Play Rocket Returns Slot Game - Free Bonus & Spins

First Impression: Theme and Presentation

Most review articles regarding themes begin by dissecting the theme of the slot. In the case of Rocket Returns, that might be a little difficult. There is no storyline (no character, no environment). There is only an old-school arcade experience. So, you are going to see some very bright neon tubing, lots of fireworks exploding in pixels, a cityscape at night, and a collection of some classic bar-and-seven type icons mixed with rockets and lit sticks of dynamite. The dynamite and rockets both explode beautifully when you land a win.

While that is a very cool visual experience, it is probably not technically a theme. However, it was done well enough that it did not feel like they were missing out on a lot of opportunities. The animation was fast paced and energetic without being overwhelming. Fireworks explode after solid wins, and rockets explode in celebration of bonus rounds. The sound effects match the atmosphere perfectly with synthesizer beeps and chimes reminiscent of the synths found in older arcade machines.

They remain subdued during non-wild/multiplier wins and become louder as wilds/multipliers appear. Overall, they made a great job of making this a visually appealing experience on the eyes and ears throughout extended play time — and that is important.

Breaking Down the Unique 1-2-3-2-1 Reel Structure

Rocket Returns is what separates itself from the majority of Bally slots. Instead of having five equal columns, Rocket Returns has a 1-2-3-2-1 configuration: one position for each of the outside reels, two positions for each of the inside reels nearest the outside reels, and three positions stacked in the middle. Totaling those positions gives you nine total positions in the hexagonal grid.

Winnings are determined from left to right along the adjacent reels. The offbeat configuration still provides 228 ways to win  an increase over the twenty-five to twenty paylines found in most traditional slots. Some general observations about the gameplay include:

• The center reels contribute the greatest amount of value. Three positions provide multiple combinations versus only one position on each of the outside reels.
• Reels one and five serve as barriers. A good symbol on either of these reels can either help or hurt a combination before it ever gets to the center reels.
• Because there are only one position on each edge of the reel set, the screens are always clean-looking. Your eyes adapt quickly to this pattern because it is not overcrowded like many other slot configurations.

Symbols and Payouts

The payouts are pretty basic. You will find five paying symbols plus a wild and a scatter. At the low-end you will find a single-bar, double-bar, and triple-bar. Then you have orange seven and blue seven as your premium symbols. The highest-paying symbol will be the blue seven, paying up to 200x your line bet. Then you have the triple-bar at 100x, the double-bar at 50x, and the single-bar at 30x.

The wild symbol is depicted as a lit dynamite stick. The wild replaces all regular symbols except for the scatter. Something you should know before spinning is that the wild only appears on reel five. Therefore, unlike many wilds that roam free across the entire grid, it cannot move anywhere in the grid. When it lands as part of a winning combination, it will have a 1x, 2x or 3x multiplier attached to your line win.

The scatter symbol is depicted as a purple rocket. Landing at least three of these across reels one, five, and nine will activate the free-spins feature. Additional scatters above the required minimum will award you additional spins for your free-spins feature — up to an additional five spins.

Free Spins and Bonus Features

This is where Rocket Returns really comes alive. Getting three rockets on reels one, five, and nine will launch you into an initial round of free spins. Laying additional rockets during this time can re-trigger your free spins for additional rounds — therefore providing a legitimate opportunity to prolong your bonus time. All winning combinations receive a 5x multiplier in addition to your stake during your free-spins round  which provides a significant advantage over your base-game winning chances.

Additionally, wilds continue to work during this time and their multipliers stack with the free-spins feature’s multiplier, allowing smaller chains that would normally go unnoticed during your base game to potentially turn into large winners once your free-spins are triggered. Also included is another added level of fun: if you land three rockets across the reels at the same time, you will receive an additional multiplier on top of everything else. As such, re-triggers and layered multipliers provide most of the excitement and big-win potential for the free-spins feature.

