Will BetSoft’s Stampede See Bags Of Cash Rush Your Way?
One of our favourite scenes from the original Jumanji movie was when the wild animals stampede through the streets, so we had to play Stampede when we saw it in the 5Gringos online casino.
BetSoft launched Stampede in 2017, making this machine something of a classic. Pokies have vastly changed over the past couple of years, never mind over the past five years, so does Stampede stand the test of time? Let us find out.
Stampede Fundamentals
The Stampede online pokie runs on a 5×4 layout, making it different from the traditional 5×3 layout so many companies use. Those two spots have 1,024 win lines running with an “all ways pays” system, making it easier to trigger winning spins.
BetSoft opted for a high variance maths model, which it combined with a 95.27% RTP. This is quite a bankroll-sapping combination, so either player for lower stakes or have a larger bankroll available.
Bets start at $0.40 per spin and climb to a $60 maximum. Hitting the maximum possible prize equated to $1,931.24 at the lowest stakes and an impressive $289,686 at the highest stakes.
What Are The Stampede Symbols?
Stampede is set on a sun-drenched African savannah, so all the symbols have a safari feel. We say all but there are royals, tens through aces, that have nothing to do with safaris or Africa.
Those royals are very low value and only pay 0.13 to 2.50x you wager. Stampede pays for two tens but you need three for all other symbols except the high-value elephant.
A gazelle, zebra, and giraffe make up the game’s mid-tier symbols. None are particularly valuable, with the zebra paying only 3.00x for landing five. The elephant symbol awards 1.25x, 2.50x, and 7.50x for landing three, four, or five. It also pays for landing two but its prize is not worth shouting about.
| Symbol | Match 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant | 1.25x | 2.50x | 7.50x |
| Cheetah & Eagle | 1.25x | 2.50x | 3.75x |
| Zebra & Giraffe | 0.50x | 2.00x | 3.00x |
| Gazelle | 0.25x | 1.25x | 2.50x |
| Aces | 0.25x | 1.25x | 2.50x |
| Kings, Queens, Jacks | 0.13x | 0.5x | 2.50x |
| Tens | 0.13x | 0.25x | 2.50x |
Tree symbols act as the game’s scatter. You need at least three to trigger the free spins round. Three pays 2.00x and gives eight free spins. Land four for a 10.00x payout plus 12 free spins. However, have five scatters and a 20.00x payday is yours in addition to 20 free spins.
Wilds are also present, although they do not pay any money. They substitute for every symbols except the scatter.
What Are The Game’s Bonuses and Features?
A lack of bonuses and features is what lets Stampede down compared to rivals. Free spins are the only special feature, unfortunately. Elephant symbols are more frequent during the free spins round, and it is possible to retrigger free spins an unlimited number of times. In addition, wilds come with 2x and 3x multipliers during the free spins round.
You should look elsewhere if you must have bonus and feature-rich pokies in your portfolio.
Conclusion
Stampede is a charming pokie that looks good, sounds good, and is quite fun to play. However, you quickly realise that the game is five years old once you get playing it. A severe lack of features lets the game down, as does the combination of less-than-average RTP and high variance.
It is worthwhile playing Stampede if only so you can enjoy a poker machine from yesteryear. However, it is recommended to do so while completing a reload bonus or welcome bonuses wagering requirements so you can protect your bankroll from the deadly variance and high house edge.
