Big Bass Return to the Races: Slot Overview
Pragmatic Play’s fishy frens, Reel Kingdom, are back at it again, this time with a racing twist. Big Bass Return to the Races is the latest entry in the popular Big Bass slot series. This time, it’s horses and racing that take center stage, blending fishing and racing themes into a new spin on the franchise. However, players expecting new mechanics may be in for a disappointment, as this game reuses a lot of elements from previous titles, including Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake.
While the racing theme might sound strange, the lush green grass that adorns the race track setting provides a visually appealing backdrop. The game’s design seems to aim for a relaxed outdoor vibe, perhaps appealing to those who enjoy the serenity of grass and nature. Even the music used in the demo is the same as what was heard in Golden Lake, reinforcing the connection between the two games. Whether that’s a positive or a negative is up to player preference—some might find it comforting, while others might wish for a bit more variety.
A Familiar Game Mechanism
At its core, Big Bass Return to the Races doesn’t stray too far from the well-established Big Bass formula. The game uses a 5×3 reel setup, where 10 fixed paylines are active, providing ample opportunities for players to land winning combinations. For those who want to boost their chances of hitting the free spins feature, there’s the option to activate the ante bet. This increases the stake by 50%, in exchange for a higher chance of triggering free spins.
The RTP for this slot is set at 96.07%, which is fairly standard for Pragmatic Play slots. Players can adjust their stakes anywhere from 10c to $/€250, catering to both casual and high-roller players. Though the mechanics are mostly familiar, the addition of an ante bet and bonus buys makes it feel like a fresh experience for those who are used to Big Bass’s gameplay.
Wild Symbols and Money Symbol Action
In the base game, wild symbols are absent, but they appear during the free spins feature. These wilds serve as substitutes for other paying symbols, helping to complete winning combinations. They are particularly useful in the free spins round, where they collect Money symbols for big rewards.
Money symbols in Big Bass Return to the Races come in the form of horses, with values ranging from 2x to 5,000x the bet. These Money symbols play a crucial role during the free spins feature, where wild symbols can collect them to increase the payout potential. The more wilds that land, the more chances you have to level up the feature and trigger bigger multipliers.
Free Spins Feature: The Heart of the Game
Free spins are the star of the show in Big Bass Return to the Races. Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols triggers 10, 15, or 20 free spins, respectively. If you’re lucky enough to land 2 scatters in the base game, there’s a chance the third scatter will appear during a respin. It’s a nice little feature that can help extend the action, even when you’re one scatter short of triggering the bonus round.
Before free spins begin, players pick one card from 12 available options. This determines whether they will play the regular free spins or the more rewarding Golden Cup Free Spins. The Golden Cup Free Spins offer even greater potential for big payouts, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
Golden Cup Free Spins: A Premium Bonus
Golden Cup Free Spins are played on a specialized grid that only lands blanks, Money symbols, and wilds. During this feature, all winlines that contain Money symbols are paid out, and any wild symbol collected will grab the value of all Money symbols on the reels.
What makes this feature stand out is the extra layer of unpredictability. Sometimes, if there are no Money symbols on the reels but wilds are present, a random Money symbol may appear at the end of the spin. Additionally, when Money symbols land but no wild symbols are present, a special lasso feature pulls a random reel to add a wild symbol, boosting your chances of hitting big wins.
Feature Buy: Skip the Wait
For players eager to jump straight into the action, Big Bass Return to the Races offers a feature buy option. For 100x your bet, you can trigger either the regular free spins or the Golden Cup Free Spins. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can opt for the 270x feature buy to go straight into the Golden Cup Free Spins.
This feature allows players to bypass the base game and jump directly into the bonus rounds, which can be especially tempting for those who are tired of waiting for free spins to trigger naturally. While the price tag might seem steep, it offers a fast track to the potential big wins the game has to offer.
LuckyCola’s Take: Is It Worth It?
For those who love the Big Bass series, Big Bass Return to the Races is more of the same—just with a horse racing theme slapped on top. The features, while still fun, aren’t groundbreaking, and the game doesn’t add a ton of new mechanics to keep things fresh. If you’ve enjoyed previous Big Bass slots, you’ll likely find this one fun as well, but if you’re looking for something radically different, this might not be the game for you.
If you’re into horse racing and fishing, then Big Bass Return to the Races might be an interesting mash-up to explore. It’s an easy game to pick up and play, especially with the added bonus of the feature buy options. And who knows? Maybe you’ll land the big one, or at least have a good time trying.
Final Verdict: A Classic With a Twist
Big Bass Return to the Races is a classic Big Bass game with a fresh, yet familiar, coat of paint. While it might not revolutionize the genre, it still delivers what players love about the franchise—big payouts, fun features, and engaging gameplay. Whether you’re a fan of fishing, horse racing, or both, this slot offers plenty of entertainment. Just don’t expect it to break any new ground. For the most part, it’s the same Big Bass formula with a different theme, and that’s okay for players who enjoy the simplicity and excitement of these games.
For those who want to add a little extra thrill, trying it out with LuckyCola might just make the experience even more exciting.
