Lightning Link Slots
Many slot machines share features that are very familiar to players, being similar or even identical to those found on other titles. This is often a case of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery: once one company finds a bonus idea that works, many others will inevitably try to do something just like it.
In fact, sometimes a manufacturer will release several games at once that all have the same features in an effort to promote their new promotional ideas. That’s the case with Lightning Link by Aristocrat, a feature that has been included on a series of casino slot machines released by the developer. While the four different titles under this label utilize different themes, they share the same features, and are all linked to the same progressive jackpots that can be won by low limit and high limit players alike.
A Bolt from Above
The Lightning Link video slot feature was released by Aristocrat in 2015 on four different titles. The games in question include Happy Lantern (a Chinese-themed slot), Magic Pearl (which features dolphins and other sea creatures), Sahara Gold (a game that takes place in the desert), and High Stakes, which is all about living the dream in Las Vegas. These machines appear in banks together on casino floors, allowing you to play with whichever of the themes you prefer.
However, the gameplay is very similar on each of these machines. Each game features five reels and 50 paylines, with players typically being offered the ability to play these as penny slots or at a denomination as high as ten cents. With the option to bet up to 10 coins per line, this is a title that can even be suited for high rollers, since the potential exists to bet as much as $50 on a single spin.
All of these games feature fairly standard gameplay, with gamblers hoping to match symbols from left to right across the screen to make winning paylines. As in most Aristocrat titles, the basic symbols are card ranks (ranging from nines and tens up through kings and aces), with various thematic icons – which vary between the different titles – acting as the high-paying symbols.
Lightning Strikes
Each of the Lightning Link video slots comes packaged with two special features. The first is a free spins bonus game that comes complete with a “Mega Symbol.” Hit three scatter symbols, and you’ll earn six or more free spins, during which a large, 3x3 symbol may appear to cover the middle three reels in their entirety. This can even lead to the entire middle of the screen being covered in wild symbols, which can lead to massive prizes.
Players will also want to be on the lookout for pearl symbols. If six or more hit the screen at the same time, you’ll trigger three free spins. During these re-spins, the pearls that are already on screen will remain locked in place, and while all other symbols are removed from the reels, players will still have the chance to find more pearls. If you can find more at any time, you’ll once again be guaranteed at least three more plays. The game only ends if you run out of spins without hitting more pearls, or if you fill all 15 positions.
When the game ends, players will collect a number of prizes. Some pearls will feature a number of instant coins that players will walk away with, while others may note the name of one of the four linked jackpots that are shared between these titles. Smaller jackpots, like the Mini Bonus, can be won multiple times on a single special feature. If you should manage to get all 15 pearls during the feature, you’ll win the Grand Jackpot along with the other prizes you’ve collected.
Feel the Thunder
Perhaps the best reason to play Lightning Link is the fact that it offers up a lot of different options for different kinds of gamblers. The four different themes are varied enough to appeal to a wide range of players, while the different denominations mean that just about anyone should find a buy-in level that suits their budgetary needs. Likewise, the massive prizes that are in play in the linked jackpot bonus are large enough to entice anyone who walks by this machine bank. If you’re a fan of straightforward action that can still lead to massive payouts, then these games are worth a try.
