Slot Spotlight

Bigger Bang Big Event
WMS GAMING

SLOT TYPE
Five-reel, 20-line or 25-line mechanical slot; video overlay; free-spin and second-screen bonus events; all denominations available

PAYBACK % RANGE
86.09%—86.26% (Progressive)
83.07%—94.18% (Stand-alone)

AVERAGE HIT FREQUENCY
43.04%—46.96% (20-line)
50.53%—56.11% (25-line)

TOP JACKPOT
Progressive—$500,000 reset
Stand-alone—$10,000

AVAILABILITY
AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI (tribal), MN, MS (tribal), MO, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, WA, WI

COMMENTARY
WMS has combined two of its most entertaining new game styles and used them to bring back a theme that you’ll remember like an old friend. The game is called “Bigger Bang Big Event,” and it’s the newest version of the huge hit “Piggy Bankin’.”

You may remember the original “Piggy Bankin’” as a reel-spinner with the “Dotmation” bonus display. (It’s our “Hall of Fame” feature this month.) There was a sequel called “Big Bang Piggy Bankin’”—hence the new title, “Bigger Bang.”

You remember the pig, don’t you? The little cartoon character that served WMS so well returns with this game. He jumps around the reels as you’re playing, on an invisible video screen that sits on top of the mechanical reels. (It’s called “Transmissive Reels.”)

This is also a “Big Event” game, which means it works a lot like last year’s “Monopoly Big Event.” You’ll see a multiplier on the screen—“2X,” “3X,” etc. The more you bet, the higher that number gets. A central computer randomly throws all the games in the bank into a bonus round. Everybody goes to the bonus at once, which invariably creates a little party on the slot floor. However high your “X” amount is when the bonus starts is the number by which your bonus award will be multiplied.

There will eventually be three base games in the Bigger Bang link. Two initial games are “Gem Hunter” and “Los Aztecas.” “Twice the Ice” will be added later. Each base game has a simple bonus event, like free spins or a “pick-a-tile” game.

When the computer kicks off the main bonus, though, it can be any of five community events—each featuring the funny little pigs.

In “Piggy Bank Bonus,” pigs cheer as a piggy bank fills with coins before exploding and awarding a bonus. In “Pig Race Bonus,” players choose one of five pig characters for a race. Each bonus reflects how well the chosen pig does. In “Bigger Bang Cash Bonus,” dice roll to move players around a circle of pigs. In “The Pigs Take Over,” pigs leap down from the top of the screen to award spins to each player with additional wild symbols. And in the “Pig-a-pult Bonus,” pigs are catapulted toward bonus signs.

In all of them, it’s like watching a rapid-fire, very funny cartoon. And after the show, you win money. Oink!

Diamond Jackpot Multi-Level Progressive
INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY

SLOT TYPE
Three-reel, five-line or nine-line mechanical slot; video fourth bonus reel; multiplying wild symbols; four-level progressive jackpot; all denominations available

PAYBACK % RANGE
87.90%—96.50%

AVERAGE HIT FREQUENCY
Approximately 20% (five-line) or 33% (nine-line)

TOP JACKPOT
Progressive; $40,000 reset

AVAILABILITY
AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI (tribal), MN, MS (tribal), MO, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, WA, WI

COMMENTARY
This game proves that there is still room for new ideas in the old, tried-and-true reel-spinning genre. There are four levels of progressive jackpots, and the way it is designed is ingenious. All of the features of the game are available with just one coin played, but bet enough to activate all the paylines. Trust us, folks. You’ll enjoy it a lot more that way.

The base games are four of IGT’s best classic reel-spinners: Triple Red Hot 7s, Triple Double Stars, Double Times Pay 3X4X5X, and Super Times Pay. Each of these games has multiplying wild symbols in the traditional single-payline version. But, these are five-line or nine-line versions of the games, each with one payline activated per credit wagered. The top jackpot combinations on each game rise according to the payline on which they hit—the fifth coin wagered activates the payline with the highest possible jackpot.

There is an LCD screen representing a fourth, bonus reel. When three bonus symbols appear scattered on the primary reels, the bonus fourth reel is activated, with symbols like “2X” and “5X” that multiply the jackpot, or other symbols that add to the prize.

When three “Diamond Jackpots” symbols appear on the primary reels in any position, with a diamond on the fourth reel, one of the progressives is won. The payoff depends on the color of the diamond—white, green, blue or red. In most places, the White Jackpot resets at $100, the Green Jackpot at $500, the Blue Jackpot at $2,000 and the top Red Jackpot at $40,000.

Although the game is available to casinos in several denominations, this is designed as a traditional reel-spinner, so you’ll probably find it in quarters or dollars. The hit frequencies are better than you will find with the traditional stand-alone versions of the same games, simply because these are five-line and nine-line versions.

