Introduction to Shark & Spark Hold & Win
Shark & Spark Hold & Win is a casino slot from BGaming featuring a cartoonish shark theme and the popular scatter pays mechanic. We’ve seen this dynamic mechanic in many releases from this studio, such as Gemhalla Extreme, offering a chance to trigger a “snowball effect” where multiple wins can be created in one spin. However, this game departs from the familiar Cascade + Multiplier feature combination we’ve seen countless times and offers a fun Sharks & Ladders Bonus Game inspired by the classic Snakes and Ladders series. It’s hardly a groundbreaking release given its familiar mechanics, but it surprised us with its wide win potential and short but enjoyable feature list. Try the Shark & Spark Hold & Win demo at the top of the page.
Theme, Gameplay, & Payouts
Shark & Spark Hold & Win is a video slot by BGaming that features 6 reels and 5 rows. Due to the scatter pays mechanic, this game has no traditional paylines. Instead, a winning combination is created by landing 8 or more of the same symbol type anywhere on the reels. Players can select bet sizes ranging from 0.2 to 50, with a default RTP of 97%, which is considered above average. This game has mid/high volatility and a hit frequency of 22.72%. While spinning the reels, you are offered potential wins of up to 5,000X your bet, and on average, it takes 205 spins to activate the bonus game.
The game’s design is based on a cartoonish shark theme, featuring a 6x5 game grid set underwater. If you want to boost the gaming experience for a cost, activate the Feature Buy button on the left side. All other buttons, including the Spin and Bet Size, can be found below the reels. You can play Shark & Spark Hold & Win on all mobile devices, desktops, and notepads. You create a winning combination by landing 8 or more of the same symbol type anywhere on the reels, triggering the Cascade.
The lower-paying symbols are 10, J, Q, K, and A. Landing 12+ of the same symbol type pays between 3X and 8X. The higher-paying symbols are a turquoise, pink, and blue fish. Landing 12+ of the same symbol type pays between 10X and 20X.
The game’s Scatter Symbol is a golden shell with an “S,” and landing 4 or more will trigger the Bonus Game. The Pearl Symbol can land with a multiplier of up to 10X or a number up to 20. Read more about this symbol type later in the review. 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 Shark & Spark Hold & Win?
The max win is 5,000X the bet.
What features are available in the slot of Shark & Spark Hold & Win?
The features of this slot game are Cascade, Pearl Symbols, Free Spins, and Feature Buy.
Cascade
The Cascade is activated when a win is created, and the winning symbols are removed from the reels. New symbols fall from above and allow new winning combinations; this will continue as long as new winning combinations are created.
Pearl Symbols
The Pearl Symbols can land on the reels as a cash symbol: 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 8X, 10X, 12X, 15X, or 20X the bet, or a multiplier value of 2X, 3X, 5X, or 10X. If a winning combination (8+) consists of Pearl Symbols, the numbers are summed, and the total is awarded. If that winning combination includes a Pearl Multiplier, it multiplies the sum of the numbers on all the Pearls in view.
For example, landing 8 or more Pearl Symbols (cash symbols) will award the sum of all numbers. However, if a multiplier Pearl is part of the win, all Pearl Symbols are added up, and then the respective Pearl Multiplier value is applied, awarding the total win.
Bonus Games
This feature can be triggered by landing 4 or more Scatter Symbols, randomly activating either the Shark & Ladder or Coin Spin.
Shark & Ladder
This is a Snakes & Ladders-inspired dice game that presents a gameboard where you must roll the dice and watch the Shark progress and collect winnings. You roll the dice, and the aim is to get the highest multiplier possible. Triggering the feature with 4, 5, or 6 Scatter Symbols awards 4, 5, or 6 Dice Rolls.
The dice can show 1-6, indicating how many steps the Shark will move. He can collect the following symbols on his way:
Pearls with numbers = The number on the pearl is added to the multiplier value. The possible numbers are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, or 20.
Pearls with multipliers = The current multiplier value is multiplied by 2X, 3X, 5X, or 10X.
Direction Arrows = The shark can move 1 step down or 3 steps forward, collecting everything along the way.
Dice = Adds +1 roll.
Wheel of Fortune = Triggers the Wheel of Fortune, awarding an additional multiplier of 100X to 5,000X.
When the feature ends, the final multiplier value is applied to your bet.
Coin Spin
Depending on whether you trigger the feature with 4, 5, or 6 Scatter Symbols, award 3, 4, or 5 spins. Here, only blanks or Coin Symbols can appear on the reels, and whenever a Coin Symbol lands, it gets locked in position; the respins reset to their initial value.
Coin Symbols can land as normal Cash Symbols of 1X, 2X, 3X, 5X, 6X, 8X, 10X, 12X, 15X, or 20X the bet. Or as a multiplier of 2X, 3X, 5X, or 10X, which is applied to the sum of the Cash Symbols in view.
The feature ends when no more respins remain, and you are awarded the total value in view.
Feature Buy
If you want to advance directly to the Bonus Game for a cost, use the Feature Buy options with an RTP of 97%:
50X = Triggers the Shark & Ladders.
50X = Coin Spin.
Final Thoughts on Shark & Spark Hold & Win
Shark & Spark Hold & Win offers a cartoonish vibe, letting us dive into crystal-clear waters among friendly sharks and colorful fish. Regarding the design, it has a similar “AI look” to recent releases, such as UFO Pyramid, resulting in an almost too-perfect visual and level of detail. This creates a pleasant design, but feels emotionally flat and less interesting, compared to a more authentic vibe.
In terms of gameplay, it revolves around the Pearl Symbol during the Base Game. BGaming departs from its usual Multiplier Symbol we’ve seen in games like Tramp Day and offers a different approach. Here, the Pearl Symbol can land with a cash value or multiplier value. Creating a win with 8+ of the Pearl Symbols will award a direct payout of the sum of all Pearl numbers in view. However, landing a Pearl Multiplier of up to 10X can really boost the win potential and create sudden wins. Just because we haven’t seen this pearl mechanic from BGaming before, we really tried it out, and although it created some decent wins, it didn’t happen as frequently as we would’ve wanted.
So what about the Bonus Game? We are offered two Bonus Games, with two very different mechanics. The Coin Spin works as a standard Hold & Win feature, and presents nothing we haven’t seen before. The Sharks & Ladders feature is the game’s main selling point, inspired by the popular Snakes & Ladders gameboard mechanic we’ve seen in games like Snakes and Ladders Megadice. The game reaches its peak during this Bonus Game, combining its cartoonish vibe with an interactive feature that can award decent wins when you roll the dice.
Overall, the design is sharp, but its flat AI vibe fails to make a lasting impression. Looking at the gameplay, it can appeal if you’re looking for a Multiplier Symbol alternative, where Pearl Symbols can boost your winnings. With that said, this game feels like a mash-up of popular features, but without offering anything innovative on its own.
Shark & Spark Hold & Win is a slot with Sharks & Ladders as the main selling point, offering decent wins with a familiar formula.
