Babushka Slot Machine

Pros

• Really creative bonus features. They take a little getting used to but once you have your head around exactly what is going on, the upgrading symbols make a lot of sense – particularly given the slot’s theme.
• Unconventional theme for a slot machine but it really works. If you told us we’d be getting so much enjoyment out of a title that is based around Russian dolls, we’d have definitely thought you were joking.
• Solid artwork throughout. The dolls themselves have been lovingly illustrated and the background of a piece of knitwear is a nice touch given the theme.

Cons

• Tragically low main game prizes. If you like games to award big prizes for simply matching symbols, this game probably isn’t going to be for you!
• Players are given few options to vary bet distributions across the reels.

Top Jackpots

The top jackpots in the Babushka slot machine are all awarded for matching five of the same symbols down one of the win lines. Since the title features such an unconventional bonus, the payments probably look miniscule at first glance. However, once they start upgrading and large combinations are awarded, the prizes soon add up. Just don’t expect to be dropping megabucks from simply matching symbols down win lines:

• Level 6: Green (youngest) =0.4x the total bet.
• Level 5: Blue = 0.5x the total bet.
• Level 4: Purple = 0.7x the total bet.
• Level 3: Pink = 0.8x the total bet.
• Level 2: Red = 1x the total bet.
• Level 1: Orange = 1.5x the total bet.
• Level 0: Yellow (Oldest) = 2x the total bet.
• Ghost = 100x the total bet.

Game Features

“Wild” Mystery Feature

If a “wild” is showing a star when the reels stop spinning, it will open to reveal one of the three Mystery Features detailed below.

Scare Bear

When the Scare Bear Mystery Feature is active, the lowest valued symbols on screen will upgrade one, two, or three times in sequences depending on the size of the bear.

Charm Bear

When the Charm Bear Mystery Feature is active, all symbols visible on the reels will upgrade one level.

Dance Bear

When the Dance Bear Mystery Feature is active, players will receive seven free spins. During the free spins, a new “wild” egg will appear on reel three every spin.

Winning Symbol Upgrade

All winning symbols of the same value will upgrade to the next higher valued symbol on the pay table when this creates new or longer winning lines.

Wipe

If all 15 symbols on the screen are of the same value after all winning symbol upgrades, they will be upgraded one additional time.

Betting Limits

Unlike the slot machines from many developers, players are kind of limited when it comes to distributing their bets on Thunderkick games. There are no options to alter the number of win lines played or the amount bet on each one. Instead, players are given a series of different bet sizes ranging between 10p and R2 200.

Evidently, Thunderkick tried to appeal to as many players as possible by including such a range. Only those wishing to make the largest bets possible will likely feel unaccommodated on the Babushkas slot machine.

Overall Rating

Thunderkick have created a truly innovative slot machine with Babushkas. Rather than rely on a typical free spin or “kick-a-box” kind of side games, the title uses a sequence of Russian dolls that can upgrade to the next smallest doll in the sequence. When you get a few back-to-back upgrades, the cash really starts rolling in!

Whilst the game does make use of some of the most creative gameplay features we’ve seen on a slot, it isn’t perfect. The prize structure will certainly offend some players (who wants to win less than they bet for hitting five-of-a-kind?) as will the lack of options to adjust how bets are distributed across the reels. These are minor quibbles though and overall, the slot is a winner!