Slot Wars - Xmas Drop VS 5 Frozen Charms Megaways
As the winter holiday season is approaching, many Christmas-themed slots are hitting the market. Pragmatic Play already has several snowy and merry reskins of its popular games, as well as completely new slots, while Hacksaw Gaming has decided to get into the play as well.
So it is only fitting that in this episode of slot wars, we have the festive favorite Xmas Drop by Hacksaw, squaring off against the frosty contender 5 Frozen Charms Megaways created by Pragmatic Play. It's a clash of the giants, but only one can emerge victorious in the world of online slots.
The battle of the slots is on!
Round 1: Winning Potential And RTP
In the quest for slot supremacy, the winning potential and RTP are critical factors that can sway the tide of fortune. Xmas Drop steps into the ring with a massive winning potential of 12,500x the bet. This medium-volatile slot is played on a 5x5 grid with 19 paylines.
On the other hand, its rival has a bigger playground with 6 reels and 2-7 rows. Thanks to the Megaways mechanics, there are up to 117,649 ways to win. But when it comes to the maximum win of 5,000x the stake, 5 Frozen Charms is lacking behind its opponent.
The slot by Pragmatic Play comes with an RTP of 96.50%, while the Christmas-inspired release by Hacksaw has the return to player of 96.22%. If the winning potentials of these slots were tied, this small discrepancy could make a big difference in determining which game wins the round. However, here that’s not the case, as Xmas Drop is taking the title of the round’s winner.
Round 2: Bonus Features
A slot's appeal often hinges on its bonus features which makes Xmas Drop quite attractive to players. This game comes with two types of Wilds - Wild Santa Symbol and Wild Gift Symbol, both with the power to substitute for all other symbols in the pay table.
Wild Santa Symbol expands if there is a potential to be a part of the winning combo, spreading. downwards to the bottom of the reels. Each reel can only have one Wild Santa at a time. In case a Wild Santa expands through a Wild Gift symbol, it transforms into a multiplier of up to 200x, applied to the whole expanded Wild Santa symbol.
The slot also comes with two bonus rounds. Night Before Xmas bonus round awards 10 free spins when 3 Scatters drop simultaneously on reels. During this feature, the chances of landing both Wild Santa and Wild Gift symbols are much higher than in the base game.
Triggering the Santa Claus Is Coming To Town bonus round is possible by hitting four Scatters in the base game or in the Night Before Xmas feature. This round also comes with 10 free spins while landing a Wild Santa symbol can activate the reel it lands on. If that happens, Wild Santa is guaranteed to land on the activated reel for all remaining free spins.
On the icy side, 5 Frozen Charms Megaways counters with equally good bonus features, starting with a Wild Multiplier. Whenever at least one Wild is a part of the winning combination, a random multiplier of up to 40x is applied to all winning combos with a Wild during base game and tumbles.
Landing 3, 4, 5 or 6 Scatters at the same time triggers the free spins bonus round while also awarding a win of 3x, 5x, 25x or 100x the bet respectively. However, how many free spins and the value of multiplier are up to the player to decide:
- 25 free spins with a Wild Multiplier of 2x, 3x or 5x
- 20 free spins with a Wild Multiplier of 3x, 5x or 8x
- 15 free spins with a Wild Multiplier of 5x, 8x or 10x
- 13 free spins with a Wild Multiplier of 8x, x10 or 15x
- 10 free spins with a Wild Multiplier of 10x, x5x or 30x
- 6 free spins with a Wild Multiplier of 15x, 30x or 40x
When a Wild is part of a winning combination during the bonus round, it takes a random multiplier from the selected range, which is applied to all winning combos using this special symbol. If three or more Scatters appear together in the same free spin, the feature retriggers the same amount of free spins as initially selected.
Choosing a winner in this round proves challenging as both slots offer a compelling array of bonuses. While choosing the free spins mode is a big advantage, having two types of Wilds and two free spins feature doubles the excitement, so the crown in this round goes to Xmas Drop.
Round 3: Visuals And Audio
The visual and auditory elements of a slot can elevate the gaming experience to new heights. Xmas Drop sets the scene with vibrant colors, charming symbols, and festive animations, creating a visual feast that mirrors the holiday spirit. Accompanied by a soundtrack of jolly tunes and the sound of cascading wins, it immerses players in a joyful atmosphere.
Meanwhile, 5 Frozen Charms Megaways enchants players with its wintry visuals, showcasing frosty landscapes and captivating characters. The audio complements the theme which is more original compared to its rival’s, immersing players in a mystical ambiance that befits the frozen charms on display.
Choosing a winner in this round becomes a matter of personal taste as both slot providers are known for their superb graphics. What gives Hacksaw’s release a slight advantage is the originality of the visuals that follow the Christmas theme to the teeth and come with many details.
On the other hand, visuals in Pragmatic’s slot are simpler and seen before in the brand’s other leprechaun-inspired games. Either way, whether you're drawn to the warmth of holiday lights or the cool allure of frozen landscapes, both slots excel in creating a visually and aurally captivating experience.
And The Winner Is…
As the dust settles and the reels come to a halt, it is time to declare a champion of a close-fought battle. Lucky charms didn't do the trick this time, so the winner of this episode of slot wars is festive Xmas Drop mostly due to its higher winning potential and more bonus features.
Then again, 5 Frozen Charms Megaways also has many unique strengths. So, maybe the best course of action will be to try out both of these games and judge for yourself which one you prefer.