When choosing a mobile slot game to play, many will ensure that they like the theme, the slot volatility is right and that they’re happy to pay the minimum bet.
Whilst there is no denying that all of these things are important and will play a vital role in how much you enjoy a mobile slot game, there is one thing that is frequently overlooked; the in-game bonus features.
Nowadays, there are so many different in-game bonus features, it is always worthwhile finding a good slot review to read. Like right here at Lucky Mobile Slots. Or find the games with the features you love. Like by using our slot search.
Hey, if we can’t blow our own trumpet on our own site, where can you?
Why slot bonus features are important
Reading about these features before you decide to play gives you a chance to figure out how they work, how often to expect them, and how much you can expect to win.
Of course, as you may expect, whenever you play a mobile slot game, the different features will directly influence how much fun you have and how exciting you’ll find the game.
So, if you’re wanting some fun spins that will keep you on the edge of your seat, be sure to keep an eye out for the following in-game bonus features.
Cascading reels
Sometimes called Cascading, Avalanching, Tumbling or Rolling reels; they all mean the same feature.
Cascading reels are when winning lines will explode and new symbols will fall into their space from above (sometimes below), giving you another chance at a win.
Should these new symbols also create a winning line, they too will explode. So, you can keep winning without making another bet and it gives a game a nice momentum and value for money feel.
Cascading reel slots are hugely popular and have been used from all kind of games, from simple 10 payline games all the way to the Megaways slot games which aren’t a Megaways without having avalanching reels.
Game to try: Gonzo’s Quest slot
Bonus Mini games
As the name suggests, a bonus game is another game that’s hiding within a mobile slot game. When playing, a specific combination of symbols on the reel can lead to another game appearing and another opportunity to win.
Bonus mini-games, or click me games, come in all shapes and sizes, and they are unique to the slot you’re playing. The simplest version is that you click from a selection of icons and win cash.
But sometimes you find something a little bit different. Maybe you’ll be helping a Troll cross a bridge of doom and watch him die in creative ways, or maybe you’ll get to smash cars in the Street Fighter 2 slot.
They definitely help to keep the game new, interesting, and surprising.
Game to try: Read the Hugo 2 slot review
Expanding wilds
It is fair to say that a wild is one of the most common features, but you can get all different types of wilds these days.
A wild is a symbol that replaces any other symbol on a payline or betway to create a win. Think of it as the joker in the deck of cards.
But whilst a standard wild symbol only fills one space, there are many other types that can add a little drama to your slot machine.
The expanding wilds usually land as a single symbol, but will then expand to fill the entire reel, giving you extra chances at catching multiple wins over multiple paylines. What’s not to love?
Game to try: Toki Time slot by Thunderkick.
Cluster wins/pays
Usually, in order to win on a slot game, you will need symbols to line up from left to right on a payline – these paylines can zigzag vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
Cluster Pay slot games pay when a ‘cluster’ of symbols touch horizontally or vertically anywhere on screen. Usually, you need at least 5 symbols in a cluster to create a win.
Of course, this feature allows you to get wins all over the grid and many love the fact that there is less structure and it isn’t as strict as traditional wins.
It gives excitement over a much larger game video, allowing you to have huge 5×5 or 10×10 grid slots and wins anywhere in that space.
Game to try: Viking Runecraft slot
Win both ways
The vast majority of mobile slot games payout when a winning combination is formed from the leftmost reels and moving to the right.
However, as you may expect from this feature’s name, with a win both ways slot, you can (in fact) win both ways, from left to right and from right to left.
As wins can be generated in both directions, it can make a 10 payline slot feel like a 20 payline game. You’re more likely to get the combinations you need and, in turn, win more when you play.
Game to try: For low variance, you have to give thepopular Starburst slot a go, but if you prefer something with bigger wins and a little more risk then try the Legend of the White Snake Lady slot.
Free Spins and Scatter symbols
Whilst this is a classic in-game bonus feature and many games use it nowadays, it is still one of our favourites because it’s usually the start of something more.
Instead of needing all symbols to fall in one line to win, a scatter symbol can appear anywhere on your screen and you will still win.
Of course, this enables you to win much more frequently and sometimes when you least expect it too. Better yet, three scatters will usually trigger the free spins bonus and who doesn’t love playing for free?
As a bonus, try and find a game with scatters, free spins and expanding scatter pays. That’s when a symbol will be chosen to expand and cover the whole reel and also pay like a scatter – ie. not on a payline.
Game to try: Book of Dead slot has it all, a wild that acts like a scatter, triggers the free spins and gives you expanding scatter pays.
Finding the best slots with the best features
There is no denying that if you choose to play a slot game with any of the in-game bonus features mentioned above, you will never get bored.
Gone are the days of three spinning reels and certain symbol combinations determining your winnings (unless you like this classic and there are some brilliant fruit slots for you).
Now, you really can enjoy the thrill of the different in-game bonus features and how they don’t just change your game, but how they change your winnings too.
Whenever you’re searching for new mobile slot games to play, be sure to take a look at the rest of our site, here you will find some of the best new and old mobile slots.
We are known for our non-biased mobile slot reviews and you can rely on us to tell you everything you need to know about a game before you start playing it.
Of course, we always talk about the in-game bonus features too, so you can always choose something that meets your needs in this regard.
