NEW GAME REVIEW

BY FRANK LEGATO

Diamond Jackpots IGT

This is a new game in a decidedly traditional format. Diamond Jackpots uses the “Diamond Glass” transmissive technology on IGT’s new DiamondRS cabinet to add modern, video-like elements to a traditional mechanical-reel stepper slot.

The base game is a three-reel stepper with five or nine paylines. The original Diamond Jackpots was a four-reel game with multiple progressive jackpots, offered on the classic S2000 mechanical-reel cabinet. This three-reel adaptation of it features the original game play, including 2X, 3X, 4X and 5X wild symbols that add together in mixed combinations to multiply the jackpot. The wild symbols also form the top jackpot combinations.

In place of the original’s fourth reel is a virtual reel next

Lucky Bao Bei Eclipse Gaming Systems

This new Class II game, available on any of the IMPACT series of cabinets, features a primary-game wild symbol feature and two free-spin features, as well as a progressive bonus round that can lead to one of three progressive jackpots—a Minor resetting at $100, a Major resetting at $300, or a Grand resetting at $2,500.

The base game is a 50-line video slot on a four-by-five reel array (four rows of symbols on five reels). There is a unique “Wild Stack Mirror” feature that can randomly occur when stacked wild symbols land on the first, third and fifth reels. Each stack mirrors itself on the reel next to it with the possibility of covering all five reels with wilds to trigger the top line award. There are two separate free-spin features. Scattered bonus symbols on the the first, third and fifth reels randomly trigger one of the two bonus games.

One, called the Wild Pays 10 Free Spins bonus, features stacked and locked wild reels that alternate with each spin. The second bonus is the Rising Pay Multiplier Bonus, in which each free spin is awarded a higher multiplier, rising from 2X to 8X within the feature.

The Progressive Pick’Em Scatter feature, also triggered with scatter symbols on reels 1, 3 and 5, reveals a field of 20 gongs which hide icons representing a fixed credit prize of $37.50 and the three jackpots. Three of the same icon award a fixed prize or a Minor ackpot; four of the same icon award the Major progressive, and five matching symbols return the Grand.

Manufacturer: IGT

Platform: DiamondRS

Format: Three-reel, five-line or nine-line stepper slot

Max Bet: 5, 9

Denomination: .25, .50, 1.00

Top Award: Progressive; $40,000 reset

Hit Frequency: Approximately 25%

Theoretical Hold: 4%-11% to the pay schedule, which spins to award multipliers, respins and other bonus features, as well as the four progressive jackpots, resetting at $100, $500, $2,000 and $40,000. Landing the twin-diamond “respin” symbol on the virtual reel triggers another spin, making it possible to win multiple jackpots within one feature. Three Diamond Jackpots symbols on a payline trigger the virtual reel.

The game is offered in traditional higher denominations, from quarters to dollars.

Manufacturer:

Eclipse Gaming Systems

Platform:

IMPACT 49, IMPACT 43, IMPACT 27

Format:

Five-reel, 50-line video slot

Max Bet: 250

Denomination: .01

Top Award: Progressive; $2,500 reset

Hit Frequency: Approximately 40%

Theoretical Hold: 2%-10%

All over America, players are escaping to the best casino resorts in the comfort of their own homes!

For more than 30 years, Casino Player Publishing has thrived as publishers of America’s most popular gaming lifestyle magazines—Casino Player and Strictly Slots. Over the decades, millions of gamblers have enjoyed and benefited from the expert tips and gaming strategies, as well as the insider information not found anywhere else. Whether they are improving their video poker skills, searching for the latest slot to hit the floor, learning to navigate through a sportsbook or checking out the most luxurious new gaming resorts to open, CPP delivers the information, in a highly enjoyable format, directly to their door. Connect with thousands of gaming enthusiasts with Casino Player and Strictly Slots and discover how your marketing dollars will work for you.