The Dead or Alive slot is one of the most popular slots the famous software provider, NetEnt, has released so far. It's a cult classic with a prominent Wild West theme and a fairly standard 5x3 gridline.
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The Wild West themed slot has the unwavering support of slot players globally, and a sequel has even been made in the form of Dead or Alive 2. More titles are likely to come in the future too, given the sheer popularity of both editions.
The original is still a classic though, with an exciting bonus round, a great RTP level, and high volatility to keep things exciting.
Read on to learn what makes the Dead or Alive a classic slot game, its gameplay and bonus elements, and where you can play it for real cash.
Slot Data
| Slot name | Dead or Alive |
| Software | NetEnt |
| Release date | 2009 |
| Theme | Wild West |
| RTP | 96.82% |
| Volatility | High |
| Paylines | 9 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Min bet ($) | $0.09 |
| Max bet ($) | $18 |
| Max win | 12,000x |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Good RTP level | Volatility doesn't seem suitable for this slot |
| High prizes | Players complain of low free spins feature prizes |
| Rewarding wild symbol | |
| Impressive graphics for an old game | |
| Popular theme | |
| Exciting free spins bonus round |
Introduction
The Dead or Alive slot game is a favored NetEnt 5 reel slot with only nine paylines. It offers a unique combination of an above-average RTP of 96.82% and high volatility you don't always see in slot casino games from this notable provider, especially a game without a jackpot.
As best online slots go, Dead or Alive has been around for a while now, but the graphics and sound effects still hold their own in the modern online casino realm. Plus, the atmosphere and overall vibe of the game are great, mostly thanks to the exciting Wild West theme that lets you put on those famous cowboy boots and potentially win big.
Unfortunately, the real money rewards are not always as big as one would hope in a high-volatility slot. However, the base game, the sticky wild, and the free spins feature offer more than enough excitement for a wide range of slot players, not just Jesse James fans. And let's not forget that you'll often find this game included in welcome bonuses with free spins, so you'll have many more chances to win significant amounts.
Dead or Alive Slot Theme
The Dead or Alive slot is thoroughly ingrained in a Wild West setting that's always been exciting for all types of slot players.
The graphics, visuals, sounds, and animations align with this timeless theme. NetEnt has also included symbols that further emphasize the theme, with a wanted poster representing the wild symbol and revolvers as the scatter symbols.
Naturally, things like the sheriff's badge, cowboy boots, and gun belt are also there. The sheriff's badge is also the game's highest-paying regular symbol, not counting the special symbols that reward more.
Dead or Alive Slot Graphics and Sound
The slot game Dead or Alive carries the Wild West theme with pride, and most visual and sound elements are made to complement it.
Even though the game is old, the quality of the graphics are top-notch, something players have come to expect from NetEnt games.
The setting is a bit gloomy and authentically gray and brownish, with lots of details bound to transport you to the Old West as soon as you start playing.
How to Play Dead or Alive Slot
If you want to play responsibly and win in Dead or Alive, there are a few things you need to learn.
You must start by picking an excellent casino that offers this NetEnt game. Many casinos feature it, but it's best to join one with a stellar reputation and a rewarding welcome bonus that potentially includes free spins for this game. Once you do, you'll only need to make a minimum deposit, and you can immediately play Dead or Alive.
The game itself works like most other video slots today. You start by setting your bet amount. You can adjust the coin value and the bet level, through which you'll choose between various bet amounts from $0.09 to $18.
All that's left is to start spinning the reels. So, how to win playing Dead or Alive? Every win is random, so there's not much you can do besides spinning the reels manually or using the Autoplay function.
Remember that it's also good to check the game's paytable to see its essential functions, the Dead or Alive free spins bonus, the sticky wild, and the payouts for all symbols. Keep reading to learn more about the features, gameplay, and bonus elements.
Dead or Alive Slot Features and Gameplay
The Dead or Alive slot has a fairly standard setting with only three rows and five reels, which most players are used to seeing across the board.
The setting is fitting for ten paylines, but Dead or Alive has only nine fixed paylines, which is still a good number for a slot with as many high-paying symbols as this one. As usual, you need to connect three or more of the same symbols on any of the paylines to win, and the game only pays the highest win per line.
The RTP in Dead or Alive sits at 96.82%, which is slightly above average for NetEnt slots and most others, for that matter. This is supplemented with unusually high volatility we don't always find in similar NetEnt games.