One word of advice: Yes, you can win a progressive—two, in fact—by playing a single coin. However, this game returns much, much more if you activate all the paylines. And, in fact, it’s really best to play max-coin; it’s the only way you qualify for the top progressive prize.

Deal Or No Deal—Passion Slots
ATRONIC AMERICAS

SLOT TYPE
Three-reel, three-coin buy-a-pay; bonus video fourth reel; top-box video bonus event; dollar denomination

PAYBACK % RANGE
90.00%—96.00%

AVERAGE HIT FREQUENCY
9.07%

TOP JACKPOT
Progressive; $5,000 reset

AVAILABILITY
AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI (tribal), MN, MS (tribal), MO, ND, NM, OR, SD, WA, WI

COMMENTARY
With this game, Atronic applies one of its hottest themes—its series of games based on the hit game show Deal Or No Deal—to its new “Passion Slots” series of traditional reel-spinning games.

The heart of this new dollar reel-spinner is the “Briefcase Bonus” from the show. On the show, beautiful models parade a bunch of briefcases out, and the contestant chooses one. A game board shows how much is in each briefcase, but not which case is which. Then, the contestant picks from the unchosen cases to unveil their contents. He can judge his chances of having a big prize in his case by which prize amounts are still left on the board. Based on the remaining amounts, the “Banker” makes an offer for the contestant’s briefcase. He accepts the offer—“Deal”—or rejects the offer—“No Deal”—and the process repeats.

This basic concept was placed into elaborate bonus sequences in the video versions of the game. However, this reel-spinning dollar version has a simplified, speeded-up version of the bonus. It’s fast and easy, to please the traditional dollar-reels player.

The base game is classic three-reel stuff: one payline, three coins for a max bet, bar symbols and “7” combinations on the pay schedule. Three “Deal Or No Deal” symbols land a progressive jackpot that resets at $5,000.

A maximum bet activates a video fourth reel for bonuses. The fourth reel contains multipliers of 2X, 3X and 5X, which apply to winning three-reel combinations when landing on the payline. It also contains a “Briefcase Bonus” symbol. When that bonus symbol lands on the payline with max coins bet, the bonus round is triggered on the tall video top box.

The Briefcase Round proceeds quickly. Ten briefcases appear and the player selects one. All of the possible bonus amounts hidden in the briefcases are displayed. Three of the remaining cases are automatically selected (again, speed is the key for dollar players who want to see their results), and their amounts are revealed.

The real gambler’s adrenaline rush comes with the offers from the “Bank.” You will be faced with several choices: Accept a guaranteed prize (hit the “Deal” button), or risk a smaller payoff by going for the gold (“No Deal”)? You get that chance until only two briefcases are left. It’s a series of proposition bets that go to the core of what gambling is all about.

Dinosaur
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES

SLOT TYPE
Fifteen-line or 20-line video slot; primary game wild symbols; free spin bonus round; penny through $100 denominations

PAYBACK % RANGE
87.98%—94.96%

AVERAGE HIT FREQUENCY
Approximately 50%

TOP JACKPOT
22,500, 45,000, 90,000 or 180,000 credits

AVAILABILITY
AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI (tribal), MN, MS (tribal), MO, ND, NM, OR, SD, WA, WI

COMMENTARY
This new video slot from Aristocrat carries a prehistoric theme and a classic Australian multi-line style of game program. The theme is communicated with great artwork depicting dinosaurs, smoldering volcanoes and primeval flora.

The primary game is available to casinos in a wealth of styles. There are 15-line and 25-line versions of the game. There are eight possible variations of the game—four in each line configuration. The top available line jackpots vary according to the maximum bet, from 22,500 credits to 180,000 credits. Consequently, casinos have a lot of flexibility with the denomination to offer on this one. It is available in any denomination ranging from pennies all the way up to $100.

The game play is classic Aristocrat. In the primary game, the “T-Rex” symbol is wild, substituting for all but the scattered “volcano” symbol. Three, four or five scattered “volcano” symbols trigger 15, 50 or a whopping 100 free spins, respectively.

The free spins are where the opportunities for huge credit wins lie, particularly if you get five of the volcanoes for 100 spins. That’s because all jackpots during the free spins are tripled. What’s more, the free-spin bonus round can be re-triggered during a free spin—you can get up to 100 more free spins, and quite possibly a giant bank of accumulated credits with no additional wager.

The game is produced both for the MKVI video platform and for Aristocrat’s advanced new “Gen7” platform, which will enhance the graphics so the images pop off the screen.

The visuals are outstanding on this game. Various symbols animate in place to add a fun visual dynamic to a game that is already a blast. Aside from that, you will get your entertainment from the high hit frequency and the occasional lucrative free-spin bonus event.

