If there is one thing you should accept before loading any online slot game, it’s the fact that you can never guarantee you’ll receive any prizes. That means you should choose a game that offers a pleasing experience… and we think Ox Bonanza might just do that.
We expected an ox or two to appear in this game, but we didn’t guess the overall theme… and we feel we should have. Confused? Don’t be… we’ve got lots to share with you here.
Revealing the developer…
Ox Bonanza comes to us all from Realtime Gaming, creators of other top games including the collection of Cash Bandits slots.
Is it possible to play without paying for it?
Yes, you can select the practice version to start with. This is identical to the standard version, but it loads with demo coins in place for you to use.
Have you figured out the theme?
The presence of that ox is a major clue, especially as the game is released early in 2021. That coincides with the Chinese New Year, and we know that 2021 means that we are in the Year of the Ox.
Does Ox Bonanza score highly on design elements?
Yes – it supplies a beautiful contrast between brightly colored reels and pastel colored background elements. Expect some cherry blossoms, several animals aside from that ox, and a dreamy backdrop we liked – a lot.
Playing the Ox Bonanza slot game
When we first loaded this one, we weren’t surprised to see the five-reel, three-row format in use. We did like the two progressive jackpots though, one larger than the other (minor and major), displayed above the reels as you play. The live totals change as people make real bets on the game.
The game offers a wild and a scatter. The wild is the ox, of course, and there are a couple of things you ought to know about this. The ox appears only on the first reel and not on any others. It also doubles prizes, but only when it helps you get them to start with. We’ll retain one other piece of info about the wild for later in our review.
The scatter displays the words Ox Bonus, and it can lead to a special feature within the game.
Do we have paylines, way wins, or cluster pays?
Paylines, and they’re fixed, meaning that each bet must cover all 25 lines in action in the game.
Is this an affordable game to play?
It is a penny slot since the lowest bet per line is just that. Since all lines are covered by that bet, you need to wager at least a quarter on every spin. If you are eager to bet more and your budget allows for this, the maximum wager is $12.50 on a spin.
Paytable guidance
Don’t expect a paytable of old, based over several pages. The Ox Bonanza slot comes with one long table instead, covering all the symbols, prizes, and rules all on one scrollable page.
Bonus features
There is only one here, but it can happen during the base game and the freebies, so that at least is promising. It doesn’t have a specific trigger since it can occur on any spin where a wild ox appears on the first reel. Its random nature means it doesn’t appear whenever a wild does, though – only sometimes.
When a wild turns up, you might see it change the high-paying animal symbols into more wilds. That’s why it is called the Morphing Wild feature. If the spin happens to have two or more of those animals in view, it could make a huge difference to your prize potential.
Free spins and how to find some
Did you know you can get a maximum of 100 spins with a single trigger in Oz Bonanza? Maybe that’s where the bonanza of the title comes in. You need to get three scattered Ox Bonus icons to receive 10 freebies, and four to get 20 freebies. The maximum of 100 spins is unlocked with five triggering symbols.
In every case, once inside the free game round you can score some more with three or more additional scatters on the same spin. And that Morphing Wild feature can appear at any time, just as it could in the base game.
No clarity for the RTP
This won’t come as a shock if you’re a regular player of RTG slot games. They never reveal this information, so while we can point to estimates of around 95% for lots of their games, this can only ever be an estimate.
What score does Ox Bonanza get from us?
We’ll give it eight out of 10 upfront. This doesn’t break any new ground, yet it combines some familiar features and an excellent theme to do something enjoyable on that set of reels.
Check the paytable for all the prizes
Wild-won prizes are doubled, so that’s something to look for. If you get some extra wilds on the reels, you’re more likely to snag some prizes anyway. But of course, all eyes are going to be on those progressive jackpots…
Demo access gets you the knowledge you need
Even if this looks like the ideal slot for you and for your budget, don’t play until you have tried the demo. You can learn without risking anything.
Check your budget before some real spins
Ox Bonanza is a high volatility slot, with spins starting at 25 cents a pop. Think about your budget and never spend more than you can afford on the game.
Mobile gaming also available
Whether you play on iOS or Android, you can check out the Ox Bonanza slot game whenever you wish when you’re on the go with a smartphone or tablet.
