Introduction to Gold Mine Express
Gold Mine Express is a casino slot from TaDa Gaming with a pretty classic theme, going all in for the classic gold rush setting. We would be lying if we said we hadn’t seen this game before, as while TaDa Gaming does try to deliver a somewhat okay gameplay loop, it kinda takes all of its ideas from another series. The series we’re talking about is the Gold Rush Express from AreaVegas, released in 2023 and since followed by a handful of sequels and spin-offs. If it wasn’t for the different studio and graphics, we almost would’ve thought that this was the next step in the series, as TaDa Gaming even reused quite a few of the same features, such as its Cash Collect system with golden nuggets as Cash Symbols, and Bells and Golden Trains as Collectors. However, TaDa Gaming also offers a few extra Bonuses, such as Train Jackpots and random Mine Carts, to differentiate itself. So, come along and check out Gold Mine Express and its very familiar gameplay loop with a max win of 5,000X the bet.
Go back to the peak of the gold rush in the Wild West and snag your own big wins with the help of a Cash Collect mechanic and various bonuses.
Theme, Gameplay, & Payouts
Gold Mine Express is a video slot from TaDa Gaming with 5 Reels, 4 Rows, and 20 Paylines. You can choose between making a Min.bet of 0.2 and a Max.bet of 200. Gold Mine Express comes with a high RTP of 97%, medium volatility, and an okay max win of 5,000X the bet.
The game is set out in a barren canyon, where a small, but shiny and golden, train passes through some tunnels on its way to cash in on its latest haul, with carriages filled with gold and cash prizes. Paired with this is a pretty standard, upbeat Wild Western soundtrack that tries to set the mood, but doesn’t exactly feel all that different from the many similar releases we’ve seen and heard before. You can play the game on most notepads, mobiles, and desktops.
The lower-paying symbols are 10, J, Q, K, and A. Creating a win with 5 of the same symbols will pay out 1X the bet. The higher-paying symbols are various equipment, including a lamp, a shovel, a hard hat, a bag of money, and golden bars. Landing a win with 5 of the same symbols pays out 2X to 5X the bet. The game also comes with plenty of Special Symbols, including Wilds, Bells, Trains, Gold Mines, and Scatters, but more on them in the next section.
Special Features & Mechanics
What is the max win in the slot Gold Mine Express?
You can win up to 5,000X the bet.
What features are available in the slot Gold Mine Express?
The features are Wild Symbols, Gold Cash Collect, Mine Cart Bonus, Train Bonus, and Free Spins.
Wild Symbols
Wild Symbols help form winning combinations by being able to substitute for all symbols except Scatter, Gold Mine, Train, and Bell Symbols.
Gold Cash Collect
The Cash Collect mechanic comes with Gold Mine Symbols on reels 1-4, with a random Cash Prize value attached to it, but can only payout when either a Bell or Golden Train Symbol lands on reel 5, with the latter coming with a random Multiplier.
Mine Cart Bonus
When a Gold Mine Symbol that wasn’t collected lands on the reels, it is added to the Mine Cart above the playing grid. Randomly, when the Mine Cart is full, it will drop either Gold Mine, Bell, or Golden Train Symbols over the playing grid.
Train Bonus
Colored Train Symbols can land on reels 1-4, and if they land alongside a Bell or Golden Train Symbol on reel 5, the Train Bonus is triggered. During the bonus, the train above the playing grid will start moving, and each Train Carriage of the same color will award you random Cash Prizes, with the last carriage having a chance to award a Multiplier or the color corresponding Jackpot.
Free Spins
Scatter Symbols can land on reels 1, 3, and 5, and by landing 3 Scatter Symbols, you will be awarded the Free Spins bonus game.
Final Thoughts on Gold Mine Express
Gold Mine Express is a strange release in that it reminds us of a completely different series, which is also quite popular, at least within the AreaVegas portfolio. Visually, we instantly knew we had played this game before, and even with its new shiny coat of paint, it didn’t try to be any different from the original. We’re not quite sure how this all happened, or why TaDa Gaming felt the need to copy Gold Rush Express, but they didn’t do much to really improve on the formula, leaving us with mixed feelings.
When it comes to gameplay, the same Cash Collect mechanic is still present, and is still as uninteresting as it was before, coming with a handful of Gold Mine Cash Prizes that show up on the reels that will either be collected with a Multiplier or not. What TaDa Gaming did add, however, was the Mine Cart and the Train Bonuses, which are how you can hit the Jackpots instead of through the old Pick feature. While maybe Gold Mine Express plays a bit better with these new additions, it’s largely up to personal preference, and we’re personally not sure how we feel, as on one hand, the Pick feature and Diamond bonuses seen in the sequels were a mixed bag. But on the other hand, the Mine Cart and Train Bonuses aren’t all that interesting to begin with. At the end of the day, we’re still confused about this entire release, but certain that fans of the original AreaVegas series may find some fun spins in this new, yet familiar, package.
Gold Mine Express is a slot from TaDa Gaming that takes a lot of inspiration from the 2023 release, Gold Rush Express, down to its theme and gameplay.
