Slots Reviews #1: Online and Off

Gayle Mitchell 09:09 Mar 15th, 2006 Slots

This series of articles reviews some of the newer slots versions offered to casino players online and land-based casinos.

We begin with 3 reviews for slots found online.

1) Kathmandu
This new release from Microgaming offers a distinctly exotic theme.A 5 reel, 9-payline video slot that captures the adventure of faraway places with stunning graphics of distant mountain temples, giant bells, superbly detailed prayer wheels and city scenes. The quality of the digital sound effects in this brand new game enhances the theme and the overall playing experience.

Kathmandu is a feature-rich, Australian style video slot with features like the introduction of up to 5X mystery multipliers, two Wild opportunities to win within the Free Spins rewards, and a Gamble feature that enables the player to take a chance on doubling or even quadrupling wins. And all this is in addition to Wild, Scatter and Free Spin!

Wagers of up to 20 coins per payline from pennies to quarters are possible, and on a maximum bet of 45, lucky players can achieve rewards right up to the 30,000.00 jackpot in the base game. That can be boosted as high as 150 000.00 by maximum rewards from the opportunities generated by the novel Free Spin features. Let the adventure begin…

2) Wheel of Wealth
This ‘Wheel’ game from Microgaming provides the player with three ways to win: through the base game, Reel bonus and Wheel of Wealth.
It’s an exciting 5 reel, 25-line video slot that has Wild and Scatter rewards, a multiplier advantage and 2 generous bonus features.

The up market lifestyle theme of Wheel of Wealth Special Edition has been achieved through first class graphics depicting executive jets, luxury sports cars, sparkling diamonds and plenty of the “gold and the green” - bullion and bank notes.

Spin your way towards this ‘wealthy’ game.

3) Party Line Slots
Is it possible to have too much fun playing slots? Yes, with the festive Party Line slot amid balloons, streamers, party hats, smooth sounds and a glass of bubbly.

Dance your way into the party scene, spin those reels and listen for the frequent sound of “It’s Party Time” for any win.

You can party-hardy with the top bonus prize of three party hats and a max. bet payout of 4000X.
This 3-coin single payline slot from Playtech also offers a 1200X and 2400X your selected denomination payout for three party hats at 1-coin and 2-coin bets.

No party is complete without the sweet sounds of music and three saxophones presents a generous second prize of 750X with max bet in play.
Other party items are a piano keyboard, radio and colorful champagne glasses in red, blue and yellow. Spin any three glasses of bubbly on the center payline and you receive a 15X pay for max bet.
Strategy Tip: Maximum coin bet play would provide greater returns and benefits with this slot version.
Another consideration is that payouts are based on the denomination selected for play. There are several options available: nickels, dimes, quarters, ½ dollar, dollar plus two and five dollars. Party On, my slot-playing friends.

Three slot versions found in land-based casinos follow:

1) Hollywood Squares - Premier Night
Continuing with the success of this popular game show series, this one boasts a top box display of a grand limo and searchlights shining on bonus numbers.

One of the bonus rounds occur when three or more Searchlight symbols land on an active payline on the right hand reels prompting the Searchlight Bonus.
Searchlights at the top box light up the credit spots eventually stopping on a value up to 500 coins.
However, if two searchlights shine on a credit amount and a Double Pay, the reward is doubled.
If Bonus spot is lit up or you line up 3 limo symbols, then it's on to the Premier Night Bonus.
The set of TV's Hollywood Squares, a giant tic-tac-toe board is viewed and Joan Rivers via video speaks directing you to pick one of the limo doors or the sunroof revealing the game's nine celebrities. The player receives five picks to win a tic-tac- toe.
If one of the celebrities goes to the Secret Square, there is the possibility of more games.
If a Super tic-tac-toe is won, you are prompted to pick one of five boxes for an additional reward of up to 1000 credits.

The scatter pay for this version is for three or more Champagne symbols garnering a win of up to 200 credits depending on your selection.
The spotlight is on you to step right up and play the 'game of the stars'.

2) Carnival of Mystery: 
Multi Way series offers the player to bet reels rather than bet paylines. As the betting increases, more spots are available up to a total of 243 possible winning combos. All wins are paid as scatter jackpots.
Puppets, jesters and floats await the player at the Carnival. Three bonus rounds are available with the possibility of a winning ticket to carry you into another bonus round while racking up credits along the way.

Known as the Jester Games bonus, this feature occurs when five of these symbols are found in the pay window. You are asked to select one of the box symbols for a bonus award.

An additional bonus, the Floating Balls reveal a three-digit award at which time, the balls spin to reveal a second bonus award. This is where the ticket option comes into play should one of the balls reveal it; it triggers one or more of the secondary bonus games.

The Puppet is one such game where you select 2-3 puppets appearing before you that show either a credit or perhaps a ticket. Another secondary bonus is Evade the Jester. The bonuses continue until no ticket is found or the Jester shows up. As you can see, this slot offers a 'Carnival of Events' with an explosion of winning combos.

3) Cool Cat Cash:
Cool Cats abound in this game sporting sunglasses or shiny jewelry as they mix in with the assortment of 'wealthy' icons of cars, cell phones and cool hats.
Three or more Super Scatter symbols will begin the Super Scatter Bonus even where you get 5, 10 or 15 free Super Scatter spins. All wins are paid as scatters and multiplied by the total wager of the first spin.
The main event occurs when three Safe Symbols lands and a grid of 20 safes appears.

Each safe hides either a cash symbol of 250 credits, a gold bar for 125 credits, a ring=75 credits, a money bag=50 credits or a champagne bottle=25 credits.
You are given five selections and the total bonus increases with the value of the icon revealed.
If you get the Award All, all matching symbols are revealed and the total value of all symbols is yours.
If all five Award All symbols are chosen, the total prize award can be 8250 credits at the 25-line version.

The Coolest Cash is reserved for the Hot Hot Top Jackpot of 50,000 coins.