The volatility is also strange when we consider the low bet range. Namely, the minimum bet amount is $0.09, but the max bet is only $18. This makes the slot suitable for low-stakes and casual gamblers but not for high-stakes players, even though the volatility might suggest it's appealing only to risk-takers.
Despite this strange mix, the gameplay is quite exciting, and the bonus features, when they come, are still incredibly entertaining. The rewards you get still boil down to luck.
The game has two special symbols, a sticky wild and a scatter, which activates the free spins feature we'll later discuss. As for regular symbols, Dead or Alive boasts five picture symbols that are either medium or high-paying, while it also has five standard low-paying symbols.
The low-paying symbols are the standard 10, J, Q, K, and A, and the amount they pay increases in that order.
As for the picture symbols, here's what to look out for and how much each pays when you connect three, four, or five:
- Shot of whiskey— 10, 50, and 200
- Cowboy boots — 12, 60, and 300
- Cowboy hat — 15, 75, and 400
- Holster with a pistol — 20, 100, and 750
- Sheriff's badge— 20, 125, and 1,000
As you can see, the sheriff's badge is the highest-paying regular symbol of the game. Dead or Alive also has special symbols that are not only connected to a special feature but also pay more. Here's what they are and how much they pay:
- Scatter symbol (Two pistols with the word Scatter below) — 2, 4, 25, and 2,500
- Sticky wild symbol (Wanted poster) — 25, 150, 1,500
The scatter is also unique as it starts paying when you connect only two.
Dead or Alive Slot Bonuses and Free Spins
Dead or Alive's two bonus features stem from the game's two special symbols — scatter and wild.
Dead or Alive is one of many sticky wild slots, and besides wild symbols being the highest-paying ones in the game, every wild slot replaces any other symbol except the scatter.
Wild symbols in slot machines substitute for other symbols, and the same applies in both the game's base mode and the free spin round. However, they act as sticky wilds during the free spin feature, meaning they stay in place until the free spins feature ends. What's more, they can add five extra spins to it if you get one or more sticky wilds on all the reels.
The free spins bonus round starts when you connect three or more scatter symbols in the base game. You get 12 free spins and a multiplier of 2x on every winning combination when that happens. As explained earlier, the free spins can be extended when the required sticky wilds land and not by getting more scatter symbols. However, this can occur only once per bonus round.
The free spins mode is the most interesting one in the game, but it's also the most rewarding. It's the only way for you to reach the 12,000x your bet — the maximum win in the Dead or Alive slot. In essence, you'll have to use the max bet option and win all five sticky wilds during the free spins mode to achieve this win.
Where Can I Play Dead or Alive?
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Conclusion
Dead or Alive may have a strange combination of betting range, RTP, and volatility, but it has earned its cult status for a reason. The bonus features are fascinating and sometimes very rewarding, while the base game offers enough entertainment to merit longer playing sessions.
Add to that a tremendous max win, additional free spins that casinos tend to award players through a welcome bonus or some other promo, and the fact that the Wild West is a timeless genre, and you get a classic with warranted popularity.
Other Popular Slots
Even though Dead or Alive is a popular video slot with exciting gameplay, it certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea.
That's why you can always try out some other similar games, especially those from the same provider. Several games from NetEnt are a great substitute, notably Starburst, Narcos, Gonzo’s Quest, or maybe even Reel Rush if you want larger payouts and many features.
Naturally, you shouldn't ignore the sequel, Dead or Alive 2, as it has brought many improvements to multiple Dead or Alive slot elements and new features.
We'd also recommend Jurassic World or Immortal Romance from Microgaming, for their massive win potential and excellent payout ratio.
Dead or Alive Slot FAQ
Can I play the Dead or Alive slot game for free?
Yes, of course. The game has a demo mode, plus it's one of those free games you can find in most online casinos. It's the same as the real-money version but without the real-money element. We recommend trying out the game for free to see how it works. It's always good to play free slots before you fully commit.
Can I play Dead or Alive on a mobile phone?
Naturally! This slot is fully mobile-friendly as it uses HTML5 technology, making it optimized for various types of devices and browsers. It was converted to this format as soon as the Flash era ended.
What is the RTP in Dead or Alive?
The NetEnt's classic has a slightly above-average RTP percentage of 96.82%.
What is the maximum win in the Dead or Alive slot?
The maximum win is 12,000 times your stake. You can get this win in the free spins feature, as it comes with a 2x multiplier applied to all winning combinations.
Is Dead or Alive a jackpot game?
No, Dead or Alive is not part of the jackpot games category, and it doesn't feature a progressive jackpot.
