The wild symbol is available in most modern video slots. Their variations often appear even in classical three-reel and three-line slot machines. We are sure that most Casinoz regulars know much about wilds, but software providers continue releasing new video slots with extraordinary kinds of this symbol. We covered some of them in the article.
Wild Symbols in Video Slots
What is the role of wilds in slots?
Wilds are special symbols substituting other icons in paid-out combinations.
Often, wilds can provide payouts themselves, not using other elements. Moreover, in some slots, even one wild symbol is paid out.
But the wilds' tasks are not always limited to that. Gambling software providers often extend the wild's functionality with irregular options, which we want to tell Casinoz readers about. In the beginning, we will describe the most common ones and then review the unique features of wilds.
So, let's get started.
Where Do Wild Symbols Appear in Slots?
Wilds are on all or some reels, depending on the game rules.
- Evolution by NetEnt - Wild appears on the second and fourth reels.
- Lucky Lager by Cryptologic - Wild lands on the three middle reels.
The information on the location of the wilds is always available in the paytable.
Which Symbols Do Wilds Substitute?
The classical wilds can substitute for any regular icon. Thus, instead of scatters, bonus symbols, extra multipliers, and other particular elements, it is not used.
Sometimes, if scatters form paid-out combinations on active lines, wilds can substitute for them.
We will not give examples of standard usage of wild symbols because such slot machines are widely spread.
Can Regular Symbols Turn into Wilds?
Simple icons sometimes cat act as wilds.
- Wild Games by Playtech - If animal athletes fill the third reel, they can substitute for common elements.
Such slots are rare.
Do Wilds Form Paid-Out Combinations?
In most slots, if wilds are represented on all reels, they can form winning combinations, like regular icons. As a rule, wilds are the most valuable symbols in such games. Slots of this kind are available in portfolios of all famous gambling software developers.
- For example, in Captain Nemo by Cryptologic, even one wild symbol provides a payout.
You will see many other video slots with this option in Casinoz reviews.
Do Wild Symbols Increase Payouts?
One of the notable extra features of the wild is activating multipliers. They increase payouts for combinations formed with the help of the wild symbol. Usually, if a wild participates in a combination, the payout doubles or triples. If a combination includes several wilds, all multipliers go into action.
- In Captain Squawk's Booty Time by Microgaming, wilds double the standard payouts.
It is a widespread option in modern online video slots.
Can Wild Symbols Appear in Stacks?
In some slot machines, Wild symbols make stripes. So they can appear after the entire reel.
The Dark Knight (Microgaming) - Wild on all reels makes long strips.
Baywatch by Playtech - Wild always appears in stripes on the second, third, and fourth reels.
Can Wilds in Slots Expand?
In many slots, the wild symbol can expand and cover the neighboring spots on the screen. Then, it can keep this position for one or more spins.
Here are a few examples.
- In Daring Dave and the Eye of Ra by Playtech, wilds on the second, third, or fourth reel expand and cover them completely.
- In Lucky Lager by Cryptologic, all icons above the wild symbol also become wild.
- In Untamed Wolf Pack by Microgaming, if the wild lands on some reel four times in a row, it covers the whole reel for the next four spins.
How Do Wilds Act in Free Spins?
During free spins, wild can expand, activate multipliers, turn other icons into wild, etc.
Let us examine this in the examples.
- In Snake Slot by Leander Games, wilds in free spins always fully occupy the first reel.
- In Cops N 'Bandits by Playtech, during free spins, the policeman appearing next to the bandit turns him into a wild, and he remains this way until the end of the round.
What Unique Features Can Wilds Have?
Wild can have unique features that can not be attributed to any above categories.
- In Wild Gambler by AshGaming, the wild participates in the Lock & Spin feature. The player can lock the wild in the same spot for the next spin by paying a specific price.
- In Miles Bellhouse and His Curious Machine by BetSoft, if a wild appears on the screen but cannot substitute any other symbol, it swaps the pictures around it.
- Zombies slot by NetEnt has just two wilds. One is standard and appears on all reels except the third one. The second lands only on the middle reel in stacks and moves one position up or down if necessary. In each spin from one to six, other symbols can turn into wilds.
Please read reviews of new slots on Casinoz. Many games offer unique features of wild symbols.
Summary
As you can see, the wild symbol makes the gameplay more exciting. Of course, it also provides players with extra benefits.
The article covers just several exciting slots. The developers do not stop producing new games with unique wilds. Therefore, we will periodically update this review.
