Hockey fans of a certain age will remember plenty of beloved video games based on their favourite sport. From the original NHL Hockey (1980) and the cult-like following of Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey ’98 right up to the modern EA Sports titles, there have been countless examples of hockey games entertaining generations of gamers.

However, a few years ago, a slot released by Microgaming also broke the mould in the genre of sports casino games. Break Away Slot, first released in 2012, is still a stalwart of online casinos today. It should be explained that longevity is not usually a trait of online slots, so Break Away retaining its popularity over six years is very impressive.

Break Away popular at Canadian online casinos

The game is available at a number of online casinos in Canada, after becoming a big hit with both hockey fans and non-fans alike. So, what to expect from the Break Away slot game? Why has it retained such a following, even with people who couldn’t care less about hockey?

Let’s be clear: Whether you’re a high roller or casual player, the main thing you want from a casino game is the chance to win some serious money. Break Away certainly delivers on that promise. The biggest single payout in the main game is 120,000 coins, so even if you are betting the minimum line bet of $0.01 you can see there is a huge prize on offer.

Rolling Reels feature can lead to huge wins

But, there are some other features that prove to be very lucrative. The game’s title, Break Away, is actually something of a double entendre, referring both to the term used in hockey and the fact that symbols fall away with each win in the slot. These symbols are replaced with new ones, with the process repeated until no new combinations appear. This feature was seen as innovative at the time, a world away from the monotony of the old-fashioned one-armed bandit slots.

The game’s main draw is the Free Games feature, which is awarded when three or more scatter symbols appear in any position on the reels. You’ll be awarded a minimum of 15 free spins, although the feature can also be retriggered. During the feature, those ‘break away’ wins mentioned above are subject to a multiplier, which will increase at every stage up to a maximum of x10.

Break Away inspired several similar games

To be honest, the game’s graphics looks a little bit dated now, certainly when compared to some of the blockbuster slots on the market. But it does, however, retain its charm in the same manner as a classic video game. And, don’t forget, there is nothing dated about the size of the payouts on offer.

Break Away proved to be such a big hit for Microgaming that they used the game as a template to roll out several other sports slots, including Basketball Star and Football Star. These games, while popular in their own right, are more or less replicas of Break Away, presented in a different style.

Six years after its release, Break Away is still one of the top sports games at online casinos. Its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. It seems Microgaming caught lightning in a bottle with its creation. It’ll be interesting to see for how long it retains its celebrated status among casino players.