Throughout the industry of online slot games, each slot game operates with its own unique bonus mechanics and gameplay features, which create dynamic gameplay moments and ensure that the slot game is unique and different to other titles. For those gamers who play slots online, you will be familiar with a range of these different bonus mechanics, as they are some of the most popular bonuses available. We are going to walk through what these different bonuses are, how they affect the gameplay and the different variations that they come in.
Wild Symbols
Wild symbols in slot games are special icons designed to form matched combinations by substituting for other base game symbols on the reels. For example, if you have two matching symbols on a payline and a wild lands in the third position, the wild acts as the missing symbol, turning what would have been an unsuccessful spin into one with a matched combination.
Wilds typically cannot replace special symbols like scatters, bonus, or free spin symbols, but their main function is to act as flexible placeholders for regular symbols. In some slots, wilds also have their own payout values if you land multiple wilds on a payline.
There is a huge range of different wild symbols available across slot games. Modern slot games often feature a variety of wild types, each with unique mechanics:
- Sticky Wilds: Stay in place for several spins, often during free spins rounds, able to form consecutive matched combinations.
- Stacked Wilds: Appear in groups on a reel, sometimes covering the entire reel for bigger matched combinations.
- Expanding Wilds: Start as a single symbol and expand to fill the reel vertically, able to step in and from a matched combination.
- Multiplier Wilds: Not only substitute for other symbols but also multiply the payout of any combination they help create.
- Shifting Wilds: Move horizontally across the reels for a set number of spins.
- Random Wilds: Appear unpredictably on the reels, often as part of a special feature.
- Transforming Wilds: Turn other symbols into wilds when they land.
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols in slot games are special icons that unlock bonus features or award payouts, regardless of their position on the reels. Unlike regular symbols, which must line up on specific paylines to create a matched combination, scatters can appear anywhere and still trigger their effects. Typically, landing a set number of scatter symbols—often three or more—on a single spin will activate features such as free spins, bonus games, multipliers, or even jackpots.
Scatter symbols are not replaced by wilds and usually have unique graphics tied to the slot’s theme, making them easy to identify. The specific function and number required to trigger a feature can vary between games, so it’s important to check the paytable for each slot. In summary, scatters add unique mechanics and variety to slot gameplay, offering players the chance to unlock bonuses without needing to land symbols on a payline. These bonuses can range from free spins to jackpots and unique bonuses like wheel spins to extra reels, meaning each scatter has a different ability!
Jackpot Symbols
Jackpot symbols in slot games are special icons that, when they appear in matched combinations—often filling a payline or landing in specific patterns—award the game’s fixed prizes or jackpots. These symbols typically represent the highest return potential in the slot and are often tied to the game’s biggest fixed or progressive jackpot prizes. Unlike regular symbols, jackpot symbols usually appear less frequently, making their appearance rare and intriguing for players.
In many slots, landing a full line or a certain number of jackpot symbols triggers the jackpot prize or unlocks a jackpot feature. Sometimes, these symbols are part of special bonus rounds or progressive jackpot mechanics where the prize grows over time until awarded.
Bonus Symbols
Bonus symbols in slot games are special icons that trigger unique bonus features or game modes when they appear in certain quantities or positions on the reels. Unlike standard symbols, which primarily pay out based on matching combinations along paylines, bonus symbols activate additional gameplay elements such as free spins, pick-and-click games, wheel spins, or other interactive rounds that often offer higher value and increased player engagement.
Common types of bonus games triggered by bonus symbols include:
- Pick and Click: Players select from multiple objects to reveal prizes like multipliers, cash rewards, or additional free spins.
- Wheel of Fortune: A spinning wheel awards random prizes based on where it stops.
- Progressive Levels: Bonus rounds with multiple stages or levels, each offering escalating prizes or features.
Bonus symbols are often rarer than standard symbols and are designed to add variety to slot gameplay. They differ from scatter symbols, which also trigger features but usually focus on free spins or payouts without requiring specific reel positions.
