PRAGMATIC PLAY
Snakes and Ladders is a timeless board game that made its way to Europe back in the 19th century, originally coming from India where it was known as Moksha Patam. If you're not familiar with it, the game involves players rolling dice to move their game piece across a numbered board, aiming to be the first to reach the final square. What makes things interesting are the ladders that help you advance and the snakes that set you back when you land on them. It's a game enjoyed worldwide and has been featured in various forms over the years. This version, called Snakes And Ladders Megadice, is brought to you by Pragmatic Play and their partner Reel Kingdom, offering players the chance to win real cash by playing a virtual version of the classic Snakes and Ladders board during its bonus round.
In the main game, you'll play on a grid with 5 columns and 3 rows, featuring 10 fixed paylines. There's a nostalgic touch reminiscent of old-school 8-bit gaming, evident in the font used for symbols and messages, as well as some of the graphics. True to form, Reel Kingdom has blended various visual styles, giving the game a somewhat eclectic vibe. While this might suit the vintage feel of Snakes and Ladders, it also comes off as a bit dated and disjointed. Overall, our initial impression wasn't mind-blowing, but some players might enjoy the quirky mix of styles.
Snakes and Ladders Megadice brings a rollercoaster of emotions as you progress through the game. One moment, you're riding high, and the next, a snake sends you tumbling down. But don't lose hope – soon enough, a lucky ladder might propel you to victory. This unpredictable gameplay is matched with a slot model that's equally thrilling. With a solid RTP of 96.68%, there's plenty of potential for wins. Players can join the action from any device, placing bets ranging from 10 cents to a maximum of $/€100.
The symbols add to the game's sense of unpredictability, fitting Reel Kingdom's style perfectly. The lower-paying symbols include 8-bit styled card royals from 10 to Ace, offering payouts of 5-10 times the stake for landing five of a kind. On the other hand, the higher-paying symbols feature ladders, snakes, bananas, and Gorilla Kings, with a full line of five fetching payouts of 15-50 times the bet. The Wild Dice symbol steals the show, offering the highest payout of 500 times the bet for five on a payline. Not only do Wild Dice substitute for other symbols, but they also come with 1, 2, or 3 dots on them, just like regular dice. These dots represent win multipliers of x1, x2, or x3, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
The ultimate aim in Snakes and Ladders Megadice is to unlock the exciting bonus round, either by landing the right number of scatter symbols or through a progressive feature.
Initially, the 11 sections on the snake above the reels are inactive. However, when Wild Dice symbols appear, the number of dots they show fills these sections. Depending on the number of dots on the Wild Dice, you can activate the bonus game and even earn extra rolls if you fill the snake completely. If you change your bet, the snake fill process restarts, but your progress is saved if you return to a previous stake.
This feature is triggered either by filling the snake or landing three bonus symbols on the reels. If the snake filling triggers the round, you receive 12 dice rolls initially, with the possibility of earning up to 17 rolls through retriggers. If the round is activated by bonus symbols, landing 3, 4, or 5 of them awards 12, 14, or 16 dice rolls, respectively.
During the bonus round, players enter a thrilling game on a massive 12x12, 144-space snakes and ladders board. Each player is represented by a gorilla head token, starting from square number one. On each turn, two dice are rolled, determining how many squares the token moves. The squares can either be blank or contain one of the following:
Money Award: Grants a win ranging from 4 times to 100 times the initial bet, adding to the total round win.
Multiplier: Applies a multiplier value to the total win accumulated up to that point.
Ladder: Propels the player upwards to a higher square.
Snake: Sends the player downwards to a lower square.
Banana: Introduces random Money Awards to the grid while removing other Banana symbols.
Skyscraper: Appears randomly on any square and transports players to a higher position on the board.
The bonus game concludes either when there are no more dice rolls left or when the token reaches the final square. In the latter case, the round ends, but players have the opportunity to trigger it again. If two dice are rolled and the result is not a double, the bonus round is retriggered. Additionally, the Snakes & Ladders Board Bonus ensures a win for players. If the round ends with the total winnings falling below 20 times the initial stake, players enter Rage Mode. During Rage Mode, the gorilla token advances to the final square, collecting all prizes along the way.
Aspect | Snakes and Ladders Megadice | Serengeti Kings | Hellcatraz | Santa’s Stack |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gameplay Mechanics | Roll-and-move with dice | Board game/Safari theme | Prison break strategy | Stacking presents |
Theme | Traditional board game theme | African safari | Prison break | Christmas stacking |
Complexity | Simple and straightforward | Moderate | High | Moderate |
Target Audience | All ages | Teens and adults | Teens and adults | All ages |
Replayability | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate |
Luck vs. Strategy | Primarily luck-based | Balanced | Strategy-focused | Balanced |
Game Length | Short | Moderate | Moderate | Short |
Components | Dice, board, tokens | Board, cards, tokens | Board, cards, tokens | Stacking pieces, cards |
Social Interaction | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Learning Curve | Easy to learn | Moderate | High | Easy to learn |
Popularity | Widely recognized | Growing | Niche following | Niche following |
Expansion/Variant Options | Limited | Not applicable | Limited | Limited |
Price Range | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
“Snakes and Ladders Megadice” is a modern twist on the classic board game that has entertained generations. Developed by Pragmatic Play, this online slot game combines the nostalgia of childhood memories with exciting gameplay and big win potential. Let’s delve into the game design elements that make “Snakes and Ladders Megadice” a captivating experience.
The game’s visuals pay homage to the traditional Snakes and Ladders board game. The background features a colorful game board with numbered squares, ladders, and coiled snakes. The vibrant design captures the essence of childhood playtime, inviting players to relive their memories.
Manage Your Bankroll: Due to high volatility, be prepared for swings. Set a budget and stick to it.
Chase the Bonus Round: The Snakes and Ladders Bonus Round offers significant win potential. Aim for those ladders!
Megadice Multipliers: Keep an eye out for the Megadice feature. It can turn a regular win into a mega win.
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to blend Snakes and Ladders with an online slot, Snakes and Ladders Megadice offers an intriguing option to give it a go. With dice rolling, navigating a board filled with ladders and snakes, and the chance to snag some cash along the way, it's a unique experience for players. However, there are a few things to consider, as with any collaboration between Pragmatic Play and Reel Kingdom, which tend to be a bit unpredictable.
One potential sticking point might be the game's appearance. While the retro style adds a certain charm, it's up for debate whether they've fully nailed the look. Compared to other visually striking games like Hellcatraz or Santa's Stack, Snakes and Ladders Megadice might not have quite the same wow factor. Whether the aesthetic works for you or not could make or break the game's appeal.
But when it comes to gameplay, there are some highlights. The addition of Wild Dice spices up the base game, not just because they can trigger the bonus round, but also because their multipliers add an extra thrill. Of course, the real excitement lies in the bonus round itself, where the board game element is executed quite well. With plenty of dice rolls and the classic ups and downs of Snakes and Ladders, it's like a grown-up version of the beloved childhood game. While you could simplify the feature as an old-school bet multiplier trail, it's actually more elaborate than that. And with the potential to win up to 5,300 times your bet, Snakes and Ladders Megadice is worth a shot if this kind of gaming appeals to you.
In summary, Snakes and Ladders Megadice may not be the fastest-paced or the most visually stunning game out there. However, for fans of board game/slot crossovers, there's likely a niche audience who will appreciate its unique charm. After all, Monopoly slots continue to be popular, for better or worse. So, if you're into the retro look and fancy a dose of Snakes and Ladders-inspired excitement, this game could be just what you're looking for.