By duozhandian Of course! “Bonus games slots” are the heart of what makes modern video slots so exciting. They’re the special features that go beyond the standard spinning reels, offering interactive mini-games, free spins, and unique mechanics to boost your winnings and entertainment.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about bonus games in slots.
### What Are Bonus Games/Features?
They are triggered events within a slot machine that pause the base game and transport you to a different screen or mode. Their primary purposes are:
* **Increase Engagement:** They break up the monotony of spins.
* **Offer Higher Payouts:** They often provide the biggest win potential in the slot.
* **Tell a Story:** They deepen the game’s theme (e.g., a treasure hunt, a fight with a dragon).
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### Common Types of Bonus Games & Features
#### 1. **Free Spins (The Most Common)**
* **How it’s triggered:** Usually by landing 3 or more **Scatter** symbols.
* **What happens:** You are awarded a set number of spins (e.g., 10 free spins) without wagering your own balance. Often, features like **multipliers** (2x, 3x wins), **sticky wilds**, or **expanding symbols** are active during this round, making it highly lucrative.
#### 2. **Pick-Me Games (Click-and-Click Bonuses)**
* **How it’s triggered:** Landing specific bonus symbols on a payline.
* **What happens:** A new screen appears with a selection of items (chests, symbols, characters). You click or tap to reveal instant cash prizes, multipliers, or the number of free spins you’ve won. It’s a simple game of chance and choice.
#### 3. **Wheel Bonuses (Bonus Wheels)**
* **How it’s triggered:** Filling a meter or landing bonus symbols.
* **What happens:** You get to spin a large, multi-segmented wheel (like the *Wheel of Fortune*). Segments contain different prizes: cash amounts, multipliers, entry to another bonus game, or the dreaded “mini” or “minor” prize.
#### 4. **Cascading Reels / Avalanche / Tumbling Features**
* **How it’s triggered:** Often part of the base game or free spins.
* **What happens:** Winning symbols disappear, and new symbols fall (cascade) into their place, potentially creating consecutive wins from a single spin. Each consecutive win usually increases a multiplier.
#### 5. **Expanding & Sticky Wilds**
* **Expanding Wilds:** A wild symbol that expands to cover an entire reel.
* **Sticky Wilds:** Wild symbols that stay in place for a set number of spins (common in free spins rounds), dramatically increasing win chances.
#### 6. **Progressive / Interactive Bonus Rounds**
These are more complex, story-driven games. Examples include:
* **Fishing Games:** Pick fishing spots to catch prizes.
* **Treasure Maps:** Choose a path on a map to uncover rewards.
* **Battle Games:** Make choices in a fight to win multipliers.
#### 7. **Random Triggers**
These can happen on any spin in the base game, adding surprise.
* **Random Wilds:** A batch of wild symbols is added to the reels.
* **Random Multiplier:** A multiplier is applied to your next win.
* **Symbol Upgrade:** A lower-paying symbol is transformed into a higher-paying one.
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### How to Find Slots with Great Bonus Games
1. **Research Before You Play:** Watch “**bonus buy**” or gameplay videos on YouTube. Channels dedicated to slots will show you exactly how the bonus games work.
2. **Check the Paytable:** Click the **’Info’** or **’Paytable’** button in the game. It will list all bonus features and how to trigger them.
3. **Look for High Volatility:** Slots with exciting, big-win potential bonus games are often **high volatility**. This means bonuses are less frequent but more impactful.
4. **Popular Game Providers** known for creative bonuses:
* **NetEnt:** Innovative and story-driven.
* **Play’n GO:** Fun, interactive pick-and-click games.
* **Big Time Gaming (BTG):** Pioneers of mechanics like *Megaways* and cascading reels with multipliers.
* **Push Gaming:** Known for highly volatile, feature-rich slots.
* **Blueprint Gaming:** Famous for their “Jackpot King” progressive network and entertaining bonus rounds.
### **Important Responsible Gaming Notes**
* **Bonus Games Are Random:** They are triggered by **Random Number Generators (RNG)**. You cannot “force” a bonus to appear.
* **Bonus Buy Feature:** Many modern slots offer a “**Bonus Buy**” option where you can pay a multiple of your bet (e.g., 100x) to instantly trigger the bonus game. Use this cautiously, as it’s expensive and high-risk.
* **RTP Can Differ:** Sometimes the Return to Player (RTP) percentage is **lower in the bonus buy mode** than in the base game. Always check the game rules.
* **It’s Entertainment:** Bonus games are designed to be fun. Never chase losses expecting a bonus round to save you.
### **Top Slot Examples with Famous Bonus Games**
* **Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt):** The first major **Avalanche** feature with increasing multipliers.
* **Book of Dead (Play’n GO):** **Free spins** with a special expanding symbol.
* **Bonanza (Big Time Gaming):** **Megaways** with unlimited win multipliers during free spins.
* **Reactoonz (Play’n GO):** A **cluster pays** slot with a complex cascade of features and a fun “Gargantoon” bonus.
* **Wheel of Fortune (Various):** The classic **wheel bonus** game.
In short, **bonus games slots** are all about adding layers of fun, anticipation, and winning potential. Exploring different games to find your favorite type of bonus is a big part of the enjoyment! Always remember to play within your limits and for fun.