Konami is one of the biggest names in the global gaming industry, producing world-famous hits like Silent Hill and Metal Gear Solid since the 1970s, but it's no surprise if you haven't heard much about its casino games.
Trace a line back through the company's history, though, and you'll see that coin-operated games were how Konami became famous. They first released an arcade video game in 1978, and they backed this up with hits such as Space King and Track & Field that quickly became staples of arcades in the company's native Japan and beyond.
It made sense, then, that Konami started to produce coin-operated casino games – the only curious thing was that it took them so long. In 1997 it opened Konami Gaming, Inc., a subsidiary focusing on slot machines and casino management systems. The company set up a base in Las Vegas, where it still operates from today, and began to use Konami's extensive wealth and experience to produce casino content.
In that time Konami Gaming, Inc.'s output has not been prolific, but it has moved with the times and changed its focus to mobile gaming, in line with the company vision. As such, most Konami slots are mobile-friendly.
So, how do these slots compare to their more famous video gaming cousins? The next section looks at some of their most notable Konami casino games.
If you're in a Konami casino and you'd like to try out a game by the company, then you'll have several entertaining options available to you. Their slots typically have bright and bold designs, with the main character's image emblazoned over the front of the game's title screen.
Wonder Rose is one example, showing a beautiful title character wearing a crown of roses. The game itself takes us to the peaceful setting of a leafy rose garden, where five of the main character's symbols will get you the game's top reward. The stacked symbols, too, offer lots of winning chances, while the customizable free spins round means you can personalize a game to your own taste. Destiny of Athena, Gypsy Fire and Heart of Romance are other Konami games that use this attractive female aesthetic to lure in new players.
For a change of scenery, Konami also has several animal-themed slots, such as China Shores. The black-and-white panda, one of China's famous symbols, takes centerstage here, serving as the game's Wild symbol and substituting for all other icons other than the Ying and Yang symbols. Land three, four, or five Ying and Yangs to get eight, 10 or 15 free spins respectively. The free spins are rare in what is a challenging slot, but it does show off Konami's ability to produce an entertaining game. Fellow animal-based slots Lotus Land and Golden Wolves are also worth a look, and you can play these for free on this page like the rest of the featured titles.
Note: Playing free casino games lets you test out a game before depositing money, which many players find very useful. Take a look through our selection of free Konami slots and see if there's anything that takes your fancy.