It goes without saying that British game shows have truly been a top form of entertainment throughout history. These game shows come in a variety of formats, with fun competitions on display, and plenty of great prizes and rewards up for grabs. The options are endless when it comes to all the kinds of game shows that you can watch on TV. Some of the most popular ones have even been turned into casino games. Let’s take a look at some of the best British game shows of all time and see what has been spun off from them!
This comedy quiz show focuses more on being “quite interesting” than being quite right. Its current host, Sandi Toksvig, is joined by four comedians, who share anecdotes and trivia. Each episode sees resident panelist Alan Davies joined by three guests to make up the four who are tasked to answer obscure questions. This is done in a way that makes it difficult to provide the correct answer. The panelists are awarded points for the correct answer as well as the more interesting ones, regardless of whether they are right or wrong. QI has received great reviews from critics and has been nominated for many awards.
Deal or No Deal is a British game show which aired from 31 October 2005 to 23 December 2016. That’s quite a run! The hit game show was hosted by Noel Edmonds, and each episode “starred” a contestant whose challenge was to choose one of 22 boxes. Each box contained a cash amount between 1p and £250,000. The contestant would have to gamble on whether they had a high amount in their chosen box, or make a deal with the game’s Banker. It was edge-of-the-seat stuff.
Some of the best online slots have taken and adapted this game format, allowing players to enjoy it in a casino online game mode. Online slot games worth playing at Mecca Games with this British game show theme include Deal or No Deal: The Golden Game and Deal or No Deal Bankers Riches Megaways.
Wheel of Fortune is based on the American game show of the same name. In the British version, contestants must compete to solve word puzzles that are quite similar to Hangman to win cash and prizes. Hosted by Bradley Walsh with Jenny Powell as the assistant, Wheel of Fortune was a great show to watch. Contestants would spin the Wheel of Fortune, where the numbers on it corresponded to the points won by each player. The show aired between 19 July 1988 and 21 December 2001.
Online casino players can still enjoy this game-show format… under the guise of Wheel of Fortune Megaways. In this incredible online slot with an RTP of 96.46%, players can spin the wheel and the reels to see what fortune awaits them. Thanks to the Megaways mechanic, there are some incredible top prizes up for grabs!
Based on another American game show, Family Feud, Family Fortunes aired from 6 January 1980 to 30 December 2002, but made its return to the small screen in 2020 with host Gino D’Acampo. In Family Fortunes, two families are tasked to provide answers to “everyday questions” that were in fact surveyed by 100 members of the British public before the show. You’re sure to be familiar with the show’s large computer screen, named “Mr. Garbage”, as well as the computerised “er-errr” sound when contestants provide wrong answers, which is one of many people’s favourite non-lexical “error-message” grunts – with many applications in modern life!
This world-renowned game show was created by David Briggs for ITV. In Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, contestants are tasked with answering multiple-choice questions that are based on general knowledge. They are awarded a cash prize for every correct answer to a question, and the amount is increased as they are given more difficult questions. Contestants also have the opportunity to use “lifelines” if they don’t know the answer. These well-known lifelines include 50:50, phone a friend, ask the audience, switch/flip and ask the host. As you’ll have noticed, some of these have also entered common parlance in everyday conversations as a reference to the show.
If you’d like to experience the thrills of WWTBAM in an online slot format, come and check out the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire slot game. This fantastic casino online slot game lets you get in the hot seat and spin for sensational wins while enjoying the game show theme. What’s more, if you love Slingo, there’s even another version, called Slingo Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, so you’re spoilt for choice!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our look at some of the UK’s finest TV game shows! And if you’re looking for some thrilling action and entertainment, you’re sure to find it right here at Mecca Games. We have a wide variety of incredible casino games, including the best online slots, Slingo games, scratch and card games, and live casino games. The choice is yours once you’ve registered with us.