Cascading reels are now so popular, that they have now been adopted as a standard slot feature by a vast number of different software providers.
A Cascading Reel slot game is a feature where symbols explode on a win and have the ability to be replaced by newer symbols which drop down from above (usually).
With the original symbols essentially vanishing, it’s popular because it provides players with the opportunity to increase their winnings and have their bankroll last for much longer.
Let’s take a look at this slot game feature, and the best slots to play to get the full experience.
How do cascading reels slots work?
Primarily used within online video slot games, cascading reels work in different ways in different games.
A cascading reel slot is where winning symbols disappear and more replace the empty spaces. What unites them all is that this is at no extra cost to your wallet – so the new symbols give you a second chance at a win, without having to make an extra bet.
Typically, the description we’ve given you above is the most classic version of avalanching reel slots. It’s what you’ll find in the original Pixies of the Forest game by IGT.
Some variations to Avalanching reel games
Outside of 5 reel video slots, the most popular use of avalanching or cascading wins games like Grid slots with cluster pays. These are when identical symbols are connected horizontally, vertically or diagonally, which creates a win. Once a winning combination is formed, the symbols will disappear and leave space for other symbols to drop down into their places and increase players’ chances of winning.
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Then there are casino games that use rolling or avalanching reels to trigger another feature; most famously as in the Gonzo’s Quest game, to increase a multiplier on a win.
The best advantage of the cascade reels with multipliers is that with every spin the multiplier increases, and it can usually reach up to 5x and 10x the original payout. But it can also trigger any other feature – like in the Incinerator slot which adds wilds after a set number of cascading wins.
Finally, in recent years, Megaways online slots have been using these exploding reels in both ways; by making winning symbols disappear, and by giving you multipliers for every win in the free spin bonus round.
Cascading Reels vs Standard Reels
Standard reels do provide a standard slot game experience in terms of the way they operate and are very self-explanatory. You have one or more paylines, and you need to get symbols to line up on a payline to get a win.
Cascading reels have an alternative appearance and animation, which makes them more appealing to players as the winning symbols disappear to make room for more new ones.
Usually, the explosion makes these types of games lively and beautiful. Because you need good animations to make them work, as part of the excitement is watching those wins explode.
That said, the number of wins is not always much different to those in normal slot games, cascading reels keep the game more interesting and opens up further opportunities for casinos to keep players engaged.
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Where can you find them?
As we have already mentioned, cascading reels are a common feature in video slots. By default, any online mobile casino with a decent selection of games should have a good variety.
That said if you want to know where to start, we’ve put together a list of tumbling reels slot games you should play to get you started with this selection.
In some cases, this feature is only implemented on bonus rounds, free spins and other features, but more often than not it is there throughout the base game.
1. Gonzo’s Quest Slot
It’s impossible to mention casino slots with avalanching reels without mentioning the most famous machine of all.
If you haven’t already, it’s worth reading the whole Gonzo’s Quest slot review to get an idea of all that you get in this game.
But in short, what you have here is 5 reels and 20 paylines with cascading wins, where every win increases the multiplier up to 5x in the base game and up to 10x in the free spins.
It’s a little volatile, it has great wins, and it’s truly one of the most exciting games with cascading reels around.
2. Jammin’ Jars by Push Gaming
This grid slot game comes with a word of warning because it’s so incredibly volatile that many casual players will hate it. Which we get, try Sweet Alchemy by Play’n GO or even the Gemix slot instead.
But there’s a reason why this casino game keeps topping our ‘best slot wins of the month’ lists time and time again. It can create wins of over 5,000 times your bet on a regular basis if you are one of the lucky few to get those wilds roaming around the reels.
The Jammin Jars slot is an 8×8 grid game where 5 or more symbols touching will create a win, explode, and more cascade from above. You’ll also find walking wilds, free spins and mega symbols, just to add a touch of drama.
3. Breakaway Slot
This Microgaming slot sports the cascading reels feature, where on each win the symbols shatter in an explosion of ice. Except they call them rolling reels because if you know anything about Microgaming online slot reviews, it’s that they love doing thing their own way.
On every win, more slot symbols fall from above, giving you a mini free spin at no extra cost to you. The paying structure of this game is enticing, as it has been designed as a 243 ways to win slot with free spins and multipliers to add a little excitement.
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4. Raging Rhino Megaways
With cascading reels and multipliers, this real money slot game is one of the newest Megaways slots out there with a low minimum bet of 0.20 a spin with a high RTP of 96.18%.
This visually appealing game is guaranteed to please avid gamblers, with a number of special symbols which can help to increase your bankroll. One of these symbols includes the rhino, which is the most generous symbol in the game paying out a prize worth an impressive 250x your stake.
Based on the original Raging Rhino by WMS, the Raging Rhino Megaways phone slot keeps all the big wins and great theme but adds those special megaways game mechanics.
5. Ecuador Gold by Elk Gaming
Now if you want a Tumbling reels slot that is totally different from everything else that we’ve mentioned above, you should 100% check out the Ecuador Gold casino game.
This is a perfect example of a game that uses avalanching reels in a very fun and unique way. Because not only will the symbols disappear and more tumble down from above, it gives you a whole extra row of symbols.
It means that given enough wins, you turn a 4096 ways to win slot into up to 262,144 ways to win. That’s more than most Megaways games and well worth your time if you want to play something a little bit different.
Summary
In short, the reason slots with collapsing reels are so popular is that they create brand new possibilities for the player to win big without risking any additional credit.
Cascading reels are also known as falling reels, rolling reels, collapsing reels, or tumbling reel slots.
If you would like to find one of the best new slot games to try out, please feel free to read our Lucky Mobile Slots website. You can read fun, in-depth, unbiased reviews of all slots for Android phones, tablets, iPhone and iPad.
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