Introduction
Crossy Road is a popular mobile game developed by Hipster Whale, first released in 2014 for iOS devices. Since then, it has been ported to various platforms, including Android and PC. While not typically associated with casino games, Crossy Road has incorporated slot machine-style gameplay into its core mechanics, offering players an engaging way to experience the thrill of slots within the familiar context of a road-crossing adventure.
Theme
The game’s theme is centered around Crossy Road classic arcade gameplay, where the player controls a character attempting to cross roads without getting hit by oncoming vehicles. The introduction of slot machines in Crossy Road expands this concept by incorporating random number generator (RNG)-based outcomes and potential rewards for each spin. Each time the player lands on specific tiles or completes objectives within levels, they can initiate a bonus game or access one of several slot machine variants.
Design
Upon closer inspection, it’s clear that these incorporated slots are more akin to simplified casino games than traditional Crossy Road experience. Within the main menu options, players have multiple slot machines available for play:
1. Chicken
2. Snake
3. Rabbit
4. Frog
5. Shark
Each variant features a distinct design reflecting its respective character and offers differing combinations of reels (numbered) to 1 up to 6 on select slots.
Symbols
Similar to traditional casino games, each slot incorporates unique symbols and winning combinations that yield rewards based on their frequency.
The chicken and rabbit slot machines use the following symbol set:
- Wilds
- Scatter
Other character-specific items can appear in higher-paying combination or act as wilds:
Chicken Slots:
Frog Slots:
Rabbit Slots:
Payout
To calculate potential winnings, it’s crucial to consider both regular paytable values and any applied modifiers, such as the game bonus factor. All Crossy Road slots use an identical mechanism for rewarding winning combinations.
The overall payout percentage (Return To Player – RTP) varies across slot variants due mainly to different possible rewards awarded. For example:
- Rabbit Slots: 90%
- Chicken Slots: 92.5%
A player using optimal strategy in this game, by collecting all high-scoring characters and consistently playing a specific character’s slots when those opportunities arise could see RTP around that mark or higher.
However, there are some notable exceptions where winning combinations may carry higher multipliers.
Wilds
The slot machines have both Wild and Scatter symbols. However, one has distinct unique functionality compared to the standard wild symbol used in various casino games:
- A specific frog variant holds a special "Multiply" power when paired with other wins.
Scatters
Two types of bonus triggers are employed within each character-specific slot game:
1. Three or More: Wins extra Free Games and more free coins.
2. Specific Reel Setups in a Bonus Level, such as "Wilds," will allow your player to add even more winning combinations.