As always with this style of game, be sure to wager enough to activate all the paylines. After that, your hit frequency and payback percentage are constant, so alter your wager according to how large your credit bank is. And with this game, it can become large indeed.

Double Jackpot Triple Blazing 7s
BALLY TECHNOLOGIES

SLOT TYPE
Three-reel, five-line reel-spinning slot; multiplying wild symbols; progressive jackpot; 20-cent through $1,000 denominations

PAYBACK % RANGE
85.01%—95.97%

AVERAGE HIT FREQUENCY
38%

TOP JACKPOT
Progressive; $10,000 reset

AVAILABILITY
AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI (tribal), MN, MS (tribal), MO, ND, NJ, NM, NV, OR, SD, WA, WI

COMMENTARY
This is a classic Bally reel-spinner in all respects, except that, instead of a single payline, there are five. Consequently, instead of a win every seven spins (like on the traditional games), you’ll get a hit every three spins or so.

The game is available in 20-cent, quarter, half-dollar, dollar and “premium” denominations that go all the way up to a $1,000 slot machine. (Yes, five grand to activate all the paylines for one spin. Some people can afford this!) However, you will mostly find it as a traditional five-coin dollar game. Each coin activates one payline.

The game is the classic Triple Blazing 7s game combined with the features of Bally’s Double Jackpot slot. That means that, in addition to bar combinations, there are four different “7” combinations—mixed, single, double and the top Triple Blazing 7s combination.

Added to this is the multiplying “Double Jackpot” wild symbol. One wild symbol in a winning combination doubles the jackpot; two in a win multiply the jackpot by four; and three wild symbols return the game’s top jackpot. On the first through fourth paylines, the jackpot for three wild symbols is 2,000 coins. Three wilds on the diagonal fifth payline land the progressive jackpot, which resets at $10,000.

You will find this game out there in all of Bally’s popular wide-body cabinet styles, including the striking presentation of the “CineReels” recessed cabinet. That’s the one that puts the video screen inside a dark void, so it looks like you’re in a movie theater.

This is a dollar reel-spinner, so make sure you bankroll accordingly—in other words, enough to bet the maximum of $5 per spin, so the top progressive jackpot is available. This game won’t be quite as hard on your bankroll as even a traditional three-coin dollar game, because of the higher hit frequency enabled by the five-line format. Additionally, many of the payline combinations are generous—$20 for mixed 7s; $200 for triple Blazing 7s—and the five paylines means the possibility of multiple jackpots on a spin.

However, a dollar game is a dollar game. We’d suggest at least a bankroll of a few hundred to maximize your enjoyment.

Inca Legend
KONAMI GAMING

SLOT TYPE
Five-reel video slot in “ScatteReels” format; wagers activate reels instead of paylines; multiplying wild symbols; free-spin bonus event; all denominations available

PAYBACK % RANGE
88.00%

AVERAGE HIT FREQUENCY
33%

TOP JACKPOT
10,000 credits

AVAILABILITY
AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI (tribal), MN, MS (tribal), MO, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, WA, WI

COMMENTARY
This is Konami’s latest game in the “ScatteReels” series, which is an offshoot of the manufacturer’s “KonXion” series (pronounced “connection”). Reels are arranged in a jagged kind of presentation, with winning combinations resulting from clustered symbols.

The ScatteReels platform uses no paylines. The screen configuration alternates between three symbols and four symbols on the five reels (in sequence, left to right), and wins are paid as scatters—combinations pay if they are on adjacent reels, left-to-right. This makes a total of 432 possible ways to win on every spin. The player can wager up to 1,500 credits per spin to increase the value of paying combinations.

Inca Legend places this unique pay window setup into a theme strengthened by artwork depicting an ancient Inca temple and pyramid. The storyline, according to the manufacturer, is a “mystery within a mystery,” with the ruler of a secret society morphing into a jaguar through the use of an ancestral necklace. Various reel symbols associated with the story trigger special bonus events.

The “jaguar” symbol is wild, substituting for the “woman,” “necklace,” “cup,” “bird,” “butterfly” or any of the poker symbols. If one jaguar substitutes in a win, the jackpot is doubled. Two jaguars in a winning combination multiply the jackpot by four.

Three, four or five “pyramid” symbols scattered on the reels trigger 10, 15 or 20 free spins, respectively. The free-spin round can be retriggered within the free spins if the pyramid symbols land again.

However, the real story of this game is the unique pay window configuration, with all wins paid as scatter pays. Make sure you wager enough to activate all the reels. From there, you can manipulate the size of the jackpots by increasing your wager when you’ve got a good bank of credits. You can bet more than a thousand credits per spin, which results in some mighty big jackpots.

Since this game is produced in Konami’s K2V video platform, you may find it with any number of mystery jackpot systems added on, including the newest “Pirate’s Loot” mystery bonus setup.