JunglePop: Slot Overview
It may sound a bit grim to start a review this way, but if we were to fast-forward to a distant future where people reflect on AvatarUX’s legacy, one line on its epitaph might read: “Here lie the PopWins pioneers.” Of course, assuming the studio is still alive and thriving, that wouldn’t be necessary. Over the years, AvatarUX has churned out numerous PopWins slots, and it doesn’t seem like they’re slowing down anytime soon. Some releases have been standouts, while others have been less remarkable, but one particularly memorable entry was LooneyPop—thanks in part to its ZapReel mechanic, which added an extra layer of excitement. Clearly, the game left an impression, as JunglePop takes much of its core mechanics and reimagines them with a fresh jungle-themed skin.
As the name suggests, JunglePop transports players to a lush, untamed jungle, but this isn’t just any jungle—it’s home to Amazon warrior types. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, the Amazons were an all-female society known for their strength and battle skills, keeping only daughters while sending sons back to their fathers. In JunglePop, they appear to reside in a shadowy, dimly lit environment, possibly indicating nighttime or a secluded jungle enclave. Compared to brightly saturated PopWins releases like HippoPop or TikiPop, JunglePop offers a more subdued aesthetic, though it’s still visually engaging with smooth gameplay execution.
JunglePop: Gameplay & Mechanics
Like all PopWins games, JunglePop features a dynamic reel expansion system, where the grid expands vertically with each win, much like an accordion being played at full force. The base game starts with a 5×3 setup, offering 486 ways to win, thanks to the both-ways pay system. However, when fully expanded during free spins, the grid can unlock up to 118,098 ways to win.
- Betting Range: Players can wager between $0.10 and $/€40 per spin.
- Volatility: JunglePop runs on a highly volatile math model, offering big risk and big reward potential.
- RTP: The default return to player (RTP) is 96%, in line with many other AvatarUX releases.
Symbols & Payouts
The game’s paytable features 13 different symbols, divided into low, medium, and high-tier categories:
- Low-paying symbols: 9-A royals, awarding 0.6x the stake for a 5-of-a-kind (5OAK) win.
- Medium-paying symbols: Three animal icons, paying 1x the stake for 5OAK.
- High-paying symbols: Four warrior characters, offering 1.5x the bet for 5OAK.
With expanding reels, a vast number of potential paylines, and a solid RTP, JunglePop brings a classic PopWins experience wrapped in a jungle warrior theme.
JunglePop: Features & Bonus Mechanics
PopWins Mechanic
The PopWins feature is at the heart of JunglePop, where winning symbols are removed and replaced by two new symbols, expanding the reel height. This process continues as long as new wins occur.
- In the base game, reels can expand up to 6 rows high before resetting to their default size on the next spin.
- In free spins, reels can expand up to 9 rows high and do not fully reset, instead reverting to the shortest achieved reel height.
ZapReel Feature
Above the main grid sits a 3-cell reel known as the ZapReel, which displays special Feature Rewards on each spin. These rewards apply to the reels directly below them, changing on every new spin.
Base Game ZapReel Rewards:
- x2 or x3 Multipliers – Boosts the payout of affected reels.
- Split Symbols – Up to 5 of the same symbol can appear in a single cell.
- Expand Winning Symbols – A winning symbol expands to cover the entire reel.
- Synched Reels – Two adjacent reels synchronize, landing identical symbols.
Free Spins Feature
Trigger 6 free spins by expanding all reels to 6 rows high in the base game.
- Reels start at 6 rows high and, instead of fully resetting between spins, they shrink only to the shortest achieved height.
- Before free spins begin, players can spin the Gamble Wheel for a chance to win extra spins—up to 18 total. However, losing the gamble forfeits the round entirely.
ZapReel Rewards in Free Spins:
During free spins, the ZapReel always displays 3 active rewards per spin:
- x2, x3, x5, or x10 Multipliers.
- Split Symbols – Up to 10 of the same symbol can appear in a single cell.
- Expand Winning Symbols – Winning symbols expand to fill entire reels.
- Synched Reels – Up to 3 adjacent reels synchronize, landing matching symbols.
Bonus Buy Options
For those looking to skip the grind, JunglePop offers Bonus Buy options:
- 6 free spins → 125x the bet.
- 12 free spins → 500x the bet.
- Gamble Wheel Spin → 125x the bet for a chance at more free spins (or nothing at all).
With its expanding reels, ZapReel modifiers, and high-stakes free spins, JunglePop delivers a classic PopWins experience with powerful bonus mechanics.
JunglePop: Slot Verdict
AvatarUX has built a reputation for churning out PopWins slots at a relentless pace, so it’s a bit puzzling why the studio decided to reskin an older game when so many solid PopWins titles are already available. Perhaps it’s simply a numbers game. That said, if they were going to reimagine a previous release, they at least picked a fun one—and in many ways, JunglePop is just as enjoyable as LooneyPop. However, with that repeat performance comes a dip in the “wow” factor, as the game lacks the excitement of a fresh, groundbreaking concept.
That being said, the Amazon warrior theme is a nice touch, and the visuals are polished and engaging. However, JunglePop doesn’t quite dazzle in the same way as some of AvatarUX’s more visually striking jungle-themed slots.
On the plus side, the 50,000x max win potential is massive, and the features unfold just as smoothly as before. AvatarUX is likely targeting players who don’t mind cloned slots, those who love the Amazon warrior aesthetic, or hardcore PopWins fans looking to complete their collection. Outside of those niche audiences, however, JunglePop doesn’t bring much new to the table—making it a solid, but not particularly groundbreaking, addition to the PopWins lineup.
