Bar-X Colossal Slot Machine
Bar-X Colossal by Electrocoin is one of the newest retro themed slots to be released. Bar-X started life in land based establishments many years ago with 3 reels and symbols that were recognisable as OXO. Electrocoin have taken that machine and brought it kicking and screaming into the present day. It’s a 5 x 3 reel slot with 5 basic paylines. The reel grid is framed in gold. However instead of the frame marking 5 lanes, this is where Electrocoin sweep over it and adds a touch of magic and a sprinkle of nostalgia and lock the 3 centre reels together.
It’s still technically a 5 reeled slot, but has the classic look of an old style 3 reel casino slot machine. The background is bright with vibrant pinks and a kitschy design in glossy blue. The grid is placed in the middle of the screen with game meters along the top for balance, stake and free spins. The button to place a bet is at bottom left with the spin button at bottom right. In between these is a message bar that has been given a led digital display makeover to give players tips and game info.
Placing the Bets
The betting is made easy as stakes are given in pre-set increments of 0.20, 0.50, 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 or 100 coins. This is divided by the number of lines; in this case there are 5 paylines, to give the line bet. Once selected it just needs players to spin to win. As the 3 reels in the centre are locked, they spin as one but with many of the symbols fragmented just as they would be on free reels landing side by side. As a result, the pay table reflects this with rewards for matches left to right of x3, x4 and x5, with payline wins being multiplied by the line bet.
The basic symbols are single BARS, 7s and Xs and these all have decent payouts. The wild symbol helps complete wins, which also has a good payout of 500 coins for 5. In addition to all of this, the centre reel has colossal symbols. These are giant versions of the others and cover a 9 tile area. These may land in part and still perform as the smaller versions to form matches. But if one lands squarely at centre, it will hold in the centre and allow a ‘colossal’ reel re-spin on 1 and 5.
Progressive Freebies
When colossal symbols fall with the outer reels all matching the same symbol, this has a mega payout. All the wilds will pay 500, the 7s are worth 300, the BARS are 200 and the X’s will payout 100. But the fun doesn’t stop here. There are 3 bonus symbols that are giving it large in the centre. These are Bar-X symbols in gold, silver and bronze and each has a meter above the grid to award an extra number each time the symbol appears incompletely on the reels.
When a bonus symbol lands fully in the centre, then the free spins are played defined by the number in its corresponding meter. Base game rules apply during the progressive free games feature with colossal re-spins and wild matches. There’s plenty in this pokie to keep gamblers busy, although the volatility for this slot is high so there will be times with nothing forthcoming. But with some tidy prizes that erupt to break the ‘no win’ spins, those players with staying power will be well rewarded.
The Devil Came to Play
We are talking of a lot of retro with Bar-X Colossal, but how does it compare with other retro styles that don’t rely on quite so much nostalgia? Devil’s Fruits video slot by Casino Technology is another recent release, but this is very up to date with stunning 3D graphics that are tempting enough without the Devil’s help. It has 3 reels filled with symbols that can be found on old style fruit machines, like 7s, bells, bars and assorted fruits, and they are given the full glossy treatment that sits in well with the rest of the design. Throw in a smouldering hot looking lady devil wild symbol and there is plenty to look at plus to play for along the 5 paylines.
Both are retro themed slots, but it’s clear to see some resonate with the past more than others with each having appeal in different ways. Some punters like the pure nostalgia with slots to look like they used to, whereas others are happy with the gentle nod towards the past rather than actually trying to go back there.
Changing Meters
The nice thing about bringing an old style game back, are with the new platforms it has been developed for. It opens a whole new audience with a glimpse of slot gaming history. Not to mention the addition of the top prizes on offer, especially if gamblers play for real money. Bar-X Colossal is available to play in online casinos, but it is also mobile optimised. The theoretical RTP for this one is 95% and the added progressive free spins feature is a nice addition to keep the game current. With the high volatility, watching the meters gives punters something to watch for during the lean spins.
However, players that like to change the stakes often will find the free spins meter numbers reset when changing the betting stakes. They do however, pick up when returning to the previous stake if the feature hasn't been triggered beforehand. Electrocoin have done well with this slot, and from a developer as reputable as they are, it comes as no surprise.
