Top Slot Reviews #3

15 November 2002

By Gayle Mitchell

I'm back with more bonus slot reviews and descriptions from the Top 200 Slots List.

The slots reviewed below are offered by slot manufacturers with a high payout of less than 98%. While this upper range percentage is lower than the slots reviewed in the previous two articles, they are still worth 'hunting down' at your favorite casino.

Note: we have included the slot manufacturer with each version.

1) Triple Bonus Frenzy: Bally. This game puts a whole new spin on traditional reel gaming action with its unique fourth-reel bonus feature. When players line up a winning three-symbol combo across the center payline plus land one of the feature symbols on the fourth reel, they get the max. coin bonus.

The bonus features will add 10 to 300 credits or multiply the credits 3, 6 or 9 times or offer a re-spin.. Play time with this slot adds up to a 'frazzled, frenzied' furor.

2) The Lone Ranger: Bally. All the elements of the popular 1950's TV show are here including the masked man's faithful steed Silver, a ranger star, a black and white TV, a Lone Ranger watch, silver bullets and of course his Indian companion Tonto. When three 'Mesa' symbols appear on the first, third and fifth reels, they nudge to the center payline and our masked hero leaps across the screen to capture the bad guy revealing a random bonus up to 100 times the bet. The main screen 'Trading Card Bonus' is triggered when three or more bubble-gum trading cards land on an active payline.

The player is prompted to choose three playing cards. If two of the cards match, you continue until no match is achieved or all the matches on the screen are hit. Bonus amounts range from 25 up to 1,600 times the line bet with a top jackpot of 10,000 coins.

"Hi-ho Silver"--no wait, it's "Hey, where's my Silver?"

3) 3 Way Pay: Bally. Blazing 7's is the norm here with an added 'buy-a-pay' feature where the player buys a different paytable with each coin wagered. The first coin buys the paytable for the first and second reels while your second coin buys the second and third reels only. Of course, max. coin is required for three Blazing 7s and a prize of 4000 coins. This 'buy-a-pay' could result in various combinations that you wouldn't see on a normal 3-reeler.

In other words, wins on two of the three paytables means you get both and can still register wins on any of the individual paytables. This feature heightens the hit frequency and triples your playing fun.

4) Dolphin Treasures: Aristocrat. Take a trip to the bottom of the sea where treasures are waiting. Players can win 15 free games when 3, 4 or 5 scattered 'Treasure Chests' appear and all wins during these free games are tripled. You can also win more free games during free game spins. Nothing fishy about that.

This 9-line game 'nets' 60,000 coins, while the 20-line version's 'whopping catch' is a top award of 150,000 coins.

5) Five Times Fruit: Aristocrat. A rainbow of colors is presented and a three fruit symbol combo provides the player a spin of the exclusive top bonus reel. Match the top bonus reel symbol with the base reel to multiply the line win by five.

You'll go 'bananas' when you hit 'the top of the tree' jackpot of 50,000 coins.

6) Honky Tonk: Aristocrat. When the 'Boot' and 'Musical Note' symbols appear at the same time, an animated pair of boots 'scoots' to every symbol and pays all winners.

The 'Guitar' is a special scatter symbol paying additional credits when 3, 4 or 5 of them get plucked. The top prize for the 20-line game is 25,000 coins.

Now that's 'hillbilly heaven'.

7) Keep Your Hat On: Aristocrat. Pull up a seat and catch this show. When the lights go down and the curtain goes up, one thing is certain: 'Skin Wins'. This 'not-so-shy' video slot will keep players blushing and coming back for more. When 3, 4 or 5 scattered 'Women' appear, a fully clothed man appears on the screen. You pick a box to remove an article of clothing. If all clothing is successfully removed, the total bonus can be multiplied 2 or 3 times.

See what happens if you manage to remove all his clothes. It's worth 'peeping'.

That's our lucky seven slot reviews for now. Be back soon with more bonus versions coming your way.