Countdown Online Slot Machine Review
Endemol are specialist in game show slots. Some of the biggest names on UK TV have been the subject of their games. These include 3-2-1, Golden Balls and The Million Pound Drop. Countdown continues this theme, taking the iconic daytime TV show and turning it into a solid and entertaining slot. There are 3 different bonus games based on the show to keep you entertained. One concern before I get going with the review: The hostess has blond hair, which means the omission of Carol Vorderman. I thought I’d warn you now, just to avoid any disappointment later…
Styling on this video slot is very much in keeping with the original show. The letters dominate the reels (these are playing card signs), and the trusty dictionary, timer and winner’s trophy make up the symbols. There are different bonus symbols, which show parts of the game like the numbers round and conundrum. This slot moves faster than some other Endemol slots, with the sound effect (very familiar if you knew the show) continuing while the reels start to spin again. The regular sounds are mechanical clicks and mild bleeps, with the sound for the end of a round coming in when you hit a win.
Features follow the Endemol formula, though these are unique in their own way. Two are pick-em games, where you collect either numbers of letters. The other is based on the main game of finding words within jumbles sequences of letters. You can try and find your own if you like, though the bonus chance based.
Setup and Play for Countdown
I have yet to play an Endemol slot which differs from this 20 line setup with 5 reels and 3 rows. You can choose from 1 to 20 lines, and bet from 1p per line up to $10. This gives a spin range (assuming you choose the full lines like most slots players do) of 20p to ￡200. You can play automatically for up to 25 spins at a time.
The countdown logo is the wild symbol, and also has the single biggest prize. If you are lucky enough to land 5 of these on a line you will win 5000x your coin amount, with 600 coins for 4. This symbol substitutes for any regular symbol to create more winning combinations – though not the bonus (scatter) symbols.
Regular symbols are topped by the trophy, which has the biggest regular prize of 500 coins for 5. Next comes a clock (300), count down timer (200) and the dictionary (125). The remaining wins are created by the playing card symbols, ace through to jack.
There are 3 different bonus symbols. Hitting 3 of a type starts that bonus game. You will also get a scatter pay out of up to 50x your total spin amount for hitting 5 anywhere on the reels. There is a numbers bonus symbol, letters bonus symbol and one with a pad, which is the conundrum bonus symbol.
Countdown Slot Bonus Games
The main game from the show was to compete to create the longest word from a bunch of letters. This has been recreated in the ‘letters bonus’ game. You’ll see a string of letters on the bottom of the screen, and can play along if you wish. Hitting the reveal button shows what word your player and an opponent came up with. If your player gets the longer word, then you win a cash prize. There are 5 rounds in total. I have to say, my player was rubbish at this game!
If you hit the numbers bonus symbols, then you play a pick-em game which determines how many free spins you will get. You simply choose from cards (face down) which each have a number attached, the final card you pick is your multiplier for any wins during this free spins round. The conundrum round is another pick-em game, this time you are choosing letters. This mimics the final stages of the TV show.
The ‘Housemates Tasks’ round is probably the least interactive bonus I have seen from Endemol. Here you have a 3x3 grid, each containing an envelope. You choose 3 of them by hitting a select button once. Each has a task and gives you a pay-out – which is totalled. I get that this is in keeping with the original show, though – really – there were so many opportunities to do better than this.
Countdown Slot – Conclusion
This game has all the hallmarks of an Endemol classic format. The reel game is solid and quick though does not have anything too interesting going on. The bonus games trigger reasonably frequently, though the wins are mid-sized at best. These take the original show themes and turn them into pick-ems or free spins. While they do a reasonable job of this, I cannot see how this slot would hold the attention for more than the occasional spin.
One big advantage is that you’ll get to play the game of making the longest word if you wish – even though finding one would be for your own entertainment only.
Not a bad slot by any means, and sure to appeal to fans of the show.
