Original Release: Konami, 2009
Another Konami 3×5 from the previous decade with a slightly different bonus structure and a creepy mascot
Review by: C. M0use
Another one of Konami’s 3×5 games from around 2010 somewhere, this one’s small twist to the formula is adding bonus positions at each vertical end of the usual reel grid. However, from poking around this seems to vary by version … some have three at each end, some have four, and then there’s just a standard 3×5 version of the game that doesn’t include them at all. Welcome to the confusing and poorly documented world of slot releases.
The game was originally land-based and I haven’t seen one in a casino in a very long time, but like many of Konami’s popular old 3x5s it’s still hanging around on a bunch of different online casinos. The added positions on the reels at each end seem to tie into the game’s bonus feature, which is the main attraction for playing. Like most of the Konami games of the time, you just need to land three bonus symbols in any position to get a bunch of free spins (which can then re-trigger). So this gives you a few more opportunities to land the bonus symbols, and then during the free spins any wilds that land in these spots can “open up” the adjacent spaces to leave room for more wilds.
Other than the reel symbols the Mexican/Old West theming really isn’t that strong. The old cabs had the generic “happy Konami music” that sounds like an 80s arcade machine and the random boxing ring bell for bonus hits, and the current online versions seem to have very little sound at all.
I guess the appeal is that it’s a fast and smooth game that does little to interrupt your spins, with most of it centered on hanging in there for the free spins and looking for big wild hits once you get them. Seems like an OK grinder as many of the Konami 3x5s of the period are, with an apparent RTP of about 96% (seemingly standard for Konami during this time), but I still like Lotus Land the best out of these for its more frequent regular line hits. Also, the bandito mascot of this one just creeps me out for some reason with his uncanny valley shaking and pepper hanging out of his mouth like a weird tongue.
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