Deposit Bonus
Free Spins
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Multipliers
Bonus Buy
Progressive
Different kinds of celebrations are always a popular theme to cover, and the famed carnival in Rio is no exception. The immersive nature of the gameplay made me feel like it was my hometown. While the game took few risks, it had ingredients that made it attractive and exciting.
The simple but charming and colourful design was an excellent choice, forcing me to focus on the game itself. It probably will not sweep you off your feet, but this glittering pokie provides fantastic fun, which is the primary purpose of the games.
The carnival in question turned my afternoon into an exciting party during the few hours I spent there. Rio Gems Hold and Win has high volatility, indicating considerable wins that do not come too often, and the indication is fair. I snatched a few good wins, but ultimately, nothing to skite about took place.
The Hold-and-Win bonus round offers five jackpots, with the re-triggerable Free Spins round adding to the excitement. Moreover, the possibility of landing the Super Bonus Game makes this one extra appealing. The atmosphere never drops, and winning opportunities are always there.
However, the game also has some drawbacks that should be addressed. I did not appreciate that the highest bet was so low, while the RTP value should have been higher. Still, Rio Gems Hold and Win was a ride I immensely enjoyed despite the lack of massive payouts.
The captivating soundtrack makes you feel the hotness of the atmosphere, putting you in the middle of the action from the start. It all happens on a 5×3 grid with 25 paylines, where 3 to 5 identical symbols on a payline left to right create a winning combo.
Premium symbols include four beautiful carnival dancers, granting wins of 10x, 8x, 6x and 4x the stake for 5, respectively. Wilds replace regular symbols in winning combinations, awarding 12x the bet for 5, while 3 Scatters activate the bonus round. They also pay 2x the stake.
You can start betting at $0.25, while the highest potential wager is $30, meaning the amount you can hope for is $300,000. I did not get close to landing it, but you might get lucky while enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
While only two features exist in this game, they provide tremendous entertainment and a lot of excitement. The titular bonus and super bonus rounds provide a lot of winning opportunities, while the Free Spins round has a few surprises on its own.
I collected 6 diamonds in only a few spins, which immediately took me to the bonus game. I was given 3 respins, with each new diamond resetting the spin tally to 3. The goal was to fill the entire grid with diamonds before spins ran out, but I missed 3 positions to do it.
I also managed to unlock a single Super Bonus Game, which triggers if 5 regular diamonds and a single Super Bonus icon hit the reels. The Super Bonus icon can hit only reel 5 in the base game and free spins but can drop anywhere throughout repeated Hold-and-Win spins.
During the Hold-and-Win round, four jackpot symbols, including Mini, Minor, Major and Grand, might randomly appear, paying 20x, 50x, 150x, and 2,000x, respectively. If you fill the entire playing area with diamonds, the Royal Jackpot arrives, amounting to 10,000x the bet.
I landed 3 Scatters relatively quickly, which got me 8 free spins and a payout of 2x the stake. I did not manage to land 3 more Scatters for 8 extra spins but was delighted to see that no low-paying symbols participated in the Free Spins round.
Rio Gems Hold and Win mostly played it safe but had a lot to offer regarding the vibes it evoked and its features. I have already seen it all, but I was still immersed in the gameplay and the game’s perks. This carnival was an experience that made me want to visit Brazil, meaning the game served its purpose.
Still, it could have been even better with a few improved elements. When you have a high-volatility pokie offering thrilling sessions, a low RTP is never good.
A low betting scope might prevent you from spending too much when you are skint, but it does not fit the atmosphere here. However, Rio Gems Hold and Win is still a game that deserves a hearty recommendation. Therefore, I rate it 7.4.
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