In the iGaming industry, countless slot series have gained attention from players worldwide, but none have come close to the popularity that Reel Kingdom and Big Bass have achieved.
All games in the series have the same fishing theme at heart, with small tweaks to make every slot release unique. The fishing theme has become one of the most popular themes throughout the industry, not just with the Big Bass slot, but also with other franchises such as Fishin Frenzy. Slot games that follow this same fishing theme have become popular due to the peaceful aesthetic created within the slot’s visuals.
The History of the Big Bass Series
Reel Kingdom, a partner of the iconic Pragmatic Play developers, released the Big Bass series. The pair first partnered to release the Big Bass Bonanza slot, which gained incredible popularity in the iGaming industry. The original Big Bass release features a 5×3 playgrid with 10 fixed paylines.
The original Big Bass release set the stall for the myriad of titles that would follow. The slot that was released in 2020 incorporates some fun bonus features that the following titles would utilise. The game stood out in the world of fishing-themed games due to the attention to detail the developers had paid when creating the game. The slot is well designed and features high-quality graphics. The developers of Big Bass Bonanza took a page from the playbook of the popular title Fishin’ Frenzy when designing their initial release. This slot game features a bonus mechanic that closely resembles the engaging bonus game found in Fishin Frenzy, adding an exciting layer of similarity that fans of Fishin Frenzy would appreciate.
The Visuals of the Big Bass Series
The visuals in the Big Bass Series are beautifully crafted around a fishing theme, yet each instalment introduces unique twists that set them apart. Reel Kingdom has truly excelled in designing these games, often placing players in vibrant aquatic environments, whether in the vast, open sea or navigating through the murky waters of jungle rivers. The stunning aquatic backdrops are rich with thematic details, showcasing dynamic schools of colourful fish and intricate coral reefs that enhance the experience of the slots, transporting players into an underwater world.
The Iconic Fisherman Wild
The Big Bass series elevates its play by using the bonus features, with most slots featuring similar bonus games. The Free Spins bonus game is commonly triggered by landing a required number of Scatter symbols. This will unlock the Free Spins bonus where the iconic Fisherman Wild comes into play. This Fisherman Wild symbol can be imperative to triggering prizes, alongside the Fish Value symbols that can be landed on the reels. If the Fisherman Wild symbol is landed on the reels simultaneously with the Fish Value symbols, the Fisherman will collect all values attached. These Fisherman Wild symbols commonly substitute for base symbols to create symbol combinations. Also, some games in the Big Bass series elevate the use of this symbol with a modifier trial that the Fisherman Wild can work on each time it is landed. The symbol brings an extra layer of fun to the Big Bass series.
Notable Big Bass Releases
Big Bass Bonanza
It was only right that we mentioned the title where it all started for Reel Kingdom and the Big Bass series, with the Big Bass Bonanza slot released in 2020. The slot was the pioneering title in the series, laying down the foundations for what was to come. The 5×3 playgrid features 10 fixed paylines where players can potentially trigger prizes. On top of this, bonus features elevate the slot with a Free Spins feature available that contains the iconic Fisherman Wild collect system.
Big Bass Splash
Big Bass Splash is a follow-up to the iconic Big Bass Bonanza slot, released in 2022. The slot incorporates some fan favourite elements from the original release, as well as some new mechanics to elevate the play in this slot. The playgrid remains unchanged, with the 5×3 layout containing 10 fixed paylines once again. The Big Bass Splash is arguably the most successful edition in the franchise, which features some new elements such as Monster Tuck symbols, a nudge feature, modifier trial and more.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways
The introduction of the Megaways mechanic was inevitable for the Big Bass series and Reel Kingdom, given their commitment to continually enhancing their games by introducing new features. The Megaways mechanic debut brought a fresh spark into the series with a feature we have never seen before. The mechanic ultimately added to the maximum return value potential with the 466,656 ways to land matching symbol combinations on the reels. Despite a game-changing mechanic, the game still features similar visuals and bonus features.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
