More about the Wheel of Fortune

3 February 2019

By John Grochowski

International Game Technology’s Wheel of Fortune slot machines have been player favorites ever since the first three-reel version launched in 1996.

Not a year goes by without new variations on the theme as IGT extends the brand with games based on the ever-popular “Wheel of Fortune” television game show.

The latest is Wheel of Fortune 4D featuring Vanna White, a 75-payline video slot on IGT’s new CrystalCurve True 4D gaming machine.

The fourth dimension in “True 4D” is touch. You can reach out to three-dimensional images and get a touch sensation. Instead of touching the screen or pushing a button to spin a prize wheel, you can reach out to the 3D image in front of the screen and give the wheel a spin.

You can bet from 100 to 500 coins, so on a penny machine your bet range is $1-$5. With a bet of at least 300 credits, you qualify for a big-money wide-area progressive jackpot. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, wide-area progressives link multiple casinos so that portions of wagers at different casinos help build the same pot.

Among the game features are original audio and video featuring TV show hostess Vanna White. When you reach out to that 3-D wheel to give it a spin, Vanna cheers you on.

Another feature is a jackpot bonus event. You select wedges from the wheel, and the wedges turn over to reveal items that correspond to a jackpot amount. Once you reveal three matching items, you win their jackpot.

Wheel of Fortune lovers – and there are a lot of them among slot players – will enjoy the new spin on a longtime favorite. And any slot player should at least get a look at what 4D can do. It’s spectacular.

• Also new in the Wheel of Fortune family are IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Cash Link video slots.

The five-reel video slots feature a multi-level progressive on two base games: Exotic Far East and Latin Getways. Both are on IGT’s Crystal Wheel gaming machine, with high-resolution HD video and a 20-inch wheel.

The Cash Link comes into play whenever you land a treasure chest on the fifth reel. When that happens, you win credits in the value of gold coins displayed when the treasure chest opens.

A free games bonus is triggered when free games symbols land on reels one, three, and five, and can be retriggered for up to 200 free spins.

• Beyond Wheel of Fortune, IGT has a new spin on multi-level progressive jackpots in its Fortune Link video slots.

Long has been a pioneer in slots with progressive jackpots. IGT turns it all up a notch with a new lock and re-spin feature.

Initially, the feature is available on two themes: Feline Fortune and Egyptian Fortune.

Collecting either four, five or six fortune link symbols in the base triggers the Fortune Link series. The difference in the requirement is your bet: Higher coin denominations mean you can launch the feature with fewer symbols

Once you’ve collected the required number of symbols, they remain locked in place during the Fortune Link feature. You then get three respins to collect more Fortune Link symbols.

There’s a twist: Every time you add a Fortune Link symbol, you reset to three re-spins. If you get no Fortune Links on the first two respins but get one on the third, the meter returns to three respins.

The more Fortune Link symbols you collect, the bigger your prize. Filling the entire screen with Fortune Links symbols wins the top jackpot.

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