Lava Balls (Wild Streak Gaming) – Slot Review
Lava Balls by Pragmatic Play, developed in collaboration with Wild Streak Gaming, plunges players into a fiery underworld steeped in Greek mythology. The game draws inspiration from the story of Persephone’s descent into Hades, where consuming pomegranate seeds binds her to the underworld, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. Against a backdrop of molten lava and rugged terrain, the slot features thematic symbols including pomegranates, boats, and mythological figures such as Hades and Persephone, creating a richly immersive atmosphere.
The gameplay adds a fresh twist with a Plinko-style bonus round, where balls drop into prize pots, introducing an element of unpredictability and excitement. This innovative feature, paired with the slot’s high volatility and potential for substantial wins, provides a unique and engaging experience for players looking for something beyond conventional slot mechanics.
Lava Balls features a 5-reel, 3-row layout with 243 fixed paylines. This high-volatility slot offers a set RTP of 96.50% and a maximum win potential of 4,800x your stake. Betting options range from £0.25 to £250 per spin.
Lava Balls Symbols & Pay Table
The game includes 16 symbols in total. The low-paying symbols consist of 10, J, Q, K, and A, while the premium symbols are represented by pomegranates, arrows, boats, a female character, and a male character—the latter being the most rewarding, paying 4x for five on a payline. Additional special symbols include the Wild, Scatter, Extra Pot Values, Lava Balls, Ball Drop, and Additional Free Spins symbols. Wilds appear on reels 2 to 4, substituting for all regular symbols.
Lava Balls Features & Mechanics
Lava Balls Wild Multiplier Feature
During the base game, seven pots sit beneath the reels, each containing random multipliers or Free Spins triggers. Possible multiplier values range from 1x to as high as 1,000x.
When at least one Wild symbol forms part of a winning combination, a ball drops through a grid of pins and lands in one of the seven pots. If it lands in a pot with a multiplier, all Wild-involved wins for that spin are boosted by that value. If it lands in a pot marked “Free Spins,” the bonus round is triggered
Free Spins Feature
The Free Spins round can be activated either by landing three or more Scatter symbols or by triggering the Free Spins pot through a Wild win. This awards 12 Free Spins. At the start of the round, each pot beneath the reels is assigned a random monetary value, ranging from 0.2x up to 200x your total bet. Pots 1 and 7 (on the far left and right) increase their values after every spin by a random amount between 0.2x and 120x, adding more potential to each tumble.
The Lava Balls Wild Multiplier feature can also activate during Free Spins, temporarily converting the pots into multiplier pots for even greater rewards.
During this round, the Extra Pot Values symbol may land on any reel. When it does, it adds a random cash value (from 0.2x up to 200x your total bet) to the pot beneath its position, which remains there for the rest of the feature.
The Lava Balls symbol only appears on reel 1, while the Ball Drop symbol only appears on reel 5. The Ball Drop symbol contains a random number of balls—ranging from 1 up to 100. When both symbols land simultaneously, the number of balls from the Ball Drop symbol is added to a meter. Once the Free Spins round ends, the collected balls drop through the grid, adding the corresponding pot values to the total win.
The Additional Free Spins symbol can award 1 to 5 extra spins when it lands, helping extend the bonus round. Special reels are active during this feature. Players can also purchase the Free Spins round for 100x their chosen bet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lava Balls offers a visually striking and thematically rich slot experience, blending Greek mythology with innovative gameplay. The Plinko-style bonus round adds unpredictability and excitement, while the high volatility provides the potential for significant wins. With its immersive design, engaging mechanics, and unique approach to slot gameplay, Lava Balls stands out as a distinctive choice for players seeking both adventure and rewarding action. Be sure to try out this game on launch and check out our exclusive casino offers.