A system for providing animation on mechanical reels games is disclosed. A gaming machine includes a plurality of mechanical reels each having symbols provided on an outer surface of each of the reels. A lighting system is configured to illuminate a selected symbol on at least one mechanical reel. A game controller generates a game outcome. One or more stepper motors is operatively coupled to the mechanical reels and independently spins each reel. A reel control unit determines the timing of illuminating of the selected symbol on the position of the symbol on the reel when it is illuminated.