Soccer Safari Slot Machine
In time for the 2010 World Cup that was played in South Africa, Microgaming released this melodramatic slot that connected the game of football (or soccer) with the theme of African Safari. To say that playing Soccer Safari is fun would be a gross understatement – because out of countless slots we’ve reviewed, this sits right at the top of the pile in terms of sheer entertainment value.
With animals playing football, animals commentating on football and animals enjoying football as spectators, you might feel a little out of place here, but take our word for it – it’s just a matter of few spins before you will feel right at home playing this fabulous slot loaded with free spins and bonus bounties!
Straight out of Animal Planet
It’s time for Africa!
With the cheetah keeping the nets safe and an all-star team of buffaloes, jackals, rhinos and hogs trying their best to score, the officiation of the match has been passed down to poor zebra. The crowd of hungry hyenas is getting restless to see some solid footie action, while a cheerleading team of pretty antelopes is setting the vibe. All we need is a word “go” from the commentator and people, we have a game on!
The action in this superbly planned out slot is – pardon the pun – matchless. It’s easy to forget that you are playing a slot at times though, as this resembles more to those football flash games of early 2000s.
Another positive that is quickly registered just as you log on is the brilliance of sound effects. It must have been difficult to maintain the seriousness of a money-slot while not losing the fun factor, but somehow, Microgaming guys have managed to do that quite nicely – a job well done!
Games Animals Play
If you think animals playing football was the last strange thing you’d see today, think again, because on this field rules just don’t seem to apply.
To find some normalcy, gameplay comes to our aid. There are 5x3 reels and 30 paylines, which, from what our experience has been, presents us with a good chance to score.
On the wagering front, the maximum you are allowed to put at stake is a staggered collection of 600 coins (1 cent to 20 cents) over all 30 paylines. The even distribution allows for some minor manipulations of paylines, but to do that, you might have to get a hang of the slot first. So, let your first few spins be an all-liner of 30x20 (assuming that you are wagering the maximum).
We Want More, More, More…
That’s what we hear you saying. That’s what Microgaming seems to have heard too, because there’s much more to win in Soccer Safari than what a tepid base game may allow for.
The special symbols here are two – a zebra (wild + semi-scatter) and a trophy (scatter). The trophy is a free-floater and can appear on absolutely any reel from 1 to 5. While two trophies (anywhere on the screen) unlock scatter winnings, three or more unlock a bonus round named Go For Goal.
It is a high-octane penalty shootout where your chosen player/animal will try to score off a penalty, while the cheetah will try to sour your joy.
If you score, you get a random multiplier for all your winnings – Good!
If you don’t, you still get a minor multiplier as consolation – Very good!
The point is, you stand to lose nothing in this bonus round, which, as experienced players would know, is a huge deal.
The wild of the game allows you to get 5 free spins that can be used to further build on your already oh-so-neat bounty bag. Doesn’t sound like much, we know – but it’s still worth knowing that when everything goes in your favour, Soccer Safari can help you win over 10,000 coins.
That’s something – even for a wild night of footie action!
Going for Goals
The thing we loved most about Soccer Safari is the fact that its penalty shootout bonus round is pure gold. It gives you something every time you play, and it takes nothing back at all!
The upper cap of $120 per spin is just about high enough to attract high-rollers, but the ultimate bounty of 10,000 coins might drive them away.
Cool animations and sound effects that mimic an actual football stadium make the overall playing experience a memorable one.
Our Verdict?
It’s fun, it’s positive, it pays out decently and it lets you hang your hair – just go for it!
