Some observers feel that it is certainly not easy to impress Aussie pokie fans. After all, many of the features that international pokie players take for granted today originated in the country, with Aristocrat doing more than virtually any other manufacturer to make pokies into what they are today. However, Aristocrat itself is not the kind of company to rest on its laurels and they have continued to push the boundaries by announcing their line-up for 2013, accompanied by two words to capture the mood within the company: “Let’s Go!”

Donal Maguire, Aristocrat’s Sales & Marketing Director for Europe, sets the scene perfectly and gives players an insight into what to expect from Australia’s biggest pokie manufacturer:

“Aristocrat celebrates its 60th anniversary this year… We have the opportunity to showcase first-hand how the engaging, entertaining and innovative aspects of our game development continue to grow.”

So, it is a big year for the company and their European arm is leading the way in giving players a sneak peek into what to expect over the coming months. Of course, Aristocrat operates closely around the world, and the fact that it is the European part of the company at the forefront is down to the fact that the latest releases took place at ICE in London. We can confidently assume that everything new at the event will also be coming to Australia, as it is all top class stuff!

First up, Aristocrat is pushing the Multi-Play feature of casino gaming, after Wonder 4 proved that there is certainly an international market for such games. Aristocrat is looking to capitalise on this success with a ‘Special Edition’ of Wonder 4, together with the launch of Reel Power, another game that carries over the same Multi-Play idea.

Aristocrat is also seeing the anniversary as the perfect opportunity to revisit some of its best known games from over the years. The Mega Pay range features four sets of reels on one screen and was launched with the brand new The Phantom pokie. Such was its success with players that they can expect to see more of the same, including Zorro – The Tale of the Lost Gold and There’s the Gold, follow up to the all-time classic Where’s the Gold.

Another series that looks to have gained traction is the Legends series. Queen of the Nile Legends recently launched at land based casinos in Australia and around the world, and looks set to be joined imminently by two more Aristocrat classics, 5 Dragons and Big Red. One of the standout features of the Legends series is that it is the spiritual successor to the Deluxe range and players can opt for either “classic” or “deluxe” gameplay depending on which they preferred the first time round.

Other massive names from the Aristocrat back catalogue are also receiving an overhaul, and not just in the way that players might assume. The likes of Dolphin Treasure, Queen of the Nile and Pompeii are all making a return to land based casinos, but this time in widescreen. Such games have been a part of Aussie pokie culture for years, and many players will be unable to help themselves when it comes to feeling a little nostalgic when it comes to returning to their favourite land based gambling establishments.

Of course, there is much more to 2013 than recreating Aristocrat classics, and the company has continued to build on its reputation for innovation and all round excellence with a suite of new titles. Among the most anticipated are Gangsters Gold and Secret of the Dragon, which add the brand new secret symbol feature, and Lady Buccaneer as part of the REMIX range of titles.

Aristocrat will of course continue to release its popular range of dedicated iPhone apps, with many more classic titles added to the range over the coming months.

Players that are already feeling the nostalgia for some of the company’s most successful titles do not even need to leave the house. MyBet Casino already offers a wide range of excellent Aristocrat pokies online, meaning that players can enjoy the real thing for real cash. Among their range are Wild Panda, Pompeii, Where’s the Gold and Choy Sun Doa and it is growing all of the time. With online play being such a central focus of this year’s strategy, the MyBet portfolio is sure to expand significantly with more and more classics being added on a regular basis. You can find out more about MyBet Casino, including everything from getting started and signing up to bonuses, in our dedicated review of the operator.