Piranha Pays: Slot Overview
Piranhas, native to certain South American river systems, are notorious for their sharp teeth and aggressive reputation, capable of stripping the flesh from bones. Surprisingly, these fish are omnivores, consuming both meat and plant matter. The name “piranha” originates from the Tupi language, combining ‘pirá’ (fish) and ‘ánha’ (cut), which also conveys notions of being ‘bad’ or ‘devilish’ in the Tupi-Guarani linguistic tradition—facts courtesy of Wikipedia. Piranhas are hardly the typical pet you’d expect in a home aquarium.
Yet, this unusual pet choice forms the backdrop of Play’n GO’s online slot game, Piranha Pays. The game introduces players to a charming scenario where an elderly man purchases a small fish from a pet shop, seeking companionship for his quiet moments at home. The setting in the man’s living room, with its cozy details like biscuits, a portrait, a vintage TV set, and old-time music from a record player, creates a nostalgic and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of Carl Fredricksen’s home in the movie “Up”.
The game itself, humorously termed the “fish tank,” features a 5-reel grid with 4 rows of symbols and 30 paylines, expandable to 8 rows during free spins through a leveling system, demonstrating that a slot’s cuteness does not dilute its volatility—Piranha Pays stands at a high volatility rating of 10 out of 10. Betting ranges from 10 cents to $/€50 per spin, with a default return to player (RTP) rate of 96.2%.
In-game symbols include various food items like biscuits, cakes, and meat, representing high-value payouts, while the lower-value symbols are represented by J-A card royals. The piranha symbol doubles as both the wild and one of the scatter symbols, capable of substituting for any regular pay symbol, adding an exciting twist to the gameplay.
Piranha Pays: Slot Features
As the gentleman enjoys a nap in his chair, players should keep an eye out for the engaging features of Piranha Pays, such as a win multiplier, a mystery instant win, and a captivating free spins round that includes a scatter collect level-up system. This system not only enlarges the game grid but also increases the size of the main piranha symbol.
Win Multiplier
At any point during the game, a win multiplier might activate, offering a range from x2 to x10. This multiplier applies to all line wins for the duration it’s active, enhancing both the base game and free spins rounds.
Mystery Instant Win
When free spins are nearly triggered—with scatters on reels 1 and 3—a mystery instant win may randomly present itself. This instant win, manifesting on the scatter on the third reel, can multiply the bet by 5x, 10x, 15x, or 20x.
Free Spins
Triggering the free spins requires landing 3 scatter symbols, initiating 10 free spins accompanied by a progression trail. Advancing along this trail is achieved by collecting scatter cans on reels 1, 3, and 5. Accumulating 3 scatter cans levels up the round, enlarging the fish tank (the game grid), expanding the piranha symbol, and granting an additional 5 free spins.
- Level 1 features a 1×1 piranha and a 5-reel, 5-row grid with 35 win lines.
- Level 2 upgrades the piranha to 2×2 and the grid to 5 reels and 6 rows, offering 40 win lines.
- Level 3 sees the piranha grow to 3×3, with the grid expanding to 5 reels and 7 rows for 45 win lines.
- Level 4 maximizes the piranha to 4×4, with the grid reaching 5 reels and 8 rows, presenting 50 win lines.
During the free spins, the piranha symbol, which is wild and mobile, remains visible throughout, moving with each spin. Completing the level 4 trail culminates in a grand prize of 5,000 times the bet, offering a substantial reward for players.
Piranha Pays: Slot Verdict
Piranha Pays stands out with its vibrant personality, drawing players in and piquing their curiosity about its unique features. The game diverges from the conventional aquatic-themed slots by creatively incorporating piranhas instead of the typical focus on bass, offering a refreshing twist on the genre. Unlike the usual collect-money symbol fish slots, Piranha Pays shares more similarities with the innovative mechanics seen in Push Gaming’s ‘Fat’ series or Print Studios’ Royal Potato, particularly during its free spins phase.
In these moments, the game transforms into a dynamic quest to collect scatters, aiming to level up as swiftly as possible. This progression not only enlarges the roaming wild piranha but also the game grid itself, presenting a nuanced challenge. Although the expanded grid allows for more symbols and paylines, thus increasing win potential, it dilutes the impact of the roaming wild piranha’s presence, reducing its ability to dominate the play area compared to the encompassing symbols in games like Royal Potato or Fat Rabbit.
However, this design choice in Piranha Pays doesn’t significantly detract from the game’s appeal. With a maximum win potential of 5,000x the stake and a stated probability of hitting the maximum payout once in every 50,629 spins—assuming no error in the game information—Piranha Pays promises substantial rewards, albeit with a degree of challenge. The game’s enchanting setup ensures that players will enjoy discovering whether fortune favors them in this uniquely themed slot adventure.