Carnival Queen (Thunderkick): Review
It seems like we've had a bit of a lull when it comes to new releases from Thunderkick, but they are known for taking their sweet time to perfect their games. After getting hands-on with Carnival Queen, the 3-month pause becomes understandable given the sheer dedication and detail involved. Essentially, Carnival Queen brings the vibe of a festival, similar to the famous Bonanza slot, with cascading wins, increasing win multipliers, and a host of opportunities for big payouts. Celebrating themes reminiscent of Mardi Gras, known as 'Fat Tuesday,' this slot conjures images of colorful festivities akin to those in New Orleans, among other culturally rich cities in America.
Featuring an exciting combination of 6 reels and a whopping 4,096 winning ways, this slot harnesses the power of multipliers that grow as you play. This high-potential game, indicative of Thunderkick's innovation, gives players a shot at winning up to an astounding 22,700 times their wager! It's a top performer amongst the developer's creations. Compatible across multiple devices, you can spin from a modest 0.10€ to a high-stakes 100€ per spin, with a favorable industry RTP standing at 96.1%.
Set against a bustling street scene typical of Louisiana, the Carnival Queen slot is a lively adventure with vivid visuals. Thunderkick's signature style is evident in its playful graphics and character animations. The reels showcase multicolored A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9 symbols, alongside four cardinal characters dressed in vibrant, carnival-themed attire. Among them, the king's crown and wild icon stand out, offering lucrative returns of 20 times your stake when landing six on a payline.
Carnival Queen (Thunderkick): Game Dynamics
At the heart of this slot's mechanics lies the Avalanche, or chain-reaction feature. It’s a familiar concept seen in many slots where winning symbols vanish, making room for new ones to drop from above, thereby encouraging more wins. However, Carnival Queen adds a twist. With each new cascade, a multiplier increases incrementally. In the bonus rounds, this mechanic is ratcheted up a notch, offering even more advantages detailed below.
Securing 3 to 6 bonus scatter icons can trigger anywhere from 12 to 24 free spins. Moreover, landing 2 more during the free spins grants an additional 3 spins. Each extra scatter brings in 3 more spins. The bonus operates similarly to the main game, with enhancements. Most notably, during the free spins, the multiplier's value doesn't reset after a losing spin, greatly enhancing win opportunities. If no win is achieved, a wild symbol clears surrounding standard icons, making way for new symbols to fall and potentially form winning combinations, thus activating more cascading actions.
Carnival Queen (Thunderkick): Final Thoughts
Carnival Queen stands out as one of Thunderkick's outstanding slots, skillfully blending inspiration from Bonanza while maintaining its individuality. Not only engaging, but this medium volatility slot also holds the potential for significant payouts up to 22,700 times your initial bet. While it might appear simplistic with its cascade functionality, Carnival Queen solidly establishes itself as neither a copy nor an imitation. With well-balanced game mechanics, visual allure, and that special touch synonymous with Thunderkick, it delivers a captivating slot experience worth exploring.
In Short
Carnival Queen crafted by Thunderkick is just as entertaining as it appears.
(1 = worst / 10 = best)