When slot games were first launched, they generally consisted of classic 3x3 fruit machine slots that people could only play in land-based casinos. However, if you fast-forward to today, you’ll probably realise that slot games have come a long way!
Not only can developers incorporate numerous storylines and themes into their games, but they can also add additional paylines and reels. For example, nowadays, you can play fruit, action, mystery, travel, animal, or racing-themed slots, to mention a few.
In addition, online slots could offer 3 paylines, 5 paylines, 100 paylines, and up to millions of ways to potentially win. However, the best part is that most modern slots offer plenty of bonus rounds. So, what are the best no-download slot games with bonus rounds? Let’s find out in this Wizard Slots blog post below.
What Are Bonus Rounds On Slot Games?
Usually, bonus rounds can fall into two categories; free spins and in-game features that match the slot’s theme. They typically require a specific symbol combination or action to occur before you can play them. If activated, players can access a special extra, like X number of free games to play during a free spins feature.
Note that, depending on the slot game, some bonus rounds or modifiers can occur randomly in the base game. For example, you might play a game offering a free spins round but not get a chance to sample the feature.
However, some bonus features may be available to trigger randomly in the base game. For example, progressive jackpots can be bonus rounds, too, and in some slots, they can activate during a random base game spin.
One reason why people enjoy playing bonus rounds so much is that they have the potential to make the gameplay more entertaining. To see what bonus features a certain slot may offer, you can view the game’s paytable or rules for more detailed information.
How Do Bonus Rounds In Slots Work?
Bonus rounds can work differently depending on the game. For instance, you may unlock a feature on a random spin during the base game, or you could land a number of scatter symbols to activate a specific bonus round.
Before playing a slot, you can review the paytable to see if any bonus features are available to trigger.
A range of possible bonuses like re-spins, special symbols, pick bonus rounds, multipliers, cash prizes, and more exist. For example;
Free Spins: this bonus round can typically be unlocked by landing 3+ scatters in a single spin. You may then win X number of free spins to play in a bonus round.
Special symbols: special symbols could unlock mystery prizes.
Colossal symbols: these symbols are larger than regular symbols. For example, they can occur in 2x2, 3x3, 6x6, etc., depending on the game.
Multipliers: you can trigger various multiplier values like 2x, 3x, 4x, 10x, 20x, 100x etc.
Stacked symbols: matching symbols can land randomly stacked, and some may even fill up an entire reel!
Pick rounds: pick rounds involve clicking on a particular item on the screen to reveal a potential prize or unlock a certain bonus round.
Some bonus rounds can trigger randomly, but others might require a certain combination of symbols or action. For instance, you might need to spin a bonus wheel to win a number of free spins. The picks round is also another example of an interactive bonus.
The best part about bonus rounds is that they can occur at no extra cost to you. In addition, some bonuses can allow re-triggers. After the feature ends, the game calculates any winnings and adds them to your balance.
How To Trigger The Bonus Round Feature In Slot Games
Remember, triggering bonus round features varies depending on the slot game. However, most require special symbols like wilds or scatters to launch them. These can also be called special symbols. Sometimes, the special symbols can land in random positions or appear on specific reels.
Generally, the more scatter symbols that land, the more free spins you can win. Some online slots can even offer you another chance to try and re-trigger the feature. However, you can always view the paytable to see how any features can be triggered.
Best No-Download Slot Games With Bonus Rounds
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best no-download slot games with bonus rounds at Wizard Slots casino below.
Finn and the Swirly Spin: NetEnt’s Finn and the Swirly Spin slot has a generous allocation of bonuses, including 4 random features where you can potentially win extra wilds on the reels, transforming symbols, symbol avalanches, and more. In addition, there are 4 different free spin features available, and you can encounter 1 of the random features in each.
Thunderstruck II: Thunderstruck II is one of Microgaming’s most popular slots. Aside from an exciting Norse mythology theme, up to 8 bonus features are available. Examples include wild reels and 4 different free spins features. You can trigger the free spins round if 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols land simultaneously. The best part is that each free spins feature is based on one of the Norse gods.
Immortal Romance: Immortal Romance by Microgaming is a vampire-themed slot that offers 4 free spins bonus features via the Chamber of Spins feature, where you can also encounter each fictional vampire character. The game also offers a wild reels feature.
Gonzo’s Quest: NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest slot has a Mayan theme. With 3 bonus features available, players can potentially encounter an Avalanche feature, Avalanche multipliers, and a free spins feature. This was also NetEnt’s first game to use the Avalanche mechanism.
9 Pots of Gold: Microgaming’s Irish-themed 9 Pots of Gold slot offers two bonus features. This includes the Pot Pays feature, where you can trigger cash prizes ranging from 1x up to 2,000x your stake, and the free spins feature.
Dead or Alive: the classic Dead or Alive slot by NetEnt has a Wild West theme. Two bonuses are available; the free spins feature and the sticky wilds bonus. If wilds land during the free spins bonus, they stick in position for the entire bonus round. In addition, the sticky wilds can trigger extra free spins.
Rainbow Riches: Barcrest’s most popular Irish-themed slot Rainbow Riches, has 3 bonus features available. These include; the Road to Riches Bonus, Pots of Gold Bonus, and the Wishing Well Bonus. The Road to Riches Bonus is a cash trail feature where you can potentially win up to 500x your stake. This win amount is also available via the Wishing Well Bonus.
Bigger Bass Bonanza: This Pragmatic Play release is part of the Big Bass Bonanza series. Bigger Bass Bonanza is a 5 reel and 12 payline slot, with its main bonus feature being the free spins round. If 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols land simultaneously, they can trigger 10, 15, or up to 20 free spins. In addition, you can encounter special money symbols during the feature. They usually come with random money values attached. If the angler catches them, you win the cash prize indicated. You could also earn re-triggers if 4 wilds are collected in the wild metre.
Jack Hammer: The Jack Hammer slot by NetEnt has 15 reels and 25 paylines. It offers a free spins feature and a sticky win feature. Winning combinations can trigger the sticky win feature. The winning symbols lock in place before the reels re-spin. If any symbols land and match those in the original win or wild symbol, they lock in position before another re-spin. A free spins feature can also start if 5 to 15 scatters land simultaneously. You can trigger up to 30 free spins via 9 to 15 scatters. In addition, a 3x multiplier applies to any successful winning spins.
Rome The Golden Age: Rome The Golden Age by NetEnt offers 3 bonus features. They include; a free spins feature, a free spins multiplier feature, and a frames feature. You can encounter frames turning into wilds during the Frames feature. If you trigger the free spins multiplier feature, you can land different multiplier values. For example, the special Golden Age symbol can award points if it lands. Every time they land, they reflect in the progress bar. The multiplier values can increase according to how many points the bar has. Lastly, you can trigger the free spins by landing 3 scatters.
Are Bonus Rounds On Slot Machines Predetermined?
Some players think that bonus rounds on slot machines are predetermined. Remember that slots use Random Number Generators (RNGs), which compute unpredictable outcomes on each spin. Just because a game has a certain bonus feature listed in its paytable, doesn’t mean you will encounter it during play.
As we mentioned earlier, bonus features are random, so they might not always be available in an online slot. Bonus features are more of a fun addition to break the base game monotony.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time.
