In this Buffalo Canyon review, we’ll dive into the details of a unusual High 5 Games release. This nature-themed slot uses a Megapixel Pays mechanic, with 2,400 instead of paylines.
It may sound like a vintage computer monitor, but it’s actually an interesting feature that really changes the way you look at slots. So, if you’re looking for something a little different, read our review of this 96.00% RTP game and give the demo a try.
| Software Provider | High 5 Games |
| Release Date | October 2022 |
| RTP | 96.00% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max Win | 1,101x |
| Reels x Rows | N/A |
| Minimum – Maximum Bet | $0.20 - $1,000 |
| Number of Paylines | N/A |
| Themes | Nature, Buffalo, North America |
Buffalo Canyon Details, RTP and Volatility
This slot uses a fascinating mechanic known as Megapixel Pays, that was first seen in Retro Riches. Instead of a grid made up of reels and rows, there’s a matrix of 2,400 dots. As such, there are no paylines. We’ll discuss exactly how this works later in our Buffalo Canyon review.
High 5 Games has set the RTP at 96.00%, which is average for online slots these days. You can place bets from $0.20 up to a whopping $1,000 per spin, while the maximum win is 1,101x. A well-balanced volatility model offers fairly frequent wins, but usually of the smaller kind, rather than a canyon-sized one.
Theme & Graphics in Buffalo Canyon
A perfect word to describe Buffalo Canyon would be “Americana”. The game’s rustic theme is immediately apparent, with herds of buffalo and a parched canyon background. A dramatic soundtrack and audio effects add an air of realism to proceedings.
The slot’s symbols also conform to the iconic American Western style, with the majority being prairie animals. Alongside these, you’ll find cacti and other North American plant vegetation.
Buffalo Canyon Slot Features
In the following sections of our Buffalo Canyon review, we’ll discuss the game’s various features. Let’s dive right in.
Megapixel Pays
The Buffalo Canyon slot features a grid of 2,400 dots. Instead of regular reels, symbols fall from above. They may land partially or fully on the grid. Whenever this happens, the covered dots will charge up, increasing their level.
Gray-colored symbols charge the dots by two levels, with light blue and purple increasing them by three and four. Level seven is the highest a pixel can be charged. What is the significance of this charge? The higher the value, the greater the number of points it contributes towards the payout.
In addition, each symbol carries its own multiplier value. These start from 1x for the standard playing card icons, rising to 25x for the gemstone and buffalo. Your overall payout from a winning spin takes this into account, along with the values of each dot on the grid.
Regular Symbols
All of the game’s symbols are nicely aligned with the theme. The buffalo is the most valuable, covering a maximum of 607 dots with a 25x multiplier. A blue-green gemstone also boasts a 25x multiplier, though it only covers a maximum of 50 pixels.
Like most slots found at online casinos, playing card symbols are the least valuable. The club, diamond, heart and spade cover 180, 289, 428 and 652 dots, respectively. However, each offers a multiplier of just 1x.
Unlike regular slot mechanics, the symbols can land partially or fully on the grid. When they do, they’ll activate and upgrade any dots which are covered. You’ll win a prize whenever a regular symbol lands on the grid and is fully visible.
Wilds and Scatters
No wild symbol exists in the Buffalo Canyon slot. There is a scatter, though, which is represented by a crystal. But this can be something of a double-edged sword.
When three, four or five of them fit fully onto the grid, you’ll earn 12, 16 or 20 free games. However, when it appears and doesn’t trigger the bonus feature, it will downgrade any dots it covers by one level.
Free Games
Trigger the free spins games by collecting scatters. They must fit fully onto the grid in order to activate the bonus.
During the bonus round, all dots start at level one. Subsequent upgrades will not reset after losing spins. However, there’s no way to retrigger the bonus round.
How to Play Buffalo Canyon Online
Buffalo Canyon might feel a bit unusual to play, but the layout is quite straightforward. All of the important controls are found to the right of the screen. Choose your bet using the arrows in the bottom-right, then click the circular arrow to commence a spin.
You may configure up to 100 automatic spins using the double arrow symbol below the play button. While the speedometer icon above activates turbo mode.
Try the Buffalo Canyon demo for free before playing for real money
Put everything you’ve learned from this Buffalo Canyon review into practice by trying the slot for fun. Playing free slots is crucial if you want to learn the game’s features in a risk-free setting. A Buffalo Canyon demo is available here on this page.
Buffalo Canyon Review – Our Final Verdict
Buffalo Canyon is a slot that truly stands out from the crowd. The unique Megapixel Pays system has been seen before, but it truly blossoms in this North American setting. Traditionalists will almost certainly hate it, as we did at first. But if you just take a couple of minutes to understand the mechanics, it’s actually a really interesting game that’s fun to play.
For the most part, the graphics are nothing to write home about, but the artistic backdrop is beautifully designed. And the music adds to a laid back vibe that is quite peaceful at times. We’re hoping that the mechanic proves popular with the slots community, encouraging aesthetic improvements in future High 5 Games releases.
With its medium volatility level, the maximum payout of 1,100x and 96.00% RTP are perfectly adequate. While the betting limits are suitable for both high-rollers and casual gamers alike. Overall, it feels like the sort of game that you’re going to either love or hate, with no middle ground. For us, we can’t get enough.
Similar Slot Games
- Retro Riches: Another High 5 Gaming slot with the Megapixel Pays mechanic. Enjoy retro visuals and a maximum win of 1,100x your bet.
- Buffalo Blitz: This smash hit Playtech slot features a buffalo theme, 4,096 ways to win and a bonus round of up to 100 free spins.
- Buffalo Power Hold and Win: This Playson slot offers 20 paylines and the Hold & Win mechanic. Not to mention a buffalo theme, resetting respins and big cash prizes.
