Balloon Race Live from Evolution
Balloon Race Live from Evolution Gaming is a unique live slot game that distinguishes itself with a multi-phase structure and engaging mechanics, similar to popular titles like Crazy Coin Flip and Crazy Pachinko.
Gameplay
Set in a serene, cloud-filled sky, the game features a three-row, five-reel layout devoid of typical slot infrastructure, creating a calming yet thrilling experience. Players advance through three phases: the Qualification Phase, where they collect scatter symbols and Expanding Wilds, the Top-Up Phase, where they boost their chances of multiplied winnings, and the dynamic Balloon Race Bonus Round. Guided by a live host, players watch as balloons, propelled by colored balls from a real drawing machine, race towards the finish line to deliver multiplier payouts. This blend of live action and innovative gameplay makes Balloon Race game a standout choice for casino enthusiasts seeking something refreshingly different.
| Game | Balloon Race Live |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Provider | Evolution |
| 📅 Release Date | 2024 |
| 💵 Game Type | Live Casino Game |
| 🤑 Win | up to 200x |
| 💰 RTP | 96.06% |
| 🎢 Volatility | Medium |
| 🎁 Features | Difficulty Levels, Live streaming, Bonus Rounds, High RTP, High Payout |
| 💻 Compatible with | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS, HTML5 |
Structure of the Game
Balloon Race is divided into three main stages:
- The Qualifying phase,
- The Top Up phase,
- The Balloon Race Bonus Round.
Each stage offers unique rules, excitement, and various winning opportunities for players, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Qualifying Phase – Balloon Race Slot
The Qualifying phase begins with a 5-reel, 3-row slot featuring 10 fixed paylines. To advance, players must land three scatter symbols or three Expanding Wilds on any of the paylines. The game includes symbols such as 10, J, Q, K, A, Bronze Ribbon, and Silver Ribbon.
| Symbol | X3 | X4 | X5 |
| 10 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 |
| J | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.3 |
| Q | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.5 |
| K | 0.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| A | 0.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 |
| Bronze Ribbon | 1.5 | 5.0 | 10.0 |
| Silver Ribbon | 4.0 | 7.5 | 15.0 |
Scatter symbols might also come with multipliers that boost total winnings, while Expanding Wilds can substitute for all symbols except scatters, enhancing the chance of forming a winning combination.
Players can choose from three spin modes:
- Normal Spin: This is the default mode where players select a bet amount and spin the reels. The selected bet becomes the base bet used to calculate winnings.
- XXXtreme Spin: For a cost of 5 times the base bet, this mode guarantees one scatter or Expanding Wild symbol per spin, increasing the chances of better multipliers.
- Super XXXtreme Spin: Costing 50 times the base bet, this mode guarantees two scatter or Expanding Wild symbols per spin, significantly boosting the potential for higher multipliers.
Successful qualification transfers any collected multipliers (up to 30x) to the Balloon Race Bonus Round, where they are applied to calculate the final payout. Throughout this phase, players can still win payouts according to the paytable, making each spin potentially rewarding even before advancing to the next stages. The AutoPlay feature allows you to automate your gameplay by setting the number of spins and the bet amount for each spin in advance, eliminating the need to manually press the play button.
Top Up Phase
After qualifying for the Balloon Race Bonus Round, players can participate in the Top-Up phase to boost their multipliers. By clicking the TOP UP button, they can release three to six balloons, each containing potential Top-Up values. These balloons ascend, and if they reach the top without popping, their bonus values are added to the corresponding finish targets. The Top-Up bet amount must be at least equal to the base bet used to qualify, but increasing the Top-Up bet also increases the value of the multipliers. If the Top-Up phase is triggered close to the start of the Balloon Race Bonus Round, a notification allows players to choose between continuing with the Top-Up phase or proceeding to the Bonus Round. This phase is optional, and while it can significantly enhance multipliers, it involves a risk, as not all balloons may successfully reach the top. After completing the Top-Up phase, a plane flies across the screen, dropping additional multipliers onto each color, which are then multiplied by any scatter multipliers and added to the total payout.
The Balloon Race Bonus Round.
