Reel Rush is an online slot created in the innovative NetEnt studio in 2013. The game combines the seemingly simple design with unusual features, resulting in original and exciting gameplay with excellent payout potential despite being nine years old.
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Landing winning combinations in Reel Rush awards re-spins but also unlocks new reels, creating a larger grid with higher winning odds. On top of that, you’ll find a free spins feature, fast-paced gameplay, and juicy prizes.
The following Reel Rush slot review will cover all the details — from winning combinations and symbols to re-spins, maximum wins, and free spins. Read on!
Slot Data
| Slot name | Reel Rush |
| Software | NetEnt |
| Release date | 2013 |
| Theme | Candy, sweets, fruit |
| RTP | 96.96% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Paylines | 45–3,125 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Min bet ($) | $0.50 |
| Max bet ($) | $100 |
| Max win | 962.4x the wager |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Solid RTP percentage | Free spins difficult to trigger |
| Unique expanding reels feature | No bonus round |
| Vibrant and fun design | |
| Frequent respin rounds |
Introduction
Reel Rush first hit the global igaming market in 2013, quickly becoming a hit among passionate casino players thanks to its unique layout and innovative features.
Although NetEnt had already established itself as a leader in the field, the game solidified its reputation and set up the company for success.
Reel Rush is available on a 5x5 grid with expanding reels and ways to win, ranging between 45 and 3,125. The game also has a higher RTP rate of 96.96% and medium volatility, meaning you might go through some dry spells before hitting a win. To form a winning combination, you need to land three or more matching symbols in any position on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
You'll encounter standout features while playing the Reel Rush slot, like free spins and re-spins, with increasing ways to win.
A cheerful tune follows the gameplay and picks up the pace when you score a win. Despite straightforward graphics, the Reel Rush video slot is among NetEnt’s more popular releases. Let’s find out why.
Reel Rush Theme
Although Reel Rush is an older NetEnt release, its colorful layout still works well, promoting an old-school vibe. The reels are filled with fruits (plums, pineapples, watermelons, strawberries) reminiscent of classic fruit machines found in land-based casinos.
The video slot incorporates another popular theme present in classic cascading reels — candy! So, if you’ve played Candy Crush and have a sweet tooth, you’ll love Reel Rush.
Developers have brought together elements from both worlds, creating an exciting game that appeals to players of all tastes and preferences.
Reel Rush Graphics and Sound
At first glance, there’s nothing special about the Reel Rush slot. It’s a simple online slot with a fruit and candy theme. However, if you scratch the surface and look closer, you’ll notice a lot happening on your screen.
A bright green forest and blue skies behind the grid are designed to remind us of the Nintendo classic from the '80s — Super Mario Bros. The blocky graphics, simplistic features, and bright colors are in sync with the trend that dominated the video game scene in the past. You’ll even see several toadstools and trees reminiscent of ice lollipops in the backdrop.
The audio effects are also inspired by Super Mario, or even maybe Alex Kidd. The tune follows the slot’s fast pace, boosting the excitement levels and following every win.
How to Play Reel Rush
If you want to play this Candy Crush-Super Mario mashup, you’ll need a casino account first. Check out our recommended online casinos, select the one you like the most, and set up a profile. Make the initial deposit, claim a welcome bonus to kick-start the adventure, and find the game in the casino lobby. Press Play Reel Rush to start.
Before spinning the reels, you’ll have to adjust the bet amount. The minimum bet in the Reel Rush slot is $0.50, while the maximum bet amounts to $100 per spin. You can select any amount between the level (1–10) and the coin value (0.01–0.20). If you want to go all in, click the Max Bet button and let the game begin.
Press the central round button to spin the reels or select the Autoplay option, where you can decide how many spins you want (10–1,000). You can also stop this feature if you score a win or lose a certain amount of money.
The Reel Rush game starts with 45 ways to win, and the number grows as you continue to play, land winning symbols, and activate other features. At one point, the paylines can reach up to 3,125, increasing the odds of hitting the honeypot.
You can learn more about the game by clicking the “i” button. The slides will show you symbols, payouts, special features, and ways to win. You can also adjust the settings by selecting the spanner icon and opting for quick spins, using the space bar for spinning the reels or dismissing the intro screen.
Reel Rush Features and Gameplay
All action takes place on a 5x5 grid, but not all reels are active initially. When starting the game, you’ll spin reels on the default format — 1–3–5–3–1. After every win, the reels expand, starting from the leftmost reel.
If you hit a winning combo several times in a row, you’ll end up with all 5 reels and rows active. However, if the winning streak stops, the setup returns to default. That’s why we say Reel Rush has expanding reels.
