Pragmatic Play takes us back to the early days of slot machines when fruit symbols and jokers were a dime a dozen. In Joker Blast Bonanza, the protagonist is characteristically cheerful and generous, with rewards of up to 10,000x for the luckiest players.
The slot also boasts several impressive multiplier features and explosive bonus elements, all of which are revealed in this Joker Blast Bonanza review.
Introduction to Joker Blast Bonanza
At first glance, Joker Blast Bonanza immediately feels like an imitation of Sword of Ares, another Pragmatic Play slot. The multiplier collection meter and bomb symbols are all you need to realize the current title is a mere clone.
However, one key difference with this slot is the scatter pays mechanic. Further, the game is loaded with lavish and vibrant symbols that pay higher than the average Joker-style slot.
Limits and Layout
Joker Blast Bonanza takes a detour from the regular layout that’s been the go-to for most fruit-based slot machines. Instead, it sports a six-reel grid with five rows and a scatter pays mechanic. There is also a horizontal collector grid above the reels which doles out multipliers when unlocked.
Players can wager amounts ranging from $0.20 to $100 per spin. In terms of rewards, the slot promises a maximum win of 10,000x and has a default RTP of 96.40%. However, since it is highly volatile, payouts tend to be infrequent when compared to other games.
Opting for a classic fruit machine theme generally limits aesthetic innovation. However, while the symbols here look exactly the same as other joker-based casino games, the images are sharper and the animation more advanced. The groovy soundtrack also adds a modern flair to the overall experience.
Gameplay and Features
Bonus features and gameplay elements are up next in this Joker Blast Bonanza review. The first mechanic up for discussion is the Tumble Win feature. This causes winning symbols to disappear from the grid, while new icons drop in to replace them, continuing until no new combinations form.
Multiplier Collection Feature
The multiplier collection meter above the grid displays three values in the base game and six in free spins mode. To begin with, all multiplier values are locked, until a certain number of winning symbols are collected. Once unlocked, the highest multiplier boosts the total value of winning combinations during Tumble sequences.
Below is a list of the potential multiplier values on offer during the base game:
- First multiplier: Unlocks after collecting 20 symbols and pays 2x, 3x, or 4x.
- Second multiplier: Pays between 5x and 8x, requiring 50 symbols to unlock.
- Third multiplier: Opens up after collecting 100 symbols, offering up to 15x.
Free Spins
At least four scatters anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins bonus. You’ll earn 15 free spins here and the Tumble Wins and Multiplier Collection features remain active.
Here’s how the Multiplier Collection operates during free spins.
- First multiplier: Unlocks with 15 collected symbols; pays 2x, 3x, 4x.
- Second multiplier: Requires 30 symbols; pays between 5x to 8x.
- Third multiplier: Acquire 45 symbols; pays between 9x to 15x.
- Fourth multiplier: Unlocks with 60 collected symbols; pays between 16x to 32x.
- Fifth multiplier: Opens with 100 collected symbols; pays between 35x to 100x.
- Sixth multiplier: Requires 225 collected symbols; pays anywhere from 150x to 500x.
Bomb Symbols
Special bomb symbols can land in both game modes after at least one Tumble. They explode and remove symbols in horizontal, vertical, cross or X patterns, depending on the bomb icon.
Regular Symbols
Like in most jokered online slots, fruit icons like grapes, cherries and lemons are the lower paying symbols. A bell, the red 7 symbol and a diamond are the higher paying icons.
Scatter Symbols
A smiling joker with the word “SCATTER” drawn across the bottom of the icon is the scatter symbol. Four of a kind triggers the free spins gameplay mode.
Wild Symbols
There is no wild symbol in this slot. But with bomb icons helping you add more symbols to the multiplier, the absence of wilds is barely noticeable.
Expert Opinion on Joker Blast Bonanza
Pragmatic Play falls back to a rather hackneyed slot style and barely attempts to innovate around the theme. The verdict of this Joker Blast Bonanza slot review is that, from an entertainment perspective, the game turned out a little bland. But that’s not to say there were no upsides.
Joker Blast Bonanza stands out from a collection of hundreds of similar slots on the basis of its vibrant graphics and higher potential win. Besides, if classic fruit machines or joker-themed slots are your thing, you’ll no doubt appreciate a fresh new title to try.
Slots Similar to Joker Blast Bonanza
Below are a couple of real money slots that are strikingly similar to Joker Blast Bonanza
- Sword of Ares: This Pragmatic Play title is the inspiration for Joker Blast Bonanza. It features the same bomb symbols, multiplier collection feature, max win and even default RTP.
Joker’s Coins: Hold and Win: Developed by Playson, this slot revolves around the harlequin joker character but promises a lower RTP and max win.