This phase is where the excitement peaks and final payouts are determined. This phase is live and features a bingo-style ball machine holding 80 colored balls, divided into four sets of twenty. Each set corresponds to one of the balloon colors:
Symbol | Description | Payout (for 5 symbols) | Payout (for 4 symbols) | Payout (for 3 symbols) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Balloon (Red) | High-value symbol | 100x | 20x | 5x |
Balloon (Blue) | Medium-value symbol | 75x | 15x | 3x |
Balloon (Green) | Medium-value symbol | 50x | 10x | 2x |
Scatter Symbol | Triggers the Bonus Round | 200x | 50x | 10x |
Wild Symbol | Substitutes for other symbols | 150x | 30x | 5x |
At the top of the screen, players see the multipliers for each balloon, which were established during the Top-Up phase.
When the game host starts the ball machine, colored balls are drawn randomly, and the corresponding balloon ascends one position for each ball drawn. This process continues until one balloon ascends five positions to reach the top, marking it as the winning balloon. The color of this winning balloon determines the payout multiplier for the players. It’s important to note that each player’s payout may differ, as it is influenced by their performance in the Top-Up phase and any scatter multipliers they’ve collected.
Ultimately, the Balloon Race Bonus Round combines all multipliers from the Qualification phase, Top-Up phase, and the Bonus round itself, culminating in the final payout.
RTP
Balloon Race game offers various RTP (Return to Player) percentages depending on the mode of play. The optimal RTP is 96.09%, achieved by playing in Normal Spin mode without using the Top-Up feature. Different modes come with slightly varying RTPs: XXXtreme Spins have an RTP of 96.00%, Super XXXtreme Spins at 96.03%, and the Top-Up mode offers 96.05%. These RTP values are comparable to those found in many slot games and some game shows, which typically have lower RTPs than traditional card games and roulette.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique Gameplay: the game combines elements of slots and live game shows, offering a novel and engaging experience.
- Competitive RTP: The game’s RTP is attractive, providing players with a fair chance of winning.
- AutoPlay Feature: The inclusion of AutoPlay offers convenience for players who prefer automated gameplay.
- Visual and Audio Appeal: High-quality graphics and sound effects enhance the overall gaming experience.
- Continuous Loop for Bonus Round: The Balloon Race Bonus Round runs continuously, allowing players to join the next available race after qualifying.
- Flexibility in Top-Up Phase: If players don’t have enough time to top up, they can either wait for the next game or continue without topping up.
- Personalized Payouts: The multiplier payout is unique for each player, adding a personalized element to the game.
- Community Feel: The chat feature fosters a sense of community, enhancing the social aspect of the game.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: New players may need some time to fully understand the game’s structure and phases.
- Risk During Qualifying Phase: There’s a potential for losses during the Qualifying phase before reaching the more lucrative rounds.
- Dependency on Bonus Round: Significant winnings are heavily reliant on the performance in the Balloon Race Bonus Round.
- Potential for Overspending: It’s easy to overspend and bet more than what can be won.
- Lack of Spending Transparency: Players may find it difficult to keep track of their total spending.
Conclusion
Balloon Race Live from Evolution Gaming sets itself apart in the online casino market with its innovative combination of slot and live game show elements. The game’s structured phases, from the Qualifying phase to the engaging Balloon Race Bonus Round, provide a unique and dynamic experience for players. Visually, it stands out as one of the best live slot games, with a modern and refreshing presentation reminiscent of Sweet Bonanza Candyland. The game offers various playing strategies, allowing players to control the volatility based on their preferences. While there’s a learning curve and some inherent risk, the potential rewards, particularly during the Top-Up phase, make it a compelling choice for both new and seasoned players. Big wins are achievable, especially if you hit three scatter multipliers during the Qualifying phase, significantly boosting final payouts. With its loyal following, Balloon Race Live is poised to become a favorite among live slot enthusiasts.
FAQ
Balloon Race Live is an innovative game from Evolution Gaming that combines slot machine mechanics with a live game show element. Players advance through different phases, collecting balloons and participating in a live race to win payouts.
To qualify for the Balloon Race Bonus Round, players must collect a minimum number of balloons during the Qualifying phase by spinning the slot machine.
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage of the game is competitive, offering players a fair chance of winning over time.
The time required to qualify for the Bonus Round varies but generally takes several minutes of gameplay, depending on the player’s strategy and luck.
Making a profit during the Qualifying phase depends on luck and betting strategy. While some players may win enough to cover their bets, others might break even or experience slight losses.
