Blockbusters Slot Review

When it comes to gameshows and slot machines, they sort of go together like peanut butter and jam: they’re two parts of the same puzzle, designed to work in harmony. A fact that Fremantle prove in their real cash slot version of Blockbusters, the 1980s trivia TV programme. Although some years have passed, there’s still something about those hexagon we can’t get enough of.

Seeing as we’re still new to the Fremantle brand, in terms of their online games, we didn’t know what was in store for us. In the past we’ve heard questionable comments about their All Star Family Fortunes title and so we were worried that clunky gameplay would be transferred here. Fortunately for us, and also for you, that isn’t the case and so you have a well-rounded title to interact with.

Honeycomb Maze

The interface of this online activity reminds us of honeycomb, the way its hexagonal shapes connect together to form a maze of compartments on which the symbols can land. Although it sounds attractive, and in some respects it is, we can’t help but find it hard going on the eyes. This can’t be helped though, as it’s straight out of the gameshow itself and so the brand had to include the aesthetic if the game was to set the right tone.

Due to the shape of the grid, it’s not got the same conventional layout that we’ve become so accustomed to. You still have a 3×5 matrix, but the grid zig zags up and down rather than taking the generic shape of a rectangle. Despite our eyes taking a beating, we can’t help but appreciate how much time, money and effort has gone into developing this interface. It’s one of the better gameshow based titles we’ve seen to date.

Going for Gold

The Gold Run is what the symbol of the grid is called that activates the bonus round, which we’re happy to inform you isn’t a gift of free spins. Wrong though it may be, we love it when a slot machine doesn’t just fall back on tradition in order to get by with its audience. That being said, the bonus is a pick me style round, and so some conventions have ultimately been maintained. It’s a start though.

You need at least three to get started; a new screen of symbols will load in which you press the icons to reveal prizes. Once you’ve clicked one you’ll be able to see which icons you can interact with next, for not all of them are open to you. The ultimate aim is to get from one side to the other, but there’s a COLLECT sign inside one of the hexagons, waiting to ruin your streak of good luck.

How About a Board Game?

It’s all well and good us pointing out which slots are great to capture those TV gold moments, but what about those games that we played as children rather than just sat watching them? The Great Game of Life, Cluedo, Monopoly – they all fuelled our competitive side and made us aim to be winners.

Instead of getting a dusty old box out you can load up the 5-reels of Monopoly Once Around The World, released by WMS. Just like the example here, there’s 15 paylines in which you can move, meaning the volatility in both examples is steeper than most due to the lack of room. Nevertheless, the features (in both) tide you over for when the cash wins aren’t coming in.

Until Next Time…!

Blockbusters is a slot machine that we will always support, for it delivers the right level of innovation and traditional gaming, resulting in an adaptable interface. In short, it looks the part, plays seamlessly, and could bag you some green before your funds run out, though don’t blame us if that isn’t the case. We all know that luck can be fickle, and so you may just be the unfortunate soul that misses the rewards of this title.