To trigger a win in the Reel Rush slot, you must land 3 or more symbols in adjacent reels, starting from left to right. As mentioned, the winning symbols unlock additional reels and activate a respin. Here’s how the re-spins feature affects the payline numbers:
- First re-spin — 135 paylines
- Second re-spin — 405 paylines
- Third re-spin — 675 paylines
- Fourth re-spin — 1,125 paylines
- Fifth re-spin — 1,875 paylines
The colorful candies are low-paying symbols. You’ll win 5x the wager with 3 of a kind on the grid, while 5 of them can boost your bet by 50x. If fruit symbols form a winning combination, they will generate better prizes. Here’s how having 5 of a kind will increase your bankroll:
- Plum — 100x
- Blackberry — 150x
- Watermelon — 200x
- Lemon — 250x
- Pineapple — 500x
- Strawberry — 1,000x
Like in all best online slots, wild symbols play an important role, and it’s no different in the Reel Rush online slot. Here, the wild appears on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, but not the first one. It also substitutes symbols and triggers free re-spin features and rounds. But, more on that later.
The Reel Rush slot RTP rate is 96.96%, above average for NetEnt slots. The game also has medium volatility, so there should be a nice balance between the win size and frequency. Casual players can bet as low as 50 cents, while those with thicker wallets can pay as much as $100 per spin.
Reel Rush Bonuses and Free Spins
We’ve already explained the respin feature triggered by every winning combination. However, the fun doesn’t end there. If you win after the fifth re-spin, you’ll enter a free spins feature that boosts your winning odds.
Once you enter the free spins round, all reels and rows will be active — an entire 5x5 grid will spin. You’ll receive 8 free spins, but unlike the previous respin feature, the gameplay will have 3,125 ways to win. During the free spins, the wild symbol will remain active, substituting all other symbols and adding more wins to your balance.
Unfortunately, that’s it as far as the Reel Rush bonus rounds are concerned. With such a vivid and fast-paced base game, layering other elements on top might be too overwhelming for some players.
Where Can I Play Reel Rush?
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Conclusion
The Reel Rush slot has become so popular that Net Entertainment decided to launch a sequel, Reel Rush 2. The game follows the same expanding reel layout but has additional features like a random wild symbol, multipliers, and upgradable symbols.
The original is still widely regarded as one of the top-rated NetEnt casino games. The innovative base game with free spins, increasing reels, and thousands of ways to win is a breath of fresh air in the sea of classic online slots.
Although triggering the free spins feature might be challenging, the road is fun and filled with surprises and neat wins. For an added boost, collect any active casino bonuses, bonus spins, or free games. So, if you’re interested in exploring Reel Rush further, check out our list of the best online casinos, sign up, and enjoy.
Other Popular Slots
Reel Rush is a slot you should try, regardless of your experience. However, it’s also not the only option. So, if you’re interested in broadening your horizons and exploring the ever-growing igaming scene, check out our few suggestions.
First off, if you like what NetEnt has released so far, you should try Blood Suckers, Dead or Alive, or Starburst. However, if you’d like something from different game developers, you should add other slot games like Raging Rhino, Gladiator, Tiger Claw, Silver Bullet, or Bier Haus to your list.
Reel Rush Slot FAQs
How can I play Reel Rush?
Before playing Reel Rush, you’ll have to find an online casino that features it, create an account, and top it up. While at it, you should collect a welcome bonus and keep an eye out for an exclusive bonus deal, as it can boost your bankroll and the odds of winning.
Is Reel Rush available for mobile play?
Yes, it is. Like most NetEnt games, the Reel Rush video slot was created using cutting-edge HTML5 technology. Thanks to it, this video slot boasts a flexible design, which can fit any screen — smartphone, tablet, or desktop. So, if you’re always on the move, use your mobile device to log in to your online casino account or app, find Reel Rush, and press Play.
Does Reel Rush has a free-play mode?
Of course. Many online casinos feature the Reel Rush slot in demo mode, allowing payers to try the game for free. If you’re interested in learning how this video slot works but don’t want to waste money, you can play it for fun. If you decide you want to play it for real money, make a deposit, collect a welcome bonus, and enjoy. However, we always recommend playing free games before investing real money, regardless of your experience.
Does Reel Rush have free spins? Yes, Reel Rush has a free spins feature. You can trigger it by landing a winning combo after a re-spin round. In that case, you’ll win eight free spins and a chance to claim nice prizes.
What is the Reel Rush RTP percentage?
Most NetEnt games have a medium RTP rate of around 96%–96.5%. However, Reel Rush goes above average and comes with a return-to-player percentage of 96.96%, entering the category of slot games with high RTPs.
