Return of Kong was launched in April 2019 by software supplier Blueprint Gaming. The game utilizes the trademark Megaways mechanic under a license from the original creator of the format, Big Time Gaming.
This is a revamped version of Blueprint’s iconic King Kong Cash slot, so if you liked it, you should definitely try this improved release. The game is available on all devices, including smartphones and tablets, and offers a flexible betting range of $0.10 to $100 per spin.
But the key point here is that Blueprint has given its popular slot an upgrade, adding many great features, including free spins with unlimited multipliers and cascading reels that respin after every winning combination you create.
| Return of Kong Megaways Slot Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Blueprint Gaming |
| Payline Number | 117,649 ways to win |
| RTP | 96.03% (medium to high variance) |
| Minimum Bet | $0.10 |
| Maximum Bet | $100.00 |
| Wild Symbols | Green palm leaves substitute for regular symbols |
| Scatter Symbols | Letters K, O, N, G trigger the free spins |
| Bonus Features | Up to 12 free spins with unlimited multipliers on the wins, the Golden Monkey upgrades the Megaways, Mystery Kong feature, and cascading reels |
| Jackpot | 250,000 coins |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of Return of Kong Megaways Slot
First things first, this new version of Return of Kong does not utilize the conventional payline structure for its payouts. It relies on the Megaways mechanic where the number of symbols per reel changes on every spin, with the potential to produce up to 117,649 winning ways per round.
Slots with the Megaways mechanic award winning combos when identical symbols land in any position on consecutive reels from left to right. In this vein, it is worth mentioning that this game plays on six vertical reels and one horizontal reel on top of reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. Each of these reels can contain up to seven symbols of varying height.
So, now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s say a few words about the winning combinations and how they pay. Here you will find quirky yet familiar symbols from the original Kong game, positioned against a jungle backdrop with animated burning torches on either side of the reel grid.
Players can hit high-value winning combinations with symbols depicting different jungle animals. It makes sense that the top payer in this game is the eponymous monkey character, King Kong, awarding 50x your stake for six matches.
Kong is followed by a rhino with what appears to be a cigar in its mouth. Six of these on consecutive reels equal a payout of 5x your bet. A combination of six tigers smoking a pipe awards 2.5x the stake. Finally, there is a yellow parrot wearing a pirate patch. You need six parrots to collect 2x your original wager.
The low-paying combinations are formed with the standard card initials, with A, Q, and K awarding up to 1.5x the stake for six matches and J, 10, and 9 paying up to 1x your bet. Return of Kong Megaways pays out for as few as two high-value symbols.
Bonus Features of Return of Kong Megaways Slot
Apart from the lucrative Megaways mechanic, Return of Kong Megaways is packed with extra features that boost the game’s interactivity and winning potential. The first thing you will notice is that the slot uses so-called cascading reels.
When a winning combination occurs, the symbols involved collapse out of sight, making room for new symbols to appear in their place. In essence, this is the equivalent of respins in conventional video slots. The cascading process continues until no new win is created.
Another interesting aspect is the presence of the golden barrels as part of the Mystery Kong feature. These can appear randomly on any spin in different positions. The barrels then explode and transform into identical high- or low-value symbols that form winning combinations. Kong can add up to 100 golden barrels to the reels per spin.
These mystery symbols are also active during the free spins feature. The latter is triggered when the scatters with the letters K, O, N, and G land on the seventh, horizontal reel simultaneously. You start with 12 free spins, but each additional scattered letter that appears during the feature awards 5 extra spins at no cost.
But it only gets better. During free spins, unlimited multipliers increase with each consecutive cascade you create. Another cool element is that you collect Golden Monkeys for the duration of your bonus spins. When you gather three monkeys, you upgrade your Megaways to more winning combinations and receive 2 extra spins on top of that.
Return of Kong Megaways offers medium to high volatility, like most slots that rely on this mechanic. The free spins will not occur very often, but if you get tired of waiting, you can buy your way into the special feature.
You have two options when you hit the Bonus Buy button on the left side of the reels. You can choose the regular Bonus Buy at the price of 100x your wager, which grants you the 12 free spins mentioned earlier.
If you prefer surprises, though, you can hit the Mystery Bonus Buy, which gives you a random number of free spins with unlimited win multipliers. Keep in mind that this is the more expensive option, as it costs 150x your base bet. Lastly, the symbols with the green palm leaves are wild and substitute for all other regular icons in Return of Kong Megaways.
Verdict
Return of Kong Megaways is a great option for players who already enjoy the original Kong slot. This version comes with several upgrades that significantly improve the gameplay, making the game more lucrative and interactive.
With that said, we are certain this new release will appeal even to players who are not familiar with the first version of the slot. Make sure you have a decent bankroll, though, because you are facing higher-than-usual volatility here.