Introduction to Lava Power: Hold the Spin
Lava Power: Hold the Spin is a casino slot from Gamzix with a lava theme and an unusual payout mechanic. Forget about traditional fruit slots and paylines. Instead, we’re met by spewing volcanoes, with wins coming through the Bonus Game rather than traditional paylines. Whenever Bonus Symbols land three in a row, one of the Bonus Games is triggered, offering wins up to 2,000X the bet through Jackpots and Coins. It might appeal if you like an alternative slot experience, but for us, the limited gameplay action in the Base Game makes it difficult to get too excited.
Theme, Gameplay, & Payouts
Lava Power: Hold the Spin is a video slot by Gamzix that features 3 reels and 4 rows. This game doesn’t have regular paylines; instead, winning combinations can only be created during the Bonus Games by the Bonus Symbols. You can select bet sizes ranging from 0.1 to 100, with a default RTP of 96.01%. However, casino operators can choose to use 95.02%, 94.03X, 92.04%, or 89.04%. This game has medium volatility and offers potential wins of up to 2,000X your bet.
The game’s design is based on a lava theme, featuring a fiery red background and two volcanoes above the 3x4 game grid, representing the Bonus and Super Bonus Game. The game’s Jackpot can be found on the reels' left side, and if you want to boost the gaming experience for a cost, activate the Feature Buy button in the right corner. All other buttons, including the Spin and Bet Size, can be found below the reels. You can play Lava Power: Hold the Spin on all mobile devices, desktops, and notepads.
This game doesn’t have lower- or higher-paying symbol types; instead, winning combinations can only be created during the Bonus Game. Bonus Symbols can land with values of 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X the bet. It can also land as the Mini, Minor, Major, Grand, and Ultra Jackpot awarding 10X, 15X, 25X, 50X, or 1,000X the bet, respectively.
The Mystery Symbol can appear during both the Base and Bonus Game, revealing random prizes ranging from 0.5X to 50X the bet. This game has no traditional Scatter Symbol; instead, the Bonus Game can be triggered by landing 3 Bonus Symbols in a line on any row. Let’s find out what kind of features this game has to offer.
Special Features & Slot Mechanics
What is the max win in the slot of Lava Power: Hold the Spin?
The max win is 2,000X the bet.
What features are available in the slot of Lava Power: Hold the Spin?
The features of this slot game are Mystery Symbol, Heap of Coins, Power Wheel Feature, Bonus Game, and Feature Buy.
Mystery Symbol
This symbol type is a fireball and can land during the Base and Bonus Game. Whenever it appears during the Bonus game, it will reveal random prizes 0.5X, 1X, 2X, 3X, 5X, 10X, 15X, 25X, or 50X the bet.
Heap of Coins
This feature can be randomly triggered whenever a Coin Symbol lands during the Base Game, activating the Bonus Game by adding symbols to the reels.
Power Wheel Feature
This feature is triggered before both the Standard Bonus Game and Super Bonus Game when triggered. It provides additional symbols or upgrades to symbols already present on the reels before the Bonus Game begins.
Before the Standard Bonus Game, the Power Wheel can award one of the following:
Cash Prize = 0.5X, 1X, 2X, 3X or 5X the bet.
Jackpots = Mini, Minor, Major, Grand, or Ultra Jackpot.
Special Symbols = Mystery Symbol.
Upgrade Feature
Before the Super Bonus Game, the Power Wheel can award:
Jackpots = Mini, Minor, Major, Grand, or Ultra.
Special Symbol = Mystery Jackpot.
The Upgrade Feature is only available before the Standard Bonus Game. It upgrades Bonus symbols with prizes of 0.5X, 1X, 2X, 3X, or 5X to Mini Jackpot symbols, Mystery symbols to Mystery Jackpot symbols, and Jackpot symbols to the next Jackpot level. Mystery Jackpot and Grand Jackpot symbols cannot be upgraded.
Bonus Game
There are two types of Bonus Game: Standard Bonus Game and the Super Bonus Game.
Standard Bonus Game
The Standard Bonus Game is triggered when 3 Bonus Symbols land in a row or through the Heap of Coins feature, awarding 3 respins. Only blanks, Bonus, and Mystery Symbols can land on the reels. When Bonus or Mystery Symbols land, they are locked in place, and the respins are reset to 3. During the Standard Bonus Game, Bonus symbols can award 0.5X, 1X, 2X, 3X, or 5X the bet. Mystery Symbols and Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand Jackpots award 10X, 15X, 25X, or 50X the bet, respectively.
Super Bonus Game
The Super Bonus Game can be triggered through the Heap of Coins feature or by landing the Upgrade Prize on the Power Wheel. When triggered through the Upgrade feature, symbols already present on the reels are upgraded before the Super Bonus Game begins.
During the Super Bonus Game, only Jackpot and Mystery Jackpot symbols can land.
Both Bonus Games present a 5th row where only 1X, 2X, 3X, or 5X multipliers can appear. Multipliers are added together separately for each reel and, at the end of the Bonus Game, each reel’s multiplier is applied to all symbols below it.
The Ultra Jackpot can be collected when 12 positions are filled, awarding 1,000X the bet.
Feature Buy
If you want to advance directly to the Bonus Game, use the Feature Buy options:
4X = Triggers the Standard Bonus Game with an RTP of 96.04%.
10X = Triggers the Standard or Super Bonus Game with an RTP of 96.07%.
16X = Trigger the Super Bonus Game with an RTP of 96.05%.
Final Thoughts on Lava Power: Hold the Spin
Gamzix takes a different approach from your typical slot experience, focusing on Bonus Games rather than the Base Game. In terms of visuals, we are presented with a generic take on a lava theme we’ve seen before in games like Lava Lava and Volcano Goddess, appealing to those who enjoy a fiery atmosphere.
In terms of gameplay, the game follows an unusual formula, where wins can only be awarded during the Bonus Game. Even though the Base Game might feel uneventful without wins, the game peaks during the Bonus Game, awarding Coins, Jackpots, and Mystery Symbols. The studio has incorporated different small tweaks such as Upgrades, Multipliers, and Power Wheel Feature, but without ever reaching the win potential we expected compared to other Hold & Win games. The setup is certainly different from a standard slot, and there is plenty to keep track of once the Bonus Game starts. However, the Base Game offers little to keep you engaged, as regular spins cannot create wins, leaving the Bonus Game as the only real source of excitement.
Overall, this is an unusual release that puts the spotlight on its Bonus Games. The combination of Bonus Features gives it more depth than expected. Still, the slow Base Game and modest win potential mean it won’t be for everyone, but it might be a fit for those who enjoy Hold & Win mechanics and an alternative slot experience.
Lava Power: Hold the Spin is a slot with a familiar theme but unusual gameplay, where wins can only be awarded during the Bonus Game.