RTP, Volatility, and What to Expect

As stated earlier, an RTP of nearly 96.01% places Rocket Returns squarely in-line with what we expect from today’s modern HTML5 titles  but not necessarily at the top of the pack for RTPs. Rocket Returns falls somewhere in the middle of our volatility scale; however, this manifests itself in actual play as small to moderate wins occur frequently from the 228 ways-to-win provided in addition to less-frequent bigger wins as the result of wilds or free-spins round activity. These characteristics tend to maintain session balance.

Stake Range and Session Bankroll Management

You can wager $0.15 – $150 per spin — essentially covering all betting styles: casual players testing the waters and higher-betters seeking that elusive max-win.

Some useful habits to develop while playing Rocket Returns include:

• Play your first 50 – 100 spins at a lower stake to gain familiarity with how often your scatters tease; how your wild performs on reel five; and how the base game maintains session balance.
• Set a fixed session bankroll and rate your stakes using percentage terms rather than flat dollar amounts (e.g., 0.5 – 1.5% of your bankroll per spin) given Rocket Returns’ medium-volatility nature.
• If you land a re-triggered bonus or a string of multipliers from wilds during a session, feel free to temporarily raise your stake slightly  but adhere strictly to your predetermined maximum-stake limit.
• When you hit a winning spin or bonus round, consider banking some portion of that win  rather than immediately putting it back into the game  it is a simple strategy to protect your session without diminishing your enjoyment.

Mobile Experience

Rocket Returns uses HTML5 technology; therefore, it was clearly developed with phone-based gaming in mind — although it functions equally well on desktop platforms as well. Rocket Returns’ hexagonal grid based on the 1-2-3-2-1 configuration is ideal for phone-play; however, even on larger displays it creates ample space for the neon background colors and pixelized animations.

Comparison to Other Bally Slots

Bally has a massive library of well-known slots. Games like Quick Hits or Hot Shots emphasize bold familiar grids with old school casino vibes. Rocket Returns follows a completely different course — its use of an alternate shape (the diamond of nine hexagons), its arcade-style graphics, its use of 228 ways-to-win, its approximate RTP (nearly 96%), and its ability to provide bigger winnings via its use of free-spins features — create a true alternative to their other slots.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Unusual 1-2-3-2-1 configuration combined with 228 ways-to-win,
• Free-spins rounds featuring truly layered multipliers,
• Medium-volatility ensures frequent wins;
• Retro-pixel art style;
• Smooth mobile performance.

Disadvantages:

• There is no progressive jackpot,
• Limited bonus options (only free spins);
• Pixelated art may not appeal to players preferring cinematic HD visuals;

Final Opinion

Overall, Rocket Returns is a great example of confidence/development combined with uniqueness — in its use of its non-standard reel configuration (a diamond-grid); its use of its non-standard pixelated graphics; its ability to provide frequent connections via its medium variance; and its ability to produce exciting moments in the form of free-spins featuring stacked wild multipliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RTP does Rocket Returns have?

The RTP of Rocket Returns is approximately 96.01%. This is a pretty good RTP for a video slots game that has an average volatility (medium) and plays at a constant rate.

How many winning combinations are possible for Rocket Returns?

There are 228 ways to win. These are created through the diamond-shaped 1-2-3-2-1 Reel Grid that is positioned over nine hexagonal spaces.

Are there free spins available in Rocket Returns?

Yes. When you spin the reels and get three rocket scatter symbols on reels number one, five and nine, the Free Spins Round will be triggered. Wild multipliers during the free spins round may increase your line winnings.

Is Rocket Returns able to be played on my mobile device?

Yes. It was built using HTML5 and is compatible with portrait/phone-first layout. Although, it also works great as a full-screen application on desktop devices.

What is the max payout for Rocket Returns?

If all goes well, you can win up to 250,000 times your bet amount. Most of this potential comes from the Free Spins Round and how much you can stack your multipliers.