactly what they sound like: once these symbols land, they stay locked in place (like glue) for a couple more spins.

This mechanic ramps up the tension, because each spin is gradually building up on the last.

Two slots that used sticky wilds brilliantly are Immortal Romance by Microgaming and The Dog House Megaways by Pragmatic Play.

Immortal Romance, in particular, used sticky wilds in its Chamber of Spins bonus, quickly popularising the mechanic. Watching a wild stay locked in gives an unmatched feeling of anticipation that something big might be just around the corner. 

It also means that if one spin doesn't deliver, the next one just might, leaving players (literally) on the edge of their seats.

3. xNudge Wilds

Last but certainly not least, there's the xNudge Wild from the legends at Nolimit City. 

This is a more recent innovation, and it's helped shape the high-volatility games we typically associate with NLC. 

First appearing in their Hot Nudge slot in 2018, xNudge Wilds always ‘nudge' several times until the whole reel is covered, and the wild becomes stacked. 

For each ‘nudge', the multiplier of the xNudge increases by +1. So, the further the wild has to move, the bigger the potential payout.

It's basically a double whammy of a stacked wild with an increased multiplier, and has become a staple in many NLC titles like Outsourced, Mental 2, and Deadwood RIP, to name a few examples.

xNudge Wilds have become a signature, fan-favourite mechanic for NoLimit City. As such, they're a big reason NLC games have developed a reputation for being bold, volatile, and capable of delivering mahoosive wins. 

Outsourced Base Game

It's a Wild, Wild World Out There

As you can see, wild symbols have always been more than just a helping hand on the reels, unlocking huge potential wins.

Spanning all different themes, providers, and volatilities, wilds have raised the bar for slot design — and the three we've looked at here have paved the way for countless others to follow. 

That doesn't mean that the story is over, though. Hundreds of new slots are released every year, with innovative mechanics coming out all the time.

It's only a matter of time before a fresh wild feature steps up and challenges these icons for the crown. 

Until then, these three remain the true-changers as the wilds that set the standard.

Who knows? Maybe a fresh wild feature will knock one of these three icons off their perch in the near future.

If you do decide to play any slots with wilds, please remember to gamble responsibly, and when the fun stops, stop. Visit BeGambleAware.org for more info.